Many hunters use their abilities with bow and arrows, guns and spears to kill monkeys.

>> But some native people have another simple yet effective style to trap them.

The hunter searches the jungles for a large-sized, wild gourd (= a fleshy, typically large fruit/vegetable with a hard skin).

After the gourd had dried for several weeks, the hunter would cut a two-inch hole in the side.

>> The insides of the gourd would then be taken out, leaving an empty hard-shelled trap…

After finding the right place in the jungle, where there were plenty of monkeys, the hunter would hang the trap from a tree.

>> In the centre of the gourd-trap, several handfuls of peanuts would be placed…

In a short time, the curious monkeys would scamper over to see what the man had left behind.

A short glance and a long sniff would reveal to the monkeys that one of their favourite items was conveniently close by – and easy to get!

One monkey would venture first.

>> He would look the gourd over well.

The gourd was a common sight and would not rouse many questions, and inside he would discover wonderful, plump peanuts.

What more could a monkey ask for?

Into the gourd, went the monkey’s hand, grasping a few peanuts, and then slowly, he would ease out his hand.

Easy pickings!

>> He got a handful and they were so good!

In would go again his little hand, and not wanting to miss out on this free offer!

>> But his hand , with many peanuts, was now too big, to get back out of the hole.

When he tried to pull back his hand, it would not come out through the gourd’s hole.

>> He would pull and pull but to no avail.

> He was caught!

It would never dawn on him to let go of the peanuts!

There he would be captured until the hunter would return and easily kill the monkey.

>> His own selfishness had bound him to the trap.

Temptations in our life, is also, so often similar…

>> We get trapped in our own selfishness!

> We get ensnared in our own greediness!

The Gospel of the Day – on this first Sunday of Lent – is an account, from the Gospel of St Luke, of how Jesus resisted temptations and emerged victorious by the power of the Spirit, to proclaim the Gospel of God!

“Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit, through the wilderness…” (Lk 4: 1)

>> In Jesus, we encounter a God who has a very human face – sharing in sufferings, partaking in miseries and participating in hardships.

>> In Christ, we have a God who understands us in our weak moments, consoles us in our painful situations and who empathizes with us in our trials and temptations.

Jesus knows what it is like to struggle with temptations and enticements…

>> Because He Himself was tempted!

Jesus knows what it is like to ward off the beasts of our vices and evil tendencies…

>> Because He Himself was among wild beasts!

Yet, in all His trials, He emerged victorious and triumphant!

Ø He did not succumb to the allurements of Satan…

Ø He did not fall for the traps of the Evil One…

Ø He did not yield to the inducements of the Devil…

The reason?

>> He had a tremendous infilling of the Holy Spirit!

>> He had a unshaken determination to be focused on doing God’s Will!

>> He had a indomitable resolve of being faithful and true to His mission and commitment!

And these reasons of Jesus are also the techniques for us to overcome the power of temptations….

> Can I grow continually in the infilling of the Holy Spirit?

> Can I learn to, despite any hardships, constantly seek and do only God’s Will?

> Can I cultivate the steadfastness to be singly focussed on the mission of His Kingdom?

We live in a world which is often, like a wilderness…

.. dry in spiritual fervour… heated up with material desires…arid in religious enthusiasm

We live in a world where there are often, many wild beasts…

…ferociously corrupt and unhealthy practices…menacingly abusive evil lifestyles

We need to resist the temptations arising from such situations and stand firm in our focus and commitment to the Lord and His Kingdom.

Let us not get caught up in the snares of temptation…instead be victorious and triumphant in the Grace and Power of Jesus, our Saviour, Model and Master!

>> Selfish desires can trap us…

… but being selfless in the Spirit will help us!

>> Greedy longings can confine us…

… but Godly leanings can strengthen us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ As soon as you feel yourself tempted, follow what little children do when they see aw wolf or a bear in the field.

