There is a famous incident associated with Thomas Alva Edison, the renowned scientist.

Edison and his team had undertaken the tedious task of inventing the “light bulb”.

>> It took the team 24 hours to put one bulb together.

When it was ready, Edison gave the bulb to a young helper boy, to carry up to the steps.

>> Nervously, this young boy climbed the stairs…

… step by step, with extreme caution and fright – lest the priceless piece of work be dropped!

But the extremely anxious steps of the boy, caused the “unwanted” to happen…

… the bulb fell out of his hands..smashed to pieces!

Naturally, there was great disappointment and even annoyance at the boy.

The entire team worked for another 24 hours to make another bulb.

Finally it was ready… to be taken up the stairs..

Well, no points for guessing, to whom Edison gave this second bulb!

>> Yes, to the same boy, who had dropped and broken it the first time.

That’s true forgiveness, isn’t it?

The Gospel of the Day deals with the aspect of  Forgiveness (Lk 17: 3-4)…

… which is the key for a harmonious living together.

Jesus says: “If your brother wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you, seven times saying, ‘I am sorry’, you should forgive him” (Lk 17: 4)

The example given by the Lord is an experience, which many of us, perhaps, have had in our personal lives….

A person does a wrong to me and I forgive him.

>> The same person hurts me once again and I forgive him

He does it again, causing a deeper wound to me and I forgive him again.

>> He does it again and offends me harder and I forgive him again….but this time I am losing my patience!

Don’t I have a limit for myself to bear?

>> Should I go on bearing hurts?

>> Don’t I have feelings which are sensitive?

So we perhaps ask this question to the Lord:

“Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother?”

We are eager to know when to quit turning the other cheek to the one who hits you on one cheek!

The Old Testament Law suggested to forgive three times (Amos 1:3-13).

But the Lord..who loves to keep challenging… throws out a bigger number.

Now is this demand of the Lord something really practical and viable?

>> Or is Jesus turning out to be “one of those many idealistic teachers who love to talk in the air….but nothing which is practical or really feasible and doable!”

The Lord invites us to look into the Aspect of God’s Forgiveness, to obtain a solution and an insight to this perennial question of “how often should I forgive my fellow brother?”…

… If God were to forgive us only a limited number of times, how many days would we have survived?

… If God were to withdraw His Grace after an “x” number of times, how many situations would we have endured?

… If God were to stop granting us pardon after a period of time, how many blessings would we have been denied?

… If God were to keep an account of all our sins and transgressions, how many of us would have been alive today?

Of course, Forgiveness does not mean…

… justifying the bad behaviours of people!

… supporting the evil deeds of our fellow beings!

… encouraging the faults or situations of wrongdoing or hurts!

… not correcting and reproving the misdeeds and carrying out our duties of rectifying!

But Forgiveness does mean…

… liberating the people from guilt and condemnation in our hearts!

… to have no ill feelings and grudging emotions against the ones who have hurt us!

… seeking to love them, praying for them and avoiding occasions of putting them down!

… to refuse to harbor their mistakes deep in our hearts, though we are wounded & hurt!

Life is an opportunity and a challenge….

An Opportunity to become more Divine…to become more forgiving…to become more Loving…!

>> A Challenge to let go of our ego…to cast away our hurtful and wounded feelings…to go beyond our aches!

Let us seek God’s Grace to Live Up to this Challenge and to Grab this opportunity!

The “light bulb” of God’s Grace has often been entrusted to us by the Lord

>> Many are the times when, have “dropped it” and broken it into pieces!

.. Yet, the Lord entrusts it, again and again – forgiving us, and trusting in us.

>> Are we ready to do the same with others?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Open your heart to your confessor; display to him all the recesses of your soul; take the advice that he will give you with the utmost humility and simplicity.

For God, Who has an infinite love for obedience, frequently renders profitable the counsels we take from others, but especially from those who are the guides of our souls!”

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Question: Who could be the called as the most ‘blessed’ people in the world?

Answer: Christians

The Reason: In Christ we have the possibility to receive great blessings, to have heavenly experiences on earth by living a faith-filled life and to enjoy the most intimate moments with God in the Most Holy Eucharist.

The Biblical Support: John 10:10, “I have come to give life, and life in abundance”

John 6:51, “I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever”

Question: Who could be the called as the most ‘pitied’ people in the world?

Answer: Christians

The Reason: A Christian who fails to believe & be convinced of a life in Christ after this earthly life & lives only for this world.

The Biblical Support: 1 Cor 15:19, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all”

Am I a Christian who can be called Blessed, because of my faith in Christ which is directed towards Eternal Life ?

>> Or am I a Christian who is to be Pitied, because of my belief in Christ which is only to satisfy my desires of this world?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to dwell on these aspects with the incident of the Question on the Resurrection.

This question on the Resurrection was put forward by the Sadducees.

The Sadducees were the priestly aristocracy among the Jews.

>> They tried to live in close contact with the Roman rulers so that they might as far as possible promote the secular interests of their people.

Consequently they took little interest in religious matters and in many respects clashed with the Pharisees, especially as regards the Pharisees’ attachment to the ‘traditions of the elders’.

Anything which was not taught by ‘the law of Moses’ (the first five books of the Old Testament) was rejected by the Sadducees as forbidden innovations.

Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees did not believe in many aspects:

>> They didn’t believe…

… in angels.

… in heaven or hell.

… in life after death.

… in the immortality of the soul.

… in the resurrection of the dead.

Thus, the doubt on the Resurrection exposes the hypocrisy of the Sadducees.

