“Leaning uncompromisingly to the side of God in all our endeavours!”

(Based on Jas 2:1-9 and Mk 8:27-33)

The famous incident of President Abraham Lincoln during the US civil war goes thus…

The President met a group of church leaders for a prayer-cum-breakfast.

At one point during the breakfast, one of the leaders remarked: “Mr President, let us pray, that in this time of the Civil War, God is on our side”

But Abraham Lincoln, replied with a much-greater insight…
… “No gentlemen. Let us pray that we are on God’s side!”

It was a reminder by the President that religion ought not to be a tool to get God to do what we want…
… but a way of life, to open our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!

Are we on the side of God?

Or are we on the other side, and expecting God to bend Himself to our ways and styles of life?

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful reminder of the Lord to examine our lives…
… and check, “if we are on the side of God!”

On reaching the villages of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus put forth the two-question examination to His disciples:

“Who do people say that I am?” (Mk 8: 27)
“Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8: 29)

After having given various answers to the first question, Peter, the leader, gives the answer:

“You are the Christ” (Mk 8: 29b)

Although, Peter had given the right answer, the following statements by Jesus on His Passion, Death and Resurrection, scandalized Peter!

Peter had a set and standard understanding of a Messiah – as did the Jews of his time…
… a leader who would wield power and Icontrol
… a liberator who would exercise supremacy and command.

So when Jesus spoke of a “Servant-Leader” (Mk 8: 31)…
… One Who would suffer
… One Who would subjected to the mercy of the other

Peter could no longer stand himself!

He began to rebuke Jesus (Mk 8: 32b).

But Jesus had to set things right…
… and so He would rebuke Him back strongly: “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men!” (Mk 8: 33)

Though Peter had made a correct statement about Jesus…
… it was still only a partial sight!

He still needed a “second intervention”, in order to see fully.

This was just as it was in the Healing of the Blind Man in the previous passage (Mk 8: 22-25)

The blind man initially could only see “people walking, like trees” (Mk 8: 24)

But after the “second touch” from Jesus, he was able to see fully.

Jesus was reminding Peter, by the strong rebuke…
.. that Christian Life is not about “we wanting our way; it is about we seeking and doing God’s Will in life!”

Yes, Christianity is a Way of Life, that constantly asks us: “Are we on the side of God?

In our everyday life, we come across plenty of opportunities, when we need to make this discernment:

Either to be on the side of God…
… or to go against Him!

We need to examine seriously our prayer life…

“Do we seek God’s Will in prayer…
… or do we seek to impose our will on Him?”

“Do we place our worries and problems before our God (Who knows all!)…
… or do we also command Him, on how and when these problems ought to be solved?”

Sometimes, we do have tendencies, to pull God into our boundary…
… instead of we moving to God’s side!

Today, the Lord clearly reminds us, as He rebuked Peter…
… to constantly be on the “side of God”.

Like Peter…
… we may have our own justifications to think the way we do
… we may have our own fears in encountering a Suffering God

St James in his letter powerfully and unequivocally emphasizes this fact that we need to behave with one another as God wishes – in selflessness and service…
… and not act in partiality or prejudice

“Show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory” (Jas 2:1)

The Lord, is clear and constant in His presentation of Christianity: “Seek to be on the side of God”

Yes, let us allow the Lord to mellow our hearts…

So that we can understand that religion ought not to be a tool to get God to do what we want…
… but a way of life, to open our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger…

… it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show.”

“Being re-touched by the Lord to have our ‘blurry faith without service’ to be transformed into a ‘clear vision of working for the Glory of God!’”

(Based on Jas 1:19-27 and Mk 8:22-26)

A sailor found himself in harsh and rough waters on the sea.

Survival seemed scanty… but he called on the Lord.

His prayers were heard, and he found himself washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

On the island, he again prayed intensely to God, to rescue him.

Every day he would scan the horizon for help…
…but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood (wood from the wreckage of the ship) to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after having wandered all around for food, he arrived home..
… Only to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rising up to the skies.

He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.

Stuck with disbelief, grief, and anger, he cried out:
“GOD! How could you do this to me?
You saved me from the shipwreck, but only to abandon me on this island!

And now you have taken away my only means of survival.”

Early next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island!

It was a rescue ship…
… they had come to rescue him!

“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied!

The burnt hut – which the man had considered as a tragedy and a cruel act from God…
… turned out to be the signal, by which people could come to rescue him.

