One of the modern trends that we find in an increasingly urbanizing culture is the importance placed on Fitness.

A lot of emphasis is placed on being health-conscious and maintaining oneself to be fit and fine.

>> This aspect of being healthy is to be extended beyond the physical body to also the spiritual dimension of our lives.

> One needs to be not just physically fit, but also be spiritually strong.

> One needs to be not just bodily healthy, but also be spiritually tough.

It is this spiritual strength & toughness that will help us to be always ready to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.

The Gospel of the Day gives an exhortation to be prepared and arm ourselves for the coming of the Lord:

“You must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour, you do not expect” (Lk 12:40)

The Greek word used for the term “ready” is “hetoimos”.. from a noun “heteos” which means to be fit….

>> It has a connotation of being prepared and seeking for fitness!

There are several factors which affect the Fitness of our Physical Bodies…

… and perhaps the similar factors could also be applied to the fitness for our spiritual lives.

1. Faulty Food affects the Fitness of our Physical Bodies

Proper food plays a vital role in having a healthy body.

>> It is very important to regulate the intake of our food and to have a check on the type of food.

We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

What is the type of food that I am feeding for my spiritual life?

>> Do I lavish myself on unhealthy thoughts of lust and desires, harmful words of indecency and lewdness and dangerous actions of immorality and wickedness?

>> Do I feed myself with the precious Word of God and nourish myself with His inspirations and wisdom?

>> Do I nourish myself with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist?

2. Faulty lifestyle affects the Fitness of our Physical bodies.

It is important to have a disciplined and self-controlled lifestyle in order to maintain our fitness.

>> A regular habit of exercises and workouts coupled with moments for relaxation and leisure from tension-filled works is important.

>> One must also avoid various bad addictions which can hinder having a good physical shape.

We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

What is the type of lifestyle I am leading, with respect to my spiritual life?

>> Do I exercise myself with the daily and regular habits of prayer, Bible Reading, pious practises and devotions?

>> Do I spare time and energy to make some sacrifices and reparations for various causes, especially as a remorse for our sins?

>> Do I make constant efforts to give up on some of our bad cravings, obsessions or habits?

3. Faulty environment affects the Fitness of our Physical bodies.

It is also essential that one maintains a clean and good environment in order to prevent being affected by diseases or sicknesses.

>> One must also seek to avoid any harmful situations or surroundings which can adversely affect the health.

We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

What is the type of environment that I am providing and surrounding my spiritual life?

>> Do I keep myself away from occasions of sin and shield myself away from harmful possibilities like bad books, friends, movies or songs, jokes and other cheap entertainments?

>> Do I strengthen my spiritual life with the powerful grace that is bestowed in the Sacrament of the Confession by a regular acknowledgment of my sins?

>> Do I seek the company of good people, nurture spiritual friendships and also foster a childlike companionship with the holy saints and angels?

Christian Life is a battle and a warfare…against the forces of the Evil.

We need to arm our spiritual lives mightily with the power and strength from God.

>> It is easy to give up on fitness.

>> It is easy to live a relaxed life and take life too casually.

But such a careless life, will lead us to a tragic end as that of the Unfaithful Servant in the parable that the Lord tells in today’s Gospel (Lk 12: 45-46)

It has been recorded that a Greek commander, just before a coming battle is reported to have said: “The secret of victory is in ‘getting ready well!’”

Let us seek for faithfulness in our Christian Life and as ‘ready soldiers’, let us be constantly “on the watch”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Even as birds on the wing meet the air continually, we, let us go where we will, meet with that Presence…

… always and everywhere!”

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The forests of northern Europe and Asia are home to a little animal called the Ermine.

>> It is characterized by its snow-white fur

Some countries have the state robes of the judges lined with this fur…

… the white fur being a symbol of honour and purity.

The Ermine would do anything to protect and safeguard its fur.

Fur hunters however, take undue advantage of this weakness of the Ermine.

They don’t keep a snare to catch the ermine

>> Instead the smear filth on the entrance and the interior of its house – usually in a cleft of a rock, or the hollow of a tree.

The dogs are then left behind the ermine…

… Frightened, the ermine runs towards its home, the only place of refuge.

However, it finds the entrance dirty and unclean.

>> It is unwilling to spoil the pure white fur coat.

And so, the ermine makes a choice…

>> To give in to the hungry and fierce dogs…

… than to spoil the purity of the white fur!

A choice is made – to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

Every Christian is expected to do the same…

… preserve the purity of one’s holiness, even at the cost of one’s life.

Today we celebrate the Feast of one such Daring Christian – St Lawrence…

… who yielded his life than to lose his pledge to Christ

… who let go of his earthly desires, to win the prize of heavenly salvation

St Lawrence lived the words of Christ who exhorted:

“He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world, will keep it for eternal life!” (Jn 12: 25)

The Gospel Passage of the day (Jn 12:24-26) is preceded by a very vital and crucial verse in the Gospel of St John…

>> Jesus says, “The Hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (Jn 12: 25)

The life of Jesus, as seen in the Johannine Gospel is a journey towards this climax aspect – The Hour!