>> They were asking Jesus about something they didn’t believe.

They sought to establish that belief in a resurrection from the dead was unscriptural and impractical by putting forward a highly hypothetical question.

But Jesus, the cleverest and smartest Master outwits their malicious plans.

Jesus establishes that eternal life would not be a mere extension of this presently life.

>> Rather, there would be a great transformation of all that is earthly.

The style and the method of this transformation is known only to God…

>> The manner and the mode of this transformation is known only to God…

But the Lord with logic & reason and a strong scriptural-support champions this Doctrine of the Resurrection from the Dead.

The passage ends with the statement, “And they no longer dared to ask him anything” (Lk 19:40)

The Sadducees who came to trap the Lord with their malicious doubts were put to silence.

>> Maybe a few of those Sadducees…

… would have second thoughts on it.

… got a bit confused between Jesus’ words and their own convictions

… felt angered at the convinced reply of Jesus & their unwillingness to let go of their position.

Maybe most of those Sadducees felt threatened by the confident reply of Jesus and their aversion to give up their opinions.

>> It’s a tragedy when one fails to convert oneself, even after knowing the truth.

>> It’s a pity when one fails to change oneself, even after becoming aware of the reality.

>> It’s a calamity when one fails to alter oneself, even after being conscious of the facts.

Are we a practical Sadducees in our lives?

>> Do I believe in the power of the Resurrection of the Dead? Do I believe that there is a life beyond our earthly existence?

It is not that enough to have a mere verbal belief.

>> This belief ought to be translated in our personal living.

We need to prepare ourselves for a glorious eternity by living a holy life.

>> We need to avoid any blocks and sins which can hamper my progress to eternal life.

The world is becoming more and more materialistic today.

The feeling that “after all we have only one life” and “let us enjoy to the maximum” is widespread.

Certainly, God has blessed us with this life…and we need to enjoy.

>> But enjoy it in the proper manner with a sense of responsibility and decorum.

Let us give up anything that reduces the value of enjoyment to mere sensual and bodily-pleasurable activities.

>> Instead, let us enjoy real freedom and happiness, by living a life of Grace and Love!

We are Christians…

>> Will my life be the most blessed?

… or Will my life be the most pitied?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Form often this good thought, that we are walking in this world between Paradise and Hell…

… and that our last step will place us in an eternal dwelling.

We do not know which step will be our last.

>> And so, in order to make our last step well…

… we must try to make all the others well!”

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An interesting story is told by a tourist who was visiting the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome, Italy.

Just across the street of the Basilica, at a square, is a statue of St Francis of Assisi…

… with his arms outstretched.

This statue commemorates an important moment in Church history:

>> It was at this place – the Lateran Basilica – that the Great Saint went to ask the Pope for permission to start a religious order.

This was in the light of the Great Inspiration that he had received, when he heard the words of the Lord: “Rebuild my Church!”

The tourist says that recollecting this incident, as he stepped back, to have a better look at the statue…

… from a particular angle, he could see the Lateran Basilica between St. Francis’s outstretched arms

>> St Francis appeared to be holding the Church with his hands!

The tourist says:

“That’s a great image!

>> That’s a great lesson!

A church building is brick and mortar, wood and glass.

>> But – ultimately, it is supported by the arms and the labor of those who love it.

>> The Church is held up by the people who are in love with Christ!”

Yes, the Church is indeed “held up by the people who are in love with Christ!”

We, the children of the Church are today invited, to renew our love for the Lord and grow in our duty, “to hold up the Church”…

… on this Feast Day of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

The Gospel of the Day also vividly and dramatically displays the zeal and passion of the Lord, for the House of God through the incident of the Cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple.

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

>> This Basilica is the oldest Christian church building in the world.

>> It is the first permanent, public place of worship for Christians in the world.

Christianity, in its infancy, suffered a great deal at the hands of her persecutors.

The Roman Empire sought to extend its domination over the entire world.

>> The power and might of the Roman Empire was determined to utterly destroy the Christian religion.

Christians, with a staunch belief in Jesus Christ, refused to worship the Roman pagan gods.

This led the Christians to be labelled as the enemies of the state and thus were sought to be eliminated.

>> Christians were arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and even cruelly executed!

This wave of violent persecution crashed against the Rock, the Church for three centuries!

It was only in 312, when the Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity that these persecutions ceased.

>> In gratitude to Christ, the new Emperor Constantine sponsored the construction of Christian churches, the first of which was the Church of the Most Holy Saviour, known today as the Basilica of St John Lateran…

… or simply called as the Lateran Basilica.

On this Feast day of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the call of the Gospel is towards examining our relationship with God in the Church.

In the Old Testament, we read that the Lord had established a covenant with His people, Israel.

This covenant had its physical symbol in the Temple of Jerusalem.

>> The majestic and glorious Jerusalem Temple was an external symbol of God’s love-relationship with His people.

Jesus cleansing this Jerusalem Temple, was a strong message to the people, that He had come to revive and revamp the strained relationship between God and His people.

It was also symbolic of the need of the people to realize that the Jerusalem Temple which was to be destroyed in a few decades, was only a temporary symbol.

>> Jesus, Himself is the real and everlasting Temple…

… the permanent symbol of God’s eternal covenant with His people.

And so, He showcases an tremendous zeal and passion, in cleansing the Temple, of all the corruption and filth and fraud!

The Commemoration of this Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica and the Cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple is a call for each of us, to examine our own lives…

Is my relationship with God corrupted by many evil tendencies and pleasurable sins?