Even though he had received a rescuing hand, the first time, from the shipwreck…
… he needed a “repeat” intervention, to realise and deepen the awareness of the Providential Presence of God in his life.

What about us?

Are we also in need of a “repeat” intervention from the Lord…
… for a greater commitment and dedication to our life of faith?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful and unique incident of a blind man, experiencing a “repeat” intervention from the Lord…
… and obtaining total healing and cure.

When Jesus arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to Him a blind man.

Jesus takes aside this blind man, and begins the process of healing…
… a process that takes place in two stages.

Jesus first places His Hands on him and enquiring whether he sees anything

The man replied: “I see people looking like trees and walking” (Mk 8: 23-24)

Then Jesus laid His Hands a second time…
… and he saw clearly, with his sight restored. (Mk 8: 25)

This two-step process of healing is a great reminder to us…
… that Jesus was in perfect control of the healing process
… that faith in Jesus is not a one-time event; rather a process that could extend to different stages

Jesus, the great Healer, Who had healed many, with His One Word…
…now also demonstrates that when human beings go through a stage of “not seeing fully, but only men walking as trees”, He is still in perfect charge of the situation.

Jesus, the great evoker of Faith, Who had instilled confidence and hope in many…
… now also demonstrates that growing in faith in Him, is a gradual process.

The blind man, in the context of the Gospel of St Mark is also a figure of the Disciples of Jesus…
… who were with the Lord for quite sometime
… and yet failed to understand Him and His ministry (Cf. Mk 8:14-21)
… and would gradually go through a process of growing in their faith in the Lord

Each of us in life go through such situations and moments in life…
… when we are blind
… when, even with a touch of the Lord, “we see people looking like trees and walking”

Problems and difficulties often clout our vision

Experiences of an encounter with the Lord do keep our faith alive, though feeble
… In all such moments, we need another “touch” from the Lord.

Yes, we are all in need of a “repeat” intervention from the Lord!

As Christians, who have been “in faith” for long time, there are possibilities…
… when our life of faith loses its charm and charisma
… when our resolutions and promises lose touch of its initial fervour and zeal
… when our commitment and dedication fail to have the required enthusiasm and passion

In all such moments of “blind moments” and “blurred vision”…
… we need a “repeat” intervention from the Lord!

Let us therefore, allow the Lord to touch us and experience His Healing Grace…
… to lead us out of blindness and blurredness into clarity of faith and trust.

St James gives the clear instruction that our faith ought not to be merely in words…
… rather, should be translated into everyday actions of service

“But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer…
… he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away, and at once forgets what he was like!” (Jas 1:22-24)

Our “blurry faith without service” needs to be have a “retouch” by the Lord to have the “clear vision of working for the Glory of God!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ The beginning of good things is good…
… progress is better

“Recognising the nearness of the Lord even in the unfamiliar contexts of life and filling our apparent emptiness with His Presence!”

(Based on Jas 1:12-18 and Mk 8:14-21)

A little boy – staying in the city – was to go with his family to his native village with his family.

On the night before leaving, he made a prayer to God:

“Good bye, Dear God!

>> We are going to the village tomorrow.

See you after 5 days! Take care!”

Though this prayer expresses a lovely dimension of prayer…

… and the innocence of a child’s immense love for God

>> This prayer is also a reflection of many of us “elders” who feel that when we move away from familiar places/situations…

… we are out of the sight of God!

Is my life of faith only dependant on “familiar situations” and “moments of comfort”…

… to feel that God is near me?

>> Do I feel very uncomfortable and lost spiritually, when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar?

The Gospel of the Day presents an experience of the disciples…

… an experience of not “feeling the closeness of the Power of Jesus”, despite the fact that He was with them

…an experience of “feeling lost and uncomfortable” on facing an unfamiliar situation.

Jesus is off on the boat again, with His disciples, to travel to the other shore (Mk 8:13)

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread along with them, and they had only one loaf with them. (Mk 8:14).

Jesus, meanwhile, began to make use of the time of journey, for rendering a teaching on True Discipleship.

Incidentally, He spoke on the need to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod…

… the leaven of malice and wickedness (1 Cor 5:8)

… the leaven of deception and misleading (Gal 5:8-9)

The disciples, however, got it all wrong.

Their minds were still focussed on the bread.

>> They were still figuring how out, how they missed to get bread.

>> They were still trying to see how they could all adjust, with one bread.

And so, when Jesus spoke of leaven – one of the main ingredients in bread – they thought that Jesus was chastising them, for not having taken bread.

But Jesus now shows the disciples what is to be the main focus…

>> He makes them realise what was more important and needed.

