Little Jane heard a sermon in church on “Let your light shine!”

She remembered the verse; however, did not understand the text much, until her mother explained: “It means, to be good, obedient and cheerful”

That evening, after coming back from playing with her friends – where she had been a little naughty and mischievous – Jane came back to her mother and said:

“Ma, sorry I have blown myself out!

>> Can you light me again?”

Every Christian is called to become a beacon of light in the darkness and to be a shining star in the ambience of every night.

Is the Light of Christ shining in me?

The Gospel of the Day too shares this aspect and reminds the aspect of being watchful for the Coming of the Lord, by keeping the Light of Christ alight!

>> Jesus said to His disciples, “Be ready, dressed for service, AND KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT…” (Lk 12: 35)

To keep our lamps lit – is the reminder and challenge of the Gospel today.

At our Baptism, we all have received the Light of Christ.

>> This light, is not just to be preserved…

… but is to be nurtured and fostered daily.

But we live in a world when there are many a winds seeking to put off this light in us.

… we live in a world, where there is a strong engulfing of the darkness, trying to devour the light in us.

What are the different winds that are seeking to put off the Light of Christ in us?

A.  The wind of “losing the focus from God”

i. King David

King David was a shining light to the people of his kingdom, as long as he followed the teachings and had his focus on God.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.

He allowed himself to focus on the object of his pleasure by sinning with the wife of Uriah.

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

ii. Samson

Samson was a shining light of power and might, as long as he was faithful to God and had his focus on God.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.

He allowed himself to focus on the object of his delight by revealing the secret to Delilah

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

iii. Peter

Peter was a shining light to his disciples as a person of faith, as long as he followed the instructions of his Master to walk on the waters.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from the Lord, he began to sink.

He allowed himself to focus on the object of his fear and self-panic.

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

B.  The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests”

i. Saul

Saul was adorned to be the first king of Israel; however, as his reign continued, his own selfish motives began to creep in his kingship.

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the approval of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him?

ii. The Pharisees and Scribes

The Pharisees and Scribes during the time of Jesus, insisted much on their selfish agenda in the imposition and following of the Laws.

When they “began to be more self-centered”, they began to lose the favour of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in them…

iii. Judas

Judas was chosen to be one of the Twelve in the mission of the Lord; but as time grew, he continued to feed his greed for money and wealth.

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the esteem of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him…

3.  The wind of “false principles and ideologies”

i. People of Israel

The people of Israel had been blessed with the commandments of God. They, however, were dismayed at the delay of Moses on Mt Sinai, and instead got enamoured and attracted to false gods and especially to the deity of mammon and wealth.

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they angered God and brought upon themselves the wrath of the Lord.

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

ii. People of Galatians 1:6

St Paul accuses the people of Galatia, that were abandoning the Gospel which they first heard, and instead were being attracted to the pleasurable and false teachings of the false prophets.

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they strayed away from the path of salvation.

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

Let’s examine our own lives…

>> Am I allowing the wind of “losing the focus from God”  to put off the light in us?

>> Am I allowing the wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” to put off the light in us?

>> Am I allowing the wind of “false principles and ideologies” to put off the light in us?

As the saying goes, “We can’t prevent birds from flying over our heads, but we can certainly prevent them from laying a nest on our heads!”

We cannot prevent these winds to rage and hit our lives…

… but we can certainly prevent them from blowing off the Light of Christ in us!

This strength comes from our determination, perseverance & commitment…

And above all, being united with Jesus, the Source of Light…

…  in daily prayer

… frequent sacraments

… constant nourishment with the Word

… and faithfulness to our daily duties of our vocation and life!

In our moments of failure and weaknesses, let us also have the courage to approach the Throne of God’s Mercy saying:

“Lord, sorry I have blown myself out!

>> Can you light me again?”

We seek today the intercession of Pope St John Paul II, arguably the most-popular and loved Pope of our times, on his Feast Day.

