“Being ready to be Crucified with our Blessed Lord and planting the crosses of our difficulties on the inner hill of our hearts in order to find peace, consolation and strength!”

(Based on Good Friday)

In Lithuania, near the small industrial city called Siauliai (shoo-lay) with a fascinating hill.

This hill is known as the “Hill of Crosses”…
… because it is adorned with literally hundreds of thousands of crosses.

(Estimates put around 100,000 crosses in 2006)

This city of Siauliai was founded in 1236

But soon after came under the captivity of a military order called the Teutonic Knights.

This was the time when the tradition of putting crosses on the hill began

Each cross was a prayer to God for freedom!

Over the next many centuries, the city was occupied by many other invading nations…

But, during all those difficult decades, a constant flow of pilgrims made their way to the “Hill of Crosses”…
… to pray and to plant more crosses!

The “Hill of Cross” is the great symbol…
… of the willingness to accept trials and trust in God!
… of the hope and expectation that prayers are always answered!
… of the readiness to face any adversity, knowing that the Lord cares!

Pope St John Paul II in his visit to the Hill of the Cross in 1992, remarked: “… the Hill of Crosses
… testifies to the nations of Europe and the whole world the faith of the people of this land!”

Today, on Good Friday, our eyes are focused on Jesus on the Cross…
… the symbol of our Faith.

Jesus, our Crucified Lord reminds the inevitability of the Cross in the life of a Christian…
… and the need to be persons who are responsive to this “Crucifying Challenge of Christianity!”

The “Cross” as a symbol of Christianity emerged by the second century…
… and by the time of Emperor Constantine, was firmly established as The Sign of Christian Faith!

Christianity sometimes is really strange, when compared to other ways of life…

While other ways of life propose actualizing oneself and finding salvation through one’s
own abilities
… Christianity suggests discovering the mystery of God with His Grace and gaining salvation
through Him alone!

While other ways of life propose casting away all pains and difficulties and living a
prosperous life
… Christianity suggests accepting sufferings and trials and detaching oneself from vain riches!

While other ways of life propose liberality and openness in identifying with the moral
trends of the modern world
… Christianity suggests swimming against wrong trends and enjoying the true love of all
children of God!

While other ways of life propose more comfortable and appealing techniques and signs
which can attract masses of people;
… Christianity suggests having the tough and the not-so-alluring Cross as a symbol which may even repel people!

Yeah, Christianity is strange…
… simply because it’s Founder was strange!

Jesus never demanded popularity.

He never suggested easy paths or compromised His convictions!

And Jesus did die in a strange way…on a Cross!

The Cross was a hated symbol in the ancient world. Crucifixion must have been the most brutal means of execution ever devised.

Unlike modern methods of capital punishment that are designed to produce a quick death…
… Crucifixion was meant to ensure that the person on the cross would die a slow, agonizing death!

The Cross was supposed to make a perfect mockery of Jesus!

But Jesus on the Cross shames this notion of the world!

The world feels greatly arrogant in being Proud!

The world loves to show off its ability and to say that it is capable of being totally independent!

But Jesus on the Cross proves that human beings can never redeem themselves…
… they have to come to God!

Jesus on the Cross stands as a silent sentinel proclaiming that you have to come to God’s way…
… or you won’t come at all.

The Cross stands in judgment over the sinful pride of the human race.

The Cross – which was symbolic of oppression and misery…
… now with Jesus, symbolizes life and redemption to all!

Yes, the Cross is a symbol of shame to the world!

But for Christians, it is a symbol of salvation!

The Cross is a symbol of absolute stupidity and absurdness to the world!

But for Christians, it’s a symbol of the majestic wisdom of God!

St John of the Cross would say: “The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily
must cast off all things and use the Cross as his cane.

In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.”

Two thieves on either sides died with Christ on the Cross:

One mocked Jesus; the other sought Jesus
One took pride in himself; the other humbled himself
One lost a golden opportunity; the other won the Prized Paradise!

The Cross with Jesus hanging beckons to each one of us now

We have a choice – like both the thieves…

Are we going to lose a golden opportunity…
… or are we going to seek the Prized Paradise?

The Choice is ours!

Escape from the Cross, or embrace the Cross!
Exit the Cross, or exalt the Cross!

In many of our Chapels or our homes, we have the Crucifix, placed at a certain height.

We all love to come before this Crucifix and express our words of devotion and endearment.

But perhaps, the Crucified Saviour, is today calling us, from the Cross and telling us: “My Child, Do not be far from me. Come closer to me and learn to embrace me from close.”

And when we go closer to the Crucifix, we also realise that if we turn the Crucifix, behind, there is an empty place.

Yes, there is a vacancy, a place for us to be crucified with our Suffering Lord.

Are we ready for this?

Are we ready to REALLY love the Lord?
Are we ready to embrace the Cross of Christ and be His genuine followers?

When we find ourselves struggling with the hardships and trials of life…
When we feel the intense emptiness of God’s presence in our lives…

We need to be like the pilgrims of the “Hill of Crosses”…
… planting the crosses of our difficulties on the inner hill of our hearts
And thus finding peace, consolation and strength!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Mount Calvary is the Academy of Love!”

“Cultivating a Passionate Love for God and a Compassionate approach to His People; Adoring Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist and in turn, being a Eucharist, in loving service, to one another!”

(Based on Maundy Thursday)

The initial years of the 20th Century saw communists seizing a Catholic parish and imprisoning the priest in his own rectory near the church. After being locked up in his own house, the priest looked out the window and was horrified to see the anti-Catholic militants enter the church.

Once inside, they went into the sanctuary, broke open the tabernacle and in an act of desecration, threw down the ciborium – scattering the Sacred Hosts on the floor.