The disciples were more concerned…

… with food and security.

… with material needs and concerns.

But the Lord, now, reminds them to “become aware of the Power of His Presence”

He exhorts them to peel off…

… the layers of only material concerns

… the layers of only worldly needs

… the layers of only earthly apprehensions.

The disciples were concerned that they had only one bread…

>> But they failed to see that they had the One and Only Bread of Life!

The disciples were concerned that their food may not be sufficient…

>> But they failed to see that they had the One who multiplied bread for four thousands and five thousands!

They failed to understand!

>> They failed to look beyond!

In our life journey, we too sometimes fall short of material and earthly needs.

• Do we also get perplexed and anxious like the disciples?

• Do we also fail to see beyond and realise the more important needs of life?

• Do we also fail to understand that the presence of the Lord matters much more than any other earthly aspect?

Let us realise and understand that even when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar…

… God and His Power is close to me!

We might sometimes feel that when we move away from familiar places/situations…

… we are out of the sight of God.

But let us come to realise that even in “unfamiliar situations” and “moments of discomfort”…

… God is near me!

Let us fill…

… the apparent emptiness of our lives with the Love and Spirit of the Lord.

… the seeming vacuum within us, with the Peace and Passion for the Lord.

God bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When stags have put on too much flesh, they move away and hide in the bushes.

>> They are not aware that they are burdened with fat, and would not be able to run fast, if they happen to be attacked.

So when our heart is burdened with useless, irrelevant and dangerous attachments…

… we surely cannot run towards God – promptly, joyfully and easily – which is the true sign of devotion!

——————————–

“Being docile to the movements of the Lord in our life and growing in Wisdom to understand His Ways!”

(Based on Jas 1:1-11 and and Mk 8:11-13)

“The Song of Bernadette” is a 1943 film which dramatizes the story of Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

St Bernadette, reported eighteen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in  Lourdes, France, from February to July 1858.

This movie begins with a prologue-dialogue, which goes thus…

“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary.

>> For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible”

This statement casts light on an important aspect of the nature of faith and belief:

To those who believe, miracles are an aid…

>> To those choose not to believe, no miracles can come to aid!

The Gospel of the Day is clear example of this aspect of the nature of faith and belief…

… the constant refusal of the Pharisees to believe in Jesus

… the adamant denial of the Pharisees to accept Jesus

We are in the eighth chapter of the Gospel of St Mark.

Jesus performed an amazing miracle of the multiplication of the loaves…for about four thousand people (Mk 8:1-9)

From there, Jesus proceeds to the region of Dalmanutha (Mk 8:10)

On reaching this place, the religious leaders namely the Pharisees, came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test Him (Mk 8:11).

But the Lord responded with a “sigh, from the depth of His spirit” (Mk 8:12)

What made Jesus to respond so strongly?

Is Jesus against asking signs?

>> Is Jesus against lack of faith?

>> Is Jesus against having doubts?

The answer to perhaps all the three questions above is…

… not in the affirmative!

Jesus is NOT necessarily against asking signs…

The Bible is a witness to many people asking for signs from God…

·       Gideon asked for a sign from God (Judg 6:17)

·       Moses asked God what sign would prove to Pharaoh that he was sent by God ( Ex 4:1)

·       Elijah promises what Elisha had asked for, on the condition of a sign (2 Kg 2:10)

Jesus is NOT out rightly against lack of belief or unbelief…

·       The unbelieving Thomas, was chided, but not condemned by Jesus, after His resurrection (Jn 20:27-28)

·       The lack of faith of the disciples is saddening for Jesus, but He does not reject them (Mk 4:40)

·       The father, whose boy was possessed with a demon was blessed with a healing, on his acknowledgment of littleness in faith (Mk 9:24)

·       The emotionally unsettled and wavering Peter is given another chance to prove his loyalty despite his rejection and denial of faith in Jesus (Jn 21:15-17)

Then what is Jesus against?

Ø Jesus is terribly against those people…

… who reject faith, despite many signs and wonders that are plainly presented

… who demand for greater miracles for merely curiosity and excitement

… who make use of the powers of God for personal satisfaction and gratification

… who remain stone-hearted, unmoved and indifferent despite clear indications and signals from God.

The Pharisees represented this class of people, whom the Lord had a terrible dislike and aversion…

… because of their attitude of indifference

… because of their mentality of coldness

… because of their outlook of rejection

Am I also a person who constantly rejects signs and wonders from the Lord, and fail to grow in faith?

