“Allowing our eyes to be opened to the Light of God’s Will in our lives!”

(Based on Jn 9:1-41)

Plato was a Greek philosopher, who along with Aristotle, is considered to have laid the foundations of Western Philosophy.

In his work, “Republic”, he writes about the famous “Allegory of the Cave.”

The Allegory begins with an imagination of a cave, where people have been imprisoned from birth.

These prisoners are chained so that their legs and necks are fixed, forcing them to gaze at the wall in front of them and not look around at the cave, each other, or themselves.

Behind the prisoners is a fire, and between the fire and the prisoners is a raised walkway with a low wall…
… behind which people walk carrying objects or puppets “of men and other living things”.

The prisoners are only able to see the shadows cast upon the cave wall in front of them.

The sounds of the people talking echo off the walls, and the prisoners believe these sounds come from the shadows.

For the prisoners, the shadows are reality, because they have never seen anything else.

They do not realize that what they see are shadows of objects in front of a fire, much less that these objects are inspired by real things outside the cave.

The allegory then invites us to suppose that one prisoner is freed.

This “freed” prisoner would look around and see the fire.

The light would hurt his eyes and make it difficult for him to see the objects casting the shadows.

He would escape from this struggle by turning away to the things which he was able to look at…
… and these he would believe to be clearer than what was being shown to him.

Now suppose that someone should drag him…the steep way up, into the light of the sun.

The prisoner would be angry and in pain.

However, slowly, his eyes would adjust to the light of the sun.

  First he sees only the shadows.
Gradually he sees the reflections of people and things in water and then later see the people and things themselves.
Eventually, he is able to look at the stars and moon at night until finally he can look upon the sun itself.

He would make an Upward movement – towards faith and trust!

The allegory goes on to say that the freed prisoner “would feel blessed for the change”, and pity the other prisoners…
… and would want to bring his fellow cave dwellers out of the cave and into the sunlight.

The returning prisoner, whose eyes have become accustomed to the sunlight, would be blind when he re-enters the cave…
… just as he was when he was first exposed to the sun.

The prisoners, inside however, would infer from the returning man’s blindness, that the journey out of the cave had harmed him and that they should not undertake a similar journey.

These chained prisoners would be “filled with anger and antagonism” and resist the truth!

In fact, if they, were able, would even reach out and kill anyone who attempted to take them out of the cave.

They would make a Downward movement – towards scepticism and unbelief!

This allegory very beautifully speaks of a similar situation in the Gospel of the Day…
… a man – who was imprisoned by blindness – “feeling blessed” in having encountered Jesus, the Sun
… other men – who remained chained in ignorance and darkness – “filled with anger and antagonism” – resisting the Truth!

Chapter 9 of the Gospel of St John is a story of “blindness” encountering Light- with contrasting effects:

A man who is “born blind”, touched by the Light of the World, experiences healing
Other people “remain blind”, by opposing the Light of the World, emitting hostility.

We thus see, in this long yet beautiful passage contrasting movements:

An Upward movement – towards faith and trust – of the man who was born blind

A Downward movement – towards scepticism and unbelief – of the people who clung to prejudices

1. The Upward movement – towards faith and trust – of the man who was born blind

Jesus declares that the blindness of the man was an occasion for “the glory of God to be revealed” (Jn 9: 3)

This revelation of the Glory of God comes about with Jesus doing a unique action…
… “spitting on the ground, making clay with the saliva and smearing the clay in the eyes” of the man born blind (Jn:6)

This action of the Son would remind us of the action done by His Father, who at the beginning of creation, would reveal His Glory, by “forming man out of the clay of the ground, and blowing in his nostrils, the breath of life!” (Gen2:7)

This act of the revelation of God would trigger the upward movement- of faith and trust- of the blind man…

a. Initially he on being asked about Jesus, he would say, “I don’t know” (Jn 9:12)

b. Then, he would say how Jesus is “a prophet” (Jn 9: 17)

c. Then, he would get defensive about Jesus and say that “if He is not from God, He would not be able to do anything” (Jn 9: 33)

d. Finally, after realising that Jesus is the Son of God, he would worship Him and say, “I do believe, Lord!” (Jn 9: 38)

2. A Downward movement – towards scepticism and unbelief – of the people who clung to prejudices

An act of goodness always gathers detractors and critics…
… and Jesus, the Perfection of Goodness greatly experienced it.

a. Initially, the Pharisees pointed to the violation of the Sabbath Law, to prove that He is not from God: “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath” (Jn 9: 16)

b. Then, they would question the parents of the man, because they thought, he had not been blind from birth: “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?” (Jn 9: 19)

c. Then, they would defend their arguments basing on their loyalty to the authenticity of Moses, the law-giver: “We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this One is from” (Jn 9: 29)

d. Finally, they would engage into a direct dispute with the Lord Himself: “Surely, we are not also blind, are we?” (Jn 9: 40)

Jesus perfectly sums up…

The Upward Movement- towards faith and trust
The Downward Movement – towards scepticism and unbelief…
… by saying: ” I came into this world, for judgment, so that those who DO NOT SEE MIGHT SEE… and those WHO DO SEE MIGHT BECOME BLIND” (Jn 9: 39)

We need to ask ourselves:
“What is the direction of my Spiritual Life…
… is it having an Upward Movement, towards Faith and trust?
… or is it having a Downward Movement, towards, Scepticism and Unbelief?”