>> My heart needs a cleansing drive by the Lord…

Is my relationship with the other, who is also a Temple of the Holy Spirit, badly tainted with anger, jealousy, calumnious thoughts etc…

>> My relationships needs a cleansing drive by the Lord…

Is my relationship with the Church, strained by negative feelings of her dogmas and teachings, and stained by angry-feelings due to many scandals by her responsible authorities?

>> My mentality towards the Church needs a cleansing drive by the Lord…

This Feast is a call to revive our zeal and passion for the Lord, His Mission and His Church.

The Lord’s ways are sometimes very hard to follow and difficult to tread in this highly materialistic and sensational world.

>> But the Lord promises to be with us, in all our trials and hardships.

The Mission of the Lord to spread His Kingdom is a very challenging one and at times, they seem too very impossible and our efforts meaningless.

>> But the Lord assures His ever-abiding presence and love to those committed and faithful.

The Church of the Lord is very often found to wrench in corrupt practices, discouraging scandals, heart-crushing and shameful incidents.

>> But the Lord assures that His might Spirit will guide the Church through any storms and “He will surely write straight… with crooked lines!”

The invitation is strong…

>> To be filled with a deeper love and zeal for the Lord, His Mission and His Church!

Undoubtedly, the challenges are deep…

… the trials seem too discouraging.

>> Yet, with the Grace of God, let us seek to renew our love for the Lord…

… and grow in our duty, “to hold up the Church!”

Happy Feast Day!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Bloom where you are planted!”

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It was a  Bible study class.

The group was doing a study on the Book of Prophet Daniel.

As was the custom, one of the members would start the Bible study by reading the passage of the day, to the group, aloud.

The selected passage for the day was Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel.

An elderly person, stood up to read.

>> He, however had some struggle with his sight and was finding it a bit difficult to read.

When he came to verse 3… (which actually says: “… an excellent spirit was in Daniel”)…

…  adjusting his thick glasses, the man read: “… an excellent spine was in Daniel!”

(The word ‘spirit’ was mistakenly read as ‘spine’!)

Well…that was bad reading…

… but nevertheless, it was wonderful theology, because Prophet Daniel was indeed a man of excellent spine – a backbone that made him strong and courageous!

Are we Christians with an “excellent spine”?

The Gospel of the Day, with a worldly example placed before us – the Parable of the Unjust Steward –  is a mighty challenge to us to examine whether we as Christians, are people…

… who really are bold and courageous to stand for the Gospel principles

… who really are zealous and prudent to preserve our holiness and sanctity!

The story of the Unjust Parable is an interesting as well as an eye-opener for us, in our spiritual and Christian life

>> This is also a parable that could be classified under the “controversial” or “what-was-He-really-meaning” category!

The summary of the parable would go thus…

>> A steward has been reported to the Master for squandering the property (Lk 16:1)

>> Dismissal is on the cards for the steward (Lk 16:2)

>> Taking stock of the possibilities for the future, he decides and acts on the principle: Manipulation is the best policy for a safer future (Lk 16:3-7)

>> The Master commends this unjust, yet prudent and craft act of the steward! (Lk 16: 8a)

The parable could cause some strange questions to crop up…

>> Why is Jesus – the Honest-Man-par-excellance – presenting this strangely negative example to His followers?

>> Does Jesus mean that we should follow the bad ways of the world, in order to win our salvation?

>> “Hook or Crook” – is that the policy that Jesus says for us Christians, to live in this world?

Well…

>> Without going deep into the theological debates of such questions…

… we shall look into the answer that Jesus Himself proposed for saying this parable:

“For the children of the world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation, than are the children of light” (Lk 16: 8b)

The purpose of Jesus to say this parable is put forth:

>> Children of the this world are often more shrewd to make sure a good future…

… whereas, the children of the light, tend to be extremely relaxed concerning their salvation!

>> People of this worldly kingdom are willing to go to any extend to secure themselves…

… whereas those who supposedly wish to belong to God’s Kingdom, leisure themselves in lethargy!

This is a technique of “comparative imperative” that is proposed by Jesus…

… by emphasising on the opposite, a challenge is put forth!

… by highlighting a negative dimension, the positive aspect is enforced!

Such “comparative imperatives” can easily be observed in our lives…

>> We would make every effort to be in time to catch a bus/train/flight, so as not to miss it…

… but don’t mind, being late for our prayers or spiritual activities, including the Holy Mass!

>> We would ensure every day we have our food and get a good rest, so that our bodies don’t get weak…

… but give no regard to feed and give rest to our souls, by spending time with the Lord in personal prayer and growing in relationship with Him!

>> We would feel a dreadful sense of disgust if we do not have our daily bath (shower) and cleanse our bodies…

… but have sometimes no awareness to realise our souls are dirty and we need to cleanse them through a daily examination of conscience, and regularly through the Sacramental Confession.

>> We don’t mind wagging our tongues to say a bad word or a dirty joke or nasty words of criticism and condemnation..

… but think often, when we need to say something positive or appreciate someone or to say an occasional prayer to recall the presence of the Lord!

This “comparative imperative” proposed by the Lord in this parable makes us to reflect deeper:

>> Am I more enthusiastic about the affairs of this world, which gives only transient joy…

… at the cost of avoiding my spiritual life, which alone can ensure me eternal happiness?

>> Am I only concerned more about my materialistic concerns and my temporal duties…

… and end up neglecting the solemn duties of our Christian life and being more spiritually rooted?

Our Blessed Lord is extremely serious…

… that we take our Christian lives and faith, on a more serious note!

>> Salvation is at stake… Eternal Life is at question!