>> His convincing life, uncompromising teaching and courageous words are a challenge and inspiration to all of us…

… “What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And, without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “By turning your eyes on God in meditation…

… your whole soul will be filled with God.

>> Begin all your prayers in the presence of God!”

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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 greater and a 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) – “Our possessions are not ours.

>> God has given them to us to cultivate, that we may make them fruitful and profitable in His Service…

… and so doing we shall please Him!”

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One of the common technique of understanding and personalizing a Biblical text is by, what could be called as the ‘Method of Assuming a Character”.

One puts oneself in the shoes of one of the characters in the Biblical passage and draws reflections and thoughts for one’s spiritual growth.

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son…

>> One could assume the character of the Younger Son…and identify as one having gone away from God.

>> One could assume the character of the Father….and identify as one who longs for the return of those lost and those gone away from us.

>> One could assume the character of the Elder Son….and identify as one who gets irritated and even angry at the “apparently unjust” side of God’s love of being overly merciful!

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan…

>> One could assume the character of the injured man….and identify as one who is beaten up and lying helpless, seeking for assistance

>> One could assume the character of the thieves….and identify as one who sometimes engages in “not so good” activities and thus harming the lives of others

> One could assume the character of the Levite or the Priest….and identify as one who fails to set right the priorities in life.

>> One could assume the character of the Good Samaritan….and identify as one who reaches out to people in their dire need.

>> One could assume the character of the inn-keeper….and identify as one who remains generous in allowing the injured man in the inn, despite a possible loss of money.

The Gospel of the Day is the Parable of the Persistent Widow.

For our reflection, we shall use the similar Method of “Assuming a Character”.

The Parable speaks of a judge and a widow.

The judge is characterized by some features:

>> He did not fear God.

>> He did not fear humans.

He was initially adamant in his refusal.

The Widow is characterized by some features:

>> She had a genuine need.

>> She was denied justice.

She remained persistent till the end.

In our usual understanding, we assume the character of the Widow and God as the Judge and draw some of the following conclusions:

We are often in many and true needs.

>> But we often, find ourselves, a bit depressed at the delays in receiving the answers to our prayers.

The parable encourages and exhorts us to remain persistent in our prayer life and not to get discouraged by God’s delays, which apparently appears as God’s denials.

>> Yes, God’s delays are certainly not His denials!

… God’s pauses are certainly not His refuses!

But for a change, for our reflection, we shall try to reverse our roles…

Let US assume the role of the JUDGE…

… and GOD as the WIDOW!

Sounds strange?

>> Me as the Judge?

>> God as the Widow?

Widows in the first century found themselves at a very sad state.

They were quite literally unprotected.

>> Many became homeless and destitute after the death of their husbands.

Often they were at mercy of cunning men, including some religious leaders who would “devour widows’ houses” (Mark 12:40)

A widow couldn’t count on anyone to come to her aid.

>> She represents the hopeless….the unaided…the oppressed.

In Mt 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the one who was hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger and the imprisoned.

>> Jesus in the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger and the imprisoned…. is the hopeless one…the unaided one… the oppressed one.

Jesus, like the widow in the Parable…comes knocking at our door…

… “Behold I stand at the door, and knock… “(Rev 3:20)

As the oppressed and justice-deprived widow, Jesus, knocks at our door – we the Judges.

What is our reaction and response?

The cry of the one in pain and suffering reaches our hearts…

>> Do I reach out my heart to them and seek to ease their troubles and hardships?

The moaning of a broken family or a lost teenager or a spoilt child comes to us…

>> Do I pray for them and help them, in ways possible for me?

The sad tear of the abused or oppressed people with whom we work is seen by us…

>> Do I get out of my comfort-shell to make them feel comforted and consoled?

The disturbing reports of violence, corruption, injustice in the society falls on our senses…

>> Do I remain indifferent to them and become saturated with such atrocities?