The priest knew exactly how many Hosts had been in the ciborium: Thirty-two.

However, the communists either failed to notice, or did not pay any attention to a small girl who had been praying at the back of the Church.

She saw everything.

That night the girl returned, and slipping past the guard at the rectory, entered the Church where she made a Holy Hour.

After her Holy Hour, she went into the sanctuary, and kneeling down, bent over and received Jesus in the Holy Communion with her tongue (Since at that time, it was not permissible lay-people to touch the Sacred Host with their hands)

Each night, the girl returned to the church to make her Holy Hour and received Jesus in Holy Communion on her tongue, just as she did the first night.

On the thirty- second night, after having consumed the last Host, she accidentally made a noise that awoke the guard who was asleep at his post by the priest’s residence.

From his bedroom window, the priest could only watch in horror as the heartrending scene unfolded before his eyes:

The girl tried to run away…
…. But the guard chased her, grabbed her, and beat her to death with the butt of his rifle!

The little girl had a heroic martyrdom – all because of her tender and deep love for the Holy Eucharist!

It was this incident that would inspire Archbishop Fulton Sheen – one of the greatest 20th century proponents of the Catholic Church – to spend one hour each, daily, before the Holy Eucharist

The daring action of that little girl inspired the heart of another fervent soul, Fulton Sheen, who would go on to influence millions to love Jesus in the Holy Eucharist!

How is our love for the Holy Eucharist?

Twenty centuries ago, on this earth, Our Blessed Lord in the evening hours of the day, gathered around the table, with His disciples, His chosen ones.

Today, we too celebrate our God of Love.

This Year, we find ourselves in probably a “never before situation”

Unable to “physically attend” the Liturgical Services of the Holy Triduum.

Yet, we offer ourselves to the Providence of the Lord, and in union with the Church – the Communion of Saints – we reflect on certain important aspects of the Liturgy of this important day.

The Traditional Liturgy of the Day is divided into five parts – each of them highlighting a specific dimension of Love

1. Liturgy of the Word – Love speaks to us
2. Washing of the Feet – Love in action
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist – Love in total self-giving and communion
4. Procession to the Altar of Repose – Love accepting passion and suffering
5. Adoration of the Holy Eucharist – Love is adored, glorified and exalted!

This is a day of celebration – of the Lord’s immense love for us.

This is also a day of commemoration – of the Lord’s immense passion and agony.

On one side is the joy of He loving us so deeply…
… on the other is the pain that we share in the Lord’s passion.

It would be nice to ask ourselves, looking deep into our innermost beings:

Am I a person of Love?
Do I yearn and long for the God of Love, especially in the Most Holy Eucharist?

The Lord is Holy.

And He wants and demands a Holy heart from each of us.

For over 40 days of the Lent, we have been in this process.

Let us today, once again, remove any stain of sin from our hearts, and prepare ourselves to receive the God of Love into our hearts worthily.

The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “Maundatum” – which means ‘command.’

We recall three commands today:

1. The command of Love
2. The command of Commemorating the God of Love in the Holy Eucharist
3. The command of continuity of sharing of the Priesthood of Jesus, the Priest and Victim

Let this Day of the Celebration of Love help us to take a few practical, yet strong decisions

1. Washing the feet of the other

This points to the aspect of lowering oneself, humbling oneself
… forgiving someone we hate or dislike
… speaking good of someone whom we don’t like
… visiting a needy person and doing the needful for them
… listening to the pain and suffering of someone who is going through troubles in life.

2. Cultivating a deeper love for the Holy Eucharist

Spending every day before the Blessed Sacrament for at least 15-20 min.
For those who cannot do so daily….
… trying as often as possible, to come before the Blessed Sacrament
… Spending time in prayer with the Lord, daily, at home
… Meaningfully and regularly praying the Act of Spiritual Communion

3. Praying for priests…
   … to be more holy and committed.

Praying for vocations from our own families.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen says: “The Greatest Love Story of all time, is contained in a Tiny White Host!”

Let us cultivate a passionate love for Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist…
… and reach out His Love in compassionate service to one another!

Wish you a Very Happy Feast Day!

Hearty Congratulations and God’s Abundant Blessings of Faithfulness and Zeal to all the Priests!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When you have received Him [in the Eucharist], stir up your heart to do Him homage.

>> Speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness

>> Welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all, of His Presence.”

In these extraordinary times, when one cannot go to a Priest for the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, it is meaningful to have a Prayer Service at home (personally/together) to receive God’s forgiveness. (This is of course, with the condition, of going for the Sacrament of Reconciliation when the priest is available.)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1430-31 reminds of the need for “Interior Penance”

Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, “sackcloth and ashes,” fasting and mortification, but at the conversion of the heart, interior conversion. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance.

Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time, it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s Mercy and trust in the help of His Grace.

God gives us the strength to begin anew. It is in discovering the greatness of God’s love that our heart is shaken by the horror and weight of sin and begins to fear offending God by sin and being separated from Him. The human heart is converted by looking upon Him whom our sins have pierced!

INTRODUCTION

Kindly choose a prayerful atmosphere/location in the house and prepare an altar with the Bible, the Crucifix and lighted candles.

(A hymn to the Holy Spirit may be sung)

Sign of the CROSS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT for deeper awareness of oneself and the Grace to trust in the Mercy of the Lord.

O Holy Spirit, Source of all Light, Spirit of wisdom, of understanding, and of knowledge, Come to my assistance and enable me to prepare for a good reconciliation. Enlighten me, and help me now, to know my sins. Bring to my mind the evil which I have done and the good which I have neglected. Grant me, moreover, heartfelt sorrow for my offenses, so that I may be forgiven, and receive the gift of firm dedication, that I may always love God above all.