>> Am I also a person who remains obstinate and indifferent to God’s powers, and fail to be open to God’s movements in my life?

The Lord is constantly speaking to us through various miracles.

>> The Lord is constantly moving our hearts through many blessings.

>> The Lord is constantly inspiring our lives through immense wonders.

Let us be open and docile to Him!

St James gives a beautiful advice to be stronger and steadfast in our faith:

“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.

>> But ask in faith, and never doubting; for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind!” (Jas 1:5-6)

May our Blessed Mother Mary be an inspiration for all of us, to grow in our trust and confidence in the Lord.

Yes, let us realize, that…

“To those who believe, miracles are an aid..

>> To those choose not to believe, no miracles can come to aid!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ A heart of love, loves the commandments and the more difficult it seems, the more sweet and pleasing they become…

… because it pleases the Beloved and gives Him more honour!

——————————–

“Living a Spirit filled life by making a firm and faithful choice for the Lord, and being obedient to His commandments!”

(Based on Sir 15:15-20, 1 Cor 2:6-10 and and Mt 5:17-37)

It is said that there are two extremely fatal phrases in the English language.

They are

1. “What is the use?”

2. “Why should I?”

“What is the use?” is the fatal tendency…

… that causes people to look at the world from a purely pragmatic perspective

>> Such a tendency…

…  causes people to lose interest in things and people, if they don’t seem useful and beneficial

… causes people to  manipulate people, things and situations in a way that suits their self-interests

“Why should I?” is the fatal tendency…

… that causes people to look at the world from a resigned and indifferent perspective

>> Such a tendency…

… causes people to rot in lethargy and tepidity and lose the spice of life

… causes people to push the responsibility to other, and themselves slacken in comfort and ease

These two phrases were very much reflected in the “Pharisaic and the Scribal lifestyle” which Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each us to surpass and overcome.

>> The “What is the use” lifestyle…

… which made them to only flaunt their external piety and lose sight of the unglamorous aspect of devotion.

>> The “Why should I” lifestyle…

… which made them to reject any offer calling them to repentance or amend their ways and instead made them to be stuck to their own prejudices and adamant patterns of thought.

Jesus always keeps challenging us!

The Lord loathes laziness and lukewarmness…

>> He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!

This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel Reading.

Jesus says, ” Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes and Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20).

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees would consist…

… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit

… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries

What could be some of the negative aspects of the Righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns…

… and which perhaps, we need to overcome?

1. They liked to preach…but not practise

We live in a world where there are many people who are good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.

>> But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

2. They liked to do things to “show-off”

A tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.

>> Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses, and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

3. They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will:

One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.

Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.

>> The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

Am I in any of these category of peoples??

The Lord challenges us today.. to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

We need to be people…

… “who walk the talk”!

… “who practice our Faith to Please God and Him alone

… “who live a Gospel-oriented life”

The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!

>> Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”

Our modern world strongly advocates the two fatal phrases of…

… “What is the use?” and “Why should I?”

As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond such a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…

… and live as Jesus would want us to!

We need to counter these two fatal phrases, with inspirational mantras…

>> “What is the use?” is to be countered by “All to Thy Glory!”

>> “Why should I?” is to be countered by “To let Thy Will be done!

Let all our actions and thoughts be directed only to God.

The words of the Book of Sirach are powerfully directed to each one of us: “If you choose, you can keep the commandments…

… and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.

He has placed before you, fire and water; stretch out your hand for whatever you choose.

>> Before each person are life and death and whichever one chooses will be given!” (Sir 15:15-17).

We are invited to share the depths of God’s Wisdom as St Paul says, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, not the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him…

… these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit!” (1 Cor 2:9-10)

May we make a choice for the Lord and delve into the depths of His Wisdom by living a Spirit filled life….

… And going beyond the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Let our Lives truly be a Good News!

>>  As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always…use words, if necessary!“

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————-

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

… but only by the assistance of God.

>> And on setting out, consign yourself to His care, believing that He will do that which will be best for you!”

——————————–

“Holding on to the Lord and trusting in Him, even in the dark and despairing situations of life!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 12:26-32,13:33-34 and Mk 8:1-10)

Two Christian friends were talking about their life experiences.

One of them said: “It is so very hard to trust God and to realize that His Hand is still leading us in the dark phases of our life!”

“Well”, said the other, ” if you cannot trust a person out of sight, then he/she is not worth much!

>> And if you cannot trust God in the dark, it simply shows… you don’t trust Him at all!”

