“Making our life a ‘Good News of Comfort and Consolation’ in a world of contrasts!”

(Based on Jer 17:5-10 and Lk 16:19-31)

Schindler’s List is a 1993 American epic historical period drama film, which received 7 Oscar awards.

This movie is based in the true story of a Catholic businessman, Oskar Schindler, who lived in Poland during the 2nd world war.

After a life of initial notoriety, in which he made a lot of money, by betraying his own people…
… Schindler, later realized the horrors of the Nazi rule.

He began to use his wealth and influence…
… in order to save his fellow Jews from the holocaust.

By the end of the war, he was reduced to having very little money

But in the process, had managed to save hundreds of Jews from being killed.

The last scene of the movie depicts, Schindler being thanked by the people whom he had saved.

But suddenly, Schindler began to weep!

Looking around at the people who were rescued, he exclaimed: “I could have done so much more!”

Holding up his gold watch, he moaned, “This could have bought someone’s freedom!”

He wished that he could have started sooner in helping people, so that many more could have been rescued!
His self-centredness had caused failure in saving many more people!

It was an agonizing experience of the negative effects of “indifference in life” and the “sin of omission”!

We need to examine our life and check:

Am I a person who misses out on doing the good we can?
Do I fail to reach out the needy, even though I am able?
Has self-centredness became a way of life for me?

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful message to look deeper into these aspects of our life…
… and seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented!

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is set out as a play… a two-act play.

The plays takes place on two stages:
… the stage of this world
… and the stage of the other-world.

1. This parable could be perhaps called as a “parable of contrasts”!

The contrasts are plenty:
In the First Act (Lk 16: 19-22)….

A rich man – a poor man
The man is rich but unnamed – the man is poor but is named, Lazarus (meaning ‘God Helps’)
The rich man clothed in purple – Lazarus clothed fully with sores
The rich man caressed with fine linen – Lazarus licked by the dogs
The rich man feasted sumptuously – Lazarus desired to be fed by what fell from the table.
The rich man died and was buried – Lazarus died but was carried by the angels.

In the Second Act (Lk 16: 22-31)…

Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom – the rich man is in Hades.
Lazarus receives good things – the rich man was in torment.
Lazarus was comforted – the rich man was in anguish

2. This parable could be perhaps also be called as a “parable of comfort and consolation”!
   It’s a “parable of comfort and consolation” because….
   … Lazarus, who had undergone great misery and suffering was blessed with the presence of joy of the Lord.

It gives comfort and consolation to us, who need to be strengthened in our moments of trials and hardships, knowing that the Lord will surely look with mercy on His needy ones.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 3)

3. This parable could be perhaps also be called as a “parable of challenge and confrontation”!
   It’s a “parable of challenge and confrontation” because…
   … the rich man, who had a luxurious life, was condemned to torments, and had to endure the flames of suffering.

It presents a great challenge and a confrontation before us, who need to realize that “indifference in life” and the “sin of omission” are extremely punishable.

It tells that the attitude of closing one’s eyes to the pain and misery of the other is disastrous!

“He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.” (Prov. 21:13)

We live in a world of contrasts…
… the rich gaining much and the poor losing much day by day!
… the corrupt enjoying worldly success while the honest often helpless on the losing side!
… the powerful lording over all others while the simple of heart crushed in oppression and misery!

This “world of contrasts” needs a “Gospel of Comfort and Consolation”, and towards this, we are “challenged and confronted”…

Challenged to get rid of our attitudes of indifference and lethargy to help the needy ones.
Confronted to overcome our tendencies to remain satisfied in our comforts and close our eyes conveniently to the necessities of the other.

The ways of the world constantly allure us…
… to be “dressed in purple linen and fine clothes” (Lk 16:19) and to be self-centred: “Just go about with our business and don’t consider other’s needs”
… to be “dining sumptuously” (Lk 16:19) and to look to only one’s own comforts and needs: “Live and let live. I don’t need to care about others, when I have my own cares to be attended to!”

But the Christian way of life is a challenge to this “rich man’s style of living”

There can be no excuse given to us…
… if we miss out on doing the good we can!
… if we fail to reach out the needy, even though we are able!
… if self-centredness has become a way of life for us!

Time is short…
… and our life is limited!

Let us begin today, with no further delay…

To do the good we can…
… in the best way we can!
… to all the people we are able!
… in every situation that is possible!

Let our lives be totally offered to the Lord, Who alone is the source of every goodness and mercy.

In the words of Prophet Jeremiah:
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green…
… and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit!” (Jer 17:7-8)

Let us seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented…
… and in this world of contrasts, make our life a ‘Good News of Comfort and Consolation’.

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!”

“Prioritising God and His Kingdom above all else!”

(Based on Jer 18:18-20 and Mt 20:17-28)

It was the place known as the Place of the Skulls…

A Man had died…
… a cruel death
… an unjust death!

Nature had witnessed the excruciating suffering of this Man.

And nature, silent and speechless, yet responded in its own manner:
Darkness enveloped over the whole land…
The earth quaked in anger and desperation…
The rocks split wide and many tombs opened up…

A few people had also witnessed the terrifying suffering of this Man.