The Lord is perhaps addressing us, and telling:

“For those who are working…

… you would try to make any sincere efforts to make sure you get a better salary, isn’t it?

For those who are studying…

… you would try to put in extra hard work to ensure you get the extra marks, isn’t it?

For those who are at home…

… you would spare no efforts, to ensure peace and harmony and a happy time, isn’t it?

For those in institutes or companies or in-charge of some establishment…

… you would take the extra mile to be the best and co-ordinate to the maximum, to give better performances, isn’t it?

Then why…

… Why sometimes, lethargy only for spiritual life?

… Why sometimes, indifference, only with respect to a life of faith?”

Are we ready to be Christians with an “excellent spine”?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “People can pass thirty nights in dancing and no one complains about it…

… but if they watch through a single Christmas night they cough and claim their stomach is upset the next morning!

>> Does anyone fail to see that the world is an unjust judge – gracious and well disposed to its own children…

… but harsh and rigorous towards the children of God?”

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Bursting of crackers is, in places and on many occasions, considered to signal an ambience of happiness and celebration.

[NB: this reflection is not to discuss the pros and cons of bursting of crackers! :-)]

Crackers signify a mood of celebration and joy.

>> They are symbolic of a spirit of festivity and merriment.

The bursting and the sound of crackers surely spark off a message that some celebration is on & there is a mood of rejoicing and good cheer.

Today, we are in for some bursting of crackers….

But, guess where?

Not anywhere on the earth…

… But in Heaven!

Yes, we have crackers being burst in heaven!

Why?

>> Because, there is much to celebrate and be glad!

The reason?

“There is much rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine who need no repentance” (Lk 15: 7)

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to rejoice and celebrate the joy of discovering God’s love and a call to live a life in repentance.

Chapter 15 of St Luke is an amazing revelation of God’s tremendous love, mercy and longing for each one of us.

We have the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son.

>> In all the three parables, lost ones are found

>> In all the three parables, there is great celebration at the end.

>> In all the three parables, an emphasis is laid on hope for the lost.

This chapter is a contradiction of many Human thought-patterns and an affirmation of many Divine thought-patterns…

There is a contradiction of the Human thought-pattern of thinking of things in terms of monetary rate and financial gain.

>> There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of acknowledging the deeper value and worth of objects and people!

There is a contradiction of the Human thought-pattern of giving up on things that are lost and not being bothered about it.

>> There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of desperately going after the lost and being in painful agony until found!

We are invited to shed the selfish Human thought-pattern and embrace the selfless Divine thought-pattern.

For our Gospel reflection, today, we shall consider the first two parables: The Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin.

A shepherd had a hundred sheep.

>> During the count as he gathers the sheep at day’s end, the shepherd notices that one is missing.

The sheep needs to be found; otherwise, it may be permanently lost or attacked by hungry predators.

The Shepherd takes the risk of leaving the rest behind, and goes out in search of the lost one.

The second parable parallels the first.

Here a silver coin has been lost.

>> It’s probably a drachma, which equals a denarius–a day’s wage for the average worker.

The coin needs to be found; else a day’s wage would be lost and would to the already existing financial burden.

The woman takes the hard trouble and effort, to sweep the house, in search of the lost coin.

>> In both the cases: The search yields successful results…

… the lost sheep and the lost coin is found.

>> In both the cases: The success leads to a great celebration…

… the shepherd and the woman rejoice and party

>> In both the cases: The cost of the celebration far exceeds the actual price of the thing lost!

>> Why such a sentimentality?

>> Why so much of economic waste?

The only logic behind it is: The Experience of Joy.

>> The Shepherd feels tremendously happy in getting back his lost sheep.

>> The woman feels tremendously happy in getting back her lost coin.

And this spurs them to forget all economics, and mathematics and tally and calculations…

Joy surpasses them all.

> Joy overcomes them all.

>> Joy overtakes them all!

Jesus compares this same joy in heaven at the repentance of a sinner!

Am I similar to a Lost Sheep?

> Lost in the thickets of materialistic living…?

> Lost in the valleys of doubts and rejections and failures…?

> Lost in the bushes of excessive pride, prestige and power….?

> Lost in the wilderness of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life… ?

Am I similar to a Lost Coin?

> Lost in the shadows of addictions and bad habits…?

> Lost in the dust of corruption and malicious situations…?

> Lost in the darkness of bad luck and unfair treatment by life…?

> Lost in the corners of abuses and misunderstandings and false judgments…?

The Lord doesn’t abandon us.

>> The Lord comes in search of us.

> We ought to hear His voice and respond.

> We ought to allow ourselves to be found.

>> We ought to let Him take us on His shoulders.

>> We ought to permit Him to take us in His hands.

God comes looking for us.

>> We are the ones that God spends hours and hours, walking miles and probing all areas, in search.

>> We are the ones that God spends hours and hours on hands and knees, sweeping and searching for.

And when God finds us…

… He calls together all the saints in heaven, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my beloved sheep, my precious coin that was once lost…!”

Are we – You & I – ready to give heaven a reason to celebrate, by repenting of our sins & living a life, in accord with God’s Holy Will?

Yes, the crackers in heaven are waiting to be burst…

Let us experience the saving power and presence of the Lord, by realizing our state of being lost…

… and allowing the Lord, to find us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Penitence is a form of repentance in which a man rejects and detests the sin he has committed…

…. together with a resolution to repair, in so far as he can, the offense and injury done to him, against whom he sinned!”

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Filtration is a process by which any material is passed through a certain device to remove unwanted elements in it.