That’s quite a point, isn’t it?

We find our Christian Faith often on an easy course, when things go on well.

>> But when difficulties come our way, our “trust” level is questioned.

It is in these “questionable moments of trust” that we tend to enter into a “zone of limitation”

We tend to think in a limited and restricted manner.

>> We tend to limit ourselves to our inadequacies and narrowness.

But God loves to challenge us to move beyond such boundaries and borders!

Yes, human beings tend to think in a limited fashion, but God loves to expand our possibilities.

>> Human beings tend to get bogged down by boundaries, but God loves to throw open our horizons.

The Gospel of the day is a clear illustration of this expansion of human horizons and possibilities, through the miracle of the feeding of loaves…

… and thus trusting Him deeper!

Jesus is with His disciples and huge crowd.

>> They are once again in a situation of having a want of feeding this huge multitude.

It’s interesting to highlight the patterns in the attitudes of Jesus and the disciples.

Jesus sees the hungry crowd and His heart moved in compassion…

>> The disciples saw the hungry crowd and probably their minds were moved in tension!

Jesus expresses His concern and care to feed the hungry crowd…

>> The disciples express their frustration and urgency to send the crowd away at the earliest!

Jesus foresaw the possibility of immense fulfilment and satisfaction in the deserted area…

>> The disciples got stuck with seeing only barrenness and emptiness in the deserted area!

Jesus moved in action, to enquire about the possibilities of feeding the people…

>> The disciples groaned in inaction at the plight of having to feed the people!

The disciples concluded impossibility by their mathematical calculations…

>> Jesus concluded possibility by His Divine calculations!

The disciples saw only the desert…

>> Jesus looked beyond  – to find an oasis in the desert!

How often are we too like the disciples…

… limited in our thinking

… restricted by our inabilities

… stuck by our mental calculations

But Jesus invites us, like He did to His disciples…to look beyond…

… to look at Him who can shatter every obstacle and barrier!

… to look to Him who can expand every horizon and possibility!

… to look to Him who can turn deserts into pools and hills into highways!

Yes, we will have moments in our life which makes us to complain:

“It is so very hard to trust God and to realize that His Hand is still leading us in the dark phases of our life!”

In the Old Testament, the people of Israel lost their way when the people and their leaders failed to trust in the Providence of the Lord, in the hard phases of life.

>> This made them to forsake the One True Lord and do evil in the eyes of the Lord and set up pagan idols (1 Kgs 12:26-32)

But we are reminded by the Gospel of the Day:

“If you cannot trust a person out of sight, then he/she is not worth much!

>> And if you cannot trust God in the dark, it simply shows… you don’t trust Him at all!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————-

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “By giving yourself to God, you not only receive Himself in exchange…

… but eternal life as well”

——————————–

“Falling in love with the Lord Who offered His Life for us and faithfully remains with us, in every situation of life!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 11:29-32,12:19 and Mk 7:31-37)

There is a beautiful little anecdote in the life of St Mother Teresa of Kolkotta, probably, known to many of us.

As Mother was cleaning the wounds of a leper, a man observed her.

The sight of the leprous wounds and the horrible stench caused that man to exclaim with disgust, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars!”

In reply, the saintly mother replied:

“Neither would I!

But I would gladly do it for Jesus!”

The love for the Lord and imitation of His descending love, prompted Mother Teresa to reach out her hands, even to the worst sores and the filthiest wounds!

>> Divine Love manifests its great power and reveals its glorious splendour, when it descends to even touch the lowliest, the least and the lost!

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of Jesus, who was willing to lower to an extent, even to “dirty Himself” in order to touch human lives!

This incident of healing the ‘man who was deaf and had a speech impediment’ is very unique in the fact of the manner in which the miracle was performed.

The Book of Genesis (Chapter 1) testifies to the fact that God created the entire world with His Word!

> God doesn’t need a particular or a fixed procedure to work a miracle or a wonder

> God doesn’t comply to human understandings of causing a divine phenomenon.

Perhaps, here is a reminder for us, in our prayer patterns…

>> In my prayers, do I also make my requests in such a way that I end up even commanding how and when God should answer the prayer?

>> In my intercessions to the Lord, do I act as “god” and even order God, the style and manner in which He has to answer our prayers?

Keeping in tune with this principle of “God as His own unique styles and patterns,” Jesus, the Word performs a strange pattern in bringing about the healing.