READING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURE

Through the Word of God, we receive the light to recognize our sins. We are called to conversion, and we become beneficiaries of God’s Mercy.

1st Reading (any one of the readings)
Isa 1:12-20 or Isa 43:1-3 or Ezek 18:21-23 or Joel 2:12-14

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

1. Happy the man whose offence is forgiven, whose sin is remitted. O happy the man to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no guile.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

2. I kept it secret and my frame was wasted. I groaned all the day long; for night and day your hand was heavy upon me. Indeed, my strength was dried up, as by the summer’s heat.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

3. But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide. I said, “I will confess my offence to the Lord.” And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

4. So let every good man pray to you in the time of need. The floods of water may reach high, but him they shall not reach.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

5. You are my hiding place, O Lord; you save me from distress. You surround me with cries of deliverance.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

6. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will give you counsel with my eye upon you.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

7. Be not like horse and mule, unintelligent, needing bridle and bit, else they will not approach you. Many sorrows has the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, loving mercy surrounds him.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

8. Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord, exult, you just! O come, ring out your joy!

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong, I have done

2nd READING (any one of the readings)
Rom 6:16-23 or Eph 2:1-10

GOSPEL READING (any one of the readings)
Mt 18:12-14 or Lk 15:11-32 or Lk 19:1-10 or Lk 23:39-43

 

After the readings, maintain a meaningful time of silence, reflecting on the Infinite Mercy of God

>> God, in His goodness, constantly draws us close to Him

>> Our sins have caused us to move away from His Love. It is His Love that should give us the confidence to run to Him and seek for His Mercy. Let us remember that “the ocean of God’s Mercy is greater than all our sins!”

>> We need to make a sincere repentance, have the firm resolve to sin no more and seek to grow in the virtues of the Kingdom.

>> We also need to do to works of penance by reaching out in service and love to one another, especially those with whom we have not cherished a good relationship

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE

We recollect all the sins that we have committed from our last confession. We offer to the Lord our weaknesses, temptations, sinful tendencies and lay them before the Mercy of the Lord.

We call to mind the Commandments of the Lord given to us through the Church and the particular duties of our state of life. Look into those areas wherein we have moved away from doing what God wanted – in thought, in word, in deed – by way of committing sins or by way of omitting the good that we could have done.

(Kindly spend some time in silence)

SORROW FOR SINS AND FIRM PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT

With a deep sense of sorrow for having wounded the heart of the Lord and for going away from His Love, we offer ourselves to the Mercy of the Lord and with a firm will, trusting in the Grace of the Lord, we pray the Act of Contrition:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all, because they offend You, my God, Who is all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your Grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin, Amen!

ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS

With a spirit of detachment from sin and a firm resolve to Love God above all and to reach out His Love to all the people in our life, we seek for God’s Pardon and Forgiveness

I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God, Amen!

(A suitable hymn may be sung.

God of Mercy and Compassion OR I’ve wandered far away from God OR Change my heart, O God or Any other)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Merciful Jesus, thank You for helping me to ask forgiveness for my sins, and thank you for taking away my sins. Help me, dear Jesus, never to offend you again. May I take refuge in Your Mercy and being close to Your Divine Heart, may I always learn from You to seek and do the Will of the Father, and to reach out Your Love to all people in my life.

Mary, my Blessed Mother, hold my hand and lead me closer to Your Son and my Saviour. Dear St Joseph, O My Guardian Angel and all the Saints and Angels, intercede and pray for me, Amen!

AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

With a clean heart, let us spiritually receive Jesus into our hearts with this Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament! I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You, Amen!

(After a short time of silence, a suitable hymn of thanksgiving may be sung.

O give thanks to the Lord OR I have decided to follow Jesus OR All to Jesus, I surrender OR Any other)

CONCLUSION

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen!

“Avoiding attachment to the ‘little silvers of our life’ that can cause a potential disciple to become a pitiful betrayer and realizing the need to depend on the Lord always!”

(Based on Isa 50:4-9 and Mt 26:14-25)

One day a certain old rich man, of miserly disposition, visited a rabbi.

The rabbi took the rich man by the hand and led him to a window.

“Look out there,” he said. And the rich man looked out into the street.
“What do you see?” asked the rabbi. “I see men, and women, and little children,” answered the rich man.

Again the rabbi took him by the hand, but this time led him to a mirror in the room: “What do you see now?” “Now I see myself,” the rich man replied.

Then the rabbi said, “Behold—in the window there is glass, and in the mirror there is glass.

But the glass of the mirror is covered with a little silver
And no sooner is the silver added that you cease to see others, but see only yourself!”

Attachment to riches can be a block to see the world, in the way God wants us to see!

Crave for money can prevent us from seeing God’s worldview and the needs of our brethren!

The Gospel of the Day is an account of the fall of a chosen disciple of Christ – Judas
… a person who was called to be an Apostle, but fell away due to “the attachment to silver.”

Judas fell into the sin of avarice.
One of the greatest dangers in life is that of misuse and attraction to money.

The Lord said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Mt 6:21)

Like all other disciples, Judas was also called to be a chosen one of the Lord.

Like all the others, he too was appointed, “to be with him, and to be sent out to preach” (Mk
3:14)

But as time passed by, Judas consistently began to fall away from the Master

He began to lose his focus from Him.

The Master had warned: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon!” (Mt 6:24)

Judas had a gradual but sure downfall…
… as his faithfulness to the Lord decreased and his attachment to riches increase.

Here is an excellent lesson for all of us:

Our fall doesn’t happen in a single day
… but is a sum total of a number of failures and moments of unfaithfulness

Our betrayal is not one solitary act
… but is a result of a number of smaller occasions of denying the voice of the Lord

Is my life so much attached to worldly pleasures, riches, powers, my own talents and capabilities…
… that I fail to depend on the Lord and make Him the only and ultimate treasure of my life?