Filtration happens every day around the world.

>> It occurs both in nature and in engineered systems.

For example…

… in many living bodies (including humans), renal filtration removes wastes from the blood

… in water treatment and sewage treatment, undesirable elements are removed by absorption into a filter medium

Every filtration has three basic components:

1. The Feed: The original material with the presence of unwanted elements

2. The Filter: The mechanism/device that does the cleansing

3. The Filtrate: The matter that comes after the process

Our Life as a Christian is also a “process of filtration”

>> And has three components as well

1. The Feed: Our lives – with our own weaknesses and sinful tendencies

2. The Filter: Jesus, the Crucified Lord – Who Cleanses us

3. The Filtrate: Our life as a Disciple of Christ – lived in holiness and with a sense of mission

Are we willing to allow the “FEED” of our lives to encounter the “FILTER”…

… so that we can emerge as pure and holy “FILTRATE?”

The Gospel of the Day is this exhortation of the Lord to all who seek to follow Him:

“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…

… yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple!

>> Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple!” (Lk 14: 26-27)

The Gospel begins with the statement that “Great multitudes accompanied Jesus…” (Lk 14:25)

The multitude – crowds of people – probably had various intentions of following Jesus

>> Some to receive healing and be touched by Him (Lk 6:19)

>> Some to hear the Good News and to follow Him (Lk 5:11)

>> Some to simply eat the bread (food) that the Lord provided (Lk 9:17)

>> Some to satisfy their curiosity and fascination (Lk 4:22)

>> Some to question Who He was and What was His motive (Lk 7:18-19)

Whatever be the intention of the crowds, the Lord was clear in whom He wanted as His followers:

1. Those who give the highest priority in life to the Lord

2. Those who would take up their cross

3. Those who are willing to give up everything, for the sake of the Lord

Towards this end, Jesus cites two parables which would make every disciple of Jesus question their authenticity of following Him

a. The Parable of the one desiring to build the tower (Lk 14:28-30)

>> Are you willing to count how much it will cost you, to follow Jesus?

b. The Parable of the king who wanted to wage war (Lk 14:31-32)

>> Are you willing to calculate the risks that are involved, to follow Jesus?

This is a serious challenge that is placed before all Christians, who profess to follow Christ…

… and also to all those, who in ministry, seek to attract disciples for Christ!

>> Have I “counted the cost” and “calculated the risks” to know, that following Jesus means…

… not to simply run behind miracles and wonders; rather also involves living as Jesus did – in poverty, obedience and purity of heart!

… not just having a Christian name and fulfiling basic duties; but also implies to give the highest priority to the Lord and His Kingdom values, in all what we do!

… not merely reciting prayers and raising hymns of praise; but also infers at reaching out to the poor and needy in self-giving and doing everything for the Glory of God!

A Filtration Process is a must for every follower of Christ.

All of us, surely have our weaknesses and tendencies to be attracted to worldly ways

We very often, even have the goodwill to truly follow Jesus…

>> However, because of…

… lack of strong motivation

… ignorance and lack of people who can guide us

… various discouraging and deterring incidents and scandals

>> We fail to truly Follow Jesus.

We, the FEED, need to offer our lives to Jesus…

… and allow ourselves to pass through Our Crucified Lord – Who is our FILTER!

>> He will cleanse us to make us pure

>> He will strengthen us with proper motivation

>> He will nourish us with courage and passion to be bold and faithful

And thus, we will be able to live as the proper FILTRATE – a disciple of Christ…

… living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ.

Are we willing to be “Filtered?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Examine your heart often to see if it is such toward your neighbour as you would like his to be toward you…

… were you in his place.

>> This is the touchstone of true reason!”

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“Excuses are the nails that are used to build the house of failure”

We often, run our lives, basing ourselves on many excuses and justifications…

>> Politicians sometimes make excuses for failure to undertake developmental works blaming their opposition parties.

>> Citizens sometimes make excuses for their inability towards nation-building by purely blaming the corruption among politicians.

>> Motorists or car-drivers sometimes make some excuses and jump signals and violate traffic rules.

>> Traffic inspectors sometimes make some excuses and escape from duties and dump it on someone else.

>> Students sometimes make excuses for their poor performance by blaming the education system.

>> Teachers sometimes make excuses for their loopholes in work by blaming the students and parents for non co-operating.

Are we becoming a Generation of Excuse-givers?

The Gospel of the Day brings our attention to this grave and urgent issue that we need to tackle: The Issue of making Excuses for Escapism.

We have the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast in today’s Gospel.

“A man once gave a great feast and invited many guests” (Lk 14:16)

Here was a big and great feast being organized and invitations were sent out to many guests.

>> This was no simple feast.

>> This was no ordinary event.

It’s similar to someone today, being invited to a lavish and a grand party by the President of the Nation or some highly dignified person.

It was kind of a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.

>> The people waited with eagerness to get such a chance.

In those days, it was the custom to send two invitations.

The first invitation was to tell everyone that the event was being planned.

Those were the days when Time was a lavish commodity.

Clocks were scarce and time management techniques were still unheard of.

>> The actual day and the actual time of the event were left open.

It would depend a lot on the preparation time for the killing of animals, their cleaning and cooking…

… getting all the vegetables and everything needed to get the meal ready.

And so there was a need for a second invitation…

The second invitation was to tell everyone that everything was ready and about to begin.

>> This second reminder was for to those who had been given the first invitation and had indicated that they would attend.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

But the Gospel says, that when the second invitation was sent to the pre-invited guests, they began to make excuses!