>> They run at once to their father’s or mother’s arms or at least call out to them, for help and assistance

… In the same way, have recourse to God, imploring His Mercy and His Help!

——————————–

A young man was browsing through a huge library.

As he was admiring the various titles of the publications, he came across a small pamphlet on which were written the following words:

“I am responsible.

I am responsible for a number of haunting experiences in the world…

… pillows being wet by sobs

… noble hearts broken in the silence of a dark corner

… cruel misunderstandings that make life look dark and dirty

… gentle and sensitive natures, seared and smeared with stains

… old-time friends splitting apart and turning their backs on one another

… and many many more!

Use me, therefore, responsibly…

… Else, I would continue to be responsible for many such ignominies!

Yes, I am responsible!”

Wanna know my name?

I am the Tongue!

>> And all these my works are called: The Crimes of the tongue!”

Yes, the “crimes of the tongue” are a major source of a number of haunting experiences in the world.

>> Are we also promoters of such “crimes of the tongue”?

The Gospel of the Day is an account of Jesus, the Great Physician of Galilee, in His rounds of healing sick patients…

… and encountering some critical persons who reveal a dark side of human life by their “slanderous and harsh” tongues and committing the “crimes of the tongue!”

Levi, the tax-collector heeds the call of the Lord “to follow Him” ( Lk 5:27)

In his great happiness of being accepted and the joy of following his new-found love, Levi hosts a grand party.

>> This feast is a wonderful time of sharing for various other tax collectors as well.

But this time of joy and happiness, becomes an occasion for some people to “wag their tongues” in negative talks and remarks!

As the saying goes…where two or three are gathered with a vicious and malicious mind, there is the assassination of the character of few people!

The Pharisees and their scribes, seeing Jesus sharing the joyful companionship of the tax collectors, began to murmur and grumble: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Lk 5: 30)

Jesus clarifies His mission of coming to the world to heal the sick and to cure the ill. (Lk 5:31)

>> He is the Great Physician of Galilee.

This Great Physician, clearly examines the “tongues” of the Pharisees and the Scribes and identifies their sickness…

Ø Their tongues spoke ill of people who were being saved.

Ø Their tongues criticized the people who were given a redeeming status in the society.

Ø Their tongues lashed at out the Lord who came to bring acceptance and love to the outcast.

The words that their tongues uttered …

… revealed the low-state of their life.

… revealed the negativity that was widespread in their life.

The Great Physician today wishes to examine our own tongues: our words and our speech.

>> Are we also persons whose tongues lash out in harsh criticism and rash judgements?

>> Are we also persons whose tongues hit out in negative comments and unkind criticism?

The Great Physician is here to heal us…

>> Our tongues easily reveal our sicknesses to Him.

St Francis de Sales, mentions about this aspect, in his book, ‘Introduction to the Devout Life’…

“Doctors get a good knowledge of the health or the illness of a man by examining his tongue.

>> Our words are signs of the qualities of our souls”

The state of the tongue reveals the state of the health of the person.

>> The condition of the tongue gives an indication of the well-being or illness in a person.

Similarly, the words, which the tongue speaks, reveal the state of our inner life.

>> Our speech, which the tongue utters, reveal the condition of our spiritual life.

This time of the Lent is a great opportunity for us, to improve in this area of our life.

The Great Physician has His prescriptions ready….

Ø His Holy Word, which can sweeten our tongues with patience and charity.

Ø His Holy Eucharist, which can cleanse our tongues in sanctity and holiness.

May we use the tongue, responsibly…

… else, it would continue to be responsible for many ignominies of life!

Let us be healed and cleansed by the Divine Touch of the Great Physician…

… and avoid all “Crimes of the tongue!”

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There are some, while fasting, who will not moisten their lips with wone, perhaps not even with water, in his great abstinence…

… however, he does not scruple to steep them in his neighbours blood, through slander and detraction!”

——————————–

Two wives were sharing their experiences about their husbands.

The first wife shared:

“My husband is a very good man. But the only trouble is he does not understand my weaknesses.

