“Seeking to be pure and unsullied – in holiness and sanctity – and thus, reflecting the Light of Christ!”

(Based on Acts 20:28-38 and Jn 17:11-19)

The Question-Answer column of a particular youth magazine, once had a query as follows:
“I’m puzzled about life, and I wonder if you could help me?
Am I different from everyone else of my age?

Or do they wear false masks as I do?

I go to parties and dances and act as if I were enjoying myself like everyone else I know.

But I am not enjoying myself at all!

I always feel that there is something missing, and I don’t know what it is. . .
Behind the laughing and the fun, I think I look at life just a bit more seriously than most I know.

I see more in life than just having a good time.

Do you think this is wrong at the age of twenty?

In a few years will I see things differently?

Or should I take off the false face now, and act the way I feel?”

The expressions of this young man, faced with a dilemma in life, resonates with the thoughts of many people in the world…
… including perhaps, ours…

We get a feel that there is certainly “more” to life…
… than just the peripherals that I daily engross myself in…

We get an impression that there certainly is something “higher” in life…
… than just being limited to the external comforts of life…

An answer to this vital dilemma of our life is given expression by the Lord in today’s Gospel: We live in the world, but we do not belong to the world!

Jesus prays to the Father: “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them safe from the evil one.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)

The call of a Christian is to live as a people “set apart” for Christ.

The Lord wishes, desires, wants and makes it a must that the one who follows Him, must seek to follow Him fully, wholeheartedly and unreservedly.

But the Lord was also very much aware that this His desire for a people “totally set apart” would face a lot of challenges and crisis from the Evil One.
He knew that His followers would struggle much in living a pure life in the midst of many impurity, uncleanness and contamination.
He knew that His followers would find it hard to preserve holiness in the hub of wicked temptations, ensnaring enticements and luring persuasions

St Paul warns the Church at Ephesus to be aware of the many dangers that may allure them in the world…
… and to remain focussed and alert

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which He obtained with His own Blood.
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be alert…” (Acts 20:28-31)

We often find ourselves lost in this strange maze of the world….

We immerse ourselves too much in worldly activities and works….
… But, somehow at the end of the day, when lying down on our beds, we, perhaps, feel ourselves lost and not having a true sense of satisfaction!

We plunge ourselves to enjoy a lot of worldly pleasures, comforts and luxuries…
… But, somehow, after having been sort of saturated with those externals, we, perhaps, find ourselves still unhappy or experiencing a void!

We engage ourselves in an excess use of the social media, networking sites, chatting applications and remain attached constantly to modern communication gadgets…
… But, somehow, though we are in contact with many people, we, perhaps, realize that there is a grave presence of loneliness and not having genuine relationships of love and true care!

And therefore, Jesus, the ever-practical, sensible and realistic Master…
… Firstly, prays for His followers for strength and courage: “I pray for them…. Holy Father, keep them in Your name… “(Jn 17: 9a, 11b)
… Secondly, reminds His followers on the need to set their hearts on Him because they belong not to the world: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)

This then ought to be our strength and hope, as we seek to live a Holy Christian Life in this world, often corrupted by sin and transgressions.

1. Knowing that Jesus has prayed for us….

In His prayer, we can find hope and blessings
In His prayer, we can find encouragement and support

2. Setting our heart entirely on the Lord and not being totally attached to the aspects of the world

In His Love, we find meaning in our relationships
In His Presence, we ought to engage all our activities

Light passes through pollution, but doesn’t get contaminated!

Every Christian, a reflection of the Light of Christ, ought to be such…
… focused on the Lord, seeking to be pure and unsullied, in holiness and sanctity.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “God indeed loves those souls who are tossed about by the storms and waves of the world…
… provided they receive their travails from His Hand

And, like mighty warriors, endeavour to remain faithful amid the fray!”

REFLECT:
We recite in the Nicene Creed: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, THE GIVER OF LIFE…”

The Holy Spirit gives life – both natural and spiritual.

The “Spirit of God hovered over the waters” at beginning of creation (Gen 1:3)
The Spirit of God “overshadowed Mother Mary” to mark the beginning of the New Creation, in Christ (Lk 1: 35)
The Spirit of God mightily descended on the first disciples in the Upper Room (Acts 2) and was constantly the life-giver in all the endeavors of the Church’s mission

It is the Holy Spirit who “gives life”…
… He is the life-breath and is the agent of “renewal and regeneration” through the Sacrament of Baptism
… He is the One Who “gives life to the dead bones” (Ezek 37: 1ff) of our lost hopes, broken dreams and uncertain aspirations
… He is the One who initiates us constantly to “live a life in Christ” (Gal 2: 2) and become imitators of Christ in this world (1 Cor 11:1)

EXAMINE:
Can I learn to grow in my understanding of the Holy Spirit as “The Giver of Life”…?
…. Learn to acknowledge and give Him praise for the gift of life
… Learn to pray for a renewal of life, especially in our moments of weakness and in our times of despair, anxiety and uncertainty
… Learn to always be full of life and vibrancy in all our works, by being filled with the Holy Spirit

PRAYER:
Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, we pray that you give us the grace to understand and acknowledge Your Mighty Power in our life.

Empower us…

to depend on You completely, especially in our weaknesses and the fragile areas of our life
to come to You and find vigour, especially when life turns its harsh face towards us
to live a “life in Christ” and impart the love and mercy of God to all

Come Holy Spirit…Come into our hearts… and renew us, in your mighty love and fire!
Fill us with your life… make us anew… permeate us with Your power, Amen!