Yes…the widow – the hopeless, the unaided and the oppressed one… keeps knocking at our doors…

>> As a Judge…do I keep refusing?…do I keep getting irritated?…do I feel life as a botheration?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is certainly a big lesson to remain firm and perseverant in our prayer life.

>> But this parable, when looked from another perspective, is also a big challenge to become a people who reach out in justice and give comfort and consolation to the needy.

Knock….knock…

>> Do we hear the knock, seeking for help?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Make yourself a seller when you are buying and a buyer when you are selling…

… and then you will sell and buy justly!”

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Please note that Reflection Capsules will not be sent this week (Oct 13th – Oct 18th, 2019) as I am making my Personal Retreat.

Let’s pray that we grow deeper in God’s Love and our hearts may seek to do God’s Will at all times!

I pray. Do pray for me too!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A person had returned from Paris and had purchased a cute little French doll for his niece.

Clutching her prized gift, the little girl rushed into her room.

Her mother, seeing the enthusiastic child, with her gift asked: “Oh, that’s such a sweet little doll!

>> But did you thank uncle for it?”

“Hmmm..”, said the little girl busy with her new toy, “Yes Mamma, but I did not tell him so!”

Well!

Many are the times, when our thanksgivings are such as well…

… We receive, but fail to express thanks

… We are happy to get favours, but are miserly in saying thanks!

The Gospel of the Day is the timely reminder for us to become persons of gratitude, to our Grateful and Generous God!

The story of the Healing of the Ten Lepers is a very familiar and popular incident.

In the Biblical days, leprosy, was one of the most dreaded diseases.

>> Leprosy finds its mention in the Bible in over 40 places.

One of the reason why leprosy is talked about so much in the Bible is that it is a graphic illustration of sin’s destructive power.

>>  Incurable by man, many believed that God inflicted the curse of leprosy upon people for the sins they committed.

Leprosy became a disease that was so despised and loathed that those afflicted were not allowed to live in any community with their own people (Numbers 5:2).

A leper wasn’t allowed to come within six feet of any other human, including one’s own family.

>> The disease was considered so revolting that the leper wasn’t permitted to come within 150 feet of anyone when the wind was blowing.

Lepers lived in a community with other lepers until they either got better or died.

>> This was the only way the people knew to contain the spread of the contagious forms of this dreaded sickness.

When the Lord travelled through the region of Samaria and Galilee, He encountered the group of ten lepers.

In churches, we’ve seen lovely choirs of men & women, who raise their voices to the heavens, with their beautiful & melodious voices.

>> At Christmas, the splendid choir of angels, raised their voice , to announce to the world, of the Birth of the Glorious Saviour of Humanity.

But here is another choir…A dreadful-appearing choir…

… of Ten Lepers.

>> Their patches of skin were discoloured…

… with deformed hands and feet.

An unsightly choir….singing their melodious chorus in loud exaltation, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” (Lk 17:13)

The chorus reached the ears of the Divine Choir-Master, Jesus!

>> Their pitiful cry…their hopeless wail…their pleading voice, echoed in the ears of the Divine Healer!

“Go, show yourselves to the Priest” (Lk 17: 14) were the words of the Divine Lord.

Lev 14:1-9 states that the priest must authenticate any cure from leprosy.

>> This was to allow the afflicted person to re-enter the society.

But as the lepers were on their way to show to the priest, they were cured!

>> Miracles occur, when one chooses to put one’s trust in God!

>> Wonders happen, when one obeys the words of the Lord, in faith and hope!

But one of them realized that He had been healed.

And so he returned and glorified God in a loud voice and fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him (Lk 17: 15)

Here is a big lesson for us all…

> All the ten lepers sought for a FREE blessing from the Lord.

> All the ten lepers expected a FREE miracle from the Healer.

>> Jesus, in His graciousness, did bless all of them with a FREE miracle.

>> Jesus, in His compassion, did shower all of them with a FREE blessing.

But just one among them, acknowledged the worth and value of that FREE gift

>> The rest of the nine, probably completely forgot the source of that FREE blessing.