Making excuses is nothing new!

It has existed right from the first days…

>> Adam and Eve made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of disobedience.

>> Cain made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of killing his brother Abel.

>> Moses gave excuses before God in trying to escape from the task being entrusted to him.

>> Jeremiah gave excuses before God that he was only a small boy to take up the responsibility

Those who were able to overcome the excuses, found true meaning and joy.

>>> But those who got stuck with their excuses, lost out on discovering greatness!

The guests who had been invited for the grand feast, gave silly excuses….

One said, “I have purchased a field and must go and examine it”

>> Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone enter into land dealings without having seen it in prior?

>> And even if one has not, was it so urgent, so as to miss the grand feast?

Another said, “I have purchased five oxen and am on my way to evaluate them”

>> Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone purchase land animals, without having examined them?

>> And even if one has not, was it so immediate a need, so as to skip the great feast?

Another said, “I have just married a woman, and I cannot come”

>> Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Couldn’t the husband take along his wife to the feast, to have a joyful time together?

>> Or was this couple so much exclusive, that they failed to have any social contacts, so as to avoid the fine feast?

> Here was an invitation so grand.

>> Here was a generosity so lavish.

>>> Here was a preparation so extensive.

But unfortunately, it was responded with excuses which were baseless, childish, illogical and quite ridiculous!

We might sometimes laugh at those excuses made by the people.

But perhaps, we are also no different…

… or if not, worse.

We are in a trend of being a Generation of Excuse-givers….

>> We make excuses of physical tiredness, to avoid saying our personal prayers, our family prayers and being faithful to our spiritual activities.

>> We make excuses of saying that “it’s impossible to live an honest life” and give into many corrupt malpractices, which go against the Gospel values.

>> We make excuses of being too busy to find time to participate in the Holy Eucharist with greater devotion and preparedness.

>> We make excuses to reach out to the needy ones in their necessities by citing our own hardships to get out of our comfort areas.

We have a strong exhortation from the Lord today, to get rid of our “Excuse-giving Tendency”.

It’s easy to escape from responsibilities by giving excuses.

>> But by doing so, we end up missing out on many graces from God…

… causing much pain to God who expects much from us…

… and also disturb the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

We have a duty to overcome this tendency of making Excuses for Escapism.

The Lord gives us many opportunities to grow in holiness and grace.

>> Let us not make silly and baseless excuses and throw them away.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of Divine Love…

… every man works his oar voluntarily!”

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Christianity is described as a religion of contradictions…

…Paradoxes are perhaps a way of life, for a Christian.

The Christian Lifestyle could be described in the following few lines:

“The way to be master… is to be servant;

The way to receive… is to give;

The way to be rich… is to be poor;

The way to be wise… is to be a fool;

The way to be exalted… is to abase oneself;

The way to live… is to die.”

The Gospel of the Day is a call from Jesus to examine our attitude towards others and to grow to become more and more selfless..

.. and thus be more and more Christian!

We are in the 14th Chapter of St Luke.

Jesus has been invited for a dinner to the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath Day.

>> He has just cured a person with dropsy…a disease wherein water gets retained in the body

>> He also tried to cure persons with hypocrisy…a disease wherein duplicity gets retained in the mind!

And now He seeks to cure the attitude of the people who have a false understanding of giving.

Jesus says, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours. For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid” (Lk 14:12)

Much of our giving is based purely on the (hidden) aspect of receiving back…

>> Much of our sharing is based purely on an (unconscious) agenda of getting back…

We share our time with friends…

… often expecting that they too will accompany us in our times of hardships and difficulties!

We render service to many people who are in need…

… often expecting that they too will render us assistance in our difficulties!

We pray to God & make a lot of sacrifices…

… often expecting that He’ll meet all our expectations, in the way and time, we want.

We love many saints…

… often expecting that they’ll make faster intercession on our behalf and get our works done quickly.

We have, perhaps, become very business oriented:

>> I give, and expect return

>> I share, and expect a bonus.

But the Lord, in today’s Gospel comes down heavily on such an attitude.

“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

We are exhorted to give to those, who may never be able to repay back.

>> We are challenged to help those, who may never have a chance to return back the favour.

The Lord who said these words, shows us an example in the highest manner possible…

… in the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist is the best example and model…of such kind of a giving..

>> A giving without expecting back!

>> A sharing without seeking back.!

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the poor…

>> We who are poor…

… in our morals and purity

… in our commitment and dedication

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the crippled…

>> We who are crippled…

… with our many sins and faults

… with the guilt of many past failures

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the lame…

>> We who are lame…

… in our longing and thirst for the Divine

… in our acts of self-giving and self-sacrifice

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the blind…

>> We who are blind…

… to the cries of those around us

… to see our habits which needs repentance & improvement.

Jesus, who gives Himself entirely in the Holy Eucharist today challenges us to do the same..,

“I give myself to you as food and nourishment…even though many people fail to thank me

>> Can you also give yourselves to nourish the lives of others…even if they fail to acknowledge?”

“I give myself to you in joy, happiness and peace…even though many despise and mock me

>> Can you also become a source of joy to others…even if they back-bite and spread calumny?”

“I give myself to you as a healing for sin and guilt..even though many hate and desecrate me.

>> Can you also become a healing touch to the other…even if it means dying slowly to your self slowly die in the process?”

The onus is on us…

Can we truly pray and live…

… The Christian Life – with its contradictions and paradoxes?

Let us seek the intercession and give heed to the words of St Charles Borromeo, the saint of the Day:

“If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you…

… do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out…!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “A man who can own pearls does not bother about shells…

… and those who aspire to virtue do not trouble themselves over honours!”