Judas, “an insider” became the betrayer!

An insider is the one capable of being the greatest traitor and betrayer.

Among all the people who knew Jesus, The Twelve were chosen to be the closest.
… they shared the inner-most life and secrets of the Lord.

And therefore, the greatest danger was from one among them; and Judas Iscariot proved this right, by agreeing to betray his Master.

The Church today faces a number of dangers and persecutions.

But the greatest comes from “the insiders.”
… those who call themselves followers of Christ, but fail to live authentic Christian lives
… those who profess their lives to the Lord, but neglect their fundamental
… those who consecrate themselves to the Love of the Lord, but entertain sinful attachments

As an insider in the Church, am I betraying the Lord, by leading a lukewarm life, a scandalous life or a disinterested life?

These days, in particular, when we ‘miss our physical participation in the Sacramental Liturgy’ of the Church, we are called forth to display our Faith, by reviving and renewing our Prayer Life – personally and in the homes – and also through other acts and devotions of Faith.

The Passion of the Lord is near at hand.

Prophet Isaiah, through these days of readings on the ‘Suffering Servant’, reminds us of the tremendous agony and humiliation that Jesus had to undergo: “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting!” (Isa 50:6)

At the same time, we are also reminded of the tremendous commitment of Jesus, Who put His total trust in His Father: “For the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame!” (Isa 50:7)

The absolute commitment and faithfulness of Jesus to obey His Father’s Will is a mighty inspiration and lesson for all of us.

We are encouraged to pledge our lives in complete commitment to the Lord and His Will

Let us become aware of the dangers and temptations that prevent us from this total surrender…
… and let us have the courage, to remain firm in depending on the Lord for everything.

Attachment to riches can be a block to see the world, in the way God wants us to see!

Crave for money can prevent us from seeing God’s worldview and the needs of our brethren!

May the lesson, that “a little silver” led a potential disciple to be a pitiful betrayer…
… open our eyes to see the danger of attachments to riches in our life
… and the need to depend on the Lord always!

Today, on the eve of Maundy Thursday, let us make an honest Act of Reconciliation to the Lord…
… asking His Pardon and Mercy for all our faults and failures
… seeking to restore our broken relationships and reaching out in forgiveness and mercy to those whom we have hurt and those who have hurt us
… and having the courage to overcome those ‘sinful areas’ of our life that causes us to betray the Love of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There is a wide difference between having poison and being poisoned. All apothecaries (chemist/pharmacist) have poisons ready for special uses, but they are not consequently poisoned, because the poison is only in their shop, not in themselves.
And so you many possess riches without being poisoned by them, so long as they are in your house or purse only, and not in your heart. It is the Christian’s privilege to be rich in material things, and poor in attachment to them!”

“Resting on the Heart of Christ to avoid the temptation of being a ‘wavering or betraying disciple’ and instead always being His ‘Beloved Disciples!’”

(Based on Is 49:1-6 and Jn 13:21-33, 36-38)

A leader, campaigning for an election, was giving a speech… “Ladies and Gentlemen… give heed to what I say I am a Catholic

As far as possible, I go to Mass every day.

(Holding a rosary in the hand, he said…)

This is a rosary.
As far as possible, I kneel down and tell these beads every day.

If you reject me on account of faith in Christ, I shall thank God that He has spared me the indignity of being your representative!”

The leader had grown in his conviction to live for the Lord…
… and he publicly declared his faith.

Am I nurturing a deeper conviction in my life of faith?
… or do I waver and vacillate in my faith, according to circumstances and situations of life?

The Gospel of the Day gives a closer insight into the attitudes and relationship of some of the disciples of Jesus…
… with an invitation for each of us to grow in our commitment to the Lord.

On this Tuesday of the Holy Week, we witness the final discourse of Jesus to His disciples. The Gospel passage begins with the disturbing information by Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me!” (Jn 13:21)

This statement came as a big shock for the disciples.

Yet, it is an insight into one of the deeper realities of our following of Christ: The temptation to betray the Lord always looms large for a Christian!

Let us realise that it is only a faithful and humble submission to the Power of Christ…
… that will help us overcome this temptation.

The passage describes the attitude and disposition of three disciples:

1. John, the Beloved Disciple, who remains close to the Heart of the Lord
2. Simon Peter, the Wavering Disciple, who genuinely wishes to follow the Lord, but often fails
   due to human limitations
3. Judas, the Betraying Disciple, who is encompassed by the forces of darkness and allows
   himself to be overpowered by the night of sin.

Our Christian following could also pass through these phases:

1. The Beloved Disciple
   … when we understand the need to depend on the Lord totally and thus remain ever close to Him
2. The Wavering Disciple
   … when we sometimes trust our abilities and have a momentary loss of focus from Jesus onto ourselves
3. The Betraying Disciple
   … when we give up on the Love of the Lord and handover ourselves to evil ways and sinful deeds.

Am I…
… growing in my love for the Lord and knowing the need to be close to Him, to be His Beloved Disciple?
… or am I floating on the waters of uncertainty and self-capability, and being a Wavering Disciple?
… or am I going downhill into spiritual darkness and becoming a Betraying Disciple?

The Gospel passage also teaches us the prime importance of preparing well our hearts for the reception of the Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

The Apostles had the privilege to participate in the First Holy Eucharist.
… however, one of them – Judas – received the Lord with a deliberate and purposeful sin in the heart, which led to bringing death upon himself, at the reception of the Life-giving Bread.

Do I make the necessary preparations to receive the Lord worthily in the Holy Eucharist?
Do I grow in the awareness of His presence in us, throughout the day, after receiving the Eucharist?
Do I, in turn, become a Eucharist to the needy in the world and break myself in service to one another

We live in a world that constantly needs a public demonstration of our faith…
… and a firm exhibition of our convictions amid diluted and corrupted mentalities.