He comes home every evening and bombards me with a barrage of questions:

>> ‘Did you do what I told you?’

>> ‘Did you waste any time today?’

>> ‘Did you complete all the works on your to-do-list?’

He always demands. He always expects.

>> As much as I try, I cannot satisfy him.

The worst thing is, he is always right!

I cannot meet his expectation, because I am not able to!”

The second wife shared:

“My husband is a very good man. And the advantage is, he understands my weaknesses.

He comes home very evening and engages in dialogue-questions with me:

>> ‘Hope you had a good day today’

>> ‘I wish that you got some rest today’

>> ‘I hope you did not strain yourself much, completing all the works’

He always understands. He always encourages.

>> As much as I put in the effort, he appreciates me.

The best thing is, he is always right!

I can meet his expectation, because he makes me able!”

Do we want to know the name of the two husbands?

>> The First: Mr Rigid!

>> The Second: Mr Compassionate!

How are we in our Christian lives?

>> Mr Rigid?

OR

>> Mr Compassion?

The Gospel of the Day presents this contrasting attitude of human tendencies in the Person of Jesus and the Pharisees…

… over the stagnant practise of an important devotion: Fasting!

The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus with an important query:”Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?” (Lk 9:14)

The Mosaic Law commanded only one day of fasting – the day of Atonement.

The Book of Leviticus prescribes this fast: “On the tenth day of the seventh month…you are to enter into a solemn fast and refrain from all work, because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. In the presence of God you will be made clean of all your sins. It is a Sabbath of all Sabbaths. You must fast. It is a perpetual ordinance” (Lev 16:29-31)

But it is to be noted that the Pharisees and apparently, the disciples of John had also adopted another tradition: that of fasting two days a week.

>> This was considered to be a very pious and pride action among this group.

In Luke 18:12, we find the Pharisee who boasts of fasting twice a week, as he makes his prayer, in contempt of the tax collector.

It is to this fasting, that the disciples of John refer to, when they counter Jesus with the question: “Why don’t your disciples fast?”

But Jesus opens their eyes to see the rigidity in their thought and practice.

>> The practice of fasting was…

… for atonement of one’s sins.

… a time of mourning in seeking for the restoration of Israel.

… a period of waiting for the Messiah who would redeem their nation.

But somehow all these basic aspects of fasting were forgotten and apparently, lost.

>> Their practise of fasting had grown stagnant.

>> Their mindset in skipping meals had become sluggish.

>> They failed to realise the reason and meaning for their fasting.

The Lord declares Himself as the Bridegroom, who has come to restore the glory of Israel. (Mt 9:15)

>> The time of mourning is over.

>> The period of fasting is no longer.

It’s time to rejoice with Him, who is the Bridegroom and Saviour – Jesus!

Yes, when one loses sight of the original purpose, the actions become mere lifeless customs.

>> When one fails to know the actual motive, the conduct becomes a mere obsolete ritual.

A custom, devoid of its purpose and real intention is dead and decayed.

>> A tradition, conducted without the true motivation is irrelevant and trivial.

>> A ritual, performed without knowledge of true meaning is an immaterial routine.

The Season of Lent calls for us to make extra sacrifices, especially through the form of fasting.

What is my attitude to fasting and penance?

Has it become rigid…

… devoid of its original purpose of sanctification and growing in closeness to God?

Has it become stagnant…

… becoming a mere yearly custom and tradition with no effect on one’s life?

Am I ready to undertake the powerful style of fasting as presented in Isaiah 58: 6-7:

A fasting…

… to lose the bonds of wickedness and to undo the thongs of the yoke

… to let the oppressed go free and to share the bread with the hungry

… to bring homeless poor into the house and to cover the naked

Our fasting, penances and sacrifices are to be a joyful one… because we have Jesus, the bridegroom with us.

>> His presence with us, is a matter of joy

… yet we fast and do penance, to share joyfully in His suffering and pain.