The Gospel says, “taking him (the man who was deaf and with impediment in speech) aside, from the multitude privately…

… Jesus put His fingers into His ears, and He spat and touched His tongue, and looking up to heaven, He sighed…” (Mk 7: 33)

Here is a highly “unclean and unhygienic” style of healing…

>> Putting fingers into the ears…

>> Spitting onto the hands or the finger..

>> Touching the tongue..

Well sounds a little disgusting, right?

(Even while reading this account, some of us might, perhaps, have a “Gosh! So horrible” feeling!)

But let’s be prepared to face this grand reality….

~~ This is our God!

~~ This is our Saviour Lord!

>> In Jesus, we celebrate a God who is willing to heal even our most painful wounds and cleanse our most sinful sores!

>> In Jesus, we cherish a God who lowers Himself even to the extent of dirtying His hands to purify and refine us!

Am I willing and ready to allow this Daring God, who would go to any extent..

> to win us back to Him

> to bring a wholesome healing in us

… to touch our hidden wounds, our shameful sores and our filthy sinful lives?

This is also a challenge and a call, to us Christians, to imitate our Blessed Lord in lowering ourselves…

… to reach out to the needy and the wanting

… to touch the hearts of the unclean and the corrupt.

God remains faithful to us in every situation of life.

>> In the Old Testament, God displays His faithfulness to the promise He made to King David (2 Sam 7)…

… When He would time and again refer to “for the sake of my servant David” (1 Kgs 11:32) as he makes a preferential choice and favour for Judah, the tribe of David.

The beautiful quote of Blaise Pascal says, “The heart has its reason, which reasons know nothing”

Humanly speaking, it might be too unreasonable to enter into the portals of dirt and slimes in the lives of people and to remain faithful to the Ways of God.

>> But our Blessed Lord challenges us to imitate Him and offers His Heart of Love to be the “thumb rule” and the basic reason to reach out to all!

Are we prepared to “dirty” our lives in order to extend the charity and mercy of God to all…

…and thus, as in the title of the book on Blessed Mother Teresa, make our lives, “Something beautiful for God”!

February 14 is popularly celebrated as Valentine’s Day.

Jesus, the True Lover illustrates the real meaning of love…

… by offering His Life in deep love for us and nailing all our sins on the Cross

… by sharing our situations and remaining with us in the least and lost moments of life

Jesus, our True Lover

… invites us to “fall in love with Him” and to “live for Him!”

Yes, the Lord holds our hands…

… and in deep love and affection asks us: “Will you be My valentine forever?”

Let’s not blush…let’s not be shy…

>> Instead in deep faith and true commitment, pledge forever, our love to the Lover of all hearts!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS)– “We must never undervalue any person. The workman loves not that his work should be despised in his presence.

>> Now God is present everywhere, and every person is His work.”

——————————–

“Avoiding the blame-game and remaining focussed on the Lord for healing and deliverance!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 11:4-13 and and Mk 7:24-30)

A highly contagious virus has affected human life, down through many centuries – societies, communities and families.

This contagion is not some strand of flu that affects the body… or even the deadly corona virus!

This contagion is not even a digital malware spreading from computer to computer!

This contagion is the virus named “blaming”.

This virus – “blaming” – is perhaps the easiest culprit for many of the problems that we face in our lives.

Whenever our plans fail

… we “blame” other people.

>> Whenever things don’t go the way it is expected

… we “blame” our luck or the stars

>> Whenever we face personal problems and crisis

…we “blame” our situations and surroundings

Often…

… our problems find a scapegoat in this virus named “blaming”

… our defeats find a cause in this contagion named “blaming”

But the Gospel of the day presents an amazing personality who overcomes and overpowers this virus of “blaming” and wins for herself the favour of the Lord.

The Gospel passage is the incident of Jesus’ encounter with a Gentile woman who comes seeking for a cure for her daughter, from a demon.

“…a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about Jesus. She came and fell at His feet” (Mk 7:25)

This person who came to Jesus went through a string of ignominies and exploitations…

>> She had to face humiliations because she was a woman…

The Jewish society accorded a lowly and highly subjugated status to women

>> She had to face disgraces because she was a Greek…

The Greeks, who were considered pagans by the Jews, were treated with inferiority.

>> She had to face dishonour because she was a Syrophoenician…

A Syrophoenician denoted a mixed race – half Syrians and half Phoenician; thus denoting also a crisis in cultural and linguistic identity.

>> She had to face scandal because she had to approach Jesus who was a pure Jew…

Greeks and especially Greek woman had no interaction at all with Jewish men

>> She had to face crisis because her child was possessed with an unclean spirit…

A demon-possession in her beloved daughter would have chased away all her peace of mind.