Can we stand up for our faith and have the courage to live and display our faith in the Lord?

Am I a nurturing a deeper conviction in my life of faith?
… or do I waver and vacillate in my faith, according to circumstances and situations of life?

Prophet Isaiah recounts the duty of Jesus, the Suffering Servant – the Beloved Son – and how He would remain true to the Mission entrusted to Him by His Heavenly Father:
“I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Is 49:6)

Yes, as followers of Christ,
… the danger to be a Betraying Disciple looms large
… the temptation to be a Wavering Disciple is in the air

But, with faith and hope, let us rest ourselves on the Heart of Christ and always be His Beloved Disciples!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Great occasions for serving God come seldom… but little ones surround us daily!”

“Falling in love with the Lord and exhibiting it to the world, with courage, even in the face of hopelessness and humiliation!”

(Based on Is 42:1-7 and Jn 12:1-11)

One night, a little girl knelt for her bed-time prayer.

She was a good girl, who did a lot of good deeds – helping her Mom in her works, keeping the newspapers tidy for her Dad, sharing her chocolates with her younger brother etc.

The mother went close to the child and suggested things to be thankful for.

The Mother also added, “Won’t you ask the Lord to help you love Him more?”

The child lifted her large button-shaped innocent eyes with a puzzled look.

“What is it, dear?” asked the mother.

“Did you tell me to ask Him to help me love Him more, Mamma?” said the little girl, innocently. “Yes, my little dear.”

“But how can I love Him more, Mamma?” replied the little child, “I am already just so crazy
about Him!”

The little child had, very early on in life, grasped the meaning of “falling in love” with God!

Have I “fallen in love” with the Lord and remain faithful to the love-life in the Lord?

The Gospel presents a wonderful expression of love towards Jesus and the subsequent acknowledgement of this gesture of love, by the Lord of Love!

We have the Gospel wherein Mary anoints the feet of the Lord.
“Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped
his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.” (Jn 12:3)

The ointment represented her love for the Lord – and she gave Herself completely to the
Lord!

The fragrance of the ointment filling the house was symbolic of the deep love that
emanated from her heart for the Lord!

She is an example for all Christians to realise that “Loving Jesus” is not just an act of sentiment, but ought to be publicly displayed – even in the face of humiliation and criticism.

She exhibited to the world that no one can deter or discourage a person “who has fallen in
love with the Lord!”

Judas Iscariot, however, tried to dissuade this gesture of love by presenting “an alternative act
of piety” – serving the poor.

But St John, the Evangelist would uncover the real motive of this statement of Judas: “This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it.” (Jn 12:6)

Judas represents all people who demonstrate the danger of materialism and duplicity that has
been neatly covered-up by the cloak of piety.

He characterizes all people whose focus have moved from “Following the Lord” to “Plotting against the Master.”

We need to check and examine:

Is my love for the Lord, losing its sheen and getting corrupted with worldliness?

Chiding Judas Iscariot, who exposed his avaricious motives, Jesus would sternly tell, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial.” (Jn 12:7)

The Lord acknowledged the tremendous and daring love of the woman for Him!

He accepted the loving actions of Mary and gave a big message to the people around:
… He is the One worthy of receiving the highest and deepest love
… He is the One deserving the sweetest and the most priceless affections of our hearts
… He is the One meritorious of every expression of endearment and fondness.

What is my level of love for the Lord?

Am I courageous to express my love for Him in actions that trespass humiliations or shame
or guilt?
Am I bold to show that I truly love Him by living a life in accordance with the virtues of
the Gospel?
Am I credible enough to say that I really love Him by extending His care to all those who
are in need?

This Holy Week is a special time when we dwell on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the
Lord…
… the Lord Who is “deeply in love with us!”

Prophet Isaiah reminds us of Jesus, the Suffering Servant, who underwent many trials, for love of each one of us. He is the True Light of our lives, and it’s in Him, that we ought to place our complete trust – especially in this time of struggle and sickness:

“Thus says God, the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, Who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people…
… a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness!” (Is 42:5-7)

Let us take extra effort and time, this week specially, to grow in our “falling in love” with God!”

May we be inspired by the words of St Robert Bellarmine:
“The school of Christ is the school of love.

On the last day, when the general examination takes place…
… Love will be the whole syllabus.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue!”

“Being intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experiencing His tremendous Love as we enter, with Faith and Hope, into the ‘Holy Week’”

“It is the first time this is happening in my entire life!”

“I could never ever imagine there would be a situation like this!”

“Oh, how much I miss!”

These are some of the very emotional expressions that are being articulated these days, as the world faces a lockdown…
… and especially, in the context of the Holy Week, when practically, throughout the world, Christians are unable to participate in the Church services.

All of us, this year, in particular, are facing the tremendous “missing of the Holy Week Services” in the Church, as a result of the sickness around us.

This is probably an unimagined situation we are facing…
… none of us in our lifetime would have faced this
… none of us, would have ever thought we could have such a situation.

The cute story of little Johnny who was sick on one particular Palm Sunday is worth recounting.

His sickness had prevented him from going to Church that day and he had to stay home with his mother.

His father returned from church, that Sunday, holding a palm branch.

The little boy was curious and asked, “Why do you have that palm branch, dad?”

With joy, Daddy replied, “You see, Johny… When Jesus came into town, everyone waved palm branches to welcome and honour Him; so we got palm branches today”

“Aww, Good Lord!” grumbled little Johnny, “The one Sunday I can’t go to church, and Jesus shows up!”

The innocence of Li’l Johny made him to feel that He had missed the Lord when He came to town.