And these people, though had voice and power, responded in their own manner:

Some were sadistically and treacherously ‘feasting’ their senses with the agony of the Man…
Some were appallingly indifferent and shockingly lukewarm…

Very few were enormously heartbroken and shattered..

Among these were a few men….

One by name, John… who was a Beloved of the One who died

Another was Nicodemus… who a secret follower of the One who died
Yet another was Joseph… who was from Arimathea, another disciple of the One who died

Among these were also a few women…

Most notably, the Mother of the One who had died!
Among others, a Mary of Magdalene… a Mary, who was the mother of James and Joseph

There was also another woman…

The last few hours had been extremely terrible for her.

She had witnessed the horrible suffering and death of a Man…
… and also experienced the pain of the Man’s Mother.

This woman herself had two sons.

And she knew the agony and pain of a mother seeing the suffering of her precious children.

And through those dreadful moments, this woman remembered an incident that had happened in her life…

Some weeks back, she had approached this Man with a favour for her children (Mt 20:20)

Her children, were the disciples of the One who had died.

She had requested, “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left, in your kingdom” (Mt 20:21)

But the Master had responded, “You do not know what you are asking.

Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”  (Mt 20:22)

She had not really understood the meaning of the Cup, back then.

She was more interested in securing a good place for her children, as it the case for every mother.

But, now….
…standing before that same Master…who had died a horrible death… she understood what was meant by the “Cup”
… standing before the same Master’s Mother… who had borne immense pain of Her Little Child’s death… she understood what was meant by “drinking the cup of suffering”.

She realised…
… the path to glory is only by treading the way of the Cross.
… that more than asking for places of honour, a true commitment to do God’s Will was needed
… that her request was triggered by a ordinary human concern and not tuned to seeking what was more needed by the Lord.

And standing before the Cross, she would have wished and prayed..
“Lord, not a place of honour, but grant that my children would follow you passionately!

Lord, not a seat of glory, but grant that my children may be faithful to you for life!”

This woman – the mother of the two sons, who are also called as Sons of Zebedee: James and John – invites each of us also…
… to put our focus totally on the Kingdom values and not on transient material concerns.
… to live in absolute commitment to God’s Mission and leave rewards to the mercy of God

Are we ready to put into place “first things first”…
… God’s Kingdom over every other materialistic wanting…? (Mt 6:33)

Are we ready to prioritize our concerns and focus…
… seek holiness and salvation over other transitory aspirations…? (1 Pet 1:16, Mt 6:21)

Let us be firm in doing the works of the Kingdom, despite the fact that like Prophet Jeremiah we too will have to face a lot of persecution and rejection (Jer 18:18-20)

Let us look to the Cross to draw greater inspiration to prioritize our needs and wants.
Let us look to our Blessed Mother who sought God’s Will for Her Child above all else.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “In the midst of all the occupations of the day, see to it that you do not become too absorbed in material things. Keep a tight grasp of Christ’s Hand!”

“Living our Christian life in Faithfulness, Integrity and Honesty!”

(Based on Is 1:10, 16-20 and Mt 23:1-12)

There is an interesting story that appears in the 12th Chapter of the 2nd Book of Kings.

Joash was the King of Judah.

He observed that Temple of the Lord was in need of repair.

So he raised a fund-raising program…

“Jehoiada, the priest took a chest and bored a hole in its lid and put it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of the LORD” (2 Kings 12:10)

The amount thus realised, was given to the master workmen of the Temple.

These master workmen in turn…
… gave it to the carpenters and builders
… to the lumbermen and stone cutters
… and for the purchase of wood and hewn stone used for repairing

There is a fascinating verse that then appears…
… It says, “They did not require an accounting from the men, into whose hand they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, for they dealt FAITHFULLY.” (2 Kgs 12: 16)

Other Bible translations read…
… they worked with INTEGRITY
… they acted with complete HONESTY

Faithfulness, integrity and honesty are qualities that are expected of everyone…
… who engage themselves in the works of the Lord

And naturally so, for all of us as Christians – the followers of Jesus, the Faithful, the Integral and the Honest One!

Do I live my Christian life in Faithfulness, Integrity and Honesty?

The Gospel of the Day presents a Challenging Jesus..
… who seeks to expose the duplicity in the life of the Teachers of the Law
… and exhorts, instead, to lead An Authentic way of Life!

Chapter 23 of the Gospel of Matthew is an extremely emotion filled and volatile passage.

The Great Master Jesus, is in a confronting mode and minces no words in exposing the duplicity of the Teachers of the Law.

Chapter 23 almost speaks of Jesus reaching a sort of boiling point…

Let’s think of a pan of water on the stove…

You turn the burner on high and slowly the water becomes warmer and warmer …

And then, there are a few bubbles in that water and those few bubbles come to the fore…

And pretty soon the water in the pan is furious with bubbles because the water has come to its boiling point…!

The words of Jesus in Chapter 23 come to a boiling point!