>> His presence with us, is an occasion of rejoicing…

… yet we make sacrifices and discipline ourselves, to find deeper meaning in His Cross.

>> His presence with us, is a period of celebration…

… yet we have self-control and abstain oneself, to be united closer to His redeeming action.

Let us not get “rigid”.

>>Instead, with “compassion”, let us open our eyes to the real purpose meaning of our fasting and our acts of penance.

Yes, let us examine:

How are we in our Christian lives?

>> Mr Rigid?

OR

>> Mr Compassion?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ We must love obedience rather than fear disobedience

>> We must do all by love…

… and nothing by force!”

——————————–

A story is told of a young woman who wanted to join a particular college, with a reputed fame.

As she filled the application form, her heart sank, when she read the question that read: “Are you a leader?”

Sticking to her principle of being honest in life, she wrote “No”…

… and submitted her application…

… expecting the worst!

She knew, that this question would be the stumbling block for her admission to college.

But to her great surprise, she received the following letter from college:

“Dear Applicant,

A study of all our application forms this year reveals, that we will have 1, 547 new leaders in college.l

So we are accepting you as our student, because we feel that it is necessary that all those ‘so-called leaders’, have atleast one follower!”

Well, that pretty much sums up human tendencies isn’t it?

… a tendency whereby people would dilute their ideals for seeking a position or favour!

… a tendency whereby people would want to be only leaders, but fail to be a follower!

Is our Christian life also characterized by these tendencies…?

… to dilute Christian Values for the sake of one’s favour?

… to project our personal merits and crave to be a power-monger rather than a follower?

The Gospel of the Day presents the mighty challenge of Jesus, to those who wish to follow Him…

… being uncompromising in one’s commitment

… being willing to be a follower of Him, the Sole Leader!

Jesus says: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23)

One of the key aspects, when we analyze the ministry of Jesus is that Cross would be an integral aspect of His life and ministry.

The Lord never shied away from the Cross.

>> And the Lord never shied away from teaching about the Cross.

He doesn’t use attractive advertisements to allure more followers…

He doesn’t preach an easy life to gather in more disciples…

>> But He instead preaches and proclaims the Cross!

The Cross is a symbol…

… of total self-giving

… of total commitment

We are in the season of Lent.

It’s a time of getting back to the basics of our life…

… to re-dedicate our love and consecration to the Lord

… to review our life more closely in relation to our faith

The Lord sets before us choices continually in life.. (Deut 30:15)

… the choice of life and death

… the choice of good and evil

… the choice of blessings and curses

But all these promises of the Lord are valid, only if we are seeking and are eager to follow His commandments and to walk according to His paths.

Our Christian lives today are often found to be characterized by…

… pragmatism: following Christ and His Ideals only for our personal gains and desires!

… comfortability: following Christ and His Ideals only when it is easy and undemanding!

… dilution: following Christ and His Ideals without sincerity and watering down as per convenience!

… power-mongerism: following Christ and His Ideals only to gain power and popularity!

The Cross comes as a huge blow to all such “easy philosophies!”

The Cross was the choice of the Lord…

… a result of deep obedience and total commitment.

The Cross needs to be our choice too…and this requires…

… deep obedience to the Will of the Lord.

… total commitment to our call and consecration as a Christian.

The Lord promises much happiness and joy…

… but these will be delivered only if we make the determination and resolution to follow Him closer and to live as per His commands!

Let us be bold and courageous to embrace a Life of the Cross…

… without pragmatism, without comfortability, without dilution, without power-mongerism!

>> And stick on to the Christian Principles…

… even it means, rejection from the world and its ways!

Yes, shall we be ready…

… to embrace this call and exhortation of the Lord?

… to get attracted to a life of the Cross – total discipline and deep dedication?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Be what you are…

… And be at its best!”

————————-

A legendary story goes is told of a holy person who lived an extremely virtuous life.

>> The goodness in him diffused, as a flower would spread its fragrance.