What is “The Hour”?

>> “The Hour” is the Hour of Glorification

… the hour of His task as a Messiah, which is to be completed by His “lifting up” on the Cross!

It was “the Hour” when the Lord will conquer death, by submitting Himself totally to the Will of the Father!

Jesus never shied away from this Hour

>> He came into this world for this Hour

… Death was the goal of His Life, the gold that He was seeking.

He invites His followers to also make this choice…

… to lose one’s life, in order to gain life in Him!

… to die to oneself, in order to bear much fruit!

What are the implication of losing our life, in order to gain life in Him?

>> Letting go a life of sinful habits and tendencies…

… and making holiness and sanctity as our lifestyle

>> Seeking to put an end to our tendencies to self-boast or feed our pride…

… and instead, engaging in acts of humility and giving space for God’s Mercy

>> Letting go of our stubborn nature in reconciling with others…

… and trying to foster relationships based on self-giving and self-sacrifice

>> Seeking to avoid occasions of sin…

… and instead, creating opportunities for being consciously in the presence of God

By our Baptism, we have been blessed with the white robe of holiness and purity

>> Our Sacramental life keeps it unstained.

The world, on the other hand, constantly seeks to malign this pure robe…

… by its lures of impurity and filth

Like the ermine, we are faced to make a choice…

>> To die to the hungry and fierce world…

… than to spoil the purity of holiness!

Yes, we need to make a choice – constantly, at every moment…

>> A choice to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

Let us be inspired by the life and example of St Lawrence.

May his courage and valour help us also…

… to yield our life than to lose our pledge to Christ

… to let go of our earthly desires, to win the prize of heavenly salvation

Happy Feast of St Lawrence!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There are some undertakings which God wishes to be begun indeed by us, but completed by others.

Thus David gathered together materials for the temple which his son Solomon built…

… St. Francis, St. Dominic, St. Ignatius Loyola, sighed for the grace of martyrdom, and sought for it by all possible means;

>> Yet God would not crown them with it, contenting Himself with the offering of their will.

To submit ourselves simply and cheerfully to the Will of God in the failure of undertakings which concern His glory is an act of no small resignation!”

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Some of us have been to amusement parks…

… filled with many jolly and amazing rides.

One of the common yet interesting rides in these parks are the Roller Coaster rides….

>>The ones, which are constructed at dizzying heights

>> The ones possessing several dangerous and heart-wrenching ups and dips

>> The sight of which fills many a weak-at-heart persons, to have giddy feelings!

To those, however, who take up this challenge…

… it’s a sheer ecstatic and thrilling experience!

Welcome to Christianity….a Real-Time Roller Coaster Ride!

The ride is not easy…

>> But the Thrill of the Ride…

… is truly a genuine experience of Remarkable Joy and Peace and Happiness!

Chapter 16 of St Matthew’s Gospel continues the Theme of True Discipleship.

After having revealed Himself as being the Heroic, Awesome and Suffering God-Man, Jesus spells out clearly the demands of being His True Disciple:

>> To deny oneself…to take up one’s cross..to follow Him! (Mt 16: 24)

To follow Christ, we need to follow His terms!

We need to…

>> Lay down something…

>>  Lift up something…

>> And then Follow the Lord

We need to…

>> Lay down our personal pleasures and comforts…

>> Lift up our daily duties…

>> And then Follow the Lord

The Lord demands.

>> The Lord expects.

Am I ready?

Am I a Christian who is zealous and devout and religious on a Sunday…

… but tepid and listless and impractical through the weekdays?

Am I a Christian who loves to wear religious articles around my body…

… but fail to adorn my actions and deeds with charitable and sanctifying works?

Am I a Christian who enjoys rattling off prayers and reciting many devout ejaculations…

… but fall short of translating those good words into a life of honesty and gentleness and humility?

Am I a Christian who takes the pleasure and benefit of being a member of the Church…

… but come to a sticky end in standing by the Church in Her moments of crisis and scandals?

Am I a Christian who relishes listening to Gospel Music, decorating houses with devout pictures and even spreading devotions to many saints…

… but not make the grade when it comes to living the Gospel values and morals?

Very often, our activities and works are centered only on acquiring the things of this world.

>> Surely, we have our own daily needs and wants

But beyond all these, a Christian ought to realize, that we are “pilgrims on this earth”

>> As St Paul says, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3: 20)

>> As St Peter says, “… As aliens and sojourners… keep away from worldly desires” (1 Pet 2: 11)

Jesus says, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mt 16: 26)

>> Sometimes we hoard up only material wealth and riches…

… failing to seek for the God who blesses us with the needs of our life!

>> Sometimes our prayers become only petitions for transient things…

… failing to raise a word of thanks to the Lord Who always sustains us!

The Lord invites us to take up the challenges of being a Christian.

As Christian, our lives have to be qualitatively different from others!