(23: 1-12): Denunciation of the attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees
(23: 13-36): Pronouncement of 7 woes on the Scribes and Pharisees
(23: 37-39): Lamentation over the city of Jerusalem

Today’s Gospel Passage deals with some of the crucial areas of the Teachers of the Law…
… which very often have a similarity in our lives too

1: They preach, but do not practice! (Mt 23:3)

How often are we in the habit of telling virtues to others…
… but fail to practise them ourselves?

How often do we love to advise goodness to others…
… but fall short of trying to be good ourselves?

How often do we want the whole world to be changed…
… but reach nowhere in trying to improve our own selves?

2: They lay burdens on others..but lift not a finger to help (Mt 23: 4)

How often do we expect others to achieve perfection…
… but fail to do our own activities with zeal and passion?

How often do we want others to fulfil their duties well…
… but miserably unaware of our own obligations and tasks?

How often do we impose others to be good and holy..
… but indulge our selves in deeds of corruption and sin?

3: They Practice deeds of Religiosity to be seen by others (Mt 23: 5)

How often do we parade our acts of charity before others…
… in order to boost our index of popularity?

How often do we want our deeds of assistance be noticed by others…
… in order to win admiration and acclaim?

How often do we go vocal in boasting of our own achievements…
… in order to become great and famous?

4: They love places and titles of honour and respect (Mt 23: 6-7)

How often do we seek the best places in society and the Church…
… and try to make a peripheral show of our status?

How often do we grow attached to places and titles of glory…
…  and develop an unconscious love for vain glory?

How often do we get disturbed and even troubled easily…
… when others fail to acknowledge our positions and repute?

The list of questions is too long…. the record of queries is too extensive…

But we need to make this check.. a reality check of our own lives!

It is not very difficult to live under the garb of a well-polished and neat looking title of a “Christian”.

It is not very hard to move forward with our Christian lives being peripherally good and “appearing” pious.

But we need to realise?

In our life here, some day or the other, our hollowness will get exposed if were are not true to our inner selves.

A false life does not befit a person who seeks to follow the Authentic Christ.

Yes, on Judgment Day, none of our ‘external packing and wrapping’ will come to our rescue!

To live an authentic and true life is certainly hard…
… and is a treading through paths of difficulties.

But…
… in difficulties, grace abounds
… in hardships, blessings increase
… in adversities, mercy flourishes

May we seek knowledge in order to serve, by growing in the virtues of faithfulness, integrity and honesty…
… and thus be true followers of Jesus, the Faithful, the Integral and the Honest One!

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!”

“Giving our lives in generosity to the Lord!”

(Based on Dan 9:4-10 and Lk 6:36-38)

A little boy started to Sunday-school with two five-rupee coins – one for the Lord, and one for himself.

On the way to church he lost one of them – as it went inside a drain, on the way

“There goes the Lord’s coin!” he said.

What the boy uttered concerning his loss…
… is a reflection of the mind of many grown-ups.

It is always the Lord’s money that is lost.

We tend to be extremely “rigid/unyielding/scrupulous” when it comes to giving to God or to others!

The Gospel of the Day calls for an open mind and generosity in heart in giving to God and offering our lives to Him.

The Lord, continuing His teachings on a practical Christian life, exhorts, “…give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give, is the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

Jesus brings a very concrete example from the market scene, to drive home his point of generously giving.

The context of Jesus is the market in Israel, the middle-east part of the world.

As in many places today, this area witnessed markets that had buyers and sellers engaged in bargaining and negotiating over prices, quality and the amount of things and goods.

There would be many of the open-air markets, where the farmers would bring their grain—wheat, corn, barley—and spread it on a mat on the ground.

Potential customers would examine the grain, make an offer, and the bargaining would start….

When a price was finally set, the customer would offer his container—usually a large bowl or pot or an open vessel—and the seller would use a scoop (measuring spoon) to fill the container.

There would be some interesting steps in this process of measuring the grain for a customer and which Jesus quotes in His approach to giving:

Firstly, the seller would fill the container to the top.
Secondly, he would press the grain down and fill some more.
Thirdly, he would shake the container so the grain would settle and then fill in some more.
Finally, he would fill the container until it overflowed!

The contents of this overflowing container would then be transferred to a pouch or a bag so that the buyer could bring home the contents from the market.

Well, this process could sound a bit strange and weird to us in the modern world.

We live in times, when contents are sold by the weight, and not the volume..
We live in times, when manipulations are done to give as less as possible…

But this is where, Jesus, bringing in the example of the market, invites generosity in giving…

Our giving ought to be measured not by weight, but by volume…and that refers to a far-greater amount of giving!
Our giving ought to, not be curtailed down by clever manipulations…rather is to be done very generously and lavishly!

St Paul in 2 Cor 9:6 would say, “Whoever sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly; whoever reaps bountifully will also reap bountifully”

Our giving ought not to be a calculated effort
… rather should be a overflow from the heart!

When we engage is such a lavish and generous giving, God too will shower His abundance, in a similar and much better fashion!
“For the measure you give, will be the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

Of course, that is not to say that we are limiting God’s power of giving…

God’s surely showers His gifts lavishly!

God surely pours His blessings overwhelmingly!

But the Lord invites us to be less “rigid/unyielding/scrupulous” when it comes to giving to God or to others!