But when we think a little deeper, we also realise, that sometimes we are similar…

We fail to take notice of the Presence of the Lord very many times!

And it’s only when we “feel His absence” that we recognize the depth of “missing His Presence!”

Yes, “absence sometimes, can be a great reminder of the value of presence!”

(Just like its only when we miss something that we realise it’s worth and importance!
It’s only when we lose something, that we understand it’s value and significance! )

In today’s context, this is especially true, as we tremendously “feel” the absence of Lord…
… as the Lord invites to look deeper and experience His Presence with us, always!

These are days when we are invited and challenged to revive the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love – which “give us a disposition to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church – CCC #1812)

We are invited to check how much we value “His Presence”…

Every Holy Mass, the Lord, really, substantially and truly comes to us in the Holy Eucharist.

Have we failed to see Him and thus to experience the true effects of His Nourishment?

Every moment, we have His Holy Word in the Bible, through which the Lord reveals and teaches more about Himself.

Do we miss the chance to read and experience Him?

Every now and then, we encounter the Lord through different situations and in many people in need who are in despair and in trouble.

Do we miss the opportunity to serve Him and to learn from Him?

Today we are entering into one of the Most important weeks of the Liturgical year… The Holy Week!

And we commemorate the start of this Holy Week, with the Passion Sunday, also known as the Palm Sunday.

On this Palm Sunday, we recollect the entry of the Lord into the town, riding on a donkey (Cf. Mk 11:7)

The donkey has a specific symbolism…

In the olden day, military officers engaged in war and battles would ride on the most efficient animals: the fast and furious warhorses.

But after the victory in the war, the victorious officers would parade into the city riding on… yes, a donkey.

That was the reason why the people shouted out when they saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

In the First book of the Kings 1: 38-4, we read of how Prince Solomon used the royal donkey of his father David, for the ceremonial procession on the day of his coronation.

The new Solomon, Jesus, the True Prince of Peace and the King of Kings today enters His city, Jerusalem on a donkey as well!

A new reign of peace was being signaled.
A new kingdom of love was being ushered.

Are we ready to welcome the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace into our lives?

He is not the glorious King of might and wealth…

But He is the Spectacular King who will reign on His throne of the Cross.

He is not the proud Emperor who parades much show and pomp…

But He is the Wonderful Lord who displays His compassion and love by His wounds!

Are we ready to welcome this King into…
Our lives?
Our homes?
Our hearts?

The Passion of the Lord is about to begin…
Are we going to be part of the people who crucify Him?

Or are we going to be people who repent of sins and seek to live a life worthy of the King?

Many of us would have read the following, with a picture of Jesus Christ crucified…

“I asked Jesus, how much do you love me?”
And Jesus answered, “This much”
And He extended His arms on the cross…

But there’s a sequel to this, which perhaps is not known much, but is worth reflecting..
Jesus then asked me, “How much do you love me”
I picked up the hammer and the nails….
saying, “This is how much I love You!”
… and began to crucify Him!

The Passion of the Lord is a result of our sins…

The Crucifixion of the Lord is a consequence of our disobedience…

As Isaiah would say, “It was our infirmities that He bore and it was our sufferings that He endured” (Is 53:4)

He Died for love of us.

He suffered to save each of us.

Are we going to remain stubborn and adamant and continue to be a people who shout, “Crucify Him”…
… Or shall we repent, fall on our knees, seek a transformation, and, with palm branches in our hands, truly exclaim and acclaim Jesus as the Lord, shouting, “Hosanna to the King of Kings! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Wish you a Blessed Palm Sunday…
… and a Glorious Holy Week!

Let us try to make this week, a “Holy Week” indeed…
… repenting over our sins, asking pardon from the Lord and making suitable amendments
… remembering all those people with whom we fail to be in good relation and asking the “gift of forgiveness” from the Lord and making efforts for a healing in these relationships.
… reading the Bible every day, without fail and seeking to make this an everyday practise
… reserving time for Jesus, in personal prayer, and ensuring that we do so, daily

Let us be intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experience His tremendous love…
… so that we too may worthily and honestly shout, on Easter Sunday, “Alleluia! He is risen!”

God Bless! Live Jesus

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The thoughts of those moved by natural human love are almost completely fastened on the beloved…
… their hearts are filled with passion for it
… and their mouths full of its praises.By turning your eyes on God in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with God!”

“Choosing ‘goodness over popularity’ because some ‘popular’ things can lead to death and destruction!”

(Based on Ezek 37:21-28 and Jn 11:45-57)

A person who had his house near the forest, found a large number of rats that had infested his house.

Not finding an easy way to get rid of this menace…
… he went to the city to find a solution.

A flavoured poison for rats, attracted his attention and he bought a few to his house.

He kept a few of these boxes of flavoured poison around his house, including one under his bed.

That night he could not believe his eyes!

Below his bed, was a feeding frenzy…
… a number of rats were relishing the flavoured poison!

The following morning, he checked the boxed and found them all clean – perfectly licked!

In order to make sure that his plan would work, he tried the same method the following day as well…
… placing the boxes of flavoured poison everywhere.

The rats once again, savoured the “poisonous food” again!

But in the few days that followed…
… everything was quiet!

The tasty and popular “food” did its trick!

All the rats were dead!

The rats who had “enjoyed the meal” became a prey to the popularity trick!

All what is “popular” need not, always be good!

Some “popular” things can lead to “death and destruction!”

The one who chooses “goodness over popularity”…
… are the ones who will prevail and persevere!

The Gospel of the Day is the presentation of how Jesus remains as a Symbol of “Goodness being chosen over popularity”…
… in the face of extreme hatred and pitiless feelings.

Life often crushes us and cause immense disappointments.