So impressed were the angels, that they came down to enquire on his secrets and even to offer him special gifts of miracles and thus he could gain more popularity and fame.

>> They offered him the gift of the “touch of his hand” – so that he would be able to heal the sick or raise the dead…

… But he refused, saying that “God alone could heal”

>> Then, they offered him the “power of conversion” – so that people could turn to God in repentance…

… But he refused, saying that “the Holy Spirit alone could work repentance in souls”

>> Then they offered the power to be a “model of goodness” so that many more would be drawn to him by the virtue of his life…

… But he refused, again, saying that “if all are drawn to him, people would be away from God”

Puzzled, the angels asked him what gift did he desire!

The holy person replied:

“Grant me the gift of humility…

… so that I might do good to all, without me even knowing it!”

And so the angels interceded to God…

… and he was blessed:

>> Wherever his shadow would fall, where he himself could not see it…

… the shadow would cure sicknesses, heal broken hearts and bring back people to God in repentance!

Humility was the virtue that was sought by the virtuous person…

… and it was this simplicity – to allow the Lord to take complete possession of all his goodness – that exalted him to climb the ladder of sanctity higher!

Yes, Humility is the prime virtue that needs to embellish the life of every Christian.

Today we begin the Season of Lent.

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of doing away with pride and instead, beautifying one’s life with sincere humility .

Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount continues to target the key areas of one’s Christian living.

Today He speaks on the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

Jesus condemns these devout exercises becoming instruments to show-case one’s pride and exhibit pomp and self-glory.

>> With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…

… “sound no trumpet” (Mt 6:2)

>> With respect to prayer, Jesus says…

… “shut the door and pray to your Father” (Mt 6:6)

>> With respect to fasting, Jesus says…

…”anoint your head and wash your face” (Mt 6:17)

One of the fundamental aspects in the Spirituality of Jesus is His emphasis on the intention of the heart.

>> Sin is…

… when the heart rejects the working of the Spirit.

>> Holiness is…

… when the heart accepts the grace of the Spirit.

When the heart consents to evil, sin occurs

>> When the heart consents to grace, goodness is affirmed.

An act of almsgiving happens, when the heart willingly gives – in generosity and with wholeheartedness

>> An act of prayer happens, when the heart seeks communion with the Lord – in openness and with faithfulness

>> An act of fasting happens, when the heart self-sacrifices and renounces – in sincerity and with willingness

When the intention of the heart is genuine and sincere, then one remains least bothered of external attractions and publicity…

… there is no desire to seek for attention and appreciation for one’s devout actions

… there is no inclination to want acknowledgement and recognition for one’s pious deeds

And this is the ideal to which Jesus invites us:

>> A religion that spreads not simply on the basis of external shows..

…but on the basis of genuine spirituality

>> A faith that grows not merely on the strength of pompous deeds…

… but on the foundation of true dependence and trust in the Lord

Is my practice of religion very often a flaunting of my pride and vain glory?

It is also interesting to note that these 3 practices also refers to the 3 dimensions of Love: towards God, towards others, towards oneself

1. Prayer: Reminding ourselves to grow in the Immensity of God’s Love

2. Almsgiving: Reviving our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another

3. Fasting (Penance): Rediscovering the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness

Let us give heed to the wisdom from the book “Imitation of Christ” and seek to grow in humility and dependence on the Lord:

“Do not think yourself better than others lest, perhaps, you be accounted worse before God who knows what is in man.