Give to God, who deserves all, so that we may be worthy to receive His blessings.
Give to God, who is worthy of all, so that we may be blessed to receive His graces.

In the Divine methodology of exchange, the advantage is that, we get much more than what we give
… we obtain far greater than what we offer!

God’s giving is not to be seen just from material or physical aspects…

In fact, that would just be a very limited and low level of understanding.

God’s gifts are to be understood more from a spiritual perspective:
… Gift of His mercy to live a life in union with Him.
… Gift of His grace to be faithful and more committed.
… Gift of His love to be better human beings and be more charitable.
… Gift of His salvation to enjoy eternal bliss and happiness with Him .

All these gifts will be surely lavished  and given… “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured out into our laps!”

The greatest exchange…
… is seen and experienced in the Holy Eucharist
… at every Holy Mass.

Let us give ourselves entirely to the Lord
… especially at Holy Mass and through the Mass, at all times of the day
… to all persons in our life.

Then, in the words of Fulton Sheen, we will be graced to hear the words of the Divine Lord telling us…

You give me your humanity, and I will give you my Divinity!
You give me your time, and I will give you My eternity!
You give me your broken heart, and I will give you Love!
You give me your nothingness, and I will give you My all!

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Frequently give up some of your property by giving it with a generous heart to the poor. It is true that God will repay us, not only in the next world…

… but even in this!”

“Throwing ourselves into the Hands of God and experiencing His Transfiguring and Transforming Power in our lives!”

(Based on Gen 12:1-4, 2 Tim1:8-10 and Mt 17:1-9)

A five year old boy was playing in the front yard of his house, by throwing a ball up in the air.

An elderly priest, who was passing that way, asked the boy what he was doing.

The little boy, with innocence answered:
“I am playing a game of ‘catching the ball’ with God!

I throw the ball up in the air…
… and He throws it back to me!”

The senior priest was pretty amused at the simple answer.

And as he moved ahead, he thought in his mind…
“Although, the boy in his innocence just said his experience of a law of nature…
… in that simple statement, he also expressed a religious reality:

Divine experience is this: Throwing of ourselves into the Hands of God…
… and receiving what He gives to us”

That’s very true isn’t it?

Divine experience is ” throwing of ourselves into the Hands of God…
… and receiving what He gives to us”

When we throw ourselves into the Hands of God, and receive what He gives us…
… that is the experience of Transfiguration!

The Gospel of the Day presents before us the Lord undergoing the Transfiguration.

The Disciples shared in this joy.

We are invited today!

The Scene of the Transfiguration is one of the most captivating and thrilling scenes of the Gospels.

  We shall look into this account of the Transfiguration through the eyes of St Matthew’s Gospel.

It’s interesting to see that this scene takes place on a high mountain.

Mountains play a key role in the Gospel of St Matthew.

Mountains, of course, dot the landscape of the Biblical regions.

They are a great part of the physical reality of the Biblical world.
They are a symbolic of “being closer to God”.

St Matthew’s Gospel has a particular love for this “lofty symbol of God’s presence”

Jesus underwent a temptation by Satan on the Mount…
… the Mount of Temptations (Mt 4:8)

Jesus delivers His Sermon and Teachings on a Mount…
… the Mount of the Sermon (Mt 5:1)

Jesus performs many deeds of healings on a Mount…
… the Mount by the Sea of Galilee (Mt 15:29)

Jesus is transfigured on a Mount…
… the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:1)

Jesus gives His final teaching and discourse on a Mount…
… the Mount of Olives (Mt 24:3)

Jesus gives up His life on a Mount…
… the Mount of Calvary (Mt 27:33)

Jesus delivers His Final Mission mandate on a Mount …
… the Mount of Galilee (Mt 28:16)

So in this Lofty and High Place of the Presence of God – a Mountain – Jesus undergoes His Transfiguration…
… and is joined by the presence of two other “Mountain” Figures – Moses and Elijah!

Moses is the Man of the Mount of Sinai and Mount Nebo – representing the Law of God!
Elijah is the Man of the Mount of Carmel – representing the Prophets of God!

Jesus is the God and Man of all the Mountains – the Fulfillment of all the Laws and the Prophets!

What is the purpose of the “many mountain settings” of the Transfiguration Scene?

To look further….to imagine deeper…to hear beyond.
To see the way God sees us.
To imagine the way God perceives us.
To hear the way God wants of us.

We all need a Transfiguration Moment in our lives…
… a Transfiguration Experience in our lives!

Vision that needs to be transfigured…
… into God’s representation!
Imagination that needs to be transfigured…
… into God’s resemblance!
Hearing that needs to be transfigured…
… into God’s resonance!

Let us take courage….and accompany the Lord….

Beyond the peripheral problems of life…away from the hardships and difficulties of our physical, mental, spiritual, emotional worries…
…to climb the Mountain of Spiritual Closeness and Presence of the Lord, and share in the joy of the Transfiguration!