When things don’t shape up as we plan, we get greatly frustrated.
When people don’t behave in the way we expect, we get totally devastated.

But through today’s Gospel reading, the Lord invites us…
… to not get shattered or disappointed with life’s bad-turns or evil-leanings…
…Rather, to gather strength and courage to fight the evil, arm oneself in faith and hope and seek to live a life of holiness and conviction…

“Seek Goodness over popularity!”

The Gospel of the day, on this eve of the Holy Week, introduces us to culmination of the sharp antagonism and hatred that was building up against Jesus.

Jesus had raised up the dead Lazarus (Jn 11: 1-43)

This event garnered a lot of attention…
… many people began to believe in the person of Jesus, as the Messiah and Lord.

But many others, also began to have a greater bitterness towards this Man who was working wonders!

Many people grew in their following of Jesus and placed a greater trust and confidence in Him

But many others, had their flames of jealousy intensified and began to have greater plotting to finish off the “law-breaker” and “blasphemer”

The good that the Lord had done, was apparently turning out to be an evil for the Lord!

The “life-giving” action of the Lord would immediately result in a “life-taking” act on Him!

The event of blessing to Lazarus would apparently turned out to result in an occasion of curse on Him [since dying on the cross was considered to be a curse ( Deut 21: 23)]!

In the ensuing planning and plotting by the chief priests and the Pharisees, the High Priest said, “… it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11: 50)

Jesus had grown to be a big threat for them

Jesus had gathered up much popularity and had become a menace for the leaders.

Therefore, the High Priest suggested a “quick-solution”… to kill Jesus!

But, everything in life has a purpose…
… Because God is the ultimate ruler, preserver and nurturer of this universe!

They plotted death but God planned life

They were selfish but God made Him the Saviour
They sought for political gain, but God ensured spiritual gain.
They hoped to spare one nation, but God saved the whole world.

They intended the worst evil for Jesus but God turned it into the greatest good.

They wished to scatter all His followers, but God brought them together as one holy nation.

Our life also follows this same pattern…

The events we think are bad, also have a purpose in God’s mind.
The moments that we consider as cursed, also can be turned to a blessing by God.

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to accept this teaching
… too difficult to understand this concept…

But we have a beautiful answer in this our painful moments: the Cross.

Look to the Cross and find strength from Him…
… who was abused though He was pure
… who suffered immensely, thought He was faultless.
… who underwent tremendous agony, thought He was sinless.

This was the way of God…
…mysterious to us, but life saving for the world.
… baffling for us, but redemptive for the world.

What is most important is not to get discouraged or disheartened…rather…
… to seek the Lord wholeheartedly in all those situations
… to be faithful to the Lord in steadfastness and patience.
… to be strong and joyful, finding strength in the love of the Lord.

Prophet Ezekiel reminds us of the Covenant that God had with His people…
… “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people!” (Ezek 37:26-27)

We are reminded of the Faithfulness of the Lord…
… and invited to place our hope and trust in this Faithfulness of God!

It is this hope and trust that should assure us that Everything…
…YES… everything in life, happens for good!

All what is “popular” need not, always be good!
… b’cos some “popular” things can lead to “death and destruction!”

The one who chooses “goodness over popularity”…
… are the ones who will prevail and persevere!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Honours, ranks and dignities are like saffron…which grows better and flourishes when trampled underfoot!”

“Avoiding stony-hearts and instead seeking to nurture tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

(Based on Jer 20:10-13 and Jn 10:31-42)

“We are strewn all over the ground.

Some of us are considered useless….

Some of us are just stamped upon…
Some are made use in some hard labour…
Some of us…
… well…some of us, however, are made use for some inhuman practices.

This includes making use of some of us, to hurt others
… to cause pains and wounds to others
… and some even to cause fatal deaths!

Our life is often long…
… but sometimes, such kind of painful moments and incidents, ooze out any bit of feelings we may have (though we are considered not to be having any sentiments!)

Are you wondering who we are?

Well…
… we are the family of stones!

Yep… Stones!

Strewn all over…
Sometimes useless, right?
Sometimes just stamped upon, right?
Sometimes just made use for hard labour, right?
But sometimes, some of us, the stones
… also become objects of injuring and causing pain to others

One such occasion was when, as you read in the Gospel of St John 8
… some of us were picked up by a gang of highly malicious, judgmental and selfish people, to cause death to a woman who was caught in an act of immorality.

We were ready to thrown on that woman.
We were set to become objects of brutality and terror.

However, that day, we encountered the most amazing personality.

He had glorious eyes.

He had a breathtaking voice.
He had a tremendous authority.

His name was Jesus!

And His one sentence, “He who is without sin, let him be the first to stone” dropped the jaws of all those blood-thirsty and cruel people.

We were all released from their hands.

We saw them all turning their backs and going home, in shame.
We also saw, the wonderful triumph of Mercy and Love and Compassion.

However, a few days later, some of us were soon back to find ourselves in the hands of those blood-thirsty men.

This time, the target was none other than that same charismatic person named Jesus.

You read about that in John 10:31, “The Jews took up stones again to stone Jesus”

We were left wondering why this innocent man was being targeted so badly.

He was after all preaching the Kingdom of God.
He was bringing the message of God’s Love and salvation to the world.

By His Life, He was declaring Himself to be the Messiah from God.

By His works, He was also proving Himself to be the Son of God.

But none of these “clear-cut” evidences were able to convince those people.

They still believed that Jesus was a blasphemer.
They still were determined to think that Jesus was a heretic.

And so they picked us up
…yes, we the stones
… to indulge themselves in a blood-bath of the Blessed Man of claimed Himself to be the Lord and Saviour of the World!