>> She had to face challenge to her faith when the Lord addressed to her in an apparently disrespectful manner…

Being called as a “dog” would have put off the mind of a weak and frail person

Well.. this Syrophoenician Greek woman, had many things to complain in life…

She had a number of reasons to “blame” and get defeated in life.

She could have just “blamed”…

… the society for their inhuman attitudes

… the citizens for their class divisions

… the civilization for their cruel outlooks

… her stars and fate for what happened to her daughter…

… Jesus for His challenging and apparently resistant answer…

She could have just kept “blaming” anybody and anything….and get bogged down totally!

>> But this woman decides to overpower and overcome this “virus” of blaming.

She decides to close her eyes to all humiliations and yet stand strong with a bold face!

>> She decides to overlook all setbacks and defy the odds with her deep convictions and trust!

As a result, the Lord rewards her immensely and her daughter was delivered of the demon!

Are we people who get easily afflicted by the contagion of “blaming”?

>> Are we people who are easily paralysed by the virus of “blaming”?

The Syrophoenician woman…

… by her tremendous faith and bold trust is a challenge to us.

… by her amazing determination and resolve is an inspiration for us.

Our society, our families, our own individual selves are often under the grip and possession of this contagion of “blaming”.

Let us approach the Lord for a deliverance and liberation!

Let’s remain always focussed on the Lord and renew our love for the Lord daily…

… Unlike Solomon, who would turn away from the ways of the Lord by committing idolatry and thus bring punishment upon himself (1 Kgs 11:4-13).

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ It is a fact that people are always well aware of what is due to them.

>> Unfortunately, they remain oblivious of what they owe to others!”

——————————–

“Allowing the Lord to soak us and wash us clean in the hot waters of correction and contrition, so as to shine as pure and clean children of God!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 10:1-10 and and Mk 7:14-23)

“Mamma”, said the child, feeling quite disturbed, “I feel very upset today, ‘cos my teacher corrected me!”

The mother – who was washing dishes – looked at the child and told him, “look at what I am doing…”

>> The child looked at the mother, washing the dishes

Pointing to a set of vessels that had been left unwashed overnight – she said: “Look at these vessels

>> It is very hard to scrub these – ‘cos the dirt is stuck for a long time

So the easy method, is…

… to dip them in hot water

… keep it soaked for sometime

… and then wash!”

Then taking the child close to her, she said, “That’s how it is in life as well!

Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…

We need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”

… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”

>> So that we can “emerge clean!”

Always remain, therefore, open to corrections!”

Are we persons who remain open to corrections…

… so that feeling contrite, we can emerge clean?

The Gospel of the Day is a strong act of Jesus reminding the Scribes and Pharisees to undergo the process of “being washed”…

… and to be “scrubbed off” the long stuck dirt of duplicity and hypocrisy.

The Gospel begins with the statement, “Jesus called to Him the people and said to them…” (Mk 7:14)

Jesus calls together the multitude to Himself to speak something…

>> Jesus brings aside the people to Himself to address to them something…

The background to this action of Jesus, is the context of the unfair remarks of the Pharisees and Scribes about Jesus and His disciples, in Mk 7: 1-14.

The scribes and the Pharisees had objected that Jesus’ disciples failed to keep up the tradition of the Elders to have the ritual washing before eating.

This exercise of ritual washing was more a ceremonial one.

They attached greater importance to external cleanliness over internal purity.

>> They accorded higher priority to hygiene outside than to transparency within.

They would not bother, hearts being corrupted, but they would not tolerate dirty hands!

>> They would despise unwashed hands, but they would bypass filthy hearts!

But Jesus is in prime opposition to all such deceitful and corrupt human practices.

>> He flays the Scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced priorities.

>> He slams the Scribes and Pharisees for their misleading interpretation of purity.

And so, Jesus summoned the crowd and explained what is the meaning of real cleanliness and purity:

“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7: 16)

Indeed, a remarkable statement from Jesus, the Purest and the Holiest One!

It is not just our hands alone that matter; it is our hearts that matter most!

>> It is not just our medical hygiene that counts; it is our lives that needs consideration the most!

The Pharisees and the Scribes for a long time, had enforced importance only to external purity and outside cleanliness.

Their authority was used to stamp the importance of rituals and traditions, which were meant to…

… only emphasize bodily cleaning, but avoiding transparency in life

… only highlight cleansing of external parts, but overlooking sanctity of heart and mind

But, Jesus comes in great opposition and places things in the right perspective.