St Paul says, that we need to “live as children of  Light, for Light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth” (Eph 5: 8-9)

The Lord, in our every day of life, uses a number of occasions – pleasant and unpleasant situations –  to “reveal His glory”

Do we remain open to His Light in order to have an upward movement into deeper faith and trust?
Or do we get closed in darkness and thus make a downward movement into deeper scepticism and unbelief?

As in the “Allegory of the Cave”…
… let us not remain  chained in ignorance and darkness – “filled with anger and antagonism” – resisting the Truth

Instead, allow ourselves to be led into the light and thus “feel blessed” in having encountered Jesus, the Sun!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

“Casting away pride and embracing humility and dependence on God!”

(Based on Hos 5:15 – 6:6 and Lk 18:9-14)

In this time of grave concern, as we grapple with COVID-19, and as we offer the world to the Healing Providence of the Lord…
… we ask another question, to begin our Reflection for the day…

Which is the only disease in the world, which can  affect everyone else, except the person himself/herself?

Is the answer too hard to guess?

…

…

Hmm..

Well.. the answer is pretty simple…

It is…

Pride!

Pride is the disease that can affect everyone else, except the person himself/herself!
Pride is the sickness that can cause harm to all others, except the one who possess it!

Pride can be a snare to the other, while one enjoys oneself, in the false pleasure it gives!
Pride can be a spirit-dampener for the other, while it is an ego-inflator for oneself!

The Gospel of the Day exhorts a strong message on this deadly vice of Pride.

Chapter 18 of the Gospel of St Luke begins with two parables, that teach on the aspect of Prayer.

The parable of the Widow who was persistent (Lk 18: 1-8)
The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18: 9-14)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector have interesting comparisons with respect to the various gestures and actions that they take:

Both go up to the Temple area to pray…

The Pharisee took up his position… the tax collector stood off at a distance

The Pharisee spoke the prayer to himself… the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven

The Pharisee spoke of his personal glories…the tax collector acknowledged being a sinner, in need of mercy.

Though the Gospel doesn’t speak of it, it seems that both, the Pharisee and the tax collector had taken a mirror with themselves, when they went to pray….

A mirror.. yeah!

But, the strange fact is that, both of them used the mirror in contrasting manners!

The Pharisee used the mirror and saw his many achievements and accomplishments…
… being unlike the rest of the sinful humanity like the greedy, dishonest or adulterous
… fasting twice a week
… pay tithes on his whole income

The tax collector, also used a mirror… but saw in it, his many failures and shortcomings…
… the moments when he had cheated others to have greater financial gains
… the times he had subjected himself to be a traitor by working against his own people
… the need to seek for God’s mercy acknowledging his sinfulness

Prayer is like a mirror…but it depends on one’s attitude and disposition what one sees…

If one is filled with pride and self-conceit, one sees only one’s accomplishments…
… and thus pushes out God and replaces oneself as the source of all good works!

If one is truly humble and modest, one sees one’s weaknesses and limitations…
… and thus acknowledge the dependence on God and on His grace in life!

Prayer could be made into a time of reciting the litany of one’s great achievements…
…or prayer could be made into a moment of seeking God’s mercy and compassion.

Prayer could be made into an occasion to boast of oneself and put down others…
… or prayer could be made into a moment to see the glittering light of God guiding us.

What is our attitude and disposition?

Am I afflicted with the sickness of pride which makes me to flaunt only myself at the expense of the other?
Am I distressed with the disease of arrogance which makes me to see myself as the greatest person in the world, casting aside all people and even God?

There is something of “this” Pharisee, perhaps, in all of us which needs to be shun…

There is something of “this” tax collector, which needs to be cultivated…

The need to cast away pride and the need to embrace humility and dependence on God!

Let the words of the Lord through Prophet Hosea be a reminder to all of us:
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice…
… the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings!” (Hos 6:6)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The highest point of humility consists in not merely acknowledging one’s abjection…
… but in taking pleasure therein.

Not from any want of breadth or courage, but to give the more glory to God’s Divine Majesty…

… and to esteem one’s neighbour more highly than one’s self.

“Aiming for the highest ideal of loving God above all!”

(Based on Hos 14:1-9 and Mk 12:28-34)

A simple humorous story, known to many of us, goes thus…

A man, known for his constant habit to smoke cigarettes, came up to an old monk – a sage – and queried to him, “Holy sir, am I allowed to smoke, while I am praying?”

The monk was shocked and in much dismay answered, “Most certainly no, young man! How can you ever think of doing so?!”

A few moments later, the man came up again… seeking to justify his habit…and queried once again, “Holy sir, am I allowed to pray, when I am smoking?”

The monk, a bit absent-minded, gave a grin and beamed up to answer, “Most certainly, young man! That is such a noble thing to do!!”

Well…

When one seeks to justify something in life, one finds any ways and means to get it done!
When one wishes to stick to one’s own attitude and agenda, one will find any crooked paths to get them accomplished!

We are often, good in making compromises to let our wishes to slide through…

We are often, good in framing excuses to let our desires to be fulfilled…
We are often, good in devising justifications to let our inclinations be satisfied…

The Gospel of the Day, however, makes a strong demand in our Christian Life… to do just the opposite…
… avoid making compromises in loving
… avoid creating excuses to escape situations of loving

Instead…
… being on the forefront, always and at all moments, to render love
… taking the lead, at all places and situations, to live a life of love

The passage begins with the mention of a scribe, who had been watching his fellow-scribes in an argument with the Lord, and feeling impressed with Jesus, coming up to Him with a question…”Which commandment is the first of all” (Mk 12:28)

We are not too sure the motive and the aim of this scribe.