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There is a story said about a carpenter, who had least botheration about his Christian faith.

His pious and devout wife would often exhort him to return to faith…

… but he cared least!

>> They would even often have fights over this issue.

Once, he left to the woods, to cut trees.

As he glanced around, he noticed a tree – dead and dry, with its leafless branches embracing the skies.

>> He said to himself, “That tree I will cut down. For it is dead and dry, fit only to burned!”

As he got himself ready with the axe, to chop down the tree…

… he heard a voice thundering within him, “Are you not also like this dead tree…. Fit only to be burned?”

He tried to banish away such thoughts…

… but the higher he lifted up the axe to cut the tree, the greater was the voice heard!

He went on to strike the tree a few times…

… but the thought kept flashing in his mind: “Will God ever tell me.. ‘Cut it down..fit only to be burned!”

Eventually, the thoughts became so great, that he fell on his knees…

… and pleaded with God, to receive him back.

The story goes on to say, that he went back to his wife and was reconciled to her…

… and had his faith restored in the Lord…

… revived by the Mercy of God!

Is my life like a dead tree….without spiritual energy and “fit only to be burned”?

… then the Lord today thunders in our hearts: To restore our faith and be revived in His Mercy!

The Gospel of the Day takes us through such a faith-restoring and mercy-experiential incident in the life of a little man – Zacchaeus

The story begins with Jesus coming to Jericho and intending to pass through the town (Lk 19:1)

Jericho has a long history, especially seen in the Old Testament.

>> Jericho was the first city to be conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. (Josh 6:1-27)

It was surrounded by a huge wall. However, with directives from God & under the leadership of Joshua, the city was laid siege.

On the appointed day, Joshua ordered the people to shout & the walls of the city collapsed and the Israelites destroyed it.

Joshua laid a curse on the one who would rebuild this city.

>> Thus, Jericho bore the brunt of a curse.

It is to this ‘place of curse’ that Jesus makes his entry.

As Jesus makes his entry to this cursed place, a little man named Zacchaeus climbs & hides himself behind the leaves of a tree.

Now this incident of Jesus entering an accursed city and a man hiding behind the leaves of a tree, has quite striking similarities with another incident, seen at the start of the Bible – the incident in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3)

In the book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve sinned, God moved about in the garden.

>> But they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Gen 3: 8)

God comes to a place, which has been now cursed because of sin.

>> But the two persons hide themselves in the trees of the garden.

Interesting similarity, isn’t it?

God comes to a place of curse… the Garden… and two persons (Adam and Eve) hide in the trees.

>> Jesus comes to a place of curse… the city of Jericho… and one person (Zacchaeus) hides in the trees.

But with the similarity, there are also striking differences…

Adam and Eve hid from God, in order to stay away from God, because of the guilt of sin.

>> Zacchaeus hid from Jesus, in order to see him better, because of his own complexes.

Adam and Eve were fearful to hear the words of God addressing them.

>> Zacchaeus was surprised and joyful to hear the words of Jesus addressed to him.

Adam and Eve wanted to remain hiding even after God sought for them in the garden.

>> Zacchaeus jumped down from the tree after Jesus sought to come to his home.                                                                                                                 

Is there some similarity of these incidents to my life too?

Am I, like Adam & Eve, hiding from God, because I am scared of Him due to some of the sins which I am unwilling to give up?

>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus, seeking refuge in the leaves of trees like money, pleasure, evil habits and yet have a desire to see the Lord?

The Lord is gazing at us… like He gazed at Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

Am I, like Adam & Eve, fearful to hear the words of God, in the Bible or through the teachings of the Church or the words of other people, because of the pain to get rid of my sinful tendencies and evil practices?

>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus, joyful to hear God’s words addressed to me, & also ready to make changes for a better spiritual life?

The Lord is addressing each one of us…like He addressed Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

Am I, like Adam & Eve, wanting to remain in my sinful and lethargic state of life even though I experience that God’s mercy and compassion is readily available?

>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus willing to jump down with joy, from the tree of pride, complexes, sin and fear, and welcome the Lord into the home of my life?

The Lord is seeking for us…as He sought Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

The Lord is gazing, addressing and seeking for us.

>> Am I ready to encounter, to listen and to be found by Him?

A Yes to the question, will also mean taking some radical decisions in our life, just like Zacchaeus did…

>> Giving up of possessions…

>> Letting go of my undue desire for money, cheap popularity, the riches in my life etc.

>> Repaying those whom I have cheated…

>> Forgiving and accepting those whom I hurt, whom I don’t like, whom I am not in good terms etc.

Zacchaeus was a despised man.

…  because of his short stature.

… because as a tax collector, he worked for the enemy-government and would cheat and defraud people.

… because Jesus came to his house – a house of a sinner.

But the encounter with Jesus made him a transformed person

>> The encounter with Jesus made him to go beyond all complexes and filled him with deep joy!

This same transformation is at hand for us…

Let, us, learn from the Little Man and make significant changes in our life, in order to experience the magnanimous wonders and graces from our Big God!

Maybe our life is like a dead tree….without spiritual energy and “fit only to be burned”!

>> The Lord today thunders in our hearts: To restore our faith and be revived in His Mercy!

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “One single day of devotion is worth more than…

… a thousand years of worldly life!”

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“No…..don’t leave me!!”

A cry of a helpless one!

A set of twins were growing inside the womb of the mother.

For around nine months, these little ones have known each other.