>> Do not take pride in your good deeds, for God’s judgments differ from those of men and what pleases them often displeases Him”

A few practical tips could help us to make this Season of Lent, more meaningful:

1. It is said that habits – to make a new one or to break an old one – generally take around 21 days

>> These 40+ days of Lent are a chance for us to “double” our efforts towards…

… positively growing in a “good virtuous habit”

… negatively rooting out a “not-so-good vicious habit”

(A few examples:

… Reading a portion of the Bible daily

… Learn by heart, some verses of the Bible and make it a personal prayer

… Identify the “root vice” of life, and practice the opposite – “the root virtue”

… Try to frequent Holy Mass / spend time with the Eucharistic Lord, as much as possible

… 40 simple acts of kindness

… Abstain from something that is “dear” and offer it is a sacrifice for someone in need

… Revive personal/family prayer

… Reduce time spent on the internet/social media

… Visit a home of charity or those in our vicinity who needs a help

… Abstain from gossiping/back biting/ irritable words

… Bring a person(s) closer to Christ/Church)

Can we choose, on this day, a habit in our personal life, which we need to “make or break”…

… for these days of Lent?

2. The Season of Lent covers a period of 7 weeks

>> Seven – a number of fullness and completeness is a call for us to grow in the Virtue of Charity.

We could identify 7 people – corresponding to the 7 weeks of Lent, who need our help.

>> This help may be any of the following:

… spiritual help

… social acceptance

… materialistic needs

… emotional assistance

May this Season of Lent help us to take concrete and practical decisions to practise the three pillars of Christian Piety – Fasting, Almsgiving and Praying…

… in its truest sense.

>> And may this be our prayer to enshrine all our activities:

“Grant me the gift of humility…

… so that I might do good to all, without me even knowing it!”

Wish you all a Very Happy and Blessed Season of Lent.

>> May this season of lent, be a time – to revive and renew – and thus grow in Holiness!

May our Blessed Mother of Compassion intercede for us.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Fasting is a virtue only when it is accompanied by conditions which render it pleasing to God!”

——————————–

A person had gone to visit his aged Christian friend.

He knew that the old man was to die soon.

>>Being lost for words, he said: “My dear friend, I fear, you are near another world.”

The Christian man – however, with much cheer replied: “I know I am!”

>> “But blessed be the Name of the Lord, I do not fear…

… I hope!”

Our Christian Life is a spiritual journey…

>> The greater hope we have in the promises of the Lord, the more pleasant will be our journey

>> The stronger our trust in the Word of the Lord, the swifter will be our progress in this journey towards the Lord

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring His promises to those who follow Him – sincerely and wholeheartedly.

Jesus tells to Peter and the other disciples:

” Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and the sake of the Gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age….and eternal life in the age to come” (Mk 10: 29)

This incident takes place right after the encounter of the rich young man with Jesus (Mk 10: 17-22)

This man was proposed by Jesus to sell all his possessions and then follow Him.

> The man, however, found it hard, to let go off his attachments, and instead let go of the Lord.

>> He went away sad! (Mk 10:22)

Peter, as the leader of the disciples, however, contrasts this “possessive and worldly” tendency of the rich young man by telling Jesus, ” We have given up everything and followed you” (Mk 10: 28)

>> Perhaps, there was a growing concern among the disciples…

… as to whether their radical decision to commit themselves to the Master would go in vain!

>> Perhaps, there was an apparent fear within the disciples…

… as to whether their decisions to leave their professions, their families and their aspirations to follow the Lord would go fruitless!

And so the Lord, with a candid straight-forwardness replies that their sacrifices would surely assure them of rewards of a much higher quality and eminence.

How often do our lives also sometimes sink in hopelessness, thinking whether our expressions of faith would end up in meaninglessness!

Sometimes even fearful thoughts and anxious emotions may cross our mind…

… will the various sacrifices and pains that I take up for the Lord, go in vain?

… will my unshed tears, my unspoken prayers and painful sighs, end up in futility?

… will the efforts I make to grow in love and nourish others in faith, lead to fruitlessness?

But the Lord assures us, that none of these efforts – small or great, noticed or unnoticed, seen or unseen – will escape the penetrating eyes of the Lord and go unrewarded.

>> All our actions, done in love has an assured reward!

What is however, most essential, is our total focus on the Lord and unflinched commitment to Him.

The Lord most certainly assures us of rewards and gifts.

>> But, in this pursuit, may we not stray or lose focus of Him!