In the Old Testament, Abraham underwent this “Transfiguration Experience” by throwing himself into the Hands of God and following His words:
“Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you!” (Gen 12:1)

St Paul invites us to not feel ashamed of boldly witnessing to the Lord, and exhorts us to accept our share of suffering for the Gospel:
“Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord… but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, Who saved us and called us with a holy call…” (2 Tim 1:8-9)

Life has much more to offer.

Life has much more to be expected…
Life has much more to hope for…

Let us “throw” our lives into the Hands of God…
… and receive what He gives to us

And thus…
… Be transfigured!
… Be transformed!
… Be transcending!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Prayer, united with the Divine Sacrifice of the Holy Mass, has an indescribable force…

… therefore by this means celestial favors united to the Beloved abound in the soul!”

“Overcoming our short-sightedness and instead, adopting the Divine Vision!”

(Based on Deut 26:16-19 and Mt 5:43-48)

Myopia is a commonly found eye condition.

Popularly, it is also called as “near-sightednessa” or “short-sightedness”.

It is a state of the eye that causes distant objects to appear blurred, while close objects can be seen clearly.

Coming from the greek word, “muōpia”, which literally means “trying to see like a mole”…
… myopia is a condition of the eye that causes the image that one sees, when looking at a distant object, to be out of focus, but in focus when looking at a close object.

Well, this short-sightedness or myopia is limited to not just the physical eye…

It can also easily be applicable to our general outlook of life or our spiritual life.

Yes, it is often found that one becomes short-sighted in life – seeing things only as they appear at the moment, and unable to take the long view of matters.

This is “spiritual myopia”
This is “spiritual short-sightedness”

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus inviting us to become aware of the presence of a possible “spiritual myopia” in our lives and to take measures to get rid of this condition.

The passage begins with the statement.. “You have heard that it was said….. But I say to you”

It must be borne in mind that the region in and around the ministry of Jesus, was multicultural and multilingual.
Under the Roman Empire, there was an infusion of languages… Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew…

Many of the common people of Israel usually spoke in Aramaic or Greek and perhaps Latin.

In this multi-linguistic situation, the reading and understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures (which was in Hebrew) was mainly by the religious leaders of the time – the Pharisees and the Scribes.

This therefore gave them the chance to interpret the Scriptures in a manner that reflected their own personal and biased teachings.

As time passed, this style of interpretation finally led to the situation that just observing the Law in an outward allegiance was sufficient in fulfilling God’s demands.

The fulfilment of following the Law was reduced to a mere external practise.
The spirit of the law was sacrificed for the letter of the law!
The inner dimensions and requirements were abandoned.

A “spiritual myopia” had crept in…
A “spiritual short-sightedness” had overpowered them…
·       They were fixed only to doing the stipulations, but failed to live the spirit of the Law
·       They were limited to a vision of doing only the externals, but got blind to the internals.

And therefore, Jesus warns the people to be aware of this “spiritual myopia” and to see beyond..
…to the real requirements of the law
…to the core of God’s commandments

                                                                                     
Jesus attacks the method of interpreting Scripture with a limited vision and perspective…

He contrasts the Pharisees’ interpretation of the law with the law’s real meaning, by using the formula : “You have heard that it was said to those of old. . . . But I say to you . . .”

Six times in the second half of Matthew 5, Jesus uses this formula…speaking about…
… anger (Mt 5: 21-22)
… adultery (Mt 5: 27-28)
… divorce (Mt 5: 31-32)
… oaths (Mt 5: 33-34)
… retaliation (Mt 5: 38-39)
… loving enemies (Mt 5: 43-44)

·       Each time Jesus described the “limited” interpretation of the law…and each time He “broadened” the vision of the law.
·       Each time Jesus put forth the “myopic” explanation of the law…and each time, He “enlarged” the understanding of the law.

Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual myopia”?
… limited in my vision of the love of God and failing to extend His charitable love to all
… limited in my vision of the law of God and being stuck to my egoistic interpretations
… limited in my vision of the mercy of God and blocking it from reaching our enemies.

Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual short-sightedness”?
… having eyes fixed only on materialistic aspects and failing to see heavenly realities
… having eyes fixed only on what happens externally and failing to understand inner facts
…having eyes fixed only on being pious outside and failing to have a genuine intimacy within

The book of Deuteronomy reminds us of the call to walk in the paths of the Lord:
“This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances; you shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul!” (Deut 26:16)

In the Nazareth Manifesto, at the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus declared that He has been sent, “to proclaim…recovery of sight to the blind…” (Lk 4:18)

Let us seek the grace of the Lord, to touch our eyes, and help us be healed of our spiritual “myopia”

God Bless ! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart, even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others…… and talk to God.”

“Ceasing to react, learning to respond!”

(Based on Ezek 18:21-28 and Mt 5:20-26)

Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional character.

His tales are mostly voyage stories – fantastic adventure stories through the seas of Africa and South Asia.

One of the tales narrates of how Sinbad and his sailors landed on an island.

On arriving, they saw coconuts, high up on the trees; which could very well quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger.

But these coconuts were far beyond their reach.

However, they noticed a large number of monkeys on the branches of the trees.

Soon enough, Sinbad and his men,  began to throw stones and sticks up at the apes.