As per the versions of the same incident, in St Matthew (Mt 22:35)and St Luke (Lk 10:25), the person posed this question to Jesus, in order to “test him”.

The Markan version is however, silent on this aspect.

But whatever the intention, the scribe most certainly was reflecting a common query that was widespread among the teachers and scholars of the law:

Which was the greatest commandment or law?

God had issued the ten commandments to the people of Israel.

These laws were intended for the people of Israel to be “distinguished” as the nation of the Lord – chosen from among all other nations of the world.

These laws – simple and direct in nature – were aimed towards demanding a total commitment and loyalty from the part of the people , to the Lord.

However, over time, these uncomplicated laws by which the people of Israel were to live, began to be expanded and extended and expounded.

It resulted in 613 commandments or stipulations:

365 (corresponding to the number of days in a year) of them were negative commandments, as in ” you shall not…”
And 248 (corresponding to the number of bones and major organs in the body, as per the Jewish understanding) of them were positive commandments, as in “you shall…”

When the Lord was asked to mention the First of all these commandments, He puts forward the basis and the foundation of all these various laws and stipulations and commandments:

” You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk 12: 30)
And ” You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)

Note the insistence on the word “all”….
… “all” your heart… feelings, emotions, desires
… “all” your soul… will, choices, decisions
… “all” your mind… reason, knowledge, memory
… “all” your strength… talents, abilities, capacities

The Lord commands and demands a “total” and “complete” loving!

He does not permit compromises to let our wishes to slide through…
He does not allow framing excuses to let our desires to be fulfilled…
He does not consent devising justifications to let our inclinations be satisfied…

He demands an “absolute” and “unadulterated” love!

As Christians, we often…
… seek to find “loopholes” in laws of loving the Lord and our neighbour…
… try to spot “gaps” in commandments which ask to love the Lord and our neighbour…

Our selfishness often crops in…
Our personal desires often spoil it…
Our sinful tendencies often gain an upper hand…

But the insistence of the Lord is clear:
“Love Fully”
“Love Totally”
“Love Completely”

This is the ideal to which we, as Christians are called!

If not for this highest ideal, our life as a Christian would cease to have a uniqueness!
If not for this loftiest ideal, our life as a Christian would fail to be different from others!

Each of us as Christians are called “to be holy”… “to be set apart”… “to be different”

This holiness comes when we seek for the highest ideal…loving God totally and expressing this love wholly to our neighbour.

This setting apart comes to fruition when we seek for the premier ideal…giving to God entirely and articulating this self-giving in humble service of others.

Prophet Hosea invites us to trust in His immense love for us, as the Lord reminds us:
“I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall blossom as the lily!” (Hos 14:4-5)

The call is indeed great and very lofty…

Are we going to make silly excuses to have our own ways fulfilled?
… or shall we take up the challenge, with the grace of the Lord, to aim for the highest ideal?

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Our longing to gaining God’s Love causes us to meditate…
… Love, when gained, leads to contemplation.

Love renders the charm of what we love so pleasing…

… our minds never tire of reflecting on it!”

“Seeking the intercession and offering ourselves to the affectionate care of St Joseph, our protector and defender!”

The early American Indians had a unique ritual in their training of young boys to be brave and strong in their lives.

The evening of the boy’s thirteenth birthday, would consist of the final test, after having learnt hunting, exploration, fishing and other skills.

The boy was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night all alone.

Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe.

But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away.

When the blindfold was taken off, he would find himself in the midst of the thick woods.. and he would be terrified!

Every time a branch snapped or something fell, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.

His heart would pound with fear…
He would seek for some consolation, but would find none..
He would long to feel safe again, but the wait seemed to be an unending one…

After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest…

Looking around, the boy saw the wild flowers, lush trees, and the outline of the path.

Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow.

Guess who it was ?

It was his father!

He had been there all night long.

The boy had been unaware, but the father was always there, to make an intervention, in case of any eventuality of danger.

The protection of the father encircled the child, irrespective of whether the boy was aware or not.

Such is the tremendous protection and security of God, our Loving Father.

In the fullness of time, when God, the Father decided to send His Beloved Son to the earth, for the redemption of humankind, He had to entrust the care of His Precious Child to the protection and care of a human father…

And it was St Joseph who was chosen to be assigned this task and responsibility of being the caretaker and protector of Jesus, the Son of God!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Faithful and Just Protector of Jesus – St Joseph.

Just as God had entrusted Him to be the protector of the body of Jesus while on earth, St Joseph is also the protector and patron of His Body on the earth today, the Holy Church.

St Joseph in fulfilling his task of being the protector of Jesus, teaches us a few lessons…

1. He was ever prompt to the voice of the Lord

In his moments of confusion, he was still open to the promptings of the Spirit.
“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him…” (Mt 1:24)

Am I docile to the inspirations of the Lord, so as to be in greater tune with the Will of God?

2. His love was attentive to the needs of the Divine Child and the Mother

St Joseph was ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of protecting Jesus and Mary.