>> Our lives ought to be impelled by the love for the “God of rewards”, than merely the rewards of God!

>> Our lives must be lived in faithfulness to the “God of gifts”, than being fascinated only to the gifts of God!

May the Lord Himself be our greatest reward… our finest gift!

In the journey of our spiritual life, we will have many situations and moments of fear…

>> But with deep trust in the Lord, let us boldly say:

“Blessed be the Name of the Lord, I do not fear…

… I hope!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Do not think that you will be able to succeed in your affairs, by your own efforts…

… but only by the assistance of God

>> And on setting out, consign yourself to His Care…

… believing that He will do that which will be best for you!”

——————————–

An incident is told of a Christian man named Johansson,  when passing out of a church,  was encountered by his friend Albert.

It had been a very long time that Albert had seen Johansson in church.

>> They began to speak about their past memories, their present careers and their future plans.

Among the several things that they spoke, Albert mentioned: “I understand now that you are in great danger!”

He had said that statement pretty seriously, and so Johansson felt quite taken aback.

With a  surprise look, he queried:

“Well, as far as I know, I do not foresee any danger to my life.

>> May I know what exactly are you meaning by the statement?”

With a  concerned tone, Albert replied: “I get to know, that you are getting rich!”

Albert, the friend, was giving a warning to Johansson, because of the inherent dangers that “richness” could lead into…

The Gospel of the Day is a lesson on warning…

.. A rich young man who was made to realise the fleeting nature of wealth and possessions by the Lord.

The young man in the Gospel approaches Jesus to ask, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10: 17)

When Jesus gives him list of commandments, that need to be followed to help ensure a passage into eternal life, the man replies, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth” (Mk 10: 20)

We underline a few aspects of this young man…

>> He did desire for a life of eternity and followed the commandments

>> He did nurture a sense of being pious and devout, to please the Lord

However…

… he probably failed to live up to the intentions of the commandments

… he possibly got lost into only keeping the letters of the commandments; not the spirit!

>> He got attached to doing God’s commandment…

…  but failed to break his attachments with the riches of the world.

>> He possessed the good will to follow God’s teachings…

… but failed to let go of the possessions of his life.

The Lord realised this “pitiable” condition of the young man.

>> He was wealthy in the world, but was unable to be rich before God

>> He was obedient to the laws, but was unable to be obedient to give up his attachments.

Therefore, the Lord, knowing this state of the young man – devout yet not properly focussed – “looked at him, loved him, and said, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come, follow me'” (Mk 10: 21)

This young man could represent any one of us:

>> We seek to be pious…

… but find it hard to let go of our possessions

>> We seek for holiness in life…

… but go through a struggle to give up our attachments

>> We seek to follow the Lord wholly…

…  but stumble to give ourselves entirely to the Lord

Yet, the Lord does not give up on us…

> He looks on us…

>> He loves us…

And He invites us, to have the proper focus in life!

We need to realise…

… that it is not material possessions that ought to occupy our hearts; rather, our hearts needs to be possessed with the Love for the Lord.

… that it is not worldly treasures that should be our prime motto in life; rather, a life, dedicated to the Kingdom of God and helping the needy with the resources we have.

As we prepare ourselves to enter into the Season of Lent this week…

… let us pay attention to the words of the Book of Sirach:

“How great is the mercy of the Lord, His forgiveness to those who return to Him” (Sir 17:24)

May we give heed to this great warning accorded by the Lord…

>> And be possessed by the Lord…

… so that we may have a wonderful life of eternity with the Lord of all treasures!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When your heart is wandering and distracted, bring it back gently and quietly to its point…

… restore it tenderly to the Master’s side!”

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The eye is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body.

>> An eye surgery, therefore, becomes one of the most vulnerable surgeries of all.

It takes a compassionate hand and a delicate touch to do surgery in the eye.

When there is an eye trouble, we need a doctor who knows what he/she is doing because even the slightest mistake can have catastrophic consequences.