This enraged the monkeys and they began to seize the coconuts…
… and hurl them down at the men on the ground.

This was exactly what Sinbad and his men wanted!

They got the monkeys so angry…
… that they gave in to satisfy the needs of those who made them angry!

This is exactly what anger does…
… we play ourselves, into the hands of those who cause us to lose our temper!

We end up “reacting”…
… than “responding”!

The Gospel of the day is a teaching by Jesus on this very important concern of Christian Life: Anger.

Killing is considered to be a serious evil in every society and every religion.

Killing in its basic form is usually considered only in the sense of the physical body.

But the Lord today presents a higher perspective in the understanding of killing…
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill’; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment’.

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judgment….” (Mt 5: 21)

The Lord expands the understanding of killing beyond the physical body…

A person engages in an act of killing… if, by anger…
…the emotional state of the other person is injured
…the spiritual balance of the other person is wounded    

We could understand anger from various perspectives…

1. Anger as Quick temper
   Prov 15:18 says, “An ill-tempered man stirs up strife…”
   It is said that if you speak when you are angry, one makes the best speech that would be regretted much!

Quick temper sometimes…
… forms part of our temperament
… comes even unknowingly
… is instigated by other’s actions

Yet, in all this, one ought to…
… rise quickly from remaining in the state of anger.
… become conscious of the occasions which can excite anger
… see that the temper is not fed or nurtured or intensified

2. Anger which leads to stubbornness
   Eph 4:26: “…. do not let the sun to set on your anger”

Sometimes, the anger within is allowed to grow so much…
…that we get habituated to getting angry for even tiny and trivial matters
…that we lose our peace of mind, and sometimes even become indifferent
…that we choose not to budge from our position or viewpoint and remain adamant

Yet, we need to make efforts…
… to try to overcome our ego and self mentality and seek to make amends with the person
… to lower oneself in humility (even if we are right) and ease the situation of annoyance

Anger needs to be sanctified…channelled in the proper way!

One may feel a ‘just’ anger at….
… the immense corruption in the world and even in religious circles
… the forces of evil that seem to root away even faint traces of hope
… the indifferent and unchanging attitudes and temperaments of people which is sickening.

Yet… even these ought to get channelled properly
…even these ought to be routed in the right manner

Yes… even our just anger needs to be sanctified and purified in the burning furnace of God’s Love.

Anger is indeed a major tendency that is a cause of distress for many of us.
Anger is indeed a prime inclination that is a root of sin for many of us.

There are moments, when anger captures us and we throw ourselves into people…
… throw words which are not appropriate
… throw emotions that would cause shame and guilt later
… throw actions and deeds that would cause pain and injury

Let us seek to make genuine, practical and realistic efforts in the fight to sanctify and purify our anger.

Undoubtedly…
… it is painstaking
… it requires deeper attempts
… it requires committed determination!

But the Lord assures His grace to help us and His Love to encourage us!

Through the Prophet Ezekiel, God reminds us of His Mercy to those who honestly repent and turn back to Him:
“If a wicked man turns away from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all my statutes…
… And does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die!” (Ezek 18:21)

Let us make efforts to be people, who not simply “react”…
… instead, in patience and gentleness, seek to “respond”!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “I state absolutely and make no exception, do not be angry at all…
… if that is possible.

Do not accept any pretext whatever for opening your heart’s door to anger.”

“Offering ourselves totally to the One Who cares, protects and provides for us!”

(Based on Esth 14:1, 3-5, 12-14 and Mt 7:7-12 )

A story is told of a group of tourists who were visiting a large sheep farm.

The guide of the tourists was explaining how the little lambs are taken care by the mother sheep.

In order to demonstrate this, he took one little lamb from the farm…
… and placed it in a large enclosure with thousands of sheep.

The noise of the bleating sheep was deafening.

The little lamb, who seemed lost in the midst of that crowd…
… after a moment of silence, began crying loudly.

As it bleated, the mother lamb, who was at the end of the enclosure, heard the cry…
… and rushed towards  her little lamb.

As the tourists were wonder-struck at this sight, the guide – who was a Christian – made a statement:
“This is how it is with God also!
We should never imagine that we are beyond the  reach of God!

He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

The Gospel of the day presents this assurance given by Jesus, of how every cry of prayer is heard and answered by the Lord, in His Holy Will…
… and His teaching on having a proper attitude and disposition in prayer.

The Lord gives the analogy of the human father to expound the right understanding we should have with respect to prayer:

“If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him” (Mt 7: 11)

The Lord is clear in proclaiming that the God our Father would very surely bestow “good” things on His children.

“Good” things….

“Good” not from our perspective…but from the way God looks at it.
“Good” not from the way we understand…but from the manner God sees it.

Very often when children ask for certain things…
… the parent does not give immediately.
… or sometimes, the parent even denies it.

It could be situations involving some danger or risk…
… and so, the parent, in the full interest and care of the child, would either delay or outrightly deny permission.

But would the child understand?
In some cases…they might.

But in many cases…perhaps, No!

The child would start weeping…crying…throwing tantrums!

They would even yell… even wail saying…

  “Why do you deny me?”…”You don’t give me what I want”.. “You don’t understand me”..etc..