He was willing…
…to undergo societal humiliations
… to bear physical hardships of travelling, migration, lack of comforts etc
… to be prudent to the socio-political situations and make decisions in favour of the family

Does love prompt me to be attentive and sensitive to the needs of others, and cause me to make sacrifices towards the good of the other?

3. A willingness to be playing the “backdrop role” in the great drama of salvation

St Joseph, was privileged to be sharing the most intimate physical presence with the two holiest persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother.

Yet, it also meant that Joseph had to stay away from the limelight of glory and be the “silent yet impactful” figure of the salvation history.

Do I have the courageous humility to take up any role that the Lord entrusts me, in His plan of salvation – be it shorn of fame, littleness in glamour or even subject to awkwardness, uncertainty or dislikeness?

4. He was ready to give up his personal decisions and doubts in obedience to the voice of God

St Joseph was not afraid to shed his own personal concerns, anxieties and even doubts, when asked to be part of the mysterious redemptive plan of God.

There were many things that were not understood by him…

There were a lot of factors that prompted him to question and confront..

Yet, He had the deep daring to keep them all aside – because he was convinced that God’s mighty hand was at work, in them all.

Am I willing to place my faith in God and follow my vocation faithfully…
… even though circumstances around me maybe uncertain, the future looks bleak
… and my own reasonable thinking may see situations and people as being illogical, unscientific and irrational?

As St. Alphonsus Liguori says, “We should, indeed, honour St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased to honour him by calling him father.

If the King of kings was pleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity, it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavour to honour him as much as we can!”

The Lord protects us, no matter how fearful the external situations are…

St Joseph protected the Little Divine Babe and His Mother, despite hardships and trials…
Shall we also not trust in their Heavenly protection, and in turn, be a protector and defender to each other?

Happy Feast of St Joseph, the Just Worker in God’s Plan of Redemption.

Glorious Blessings of Jesus, his Precious Child – the Way, the Truth and the Life
Heavenly Intercessions of Mary – his loving Spouse and our affectionately protecting Mother

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “What more remains for us to say now, except that we cannot doubt at all that this glorious saint (St Joseph) has great influence in heaven…
… Oh how happy shall we be, if we can merit a share in his holy intercession!

He will obtain for us, if we have confidence in him, a holy growth in all kinds of virtues, but especially in those that we have found that he possessed in a higher degree than any others…

… which are most holy purity of body and mind, the most lovable virtue of humility, constancy, courage and perseverance!

“Growing into Convinced and Certain and Confident Christians!”

(Based on Deut 4:1-9 and Mt 5:17-19)

A university student was seen with a large “K” printed on his T- shirt.

When someone asked him what the “K” stood for, he said, “Confused.”

“But,” the questioner replied, “you don’t spell “confused” with a “K”!

The student answered, “Well, you don’t know how confused I am!”

The confused state of mind led to be boy to display a totally confused and puzzled look!

How often is this true in our own lives as a Christian…

We fail to have certain convictions in our faith…
… and the resultant life that is displayed outside, is one of confusion or uncertainty.

We fail to be sure of what our life of faith is…
… and as a result, we fail to bring people to experience God’s love and instead, sometimes even lead others astray.

The Gospel of the Day is a peek into the conviction that Jesus had in His life of preaching and mission…
… and a challenge for us to become persons who become fervent and convinced in teaching the commandments of the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil” (Mt 5: 17)

One of the distinguishing features in the preaching and teaching ministry of Jesus was His deep conviction and certainty.

Jesus did not speak as if He was blabbering on some unknown topic.
Jesus did not mutter words as if He was whiling away time to talk on a strange issue.

Instead, Jesus was thoroughly convinced of what He spoke and taught.

It was this deep-seated conviction that made Him to say that He had “come not to abolish the law or the prophets”.

The message of Jesus contained newness and freshness.

However, it was not a preaching that was entirely new

It was a teaching that was born in deep certainty and delivered with utmost conviction.

He was the fullness of the teachings of all the Law.
He was the fulfilment of the prophecies of all the Prophets.

This gave it a fresh crispiness.

This gave it a refreshing perspective.

Do we also possess a similar conviction and certainty in our Life of Faith, just as Jesus displayed?

The Lord demands such a requirement.

Hence, He would say, that “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 5: 19)

Our Christian lives are sometimes marked by an unwanted uncertainty and confusing convictions.

We know a little bit about our faith
… but not deep enough.

We know a little bit concerning our teachings
… but not in its depth.

We know a little bit about the virtues we are to live
… but not fully convinced of it.

As a result of this ‘unsure’ attitude and ‘confused’ mentality, we are unable to
… (1) live a true and honest Christian lives
… (2) witness and teach others our genuine faith

Let’s deepen our conviction in the Commands and Truths of our Faith, for through them, the Lord blesses us with wisdom and understanding:

“Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’!” (Deut 4:6)

May we not remain confused Christians; rather experience the love and mercy of the Lord…
… and make efforts to grow into Convinced and Certain and Confident Christians!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy

But those who have the greatest courage…
… the greatest generosity
… the greatest love

… who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves, and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping.”

“Sowing the seeds of Forgiveness and Mercy in the hardened fields of brokenness and damage!”

(Based on Dan 3:25, 34-43 and Mt 18:21-35)

The March 9, 2015 issue of the New York Magazine reports an interesting article on “Forgiveness”.

According to this article, the animal kingdom has been the subject of studying the patterns of forgiveness and reconciliation for many scientists.

Much of the research has involved gorillas and chimps.