>> Let those who see us – be it in our workplaces or in our friend’s circle or any other place – make remarks such as…

… “Ah! Here is a person who displays a lot of trust and hope in a living God!”

… “Here is somebody who remains firm even in difficulties, because he/she knows there is a Loving Father caring and protecting always”

Yes, Christianity is indeed a Real-Time Roller Coaster Ride

>> To those who take up this challenge…

… it’s a sheer ecstatic and thrilling experience!

At Baptism, we have signed a document…

… which entitles us to the Great Privilege of being the Child of God

But by Baptism, we also have agreed to many terms….

… which obliges us the Great Duties of being a Soldier of God!

Being a disciple and soldier of Christ is a demanding affair.

>> Let us brace ourselves up for this challenging, yet exciting ride with the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let us walk joyously, dear souls, among the difficulties of this passing life…

>> These pains will have an end when our life ends, after which there will be only joy…

… only contentment, only eternal consolation!”

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One of the greatest weaknesses that we face in our lives is that of “misunderstanding”.

>> Personal relationships can undergo crisis due to misunderstandings.

>> Business affairs can prove disastrous due to misunderstandings.

>> Societal interactions can go haywire due to misunderstandings.

>> Community dealings can go wrong due to misunderstandings.

And the opposite is also true…

… Understandings can become the one of the greatest strengths of our lives too!

>> Personal relations can bloom when we understand well.

>> Business affairs can strike gold when there is good understanding.

>> Societal dealings can be peaceful when there is an amicable understanding.

>> Community interactions can be heavenly when there is mutual understanding.

Understandings and Misunderstandings play a vital role in our daily life and existence!

The Gospel of the Day invites each one of us, to examine what is our perspective of the Lord:

Am I understanding Him well….and thus, is He a strength to me?

>> Or am I misunderstanding Him….and this, is He proving a stumbling block to me?

Understanding or Misunderstanding  Jesus will play the pivotal role in our daily spiritual existence!

On reaching Caesarea Philippi (Mt 16:13), Jesus poses a dual question to His disciples…

Who do people say that He is …and Who do the Disciples say that He is.

This two-fold question of Christ…evokes two answers…

1. The Opinion of Jesus as being only Human

>>  The people understand Jesus as John the Baptist, or Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets (Mt 16: 14)

2. The Opinion of Jesus as being only Divine

>> St Peter, as the Captain of the Group, with a heavenly revelation, declares Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God! (Mt 16: 16)

It’s interesting that after this question-answer session, the Lord Himself chooses to give an answer on who He is!

And this answer of the Lord is a key to our understanding or misunderstanding Jesus.

Jesus declares that He would be a suffering God….

He would be the Man to undergo many persecutions! (Mt 16: 21)

>> He is not only Human.

>> He is not only Divine.

… He is the Suffering God-Man!

Am I able to accept this reality dimension of Jesus?

He is amazing in His Human teachings… He is wonderful in His Divine Deeds.

>> But He is also the Afflicted, the Maltreated, the Victimized and the Wronged.

He is classic in His Human examples.. He is awesome in His Divine miracles.

>> But He is also the Suffering, the Persecuted, the Sacrificied and the Tortured.

>> He is not only Human.

>> He is not only Divine.

… He is the Suffering God-Man!

And like Peter, perhaps some of us shy away from accepting this Painful Reality of the Lord…

… “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you”  (Mt 16: 22)

We love to follow Him in His exhortations…

>> We love to be enamoured in His wondrous doings.

But we back off…at the mention of His pains, difficulties, persecutions and anguish.

>> We like a Sociable Christ…

… One Who gives equal status to all in the society and breaks sociological barriers

>> We like a political Christ…

… One Who is fearless to challenge the political corruption of the society

>> We like a Revolutionary Christ…

… One Who demands to go beyond the comfort zones of our life

But do we embrace the Suffering Christ?

>> Do we accept the “Saviour” Christ?

Do we consent to the Crucified Christ?

It’s easy to misunderstand Jesus as only a mere human hero.

>> It’s easy to misunderstand Jesus as only a awesome Divine entity.

But it’s not so to understand and accept Him as the Heroic and Awesome and Suffering God-Man!

Understanding or Misunderstanding  Jesus will play the pivotal role in our daily spiritual existence!

Today, let us seek for the grace to accept and understand truly the Person and Divinity of Jesus.

Let us make Him the true strength of our lives.

>> Let us behold Him in the Eucharist.

>> Let us encounter Him in prayer.

>> Let us recognize Him in the Word!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Holiness is found in a path opened to us in our daily lives…

… the duties of our daily lives are offered to us with unequal attractiveness!”

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There lived a good woman,  who was well-known among her circle for her simple faith and her great calm and composed attitude, in the midst of many trials.

Another woman, who came as her new neighbour, hearing of her, remarked:

“I must go and see that woman, and learn the secret of her calm, happy life.”

She went, and, enquired of the woman: “Are you the woman with the great faith?”

“I don’t know,” was the answer, “I don’t know if I am the woman with the great faith…

… but I do know that I am the woman with a little faith in the Great God!”