Prophet Jeremiah also had a similar experience of being denounced by the people…
… and centuries ago, recounting his own struggle, had written these prophetic words about the Saviour: “For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side!
‘Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.
‘Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him!’” (Jer 20:10)

Our thoughts go out to those people who have such ruthless and stony intentions….

God had blessed them with such beautiful hearts.
God had showered them with so much of wisdom to discern and understand.

Yet, they failed to make use of these divine gifts and instead, had hardened their hearts!

What a pity, that those human beings had become like us
… stones!

Yes, just how could they become stone-hearted?

Stone-hearted
… that they failed to be open to the possibility of God’s hand at work.

Stone hearted
… that they were adamant to be closed to any explanation of the Lord.

Stone-hearted
… that they were stubborn to listen to the voice of God’s Spirit in their lives.

We, the stones, now appeal to you, dear readers, to be wary and examine your lives: Are you also sometimes acquiring a nature like us, the stones…
… hard to the feelings of other people and failing to understand them?
… rigid to the inspirations of the Spirit of God and not letting Him work in your lives?
… inflexible to have changes and transformations in life, to attune oneself to God’s Will?

There are already many of us in the world…

On your streets, on your roads
… we are all, indeed strewn all over the place
…we, the stones.

But we sincerely beg you…
… not to let your hearts to become like us
… not to let your lives to be similar to our nature.

Let the world have more of, not stony-hearts…
… but tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

Let the world have more of, not hardened souls…
… but docile, open, submissive and humble lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We do not become perfect by the multiplicity of exercises, penances and austerities…… but rather by the purity of love with which we do them!”

“Deepening our Faith in the Divine and allowing Him – the Bright Star – to always shine in our lives!

(Based on Gen 17:3-9 and Jn 8:51-59)

It is said that during the First World War, in American town,s any household that had given a son to the war…
… was entitled to place a star on the window pane.

A certain man was walking down a certain avenue in New York, accompanied by his little boy.

The lad became very interested in the lighted windows of the houses, and clapped his hands whenever he saw a star at the window pane of the houses.

As they passed house after house, he would say: “Oh, look, daddy, there’s another house that has given a son to the war!

And there’s another! There’s one with two stars!
And look, there’s a house with no star at all!”

After quite some time, they came to a some vacant places where there were no houses.
However, in the vast expanse, the evening star was seen shining brightly in the sky.

The little fellow caught his breath and with an excited exclaim said: “Oh, look, Daddy,” he cried, “God must have given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window.”

“He has indeed!’ said Daddy!

Yes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jn 3:16)

This Gift of God – Jesus, the Son of God – is the Person of controversy in today’s Gospel.

Not all people were able to digest this fact, that Jesus, could be fully divine.

Not all were able to grasp this aspect that Jesus, could be the Son of God.

It is such a debating discussion over the Divinity of the Lord that forms the chunk of the Gospel of the Day.

One of the constant companions of the Lord, all through His life was…
… being hated!

It was especially His declaration on having a Divine origin that generated greater sparks of hatred.

The debate continues between Jesus and the Jews.

The Jews had immense pride in calling themselves as the children of their Father, Abraham.

As the debate continues, the Lord puts forward the gem of His defense…the core of His revelation: “Truly truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn 8:58)

Those words of Jesus hit his critics, directly on the face…
“Before Abraham was, I AM!”

“I AM” was the title of God Yawheh!
“I AM” was the sole privilege of the Lord Almighty!

This was the name that was given by God to Moses: “I AM who am. This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you” (Ex 3:14)

It was pure blasphemy for any mortal to use it for oneself.
It was sheer heretical for any human to apply it to oneself.

I AM – the Name…
… demanded fear as to none other
… commanded respect as to no one
… contained awesomeness as in nothing else

In the book of Genesis, we read God Yahweh – the Great “I AM” time and again encounters Abraham.

“Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, ;Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations!” (Gen 17:3)

The Jews who were well aware of these incidents, were highly infuriated, when Jesus would call Himself as the “I AM”…
… not only claiming superiority over Abraham
… but equating Himself to be God!

And so, the Lord had to face the consequences of this “blasphemous” act:
“So they picked up stones to throw at Him” (Jn 8:59)

And so the life of the Lord expounds an important truth:

Where there is the mention of Divinity…
… there are forces of the evil seeking to cast it away.

Where there is the presence of the Divine…
… there are powers seeking to destroy the sacredness.

Jesus, the One hated the most, was the Most Divine.

Jesus, the One who was always contrary to the moods of the world, was the Most Divine

Fulton Sheen picks up this beautiful aspect, to present a secular, rational and a logical reasoning to see the Truth in the Holy Catholic Church.

We quote him here….

“If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world;
… in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hated.

My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh.

If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world!

Look for the Church…
… that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world!
… that is accused of being behind the times, as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned.
… which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth.
… which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils.
… which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God.
… which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because He called Himself the Truth.
… which is rejected by the world as Our Lord was rejected by men.
… which amid the confusions of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ, and respect its Voice as the very voice of its Founder, and the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other worldly. since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself.

But only that which is Divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved.

Therefore the Church is Divine.”

Our own lives sometimes becomes an object of hate when we stand for Christ, the Truth

The more we tend towards being Divine…
… the greater is the opposition we face.

The more we tend towards being Spiritual…
… the higher is the shame we encounter.

Jesus, is the same, yesterday today and forever (Heb 13:8)

As His true followers, we too will have to undergo agony, pain, humiliation and even suffering….

Let us be firm in His grace and stand bold, facing the challenges to our faith

Let us grow in our love and commitment to the Holy Church and share in Her suffering.

Let us deepen our Faith that “God has given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window”…
… and may this Bright Star – Jesus – always shine in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Nothing else purifies the intellect of ignorance and the will of depraved affections…… better than prayer!”