>> He reminds them of the “need for correction!”

Perhaps, we are also in “need of a correction”…

… let us therefore make a self-introspection:

>> I may be appearing to be clean outside…

… but is my heart pure and holy?

>> I may be appearing to be an angel to the world…

… but am I a barn of devilish actions within?

>> I may be appearing to be very good to all…

… but am I full of anger, jealousy and greed inside?

>> I may be appearing to be successful…

… but am I decaying interiorly with impurity and deceit?

Is it not time to cleanse my heart and life, which is perhaps…

… defiled with sin?

… impure with unhealthy thoughts?

… and sullied with evil intentions?

In the Old Testament, we read of how Queen Sheba travelled from far to behold the richness and the wisdom of King Solomon (1 Kgs 10:1-10)

>> As long as Solomon co-operated with the Grace of God, the blessings of the Lord filled his life

>> The greater He depended on the Wisdom of the Lord, the greater was the Lord’s Goodness that he experienced in life.

However, there could be certain times, when we fail to depend on the Lord…

… fail to do things in the right way

>> Yes…Sometimes we get stuck with things that are not good…

In all such situations, we need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”

… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”

>> So that we can be “washed clean!”

We may feel sad for sometime… upset for a few moments

>> But let us always remain open to corrections…

… and co-operate with the Lord in “being washed” of every bit of corruption and malice from our hearts!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Take great care not to get overly upset whenever you commit some faults.

Humble yourselves immediately before God.

>> But let this humility be a loving humility…

… which will fill you with fresh confidence to throw yourself immediately into God’s Arms

… secure in the knowledge that God – in His Goodness – will help you to change for the better!”

——————————–

“Avoiding the judgmental tendency and focusing on the positives of life, by beholding the Presence and Glory of the Lord in all!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30 and Mk 7:1-13)

The microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.

The basic microscope is an optical instrument that uses a lens or a combination of lenses to produce magnified images of small objects – especially of objects that are too small to be seen by the unaided eye.

• Microscopes are used in industrial processes, in investigation of living cells, in comparative studies of chemistry and geology, and in diagnostic medicine.

• Biologists and doctors use microscopes on cell samples, on small organisms, and on chemical structures, to classify and analyze them and their functions.

When we consider relationships, it won’t be wrong to say that there are many who use microscopes in their dealings and interactions.

• Microscopes to focus on the mistakes and negative aspects of others

• Microscopes to magnify and enlarge the faults and failures of others

Perhaps, some of us are also guilty of having such a “microscopic” view of the defects and imperfections of others.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focusing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

>> Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging”

Our judging…

… should not be rash

… should not a final opinion on a person or situation

… should not be a means to putting down other persons

… should not be an unfair ruling on someone’s external behaviours

Maybe a check-list could help us examine our areas of “judging”

Do I…

… enlarge the negatives of others—their faults, mistakes and petty ways?

… come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?

… get involved unnecessarily in situations where I should not?

… gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?

… have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?

… be overly harsh and even ruthless, even when speaking the truth?

Do I…

… add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?

… set aside an unkind comment made by us, by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”

… speak something critical and then try to cover it up?

… be unkind and hurtful and then quickly change the subject, to impress the hurtful feeling?

… have pleasure in condemning others?

… report the truth in order to hurt and not to help?

… put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgment”.

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:

When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

1. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action – be it a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc…

2. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action…

Many of us may have perhaps, a tendency to use a “microscope” in finding the faults and failures of others.

>> We tend to focus

>> We tend to magnify

>> We tend to relish looking closely!

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

• Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

May we focus the lens of our microscopes from looking at the “faults” of others…

… and instead shift to concentrate more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations.

We are invited to focus on the positives of life, by beholding the Presence and Glory of the Lord in all!

King Solomon stood in the majestic temple of the Lord and acknowledged the Mighty and Glorious Presence of God Yahweh (1 Kgs 8:22-23)

>> May we see the presence of the Lord in all the people and situations of our life as we seek to sing with the Psalmist: “How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!” (Ps 84:1)

May we today specially seek the special intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, who on this day – Feb 11 – 1858, began to appear to St Bernadette, a 14 year old girl.

>> Let us seek to imitate the Immaculate Life of our Blessed Mother in Her undivided focus in doing the Will of the Lord…

… and reaching out, in total charity and humility, in the service of God’s people.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It is wonderful how attractive a gentle, pleasant manner is…

… and how much, it wins hearts!”

——————————–