The Gospel of the Day in a similar way, presents before us a beautiful incident of faith…

… of a woman,  with a faith, in the Great God!

“You are beautiful… pleasant… delightful… Your love is like honey… Your presence is charming!

>> You are wonderful in your splendour and spectacular in your majesty and glory!”

These are some of the endearing and appealing and fascinating words that are addressed to Jesus.

This is the Jesus who is sweet, cuddly, lovable, adorable, amiable, agreeable and friendly!

>> We yearn for this Jesus.

>> We are happy with this Jesus.

We get settled, often for a sentimental faith.

>> We get fixated, often with a faith based on emotions and sweet words.

Perhaps, that’s how we also want our world to be – kind, caring, accommodating, considerate and gentle!

But we know..the reality is different.

>> The world that we wish is very often not the world that we experience.

>> The world  that we aspire is often in contrast with the world that we come in contact with.

>> We like a peaceful world…

… but we often encounter a world with missiles and innocent lives snatched away!

>> We like an equal society…

… but we often meet a society which discriminates and victimizes people!

>>  We like a just culture…

… but we often run into a culture which is corrupt and degrading and inhuman!

>> We like a respectful civilization…

… but we bump into a civilization which is debasing and merciless!

The world of our actual experience is very different from the world that we hope and desire for…

>> In this context, we need a Faith that can carry us through this tough life.

A faith based on mere sweet words, pious rituals and peripheral feelings doesn’t suffice…

>> A mere sentimental faith leaves us paralyzed and crippled with the hard-hitting realities of life!

We need a Faith that’s strong….

… a Faith that’s valiant

… a Faith that can battle life’s odds..

The Canaanite Woman in today’s Gospel Reading is a Person who possessed this Challenging and Brave Faith!

>> She is a big misfit in approaching Jesus and to be a bearer of Faith…

1. She is a Canaanite: An unaccepted pagan….a  denied heathen!

2. She is a Woman: A degraded status… a humiliated class!

3. She has a possessed child: A helpless situation…a miserable condition!

>> Yet she dares…

… to approach the Lord of the Universe: ” Lord, Son of David, have pity on me!!”

The First Reply from the Lord…?

>> Shhhh…. (the Word Perfect responds with a total hush…)

No answer from the Master…. the wait for the Woman increases…

>> It’s  trying time!

>> It’s a testing moment!

The probably irritated-disciples seek to chase her away, disturbed by the shoutings and the wailings…

The Second Reply from the Lord…?

>>  Hmmm… I am sent not for her category…I am sent only for the Chosen Race…

Agony from the Master… the hopes of the woman diminishes…

>> It’s a grilling time!

>> It’s a gruelling moment!

Yet she dares… to approach once more..kneeling before the Throne of Mercy…” Sir, help me!!”

The Third Reply from the Lord…?

>> Grrr… Children’s bread is not thrown to the dogs…

More anguish from the Master.. the expectations of the woman is crushed…

>> It’s a hard time!

>> It’s a harsh moment!

To hear being called a DOG…was humiliating and insulting and offensive…

Was this the height of rudeness??

But, the woman of Faith noticed that Jesus had used the word “kunariois” – the word for household pets…

>> She noticed that He had not used the word kuon – the word for other ordinary dogs…

Ah..there was the opening.. there was the possibility…there was the occasion…

>> A person of Deep Faith is able to wait patiently for a sparkle of sunshine even in the midst of the darkest clouds!

The Woman of Faith sneaked a chance in that seemingly degrading word…

>> The Woman of Faith found her prospect in that apparently disgusting expression…

She was a kunariois – a household pet…. She immediately matches her wit,  with the wit of Jesus..

Pets are not outsiders… they are insiders;

>>  Pets are not out of the family…they are part of the family…

Pets are not to have a seat at the Master’s table…

… but they enjoy an intimacy at the Master’s feet!

So she replies: “Yes Lord! But even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table”

>> It was a moment of Truth!

The Fourth Reply from the Master…?

>> “Woman, how great is your faith!!”

The Woman of Faith had triumphed!

>> The Lord of the Universe marvelled at her faith!

The God of Healings blessed the Woman of Faith with heart’s desire!

Life is definitely hard.

>> We are challenged however to have a harder and a stronger faith!

The Canaanite Woman, who is proclaimed, through all the churches today, is a shining model!

>> She, who was called a DOG….(!!)…is today praised and glorified by GOD…(!!)!

Sentimental Faith and Sugary Words are needed.

>> But it’s not enough!

We need to combine our Sweet Faith with a Tough Trust…

… our Pious Devotion with a Faithful Dedication!

Let us be a Person of Faith with the Heart of a Dove and the Skin of a Rhinoceros!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let us be firm in our intentions, unwavering in our decisions.

>> Our very perseverance will prove that in good earnest desire, we have sacrificed ourselves to God…

… and committed ourselves to the devout life!”

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George Washington was the first president of the United States and one of the founding fathers of the US.

He was well admired for his strong leadership skills that saw him win the first two national elections unanimously.