It is found that they often enter into fights with each other…
… only later to embrace and continue their companionship.

Similar traits of behaviour has also been noticed among goats and hyenas.

However, the researchers have found that one species of animal doesn’t seem to forgive (atleast externally)

They are domestic cats.

(Well, there might be many of us, who will outrightly reject this theory, especially those who really like cats.

But let’s just take this as a ‘research finding’ and not the ultimate truth.

Researches findings, of course, are subject to exceptions and limited by conditions and interpretations!)

Human beings too have our moments of grappling with the aspect of ‘forgiveness’.

For some people, it’s easy to forgive…
But some others struggle hard in serving out  pardon…

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on this necessary virtue of “forgiveness”.

To the query of Peter:
“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him” ( Mt 18: 21)…
… Jesus illustrates His reply with the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

One of the principles in this virtue of forgiveness is the avoiding of a “mathematical accounting policy” in granting pardon.

As human beings, there is sometimes an avoidable tendency in us to “keep counts” in our relationships…

We make a count or keep a rough numerical impression…
… of how many times a person has done good to me
… of when was the last time a person behaved badly with me
… of how many times a person has hurt or caused harm to me
… of how often has a person offended me or spoken ill about me

Relationships…
… sometimes get reduced to mere mathematical entities
… sometimes find themselves entangled in the web of calculative units

It’s in such situations that “forgiving” the one who has erred against us becomes a ‘calculative’ affair.

Thus, we find that Peter in the Gospel asks Jesus, “How often must I forgive the brother who has sinned against me?”

We maintain, sometimes, a sort of an imaginary “fault-account” book.

And our thought-process takes the following pattern:

“This person, on so and so date, committed this mistake

And on so and so date, I had forgiven him”

“This person, on this particular day, had behaved in a very indifferent manner to me

And a particular number of days later, I had extended my pardon”

But Jesus today warns us to stop looking at life and relationships from a “mathematical” or “calculative” perspective.

What is the basis for Jesus to say this?

It is simply the fact that all of us – without any exception – are the beneficiaries of the mercy and forgiveness of God.

God abandons all mathematical calculations in extending His forgiveness to us
God lets go of every measure of computation in allowing us to receive His mercy

Rom 3:23 says that “all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace thorough the redemption in Jesus Christ”

Azariah prayed earnestly to God – pleading for His Mercy and Compassion:
“Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.

Deliver us by your wonders, and bring glory to your name, O Lord!” (Dan 3:42-43)

Each of us find ourselves sinking in the “boats of sinfulness and guilt”

But it is the Mercy of God that still keeps us ashore.

Each of us pass through the “deserts of shame and culpability”

But it is the Forgiveness of God that nourishes us with the oasis of blessings

This “free and underserved” reception of the Forgiveness of God places an undeniable responsibility on us to extend His pardon to all.

The prayer “Our Father” gets recited so often by us, during the day or in our prayers.

But do we realise that it contains a clause, whose condition, if not fulfilled, brings upon a self-inflicted consequence.

We pray, “Forgive us our sins.. as we forgive those who sin against us”

Even though the mercy of God is always made available for us, it can be truly received only if one is willing, generous and humble enough to “forgive” the faults of others.

Forgiveness is a powerful weapon that, of course won’t change the past, but will sure transform the future.

Even the animal kingdom in general, displays traits of forgiveness and reconciliation.

How much more are we, as human beings, who are created in the image and likeness of God, bound to forgive one another?

Perhaps, some of us have a feline flavour in us to “avoiding granting pardon” and “nurturing the grudge”

But can we let go of our “pride and arrogance” and “put on Christ” (Rom 13: 14) to become that “flower which perfumes the hand that crushes it”

May the Gospel of the Day strongly cause us to take realistic resolutions to cherish our relationships with the freedom it deserves…
… and to generously sow the seeds of forgiveness and mercy in the hardened fields of broken and damaged!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The priest at Confessional is the “angel whom God sends” to make forgiveness real…

… and enable Divine Reconciliation to be experienced.

“Being willing to overcome our arrogant and pride behaviour and humbling ourselves before the Magnanimous Power of the Lord!”

(Based on 2 Kings 5:1-15 and Lk 4:24-30)

An incident is told of a popular boxer who was infamous for bragging about himself.

Once, before the take-off on an airline flight, the stewardess reminded the boxer to fasten his seatbelt.

“Superman don’t need no seatbelt,” he told her with pride.

The stewardess was unwilling to compromise…

So she retorted, “Superman don’t need no airplane, either.”

The man was discomfited in his pride.

In shame, he fastened his seatbelt without saying an extra word.

Pride can block a person from being open to the views, trends and wavelengths of other people and situations.

This is much more true, when it comes to spiritual matters

A proud mind…
… rejects the plans and workings of God in one’s life…

And makes one to say, “I can manage my life by myself!”

A haughty spirit…
… opposes any movements  that causes one to get out of one’s comfort zones…

And makes one to say, “I know what’s best for me! None need to teach me!”

An arrogant heart…
… rejects any good inspirations or constructive feedbacks…

And makes one to say, “I don’t need anyone’s advices. Only I can advise myself!”

The Gospel of the Day presents the rejection of Jesus, in the Synagogue at Nazareth, by the people, who displayed a proud mentality, a haughty spirit and an arrogant heart.

Jesus, is in His hometown.

He entered the synagogue and began to teach.