Every FREE gift in the spiritual world, is a call to cultivate greater, the spirit of Thankfulness!

But perhaps, this is a reality that we very often forget in our lives.

>> We take for granted the many many FREE gifts and blessings that are showered upon us.

Like the FREE offers, available at shopping malls and super markets, we gladly receive God’s blessings…

… but unfortunately, often, fail to acknowledge them and be grateful for it.

The one who returned back to thank the Lord, received not just physical healing, but also was doubly blessed with the gift of being saved!

The Lord showers His FREE gifts on us…

>> Do I return back to thank God for His marvellous blessings?

>> Do I reduce my life to being a clatter of complaints or do I adorn my life with a litany of praises and thanksgiving?

>> Do I take all my blessings for granted and merely groan about my duties?

Ten people were healed that day, but only one came back to give thanks.

> The one who returned to give thanks chose not to forget what Jesus had done for him.

Are we living as this grateful one or as the other nine?

Many are the times, when our thanksgivings are like those of the nine …

… We receive, but fail to express thanks

… We are happy to get favours, but are miserly in saying thanks!

The secret of a thankful heart is a conscious choice not to forget what God has done for us.

Shall we also possess this Secret?

(Psst…once again…this too is a FREE offer…. )

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Kindle your gratitude.

>> O my soul, be no more so faithless and disloyal to thy mighty

Benefactor!

How should not my whole soul serve the Lord, Who has done such great things in me

and for me?”

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The eagles are an amazing variety of birds.

They possess numerous qualities and traits which is praiseworthy and wonderful.

>> The eagles also have found much acclaim and applaud in the Holy Bible.

One of such quality is its quality of being a HIGH FLYER.

Eagles can fly up to an altitude of 10,000 feet, but they are able to swiftly land on the ground. 

>> When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the clouds…

The eagle has accomplished and achieved for itself a niche for being a Bird which goes HIGH!

Sees High…Thinks High…Flies High!

The Gospel of the Day invites us to possess a similar quality… To See High…. to Think High…To Fly High!

In today?s Gospel, a woman from the crowd calls out to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who bore you and nursed you”  (Lk 11:27)

This woman had probably been following Jesus for sometime or had observed some of His works or had heard about Him.

>> This greatness of the Man was attributed to His Mother.

The woman had probably a driving principle behind this thought, “Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman…constantly supporting and nourishing”.

>> Mother Mary was recognized and understood as this Woman behind the success of Jesus!

Let’s just visualize how Jesus would have felt when He heard these words…

> Every child is proud of one’s parent, especially the mother.

> Every child is happy to hear good about one’s parent, especially the mother.

Jesus too, would have been very proud and happy of His Mother.

> He would have thought of the moments His Mother would have taught Him various prayers

> He would have thought of the moments His Mother would have taught Him the scriptures.

> He would have thought of the moments His Mother would have taught Him to love God

Jesus surely had many things to thank and praise His Mother.

>> But the Lord doesn’t remain fixated on the level of mere human praise and efforts…

The Lord loves things of the High….and His concerns are of the High!

And so, he invites and challenges the woman to look higher…

“Surely blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it as well” (Lk 11:28)

The Lord was probably telling the woman…

“Yes, surely my Mother is truly great for Her tender care of me.

She is indeed wonderful for Her amazing upbringing of me.

But My Mother is great, not just because of these earthly factors…

> There is much more…

> There are many more reasons which makes Her truly great.

She is blessed…

… because She listened to God’s Word and accepted it wholeheartedly.

… because She was obedient to God though she did not understand many things

… because She chose to put Her faith in God, though the path ahead was dim

… because She lived and shared the love that she received from God.?

The Lord made the woman to not just be satisfied with transient, material aspect, but to have a higher perspective in life.

The same message is reached out to each one of us today….

> Am I a person who is simply satisfied with only the concerns of the material world?

> Am I a person who remains stunted on just listening to God’s word, but not practising it?