Once at a banquet, given to some of the officers, a distinguished French Officer asked Washington’s mother, how she had managed to rear such a splendid son.

The mother replied, “I taught him to obey!”

Obedience was the school that he had been trained in, in order to achieve excellence of life!

In Christian life too, obedience ought to be the school in which we are trained, to be effective apostles of the Lord…

…Obedience to the Voice of the Lord

… Obedience to the Will of the Lord

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by God to hear the voice of the Lord, to listen to Him and to be obedient to Him.

The Second Sunday of the Season of Lent presents to us the “Transfiguration Event” from the Gospel of St Mark.

The scene of the Transfiguration is indeed a powerfully visual and authoritatively impactful incident.

Jesus takes three disciples – the core team among the Twelve – Peter, James and John – and led them up a high mountain. (Mk 9: 2)

Why were these three chosen…

… and not others?

Well…

We can only make some guess-works… because the bottom-line is:

“They were ‘chosen'”

(And, Choice is always a gift, and not a merit!)

Peter:

• Probably as the one who is the Leader

• The one to whom the Lord entrusts to be the rock on which He would build His Church (Mt 16:18)

John:

• Probably as the one who had an intimate bond with the Lord

• The one who is referred to as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23)

James:

• Probably as the one who warranted a special privilege, being the first apostle to be martyred.

• The one who would be the first among the apostles to literally lose his life for Jesus (Lk 9:24)

These three also had a privilege of some “firsts”…

• Peter was the “First” Pope of the Church…

• James was the “First” Martyr among the apostles…

• John was the “First” witness to the death of Christ…

The choosing of the three also reflects Jesus as the New Moses!

Moses had chosen seventy (two) elders.

>> But when he went up to the mountain, there were three close men with him: Aaron, Nadab, and Abiu. (Exodus 24:1)

Jesus had chosen twelve apostles.

>> But when he went up to the mountain, there were three close men with him: Peter, James and John (Lk 9:28)

Jesus is the New Moses…

….through whom the New Covenant will be established!

… through whom the New Law will be written on the tablets of the heart!

Up on the mountain, witnessing the glorious and magnificent Transfiguration, the disciples behold their Master, Jesus in dazzling white…joined by Elijah and Moses. (Lk 9:3-4)

And then, they heard a Voice, from the cloud…

“This is my Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” (Mk 9: 7)

“Listen to Him”…is the commandment that is exhorted!

• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son, Jesus and grasp His teachings for life

• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son’s commitment in the path of suffering.

• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son’s trust in God’s Will at every moment

The same words are today echoed boldly and loudly to each one of us: “This is my Beloved Son! Listen to Him!”

• Life will take us through many deserts and desolations of difficulties.

• Life will put us through various storms and hurricanes of hardships.

>> But in all such moments, are we ready and open to listen to the Voice of the Lord?

Abraham in the Old Testament…the Father of Faith… went through such immensely agonizing and hard moments. (Gen 22: 1-3)

Asked to sacrifice “His Only Beloved Son” Isaac… His special one…

… Abraham was torn between listening to his own voice of affection for his child or to the voice of God

… Abraham was shredded between listening to his own reasonable mind or to the incomprehensible plan of God

• But Abraham chose to put his faith in the Lord…and to listen

• He chose to trust absolutely in the providence of God… and to be obedient

Yes, when we are in the dry deserts of life, we are still asked to be totally obedient to God.

>> When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the Voice of the Lord.

The Lord will take us through…

… every crisis

… every desert

… every darkness

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8: 31)

Let us grow in our efforts to be completely obedient to our Master!

>> Let us pray for His grace to be truly listening and following the voice of our Master!

Are we ready to listen and obey the voice of the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Obedience is a virtue of so excellent a nature…

… that Our Lord was pleased to mark its observance upon the whole course of His life; thus He often says, He did not come to do His Own will, but that of His Heavenly Father.

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FAILURE is a seven letter word…

… that has crippled many lives

… severed many families and communities

… and broken many generations!

Failure is something which we surely encounter very often in our lives!

>> We fail to stand up to ours and others expectations in our personal lives…

>> We fail to answer to the needs and demands of our family or community lives…

>> We fail to respond to the challenges and duties of our responsibilities in our societal lives…

Failure creates clouds of hopelessness.

>> Failure develops into pangs of anxieties!

But every Failure, can also be the Gateway to Venture into a Fresh Framework of Opportunities…

The context and immediate background of today’s Gospel is a very disturbing  one: the beheading of John the Baptist!

>> The Voice which heralded the Coming of the Saviour…

>> The Voice which had provided hope…

… had been brutally silenced!

Jesus, on hearing this news, withdrew to a lonely place.

The inhuman murder…

>> Of His Cousin

>> Of His companion in the Works of the Kingdom…

… was a moment of great pain to the Lord

… perhaps, even a great setback to Him!

Disappointment was apparently looming large…

>> The Mission hereafter was not going to be easy…

Failure was knocking at the doors…

But every Failure, can also be the Gateway to Venture into a Fresh Framework of Opportunities…

Though filled with pain and sorrow and grief…

… Jesus continues His ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God.