Though initially, there was a wave of excitement…
… the words of Jesus caused a major setback to the people.

This caused the people to reject Jesus…
… they even try to kill Him ( Lk 4: 29-30)       

St Luke uses a very strong word to describe the feelings of the people…
“When the people in the synagogue heard, they were all FILLED WITH FURY”

Or another translation… “… they were all FILLED WITH WRATH”

When one’s pride is hurt…
…. One tends to become angry and hurt

When one is made to get out of one’s comfort zones…
… one tends to become restless and agitated.

This is what happened to the people in the Synagogue.

Their pride was hurt..
… because Jesus spoke to them on the need to be humble, and accept the “all-embracing” love of the Lord!

They were made to get out of the comfortable zones…
… because Jesus spoke to them on the need to change their closed ways of thought-pattern, and to accept the “all-merciful” invitation to the Kingdom of God!

This “instigation” can happen in our life too…

When we are challenged to move out of our “traditional” style of thinking…
….and accept instead, the merciful and compassionate ways of God

When we are forced to change our crippling attitudes of rejecting people on the basis of caste, creed, colour, language etc…
… and accept instead, the “all-welcoming” style of the Kingdom of God

Human tendency it is, to sometimes “get used to” comfortable situations…
… even if they are fruitless or unproductive and useless

Human tendency it is, to sometimes “remain fixated” in crippling mentalities…
…even if they cause harm to the other and are no longer effective.

In the 2nd Book of the Kings, Naaman had to overcome his “fixated mentality” and listen to the Word of the Lord that came through Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-15)

He would understand the importance of humbling himself before the Power of the Lord and experience the Lord’s Healing!

The Lord today, invites and challenges us in our proud mentality, a haughty spirit and an arrogant heart.

This is the constant invitation by Jesus:
“Learn from Me.. for I am gentle and humble in heart”

Let us learn from the Gentle and Humble ways of the Lord, and become persons, who are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections!”

“Quenching our thirst in the unconditional love of the Lord!”

(Based on Ex 17:3-7, Rom 5:1-2, 5-8 and Jn 4:5-42)

One of the very simplest moral stories that all of us have heard is that of the thirsty crow.

One warm day, a thirsty crow flew all over, looking for water.

For a long time, he could not find any.

He felt weak, and lost all hope.

Suddenly, he saw a water jug below the tree. He flew straight down, and was delighted to see some water inside it!

Sadly, he found that the neck of the jug was too narrow and it was impossible for him to access the water.

He tried to push the jug to tilt, for the water to flow out but the jug was too heavy

The crow thought hard for a while.

Then looking around it, he saw some pebbles and an idea struck him.

He started picking up the pebbles one by one, dropping each into the jug.

As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising.

Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink.

His plan had worked.. His thirst had been quenched! 

The moral of this story is to “Think and work hard, you may find solution to any problem”.

But when we consider this story from another perspective, we notice that it also shows the deep craving inside every creature, to satisfy one’s thirst.

One is restless till this thirst is fulfilled…
One is impatient till this craving is satisfied…

This agitated thirst is also innate in every human being…
… a thirst for the Divine, for the Transcendental.

And this thirst, compels humans…
… to search… to seek…
… for the source of satisfaction
… for the fountain of fulfilment

But how wonderful it would be to be knowing and to be convinced that this “thirst” can find its fulfilment only in God.

And how wonderful it would be, if all human beings could be properly guided and correctly directed on this path of finding true contentment.

The Gospel of the Day presents the beautiful incident of a “thirsty” Jesus who quenches a “thirsty” woman

The “thirsty” woman – Samaritan woman – expresses her desire for water…
… “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water” (Jn 4: 15)

The “thirsty” Jesus promises fulfilment and contentment to all those who come to Him and believe in Him – the source of Divine Waters of Life….
… “Whoever drinks the water I shall give, will never thirst; the water I shall give, will become in him, a spring of water welling up to eternal life (Jn 4:14)

The Samaritan Woman in her encounter with the Lord is led, from a lower level to the higher level…

1. Talks on material concerns
   (>> “How can you, a Jew, ask a Samaritan woman for a drink?”)
   (>> “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket…where then can you get this living water?”)
   (>> “Sir, give me this water that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming to draw water”)
2. Talks on spiritual matters
   (>> “Our ancestors worshipped on this mountain, but you people say that the place to worship is Jerusalem”)
3. Talks that would lead to a complete life transformation.
   (>> “Go call your husband and come back”)
   (>> “I am He, the One Who is speaking to you”)

This is the story of our experience with religion and spirituality.

Many times, many of us perform religious practices…
… only for material concerns

Some of us, practise faith and spirituality…
… to merely engage in spiritual talks and reflections

But the higher level is the one…
… which leads to life transformation.

The Samaritan woman was led by Jesus, in having this life transformation…
… and she would go on to lead an entire town to believe in Jesus (Jn 4: 39-42)

This entire incident is built around that simple premise: A desire
… a desire that is expressed in the form of “thirst”

The desire of the Samaritan woman – to receive water, so that one may not be thirsty again – is the innate desire and longing within each human being…

In the Old Testament, the people of Israel had murmured and complained against God, in the wilderness for the struggle in food and water…
… “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children, and our cattle with thirst?” (Ex 17:3)

They longed to have their thirst quenched and their desires fulfilled…

Each of us, deep within, are thirsty and hungry….wanting to drink water that will quench the longing, forever.