> Am I a person who fails to fly higher, to also be concerned with the aspects of the Divine?

> Am I a person who is excited to hear and listen to the Bible, but afraid to live it in my life?

We are all invited, like the Eagle, to fly above the clouds of materiality and worldliness……

To See High…. to Think High…To Fly High!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – Strive to see God in all things without exception.

>> Do not smother yourself.

>> If you start smothering yourself with a host of cares and longings and wishes…

… you will be disabling yourself from serving God with all your heart!”

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A Christian preacher was once invited to preach in the court of a notorious and malicious King.

As he stood up to preach, he heard a voice – his mind telling him:

“Be careful, of what you speak.

>> The King of the Land is here!”

In a few seconds, he heard another voice – of his conscience:

“Be careful of what you do not speak.

>> Your conscience demands of you!”

In a confused state, he heard yet another voice – in the depth of his heart:

“Be not afraid of what you speak!

>> The King of kings is with you!”

Preaching the Gospel is a bold and a courageous task…

… and unless one is really passionate and fervent about it, one cannot do justice to the Message and the Person of the Gospel!

The Gospel of the Day gives a subtle yet strong message on the need to stand firm in being a Messenger of the Gospel…

… even if one faces criticism or mockery or rejection or indifference.

Our Master, Jesus Himself had to undergo this negative reaction.

The Gospel presents how some people, on seeing Jesus cast out demons, accused him falsely and sought to test him by asking for a sign from heaven.

In the Gospel of Luke 4: 18, in the Nazareth manifesto, Jesus declared that “He has come to bring glad tidings to the poor,  to proclaim liberty to the captives…”

In fulfilment of this program, Jesus went about bringing the message of joy and hope to the ones lost and the wretched.

>> He also went about casting many evil spirits and freeing many possessed people from the shackles of the evil.

> When goodness spreads, the power of evil also raises its ugly head more…

> When righteousness is proclaimed, the claims of the evil also keep increasing…

> When the Kingdom of God is announced, the realm of the devil gets more agitated…

Though the people saw the immense goodness and love being extended by Jesus, some of them purposely sought to find fault with the Lord.

Yet, Jesus remains…

… the reed unshaken.

… the power unconquered.

… the conviction unquaked.

> He was sure of His mission. 

> He was convinced of His goals in life.

> He was certain of the purpose of His ministry.

Though His ministry and His works were badly attacked, Jesus does not get bogged down..

… Rather, He finds the way out through the maze of tricky situations, unappealing factors and even discouraging circumstances.

The Lord today teaches us a very powerful lesson for our Christian Life in this world and for all our works and ministries that we engage in…

There will be times when many people accuse and insult us…

>> Can I remain firm and strong in my convictions and principles?

There will be times when, though we do much good, people fail to understand us…

>> Can I still be strong enough to render the good in the places it is required?

There will be times when we are totally misunderstood and blamed, though we are innocent…

>> Can I find the strength and the courage to not get disappointed or crumbled in sadness?

There will be times when we feel like discontinuing everything due to pressures and loads…

>> Can I push myself above all these situations which paralyze and cripple us?

The Lord today teaches us by His life and example and words that…

…Life has much to offer when we are strong.

…Life has much to be strong about.

…Life has much to rejoice in.

The Lord declares, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me, scatters” (Lk 11:23)

As Christians, we have a duty and a responsibility to stand firm in our beliefs and faith in the Lord, despite any storms that crash against the boats of our life!

When we are truly filled with the power of the Spirit, like Jesus, we too are able to stand firm against the forces of discouragement and disappointments!

Let us grow deeper in the Lord… Let us be filled more with the Holy Spirit…

Life will throw bricks at us…but it depends on us…

… whether we choose to get bruised and wounded and crumble under it

… or whether we build a castle out of those same bricks!

Let us not be afraid…

“The King of kings is with us!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If He is with me…

… I care not where I go!”