And thus we see our Blessed Lord multiplying the loaves and feeding the crowds (Mt 14: 15-21)

The Evil King Herod, had feasted on the vices of self-pleasure and debauchery

>> The Good King Jesus, would make a feast on the virtues of compassion and self-giving!

The Evil King Herod spread a party of lewdness, trudging on the death of an innocent man

>> The Good King Jesus would host a party of God’s Mercy and Tenderness, inviting to eternal life!

Jesus failed to get bogged down by failures…

>> He failed to be immersed in a sea of letdowns and disappointments.

He instead, made His Compassionate and God-trusting Heart to shine through the clouds of darkness!

Jesus also taught His Disciples to not get disappointed or disheartened by “apparent” signs of failures or lack or success.

When Jesus asked His disciples to provide food for the hungry crowd, the disciples said:

“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here” (Mt 14:17)

The disciples were expressing their possibility of ‘facing a failure’…

… “We have no resources, Lord!”

… “All what we have is just not good enough to be successful!”

But the Lord – Who had refused to be bogged down by failure – now teaches the Disciples to also imitate Him…

>> Not being disappointed with possibilities of failures…

… instead, entrusting whatever we are and however we are, to the Bountiful Care of the Father

>> Not getting discouraged by situations of lack of success…

… instead, giving praise to the Lord at all times, knowing that He works wonders and miracles – in His Time, In His Way!

The same resources which signified nothingness – five loaves and two fish:

… were now transformed by the Lord as food for thousands!

… were now symbols of God’s power and providence!

You and I …

… Are we facing failures at this moment?

… Is our spiritual life going downhill?

… Are we lost in the society- facing rejections and encountering disappointments in all areas of our life?

Do we feel that FAILURE become part and parcel of our existence?

Fear not… !

>> Give up not hope…!

Let us hold on to the Lord…

… the same Lord who was “face-to-face with failure” after the brutal murder of His Cousin

… the same Lord who worked a miracle for his disciples who were “face-to-face with failure” in ministry

Our modern world, makes it easy, for us, to “Feel” that we are a failure!

>> But Jesus  shows that there can be a HIGHER way of understanding “Success”

Success is…

… being  faithful, to do God’s works: However little they be – in the time & place, God wishes!

Success is…

… persevering, to hold on to God’s Will:  However painful they be – in the manner, God wishes!

Success is…

… resolute to being truthful to God’s Ways: However hard they be – in the way, God wishes!

Am I today being surrounded by a hazy atmosphere of failures and disappointments?

>> Look up to the Lord for inspiration…

… The Lord Who remained ever faithful to the Will of God and the Lord Who had to suffer on the Cross by virtue of His obedience and fidelity !

He shows what is true success.

>> He shows what is real achievement.

Yes, Faithfulness is more vital than success.

>>  Authenticity is more needed than victory

Today we also celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Mary Major Basilica.

>> St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centers of the Church.

(The other three being St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran Basilica, and St. Paul’s Basilica, outside the Walls.)

Every Church building is an important symbol of Christianity…

>> from the grandest of basilicas, to the tiniest of chapels…

… they reflect the “Throne of God”, from which God administers his Love, Mercy, Compassion, Forgiveness, Healing and Blessings upon his Beloved People.

>> It also signifies the Unity of the People of God, as One Church.

St. Mary Major Basilica is also the First Marian shrine for pilgrims…

… which set a pattern for countless shrines where pilgrims gather to honor our Blessed Mother throughout the world.

Let us today specially seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother…

… to remain ever-faithful to the Lord, even in the face of failures!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Always have the courage to pick yourself back up and begin again every day…

… for there is no better path to success in the spiritual life than always to begin again and never to think that you have done enough!”

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“My illness helped me to see that what was missing in me….

I acquired more wealth, power, and prestige than most…

… But you can acquire all you want and still feel empty!

>> What power wouldn’t I trade for a li’l more time with my family?

>> What price wouldn’t I pay for being with friends?

It took a deadly illness to put me eye to eye with that truth, but it is a truth that the country, caught up in its ruthless ambitions and moral decay, can learn on my dime.

…the future leaders must speak to this spiritual vacuum at the heart of American society, this tumour of the soul”

These are the words taken from an article in the LIFE magazine….written by Lee Atwater, a former American Political Consultant.

(This person was mainly responsible for the election of George Bush as the American President. He was afflicted by a massive brain-tumour death at the age of 40!)

These words… of a man who acquired name & fame & wealth at a very young age, but suffered a tragic death, and came to a late realization – written back in the 90’s – …

… is a great and naked reality in our 21st century!

There is a great spiritual vacuum at the heart of our society: a tumour of the soul!

The Gospel of the Day presents this message very powerfully through the Parable of the Rich Fool.

It is heartening to see the statement made by this rich man…

… Lk 12: 17 says: “He asked himself, “What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?”