Is the parent really bad in denying the child?
Is the parent wanting to make the child sad by giving what is asked?

Certainly No!

It is, in fact…
… out of deep love that the demands are not fulfilled as per the child’s desire.
…  out of much care that the query are not answered as per the child’s want

Just as the child who thinks is asking “good” things…we too ask many “good ” things..

But… sometimes we are denied
…sometimes we are given after a while
…sometimes we are given something else

The denial…or the delay…or the different…is not because God wants to make us sad…

It’s simply because God loves us much deeply and cares much abundantly!

Yes, it is God’s pure love and unfathomable wisdom which sometimes causes…
…denials in our prayers
…delays in what we ask for
…differences in our demands and wants     

What seems proper for us, in God’s amazing understanding, might not be proper!
What seems good for us, in God’s immeasurable wisdom, might not be good!
What seems just for us, in God’s glorious insight, might not be just!

Are we ready to grow…
….  in our trust in God, our Father, who knows and cares for us immensely?
… to build our faith in God, our Father, who will take us through any situation in life?

Let’s trust in God more and more
… because we can only see a little bit down the road, but God can see every curve!
… because we can only see the struggling caterpillar, but God can see the beautiful butterfly!
… because we can only see the dark dismal clouds, but God can see the bright sunrays waiting to shine forth!

We may have moments when we feel lost out.. and we keep crying to God in prayer.

But let us always know, that our Loving God, hearing our cry…
… will always rush towards us!

Esther, in the Old Testament, cried out to the Lord in humble prayer and submission: “O my Lord, thou only art our King; help me, who am alone and have no helper but thee…” (Esth 14:3)…
… And she would be delivered from the hands of the evil king, and the people of Israel would experience the great Intervention and Providence of the Lord.

Yes, let us grow in our trust and always keep in mind:
“We should never imagine that we are beyond the  reach of God!

He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Stretch out your hand to Him like a little child to his father…

… so that He may lead you on!”

“Believing in the signs offered by the Lord to grow in faith, devotion and commitment!”

(Based on Jon 3:1-10 and Lk 11:39-42)

Thriller Movies have a great audience….
Reality Shows have a wide range of popularity…
Programmes with sensational appeal have a massive demand…

Our age loves to be tingled with breathtaking visuals and magnificent signs.

Check out the number of videos and movies and songs we have on our gadgets…

Look at the wide range of photos that we shoot and the selfies we click (which perhaps never we may see again!)

The demand of our external senses is very high in our generation…

A fallout of this excess is also reflected in our Spirituality and our Religious Outlook….
“We seek for greater external signs and wondrous miracles, even to believe in God!”

And the Lord thunders in today’s Gospel Reading, “This is a wicked generation… it is asking for a sign…”

Signs are not bad.

Symbols are not without meaning.

External expressions are not unwarranted.

They certainly do have their proper place and a meaningful nature.

The Bible is not alien to signs and wonders…

Moses’ rod became a serpent;
The Red Sea parted so that God’s people could cross.
Water flowed from a rock when Moses struck it.
Manna fell from the sky to feed God’s people.
Baalam’s ass spoke.

Aaron ‘s rod blossomed.
The sun stood still at Joshua’s command.
Gideon’s fleece became wet and dry according to his request to the Lord.
Elijah pronounced a drought upon the land… And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain …

The examples are plenty plenty more……..

But…
… when outward signs fail to generate any positive emotions..they divorce from their intention…
…when signs stop being an aid to increase in faith…they lose their meaning
…when symbols cease to be a passage for inner understanding….they fail in their purpose.

And this is the reason that Jesus condemns the Pharisaic mentality of Seeking for a Sign…

They sought a sign ….in order to test…but not to believe…
They asked a sign….in order to satisfy curiosity…but not to trust
They demanded a sign…in order to scheme evil talks… but not to have faith.

Signs become mere external fancies.

Miracles become mere magic shows

The Gospels are not alien to such false demands…

At the Birth of Jesus, King Herod sought to see Baby Jesus…
… not to worship…but to kill Him!

At the Temptation, Satan tempted to change stones to bread…
… not to believe…but to lure Him!

At the Trial, King Herod Antipas hoped Him to perform a sign…
… not to save Him..but to mock Him!

Jesus condemns all such unnecessary demands for a sign and external phenomenon.
“…but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah the Prophet!”

The Prophets of Old, performed many miracles.
… Jesus also did.

The Prophets of Old, even performed the great miracles of raising the Dead.
… Jesus also did.

However, the Prophets of Old, were never able to raise themselves from the dead.
… But Jesus rose!

Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the fish, so was Jesus in the belly of the earth!

But Jesus rose….and that has become indeed, the Greatest Sign of all times!

The Pharisees demanded a sign….Jesus answered with a sign…the greatest of them all..His Resurrection!

And yet……yet, DID THEY BELIEVE?

The answers can be speculated.

But the question is…
Am I believing?

Am  I believing and living, the Power of the Resurrection in my life?
Have I reduced the reality of Jesus being Alive, to a mere expression of the lips?
Do I also display this Sign in my life, my activities, my words etc –  that Jesus is Risen?!