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Thud….thud………went the hammer… fifty seven hits over…

Thud…thud…again…

A small crack appears… a tiny opening observed…

And again bangs the hammer…one last time…the sixtieth time…..and…. finally…. its happened!

>> The rock has been finally split…into pieces!

The huge rock…

… had been cracked by the hammer.

The rock split into two at the 60th hit of the rock-cutter.

But, was it just the last bang of the hammer which cracked the rock?

>> Was is the last hit of the hammer which broke the rock into pieces?

No!

The hits that went before are also important!

Perseverance pays!

>> Determination delivers!

The Gospel of the Day presents before us the theme of Prayer with a special emphasis on perseverance and determination in prayer life.

Prayer is like hitting  a rock with a hammer!

If it is a really big rock ,we will hit is for quite some time to just get a small crack.

>> We have to keep hitting, for the crack to  become big enough to break the rock in pieces.

It we stop hitting, we may have stopped when the crack  is just about  to split open and break.

In the Gospel today, Jesus speaks of the aspect of persistence in prayer through a parable…

A parable of a friend who knocked at the door of his friend at an odd midnight hour…seeking for some help.

Prayer invariably points to the notion of Necessity and Dependence in our lives…

>> A necessity for various things…and a Dependence on God

>> A necessity of realising our limitations…and a Dependence on the power of God

>> A necessity of moving out of our capabilities…and a Dependence on the strength of God

>> A necessity of knowing all things not possible for me…and a Dependence on the grace of God

For a moment, let us get into the shoes of this friend who faced this need of an unexpected traveler in his house…and thus forced to seek for help…

This man received an unexpected guest…

>> Probably, it was the end of all the chores of his day..and as he was retiring to bed, this traveler came to his house.

His condition was so pitiable that he did not even some morsels of food to be given.

He had the good will…

… but did not have the resources to help.

>> He had the good intentions…

… but did not have the supplies to assist.

Very often, we ourselves land up into such situations…

Perhaps someone drops in for a coffee…and lays bare their problems…

> But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps we get a letter or a message…informing of some serious crisis…

> But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps our close ones undergo some pain…and life becomes hard…

> But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps we see many in absolute suffering…and our heart reaches out to them..

> But we feel totally helpless how to help…

We ask ourselves: “What can I do?”

There is a strange, sinking sensation… a sense of pressure, almost terror: “What shall I say?“

The best you can do is just hope for a quiet moment when you can rush to God, our Great Neighbour and cry out to him, “A friend has come, and I have nothing to set before him.“

This happens often, doesn’t it?

> It is out of such moments of deep necessity that true prayer is born.

> It is out of such moments of genuine dependence that true prayer is born.

But that does not mean, that God, our Great neighbour, is a sleeping fella who has to be awakened from his slumber or who has to forced to render us help. The point of the parable is that as a Person who is in necessity and who is dependent, ought to have a great level of patience &perseverance &determination.

>> In prayer, sometimes, we determine the way God should answer our requests.

>> In prayer, sometimes, we determine the time God should answer our requests.

>> In prayer, sometimes, we determine the limit God should answer our requests.

>> In prayer, sometimes, we determine the mode God should answer our requests.

But the Parable reminds us… We are only a person in necessity and dependant.

> The Great Neighbour, God…is also our loving Father.

> The Great Neighbour, God…is also the One who cares deeply for us.

> The Great Neighbour, God…is also Someone who wishes the best for us.

In Lk 11: 9, Jesus gives us the exciting verse, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

ASK…SEEK…KNOCK…all these three verbs indicate a continual process and a constant action.

“Keep on asking…keep on seeking…keep on knocking”.

The Lord is a Loving Father…

He does not demand perseverance because of some hard-heartedness..

>> Rather, He expects consistence and perseverance because of His deep and tender Love for us and wanting us to not get bogged down by mere material concerns…rather to SEEK HIM above all in prayer and to make HIM the greatest need of our lives!