This man had a bountiful harvest (Lk 12: 16)…

… but found himself wanting for space to store them up.

He looked into his life and felt…

… I have worked hard, but I am still not satisfied

… I have achieved the results I expected, but I am still not contented

This statement is a great pointer to the experience of many of us…

… a great spiritual vacuum at the heart of our society!

>> There are many who have plenty of wealth…

… but extremely poor in peace of mind!

>> There are many who have honour and fame…

… but strangely lost in loneliness and despair!

>> There are many who have cashed in popularity and glam and glitz…

… but end up in depression and gloom!

>> There are many who have built bungalows and estates…

… but sadly abandoned in nursing animosity at home!

Our world is habitually sick…

>> Our society is often sad deep within…

>> Our families are frequently cracked & broken!

Very often, we have many things and many of the external requirements,

… yet there is a sense “lacking something”!

>> It’s like telling a Great Artist:”Your art is superb…but you still lack the quality in painting the nuances…”

>> It’s like telling a Great Speaker: “Your talks are classic…but you still lack the trait of modulation of tones…”

>> It’s like telling a Great singer: ”Your voice is amazing… but you still lack the punch in singing the high notes…”

>> It’s like telling a Great Writer: “Your writings are nice…but you still lack the feature of translating your thoughts…”

After doing and achieving many things, to sense that “We are lacking something” is hurting….

But that was the fact in the life of that rich man….

>> And that was the reason, for the Vacuum and the Void that was experienced!

The rich man thought he had gained everything…

>> He even boasted: “I shall say to myself: Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years; rest, east, drink and be merry” (Lk 12: 19)

But he still “lacked something”…

He lacked…

… the grace to have heaven as his greatest treasure and fortune

… the control to let go off money and mammon as the controlling factor of his life

… the charity to share his resources and his possessions to the needy and the wanted

… the generosity to set free his mind from being dominated by the cares and burdens of this world…

The man had gained much in life… but he still lacked what was most important…

A great vacuum had engulfed his soul….a great void had overpowered his life!

Is my life in resemblance with this person…who ‘thought’ he had everything right…yet lacking the Basics?

The Lord invites us…

… to give up the feeling that money and worldly riches can rule your life; rather we need to acquire spiritual treasures”

… to give up the notion that worldly success can satisfy you; rather we need to feed our lives with divine riches”

Let us fill the vacuum within us…with the Power and Grace of the Lord…with the Might of the Holy Spirit!

>> Our world needs it…our generation requires us… our families and communities call for it!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “’Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God;’ and if so, woe be to the rich in spirit, for theirs must be the bitterness of Hell.

>> By rich in spirit, I mean, him whose riches engross his mind, or whose mind is buried in his riches.

>> He is poor in spirit whose heart is not filled with the love of riches; whose mind is not set upon them!”

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An incident is narrated of a man who brought a package of supplies from a trading shop.

On reaching home, to his surprise, he found a silver coin inside the package.

>>Something troubled him.

He came back the next morning to the trader and handed him back the silver coin.

>> The trader was amused and surprised and asked him: “That’s interesting to see that you have returned back the silver coin!”

The customer replied: “Well, I got a good man and a bad man in my heart!

>> The good man said, `It is not yours’; the bad man said, ‘Nobody will know’.

>> The good man said, ‘Take it back’; the bad man said, `Never mind’.”

And so thinking, I went to bed…

… but the good man and the bad man talked the whole night and troubled me.”

The conscience of the man caused him disturbance because of the fault that he was supposedly in…

… and made him to yield to its goodness!

Each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

>> Do we listen and give heed?

>> Or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?

The Gospel of the Day presents the intense ordeal faced by King Herod who failed to give consideration to the voice of conscience…

>> And instead had his mind rottened and his actions dirtied…

… by falling into the trap of guilt and shame.

King Herod had exercised his authority and sinfulness by beheading John the Baptist. (Mt 14:1-12).

>> The demon of guilt and shame of that inhuman murder kept bothering him.

In this scattered state of mind, King Herod hears about the deeds and wonders of another man, Jesus.

>> His guilt-filled and confused mind is unable to grasp the identity of this new man who works marvels and so he told: “This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him!” (Mt 14:2).

The king harassed by sin and shame failed to grapple the mystery of the Son of God, the King of kings!

The persona of Jesus surpasses great minds and cannot be arrested by hardened hearts!

>> The character of Jesus baffles proud mentalities and cannot be captured by cynical spirits!

King Herod was greatly disturbed with a guilty conscience and a sinful heart.

>> He felt greatly challenged and threatened by Jesus, Who was being considered as a King.

The sinful and corrupt Kingdom of Herod was faced with an opposition from…

… the pure and holy Kingdom of God!

The increasing popularity of Jesus caused Herod the Tetrarch, the ruler of the land, to come face-to-face with his guilty conscience.

Truth is always very powerful!

It can, silently, yet very authoritatively…

… challenge faulty lives

… prick guilty consciences

… confront culpable actions

Herod bore the guilt of having killed John the Baptist, who was the voice of the Truth.