>> They have eaten together, played together, sometimes even fought with each other…and above all, shared a lot of love and happy moments.

But now it is the time of delivery.

>> Little do these infants know the concept of delivery.

As the first one is ready to be delivered, the second twin holds on to it tight….crying:

“No…..don’t leave me….!

No…..don’t leave me….!”

It’s a heart-breaking cry…a soul-wrenching wail!

To see its partner, being taken away, seems the end of the world for this second twin.

>> To realize that they can no longer play or live together in the same place, is indeed too sad a moment for this second twin.

Is it all over for this second twin?

>> Will it see its partner no more?

>> Why is such a cruelty being inflicted on this second twin?

However…to those on the other side of the delivery…who are awaiting the delivery….these are precious and highly joyful moments.

>> What seemed death for the second twin…

… was life for those outside.

>> What seemed the end of the world for the second twin…

… was the start of life for those outside.

In a few moments, even the second twin will be taken out, and will be reunited to the first…

>> The wail of tears will be transformed to a well of joy!

>> The cry of sadness will be changed to a channel of happiness!

This analogy could be a reasonable metaphor for our life here on this world.

We are like this second twin…

>> We fall in love with our close ones

We live with them, share our life, sometimes even fight…

… yet we love them much!

And finally, one day, mostly unexpectedly, they are taken away from us…

… They die!

We cry, “No…..don’t leave me!…

… but nothing brings them back!

Death seems to be an end for us!

But, the Lord who was crucified and was dead for three days and rose to life, with an assuring smile tells us, “No!  All is not over.

>> What seems death for you, is the beginning of life in Me.

>> What seems immense sadness for you, is the start of a real joy in Me.

Fear not…cry not… I am the Life and the Resurrection”

This is what St Paul echoed in his First Letter to the Corinthians 15:5:

“Where, O Death, is your victory?

>> Where, O Death, is your sting??

Today is the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed….the All Souls Day.

In the Apostles Creed, we recite, “I believe….in the Communion of Saints”.

The term “communion of saints” has two closely-linked meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.

The Communion of Saints is the three states of the Church:

>> The Church Militant (the Pilgrim Church on earth),

>> The Church Suffering (the Faithful Departed),

>> The Church Triumphant (the Saints in Glory)

“… at the present time, some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself Triune and one, exactly as He is'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #954)

On this day, we (the Church Militant), in union with the prayers of the saints in glory (the Church Triumphant), reach out our prayers, intercessions and love in a very special manner…

… for our suffering brothers and sisters (the Church Suffering).

(Yesterday, November 1st, we celebrated and thanked God specially for the Saints in Glory – the Church Triumphant)

What makes us to pray for the dead…the faithful departed?

It is necessarily because of the co-relationship that all human beings share with each other.

>> We do pray for the people who are in need, when they live on this earth.

>> We do seek intercessions on their behalf to God, when they are with us.

When a person dies, his/her existence ceases only in our sight.

They still continue to live in God’s sight.

>> The dead, are not dead for God.

This is what Jesus says in Luke 20:38, “…he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive”

Therefore, it is logical and reasonable that we pray for the faithful departed.

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Therefore, it is a duty on our part that we pray for the purification of these Faithful Departed.

This Commemoration is also a reminder of our own Death and the death of our close ones.

True, that as frail humans, we may have a natural fear and even a sort of phobia of death.

>> But our Christian Love, Faith and Hope must gain the upper-hand in us.

> Death is frightening for the faithless…

… but for the faithful, it is the doorway to the Fountain of Faith!

> Death is horrifying for the loveless…

… but for those who love, it is the passage to the Fullness of Love!

> Death is devastating for the hopeless..

… but for those who hope, it is the entry to the Spring of Hope!

Death is a reality.

>> No amount of reflection or sermons can substitute the pain of this reality.

Sometimes, in such situations, silence is the only answer that we can provide.

>> But this silence ought to be a “silence of hope”, a “silence of trust” and a “silence of faith”.

> When we love God deeper, the fear of death decreases.

>> When we have a stronger faith in God, the pain of death reduces.

>> When we have an unshakeable hope in God, the anguish of death subsides.

Death is hard.

> And our lips may only cry, “No…..don’t leave me….”

But, the Lord has conquered this death!

Let us look on to Him, on the Cross, and find greater meaning and hope in life.

May our Blessed Mother Mary who bore the pain of the death of Her Beloved Child on the Cross…

… be our refuge and strength.

>> May the prayers and example of the Church Triumphant be our inspiration and courage.

Let us also keep in mind, that this day of the “All Souls Day” as well as the Month of November is a time to gain Indulgences, that the Church offers.

(1) A plenary indulgence for the faithful departed in purgatory can be gained, by visiting a cemetery, each day between November 1 and November 8 and praying for the departed, even if the prayer is only mental.

(2) A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on All Souls’ Day (or on the Sunday preceding or following it, or on the solemnity of All Saints), devoutly visits a church and recites an Our Father and the Creed.

(3) A partial indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, can be obtained when the prayer:

>> “Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

…is recited

(Let’s also keep in mind the conditions to be fulfilled for the reception of the Plenary Indulgence:

a. Do the act of the Indulgence (prayer/act) while in a state of grace

b. Receive Sacramental confession within 20 days

c. Receive Holy Communion

d. Pray for the Pope’s intentions (Our Father and Hail Mary, and/or other appropriate prayer), is sufficient),

e. Have no attachment to sin (even venial) – the person needs to make ‘an act of the will’ to love God and despise sin.

Yes, let us pray:

“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace…

… Amen.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – Let is 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!”

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