The rock-cutter determinately and constantly knocks at the rock…and his efforts are rewarded.

Let us grow in this perseverance and determination in prayer.

“Provided that we don’t give up, the Lord will guide everything for our benefit…!

There is no other remedy for this evil of giving up prayer than to begin again!”

– St. Teresa of Avila.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We must unceasingly ask for perseverance…

… by making use of the means which God has taught us for obtaining it:

>> Prayer

>> Fasting

>> Almsgiving

>> Frequenting the sacraments

>> Association with good companions

>> And hearing and reading Holy Scripture.

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A certain person who was known to be a “person in hurry always”, was part of a prayer meeting.

One day, he was asked to make the prayer before the meeting.

Being known for being a “person in hurry always”, he made a short prayer – classic in brevity and beautiful in preciseness:

“Dear God, Let Your Will be done…

Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

Amen!”

Seeking to do the Will of God, at always times…

… and living according to It, is the key to our faithful Christian living.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation towards this aspect through the prayer – The Our Father…

… with the key dimension of “forgiveness and pardon”.

The Eleventh Chapter of St Luke opens with a teaching on prayer.

This teaching begins with Jesus presenting the blueprint in praying- the beautiful prayer “The Our Father”.

The Lukan version of the Our Father has five petitions:

1. Hallowed be thy name

2. Thy Kingdom come

3. Give us today our daily bread

4. Forgive us our sins

5. Do not subject us to the final test

The fourth petition  – for forgiveness – is also accompanied with a clause – “…as we forgive”..

“…and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Lk 11: 4)

… forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us!

… forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us!

Well, does this mean God’s forgiveness is conditional?

It needs to be understood, that God , in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!

But..

>> To receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

>> To receive this grace of pardon, we need to first pardon others!

It means that…

>> If we harbour a wrong against other…

>> If we continue to nurture hatred against other…

>> If we wilfully fail to extend absolution to the other…

>> If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…

                … then we are telling God to not forgive me either!

                …then we are telling God to not shower His blessing on me!

                …then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!

                ….then we are telling God to stop extending His unconditional compassion!

It is this aspect of “forgiveness” that becomes highly essential and conditional…

… in our desire to do the Will of the Father, at all times, and living a faithful Christian life.

The prayer – “Our Father” is indeed one of the most easily learnt and widely used prayers.

>> But this clause of the prayer, which is often overlooked, also makes this prayer dangerous!

>> This clause of the prayer, which is often not thought of, also makes this prayer challenging!

Let the prayer ‘Our Father’…

…  help us to make inroads into forgiving others!

…  make us to march forward into extending pardon to others!

With forgiveness and mercy in our hearts, may we seek to echo, at all times…

“Dear God, Let Your Will be done…

Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

Amen!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “True and solid devotion consists in the constant will, resolve, promptness and activeness…

… to execute what is pleasing to God!”

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Nine year old Bobby arrived late for the football match.

>> The game had already started.

The coach, obviously upset as Bobby was a key player, shouted at him: “Why are you so late?”

“I had to decide”, replied Bobby, ” Today is a Sunday. And I had to decide between going to Church and going for this football game”

“Then what did you do” asked the coach curiously

> > “I tossed a coin to decide” said Bobby.

“Tossed a coin?” asked the surprised coach, “But that shouldn’t have taken too long.”

“Hmmm…” continued Bobby, “Well… I had to toss the coin 35 times!”

(Little Bobby kept on tossing the coin…till he got what he wanted – i.e. to go for the football match!!)

How often are we too like Li’l Bobby, when it comes to making choices and priorities, especially in our spiritual life…

We get confused in choosing the correct choices

>> We get puzzled in preferring the proper priorities

We sometimes even seek to justify our choices and argue to validate our priorities

>> We insist on having our way… mould situations to suit our needs!

>> As a result, we often end up….

… in complaining and cribbing

… in back biting and bickering

… in criticism and calumny

The Gospel of the Day is a lesson in making the proper priorities and the correct choices in life.