It is this search that makes people to go out and seek the various sources of satisfaction.

Some feel to have found this fulfilment…
… through worldly pleasures and bad habits like smoking, drinking, obsession with sex, drugs etc, which only lead to momentary external satisfaction and short-lived bursts of thrill.

Some claim to have found this fulfilment…
… in the various philosophies,  new-age patterns of life and naturalistic means of spirituality etc, which may have traces of truth, but fail to provide authentic and fullness of life.

But Jesus, today, boldly and unambiguously declares that its only in HIM that true and complete fulfilment of life can be found:
… “Whoever drinks the water I shall give, will never thirst; the water I shall give, will become in him, a spring of water welling up to eternal life (Jn 4:14)

Elsewhere Jesus will also tell…
… “He who comes to me shall not hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (Jn 6: 35)

Are we convinced of this fact, that its only in Jesus, that I can achieve true and complete happiness…?

Like the Samaritan Woman (Jn 4: 16-18)…
Like the Prodigal Son (Lk 15: 11-32)…
Like St Paul (Acts 8:3)…
… we may have strayed away from this path of truth, to seek our own means and ways to find happiness and satisfaction.

But the Lord, today, calls us back to Him..
… to His Heart
… to His Church
… to His Eucharist

To experience Him fully.

To those who have strayed…
… the call of the Gospel, is to come back to the paths of truth

To those who are holding on to Him…
… the call of the Gospel, is to deepen the conviction, that in Him alone, can the hunger of my soul and the thirst of my heart be fulfilled.

To those who have strayed…
… the Lord invites to build the virtues of humility, docility and openness to the Spirit.

To those who are holding on to  Him…
… the Lord invites to build the virtues of patience, firm trust and a passionate longing.

He has displayed His unconditional and unparalleled love for each one of us, by offering His Life on the Cross for all of us, sinners…

“God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!” (Rom 5:8)

May Jesus, the Source of Life-giving Waters…
… the One Who alone can quench our thirst
… the One Who loves us unconditionally
… always be the source and summit of our Christian living!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If I want only pure water, what does it matter to me whether it be brought in a vase of gold or of glass?

What is it to me whether the will of God be presented to me in tribulation or consolation, since I desire and seek only the Divine will?”

“Receiving the embrace of our Father’s Love even in the messy and dirty situations of life!”

(Based on Mic 7:14-15, 18-20 and Lk 15:1-3, 11-32)

Six-year old Johny planned to secretly give a surprise to his father, on his birthday.

He decided that he would secretly bake a cake for his father and that would turn out to be a beautiful gift.

He was aware that that his father had told him not to put on the oven without his permission
He was also not really sure how a cake is to be baked

Yet, he decided to give it a try…

So on the previous night, after he made sure, his father had slept, Johny quietly crept into the kitchen.

He had a manual with him which would guide him to bake the cake.

He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour can, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor.

Meanwhile, his kitten, had joined him, and was busy enjoying the bits and pieces fallen on the ground.

Johny, was all covered with flour and he was also getting a bit frustrated as the mixing was taking much longer than expected.

But he wanted to do something for his Dad!

He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, (and he didn’t know how the oven worked)!

Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of the cake dough.

He tried to push her away.

But in the frantic act, he knocked the egg-tray on to the floor.

In desperation, he tried to clean the floor..
… but unfortunately he slipped!

Just then, he raised his eyes and saw his gigantic Daddy standing before him.

He just remained on the floor….
…. All messed up and dirty…

Large tears swelled up in his little eyes!

The father kept watching him.

Johny was sure that he was going to receive a big spanking and a scolding was on the way.

But to his surprise, making his way through the mess, Daddy reached out to him.

He picked up his crying son hugged him…. And loved him!

In the process, Daddy also dirtied his clothes!

But here was a beautiful picture of a Father who displayed a tremendous love and acceptance…
… even if it meant to dirty himself!

True love knows no bounds!

The Gospel of the Day  – the Parable of the Prodigal Son(s) – is the beautiful exposition of the Unconditionally True Love of the Heavenly Father to each of His beloved children!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son(s) is surely one of the most popular, the most loved and the most touching parables of Jesus.

This parable has three main characters and we could view any of them as playing the main role in the story:

1. The Prodigal Son – Younger son

He went away from the love of his father

Inheritance was given to children only after the death of the father

In asking the inheritance, therefore, alluded to the fact that the Prodigal  son considered his father to be dead!

But having spent his life in useless living, he realised the emptiness and vacuum that filled his heart.

And so he decided to turn back.. and go to his father

2. The Prodigal Son – Elder Son

He remained the faithful “servant” of the house

But when he saw, that his brother – who had wasted away the inheritance, was received with so much warmth, his temper rose!

He couldn’t digest the fact that his brother who lived a “wasted life” was honoured….
… whereas he was never given the chance to “enjoy with his friends”

The context of the parable is Jesus speaking to the “Pharisees and scribes” who were “complaining that Jesus always accepted sinners” (Lk 15: 1-2)

In this context, the character of the Elder Son portrayed the attitude of the Pharisees and Scribes.

But beyond these two characters towers high the Image of the Father – the Father who loved and accepted his lost son!

He suffered a deep pain when his younger son went away
He underwent immense pain waiting for the son to come back
He went through moments of dilemma when his elder son was opposing the welcome of the younger one

Yet through all this, the Character of the Father towers high!