>> He knew that he had done something extremely wicked and merciless

>> He knew that he had acted in opposition to truth, to honesty and to sincerity.

Therefore, the rising fame of the Lord – whom he misunderstood as John the Baptist – drove him to despair over that brutal act of the killing of the Baptist.

• The constant exposition to wicked thoughts and evil inclinations had caused his life to become a pillar of guilt-filled feelings!

>> Think wicked, and our character will decay into being evil…

On the other hand, was the righteous life of John the Baptist.

He was born with a sense of purpose – of being a voice to the Truth.

He maintained this goal by always living in sincerity – fearless and courageous.

>> To this end, he even valiantly shed his blood!

• The constant nurturing of holy purposes and sacred acts had caused his life to become a pillar of a purpose-filled existence!

>> Think nobler, and our character will mould into being noble…

We need to examine our lives and conscience and check…

>> Am I, like King Herod, filled with fear and doubts because of my sinful conscience and guilty mind?

OR…

>> Can I be like John the Baptist, filled with a sense of purpose and clarity in life?

>> Is my life a chest-box of guilt-filled feelings – formed by deposits of wickedness, evil and sin?

OR…

>> Can my life be a treasure of a purpose-filled existence – formed by deposits of holy determination and sanctified lives?

Yes, each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

>> Do we listen and give heed?

… or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?

Purified by the Sacraments…

>> Strengthened by God’s Word…

>> Empowered in prayer…

… may we become persons who have our conscience always pure and always give heed to the voice of the Lord, “Be Holy, as I am Holy!”

Today is the First Saturday of the Month – when we specially honour and venerate the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother Mary…

Let us today specially seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother, and consecrate ourselves to Her Immaculate Heart, that we may be inspired and impelled to live a holy life.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “And when children begin to use their reason, fathers and mothers should take great pains to fill their hearts with the fear of God.

This the good Queen Blanche did most earnestly by St. Louis, her son: witness her oft-repeated words, “My son, I would sooner see you die than guilty of a mortal sin;” words which sank so deeply into the saintly monarch’s heart…

… that he himself said there was no day on which they did not recur to his mind, and strengthen him in treading God’s ways!”

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A young salesman became discouraged because he had been rejected by many of the customers that he approached.

He asked a more experienced salesman for some advice.

>> “Why is it that every time I make a call on someone I get rejected?”

“I just don’t understand that,” answered the older salesman…

… “I’ve been hit on the head, called dirty names, and thrown out the door, but I’ve never been rejected!

Remember, my son… Rejection isn’t what happens to us…

… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

How do we interpret the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life?

>> Do we get depressed and discouraged…

… or can we still be hopeful and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!?”

Rejection and dejection, are sure companions in the life of a Christian, who is uncompromising and unwavering in one’s faith.

>> Despite these aspects, are we ready to hold on to doing the Will of God, and be His Faithful Followers?

Our Blessed Lord Himself underwent rejection and dejection in life.

>> Yet He would cling on to doing the Will of God!

The Gospel of the Day narrates this painful incident of “rejection and dejection” that our Blessed Lord encountered in His life, at the hands of His own country people (Mt 13: 54-58)

It is interesting to note, how the people of the hometown seek to justify their rejection of Jesus, by rationalizing their attitude…

>> Using 6 questions ( 6= A Biblical symbolic number which often stands for imperfection!)…

… the people of the hometown, reveal their blocked minds and closed hearts.

When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…

… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!

And so the Lord would declare: “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country or his own house!” (Mt 13: 57)

Thus, Jesus becomes the “Sign of Contradiction!”

… the Prince of Peace, begins to be seen as a cause of division and despise

… the Healer of Souls, begins to be seen as a cause of disagreement and discord!

… the Comforter of Hearts, begins to be seen as a cause of disturbance and distress

Anyone who seeks to follow Jesus – the “Sign of Contradiction” – the Epitome of Truth and Honesty…

… is sure to face the same experience!

Every true Christian, because of one’s convictions in the Eternal Values of Uncompromising Truth and Desire to do the Will of God, is sure to face…

… rejection from the people, because one’s ways challenge the lethargic lifestyle of others!

… dejection from the society, because one’s way of living poses a threat the corruption around!

But despite this “rejection and dejection”, can we still continue to hold on the Lord, the “Sign of Contradiction!”?

Life often hurls the “bricks of rejection” at us…

>> We can either be hurt by them…

… or be strengthened and buckle ourselves up with greater courage

>> We can either blame all those situations and curse life…

… or we can be thankful for those moments, which provides us a chance for “more blessings!”

Yes, we need to remember always:

>> Rejection isn’t what happens to us…

… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

Let us not get depressed and discouraged by the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life…

… instead let us be hopeful, and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!”

On this First Friday of the month of August, let us re-dedicate our love and commitment to the Sacred Heart of Jesus…

… and always pray for greater commitment and dedication to the Will of God, filled with immense peace and joy!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life…

… rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise.

>> God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things!

Be at peace…

… and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations!”

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