We have the familiar incident of Jesus as a guest in the house of Martha and Mary.

Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38)

Martha demonstrated great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home (Lk 10: 40)

>> She got busy with the tasks of serving their honoured Guest.

Mary, on the other side, displayed great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus (Lk 10: 39)

>> She got immersed in spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

The character of Martha is vividly seen in this incident

Here is a lady…

… hospitable and welcoming

… engaging in works to make the stay of her Guest comfortable

… ready to struggle and do whatever she can, to bring happiness to the Other

Many of us could probably identify ourselves with Martha.

>> We are willing to let go of our self so that others may enjoy and feel contented

>> We engage ourselves into works so that the life of our loved ones are taken care

>> We are ready to struggle and do whatever we can, to bring joy and comfort to others

But despite doing all these hard works, like Martha, we often end up on the wrong side

When Martha complained to Jesus, ” Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?” (Lk 10: 40)

… she was expressing her feelings of being over burdened

… she was giving vent to her emotions of not being acknowledged

But Jesus calms her, and chides her mildly, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and anxious about many things…” (Lk 10: 41)

Something interesting is to be noted here…. “Martha, Martha!”

>> A double calling of the name!

The Scripture records only very few instances when such an occurrence took place – the name being called twice…

>> Abraham: (Gen 22:11): “But the angel of the Lord called to him out of heaven: ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”

>> Jacob (Gen 46:2): “In a vision at night God called to Israel, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”

>> Moses (Ex 3:4): “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to see, God called him from the middle of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”

>> Samuel (1 Sam 3:10): “The Lord came and stood and spoke as at the other times: ‘Samuel, Samuel.’ and Samuel said, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.'”

>> Simon Peter (Lk 22:31) “Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail.

>> Saul (Acts 9:4) “Falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

We also find another important instance: Jesus calling on God (Mt 27:46): “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani  – My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

What does the twice calling of the name in the Bible refer to?

1. Repeating a person’s name was a Hebrew expression of intimacy

2. In all the instances of the name being called twice, a major event/occasion/teaching was being referred to

Taking a cue from this…

…When Jesus calls “Martha, Martha” – the name being called twice:

>> Jesus is expressing a filial tenderness and love for Martha

>> Jesus is also referring to an important teaching:  “Giving importance to Jesus above all”

To each of us then, who find ourselves, struggling and complaining like Martha…

>> The Lord calls our name – “probably twice ” – and tells us:

“With much tenderness and love, I invite you my child, to give heed to an important teaching:

… Give priority to ME above all!”

Like Martha, maybe we are often distracted

Perhaps…

>>> We tell the Lord that we wish to follow Him wholeheartedly…

… but are sometimes unwilling to let go of our sinful behaviours

>> We promise God that we would spend more time in prayer…

… but often excuses like lack of time prevent us from fulfilling our promises

>> We resolve that we will let go our sinful habits and tendencies…

… but often we cling on to those pleasures and fail to be more determined in rooting them out

Today, let us give heed to this invitation of the Lord: “To give priority to HIM above all!”

Surely, all of us do have…

… our own works and responsibilities

… our own cares and concerns of life

… our own distractions and troubles

But in the midst of all this…. beyond all these aspects: Let us give priority to the Lord!

>> Let His presence reign…in our work and responsibilities

>> Let His Providence be trusted… in our cares and concerns of life

>> Let His Power prevail… in our distractions and troubles

Let the incident of Martha and Mary inspire us, to make personal resolutions…

… of daily spending time with the Lord in personal prayer

… of daily reading the Word of God and listening to His Voice

… of daily making an examination of conscience and amending our lives

The Lord loves us much….

… let us love Him too

… let Him reign over our homes and our lives

… let us give Him full attention as The Guest of our hearts

Situations in life will often put to us dilemma in making a choice…in picking out our priorities

>> “Let us always give priority to the Lord”!

Are we going to toss a coin for this?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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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!”

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