The Gospel of the Day focuses our attention on the EYE…

… and the need to have a clear and fine eye!

Jesus says, “Can a blind person, guide a blind person?” (Lk 6: 39)

The Lord has blessed us with the gift of the Eye…

>> We are to marvel at the treasure of creation and the beauty and marvel at the wonders in nature.

>> We are to see the many gifts and talents that we possess in ourselves.

>> We are also to see the resources and assets in others and to grow in our love for our fellow beings.

This love for the others also, however, makes us…

… to encounter the weaknesses and shortcomings in others!

… to get impatient and irritated with others!

Christian love is not blind.

Christ never says to, “ignore the faults of others.”

>> But He surely does say, “Take care of your own faults first.”

That’s why Jesus says, “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly, to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye” (Lk 6:42b)

Look in the mirror!

Ø Am I quick to see how arrogant people are…

… when I myself am often given into to anger and quick-temper?

Ø Am I quick to see how lethargic are people in their spiritual life…

… when I myself fail to be active and energetic?

Ø Am I quick to see how corrupt and dishonest people are…

… when I myself often resort to unhealthy lifestyles?

Sometimes we tend to have a microscopic view when we look at the faults of others…

>> A microscope magnifies an image and displays the view in a much enlarged and amplified manner.

Maybe the following check-list will help us to discern whether I am microscopic in my perception of others:

>> Do I blow small things out of proportion and make mountains out of molehills, without realizing its drastic consequences?

>> Do I maximize the sins of others – their faults, their bad habits and their shortcomings, without understanding their contexts and backgrounds and situations?

>> Do I come to quick, hasty or negative conclusions without seeking to garner the full truth & the complete information & details?

>> Do I unnecessarily get involved in situations where we should not be involved and thus bring upon unnecessary tensions and worries upon ourselves?

>> Do I pass along critical stories to others and fail to verify the authenticity of the rumours and even fail to stop a particular gossip from disseminating?

>> Do I have a strong bias to find others guilty and often look at the other with eyes of suspicion and doubt and scepticism?

>> Do I behave too harsh even when speaking the truth and fail to realize the emotions and the feelings that could cripple the person under guilt?

>> Do I add aggravating remarks and sprinkle home-made masalas when re-telling a story about the life or event of another person and thus twist things in the way I want?

>> Do I taking delight in condemning others and harping upon the misdeeds of others and thus enjoy a certain amount of pleasure and gratification through this process of character assassination?

Christian charity demands that we seek to correct others and help others in their growth and progress of spiritual health!

But in dealing with the fault of others, what is most needed is: A clear vision!

Psalm 139:23-24 would say:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

>> And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

The order or the sequence in which we go about this process is highly crucial and vital:

>> First, we need to judge ourselves.

>> First, we need to be hard on ourselves.

>> First, we need to ask the Lord to show us our sins.

Until we do that, the “speck” in our brother’s eye will look like a log to us…

… while the log in us will be invisible!

>> Only then are we ready to find the fault in others and help them to overcome the “spot” in their lives!

This stage of our life will be characterized by the virtues of:

>> Humility

>> Gentleness

>> Patience

>> Discretion

Our sins will bother us more than the sins of others!

>> Our failures will disturb us more than the failures of others!

>> Our weaknesses will unsettle us more than the weaknesses of others!

The line is fine and thin: between correcting others and being charitable to others

The line is slender and slim: between helping others and being judgemental on others

Yes, the eye is highly sensitive and an eye surgery, is one of the most vulnerable surgeries of all.

>> It takes a compassionate hand and a delicate touch to do surgery in the eye!

Let us seek for this grace of being compassionate and charitable in dealing with the faults of others!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ How displeasing to God are rash judgments!

>> When we cannot excuse a sin in others… let us at least make it worthy of compassion by attributing the most favourable cause we can to it, such as ignorance or weakness

… we can never pass judgment on our neighbour!

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