The people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah…
… And they experienced the Mercy of the Lord (Jon 3:1-10)

We need to also come in repentance and contrition to the Lord and trust in His Mercy!”

Let us not be carried away by mere External Glitz and Glamour…

Let us open our eyes to see the many wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives!
Let us become aware to see that He is Risen, and Alive and Working
…in amazing ways…in our Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “You should be brave and courageous always and everywhere… For Heaven helps those who put their trust in God…

… and implore His Help in humility and love!”

“Praying without ceasing and being in His Loving Presence always!”

(Based on Is 55:10-11 and Mt 6:7-15)

Old Betty worked for several years as a maid, in different houses.

She was once asked the meaning of the Biblical verse “Pray without ceasing” and what it meant for her life.

“Well, it just means what it says,” said Betty.

“When I wash my face in the morning, I pray to God…
… that many sinners may be washed in the blood of Christ during the day.

When I put on my clothes, I pray to God…
… to clothe me with Christ and with His humility.

When I take up the broom to sweep, I think of the woman who swept the house for the lost piece of silver, and I pray God…
… to sweep the world and to save lost sinners.

When I clean the vessels and they begin to shine, I pray to the Lord…
… to brighten my soul.

When I wash clothes, I pray that God…
… may wash away the filth from human hearts and all may remain fresh in His grace

When I wipe the windows and scrape the rust from the front-gates, I pray that God…
… may cleanse the society of the dirt of inhumanness and take off the rust of indifference”

And thus Betty went on mentioning the things that gave her an opportunity of approaching God in prayer.

How beautiful and a practical life of prayer, isn’t it?

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful exposition by Jesus on Prayer.

The Lord highlights the essential dimensions that constitute real prayer and goes on to give the blueprint of an Ideal Prayer by teaching the “Our Father”.

Jesus says, “And in praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Mt 6:7)

In the context, when we look closely into this verse, we see that Jesus is pointing to the important principle in the pagan religions: the spoken word is most important for effectiveness of any prayer or sacrifice.

Prayer had assumed the nature of being a formula or a procedure that had to be strictly followed for its efficacy.

The pagan understanding was all about “pleasing the god” and “tapping the Divine power” by one’s words and verbal formulae.

Historically it is reported  of an occasion when the presiding magistrate at a Roman pagan festival forgot to include the “Roman people” among the list of beneficiaries in his prayer; the festival had to be started all over again!

It is therefore the attitude towards prayer and perception of God that Jesus condemns.

And this is a strong and relevant message that the Lord seeks to drill in our minds: Prayer is not to be reduced to being a formulaic key to unlock the power of the Divine!

It’s not our many words that makes God to grant His grace
.. Rather, it is by His Will and His graciousness that we receive His blessings.

Then what is meant by prayer?

The blueprint of prayer – The Our Father – that Jesus teaches gives us the answer.

Prayer is…
·      Acknowledging His greatness
(Our Father, who art in heaven)

·      Ascribing glory and honour to Him
(Hallowed be Thy Name)

·      Seeking His Kingdom to come
(Thy Kingdom come)

·      Longing for His Will to be done in our lives
(Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven)

·      Putting forward our needs and offering our aspirations to His Providence
(Give us today our daily bread)

·      Choosing to actively being reconciled to all people to receive His forgiveness
(and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us)

·      Imploring to keep away from sin and all evil inclinations and desires
(and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil)

Our whole life ought to be translated to acts and deeds of prayer.

In this context, it also good to provide the Catholic understanding and logic of some of the prayers, which are perhaps considered as repetitive (eg: The Rosary, Novenas, Litanies.. etc)

Are all these standard prayers mere “heaping up of empty phrases…?”

No!

The Bible teaches us many examples of repetitive prayers…

The angels continually – day and night – sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8)
Psalm 136 repeats the words “for his steadfast love endures forever” nearly 26 times in 26 verses!
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed in the “same words” three times (Mk 14: 32-39)
Jesus, in fact, also commends the fact of continually praying, through the example of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18: 1-14)

Thus, it is seen that the Bible has many examples of repetitive prayer.

Therefore, the repetitive Catholic Prayers like the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, Litanies etc… are scripturally well-supported

When prayed with honesty and devotion, they become means to allow the heart…
… to praise God and understand His mighty works
… to grow in His love and come to a deeper awareness of His Providence
… and pray with Mother Mary and the Saints and intercede to them for  our intentions.

When we understand prayer as being a “relationship” and being in “His loving presence”, prayer becomes a joyful, a continual and a meaningful devotion.

Let’s trust in His Word Which has power and grace and “which always accomplishes it’s purpose” (Cf. Is 55:11).

May His grace help us to make every moment of our life, an act of prayer in order to grow in greater closeness and union with the One who loves us the most!

Let prayer become a joyful action..
Let prayer become a continual devotion
Let prayer become a powerful commitment.

Yes, in our day-to-day life, let us “pray without ceasing!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not look forward in fear to the changes and chances of this life….
… rather, look to them with full confidence that, as they arise. God, to Whom you belong will in His Love enable you to profit by them.”