He is the Father of Mercies –  Who accepts all, just as they are
He is the Father of Love – Who loves everyone, unconditionally
He is the Father of Compassion – Who receives all to His loving embrace

In our life, often as children  – like the Prodigal Son(s) – we go away.

We try to do something good…
… but our life turns into a mess!

Our student life gets messed up with lack of commitment and failures

Our marriage hits the rocks with misunderstandings and lack of acceptance

Our family life gets into a crisis with lack of unity and peace of mind

We feel our life is all in a mess…

We find ourselves lost, frustrated and upset!

But in all such situations, we need to look up…
… and see how the Loving Father is waiting to embrace us…. And love us!

As Prophet Micah very beautifully reminds us:
“Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?

He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot.
… Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea!” (Mic 5:18-19)

Yes, the Merciful Father is waiting for each one of us…
… Whatever be the mess, that my life may be in!

Let us run into His embrace of Love… with a  sincere repentance and contrition of heart…

And pledge to live for Him, and with Him…
… forever!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ God is merciful to those who want to love Him…

… and who have placed their hopes in Him!”

“Working for Project Kingdom with commitment!”

(Based on Gen 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28 and Mt 21:33-43, 45-46)

An incident is said about a former American astronaut who took over as the President of a major airline.

He determined to make the airline’s service the best in the industry.

He sought ‘commitment to work’, by all the employees in all the departments.

One day, as the new president walked through a particular department, he saw an employee resting…
… with his feet on a desk, while the telephone on the desk rang continuously. .

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to answer that phone?” the boss demanded.

“This isn’t my department, Am here, just to relax!” answered the employee, with a total indifference!

(He had not recognized his new boss, and so chose to answer with apathy!)
“I work in the maintenance department”, he went on to say.

“Not anymore!” snapped the president, “You no longer will work in my company!”

The President, with his liking for “committed work” and “achieving excellence”…
… made sure there was no room for “people with lack of commitment and zeal!”

As Christians, we are all co-workers of the Project Kingdom!

Do we work with commitment?
… or are we often found to be people of indifference, “lacking commitment and zeal?”

The Gospel of the Day is a strong message to examine one’s level of commitment to the Kingdom of God…
… exhorting to do away with any “personal agenda” or “selfish motives”

And seeks to impress the personality of Jesus…
… Who desires to be the ‘Centre of our Life’!

In the Gospel today, Jesus puts forward the parable of the tenants.

The tenants were entrusted with the vineyard by the Master, and were expected to provide the produce in due time.

They were entrusted fully with the taking care of the vineyard.

The Master places a lot of trust in the servants.

He gives the freedom… a responsible freedom…
…which could be meaningfully used and nurtured
…or which could be woefully misused and manipulated.

However, the tenants, who were trusted immensely…
… probably lost their focus on the real trust and diminished in their commitment and responsibility to their Master as well as their duty.

Their personal interests gained greater prominence over their entrusted duties.
Their selfish agenda gained the upper hand over the faithfulness to the Master.

This led to them to a total denial of all the emissaries and servants of the Master, who were sent to collect the produce.

This denial was extended even to the Master’s own Son!

This denial of the Son led to the letting loose of the anger and fury of the Just Master!
•       A squandering away of the responsible freedom, led to the downfall of the tenants!
•       A failure to give heed to the emissaries and servants caused them to face the Master’s rage!
•       A denial and rejection of the Master’s own Son, with a cruel intent, caused their destruction!

Are we also, as Christians, as tenants of the Heavenly Master failing in our responsibilities and duties?

The Lord presents Himself as the cornerstone…
… “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..” (Mt 21:42)

In ancient practices of building, the cornerstone was the principal stone.

It was placed at the corner of the edifice or the building.

The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the whole building structure.

A cornerstone gives direction to the rest of the foundation.
It also is the support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability.

Jesus is the cornerstone…of Salvation… of the Church… of His People!

At the same time, Jesus can also be “a stumbling block”

As it is written in Romans 9:33, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame”

•       To those who believe, Jesus is the cornerstone of their faith and their life.
•       To those who do not believe, Jesus is the stumbling block in their faith!    

In the Old Testament, the sons of Israel rejected Joseph, their “dreamer brother”

Yet, God, in His Divine Providence, would redeem Joseph, the “rejected one”
Joseph prefigures Jesus, the “rejected cornerstone but a stumbling block to many”, Who would redeem the entire world!

Who is the Lord in our life?

The cornerstone? or a stumbling block?

The cornerstone to build a wonderful life in God and grow in holiness…

Or a stumbling block which causes us to be proud in our own merits and not depend on Him?

The cornerstone to stand firm and strong in faith to withstand every storm of life…

Or a stumbling block which makes us uncertain, hesitant and cause a collapse in life?

As Christians, we are indeed co-workers of the Project Kingdom!

The Master has entrusted the vineyard to us
… our homes, our places of work, our neighbourhood, our families and communities…
…. the people we meet daily, the problems we encounter constantly, the situations we are challenged with…

These are “our vineyard!”

Do we work with commitment?

Or are we often found to be people of indifference, “lacking commitment and zeal?”

Let us never have to hear from Our Master, “Not anymore! You no longer will work in my company!”

Instead…
… let us do away with any “personal agenda” or “selfish motives” as the workers of the Vineyard…
And seek to be impressed by the personality of Jesus…
… making Him the Centre of our Lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

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