May God Bless us!

Can we try to Read the entire book of THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, this week…?
… as a Biblical Preparation for the Feast of the Pentecost?

The Acts of the Apostles – is popularly also known as “The Gospel of the Holy Spirit”

It’s just 28 Chapters!

28 Chapters describing the journey of the Gospel moving out of Jerusalem to Rome – from the centre of the world to the end of the earth; from the start to the periphery!
28 Chapters of excitement, thrill and courage – all guided by the Mighty Power of the Holy Spirit!
28 Chapters recounting the impressive story of ordinary people being transformed by the Holy Spirit, to become bold and faithful Disciples of the Kingdom!
28 Chapters to inspire us to live a Life in the Holy Spirit – being sanctified, guided and strengthened by His Holy Presence!

You are invited specially this week – to thirst for the Powerful Movement of the Holy Spirit in your life!
… Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you
… Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guiding friend
… Allow the Holy Spirit to help you become a holy person

Shall we read The Acts of the Apostles, this week, and prepare more meaningfully for a renewed Pentecost in our life… ?

I pray for you. God bless!

“Having close intimacy with our Father by growing in our life of prayer!”

(Based on Acts 20:17-27 and Jn 17:1-11)

The earthly life and ministry of Jesus is presented in the Bible mainly through the Four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

Of these, Mathew, Mark and Luke are termed as the Synoptic Gospels (synoptic meaning ‘same view’) because they have a common view.

The Gospel of John reflects a Christian tradition that is different from that of the other Gospel.
It differs significantly from the synoptic gospels in theme, content, time duration, order of events, and style.

One important distinction that is seen between the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John is that, while some events are very clearly and narratively described in the Synoptics, the elements of the same are found in the Gospel of John, either figuratively or in more detail.

One such event is the Temptations.

The temptations of Jesus find a clear mention in the three Synoptic Gospels as a one-time event.
But the Gospel of John would present the same temptations, not as a one-time affair, but spread through the life and ministry of Jesus.

Another event we see is the Institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The narrative of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist finds a specific mention in all the three Synoptic Gospels, at the time of the Last Supper
The Gospel of John presents a very long teaching on the Holy Eucharist (Jn 6) and clearly presents the implications and consequences of being a Eucharist through the washing of the feet and His explicit commandment of love (Jn 12)

Another event or incident that finds a mention in two of the Synoptic Gospels is the Lord’s Prayer – the Our Father.

But it doesn’t appear as one-block of prayer in the Gospel of John.

However, the Gospel of John also presents a very extensive teaching and displays a method of prayer.

The Gospel of the Day is this beautiful expression of Jesus praying in the Gospel of John and presents to us elements which need to become part of our own prayer life.

The Seventeenth Chapter of the Gospel of John is traditionally called as the High Priestly prayer of Jesus.

The Gospel passage of the day (Jn 17: 1-11) presents a few basics and essentials of prayer:

1. Jesus prays for the glory of the Divine

Every prayer ought to be an expression of praise, worship and exaltation of the Holy Name of God.

Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to Your Son, so that your Son may glorify You!” (Jn 17: 1)

The lips of the Lord moved in praise of His Father and seeking the glory that was due to Him.

Is my prayer an expression of my desire to ‘lift up the name of the Lord on high?”

Or does my prayer degenerate into merely asking for things and wanting to focus the attention on me, than the Divine?

2. Jesus prays for the gift of eternal life for His people

Every prayer ought to have its intention aimed towards eternity!

Jesus prayed, “… just as You gave Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all You gave Him” (Jn 17: 2)

The purpose of the Lord was clearly focussed on eternal goodness and everlasting benefits.

Is my prayer an articulation of my longing for heaven and centred towards seeking the higher-things of life?

Or do I get limited in my prayer with merely earthly and transitory things of life; not that they are unimportant, but whether they snatch away our minds from the true needs and requirements of life?

3. Jesus prays with an expression of His intimacy with God and His People

Every prayer ought to be a manifestation of my unity with the Lord and the people to whom I am connected.

Jesus prayed, “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you and you gave them to me… ” (Jn 17: 6)

The prayer of the Lord showed that He was in intimacy with the Father and was in close union with the people in His life

Is my prayer a sign of my close friendship with the Lord as well my close binding with the many people in my life?

Or am I failing in my prayer due to a breakage of relation with the Lord due to sin, and suffering from disturbance of mind due to damaged and hateful links with the people in my life?

4. Jesus prays for the unity of the people and safety from the evil

Every prayer ought to make me closer to the Lord and His people and cause to me stay further away from the evil.

Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one” (Jn 17: 11b)

The heart of the Lord moved to seek to protect the people He loved and also grow in greater intimacy

Is my prayer constantly drawing me to purge away sins from my life, so that I can remain in His name, and also make me assist His people in service?

Or does my prayer life make no effect on me to stay away from the evil and fail to be expressed in loving actions of charity and help?

The Lord desires that just as He prayed, in close intimacy with His Father, we too may grow in our life of prayer and union with the Heavenly Father.

It’s this intimacy that will make us to offer our lives in total service to the Lord – not counting costs, or losing one’s comforts – just like St Paul who testified at Ephesus:
“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God!” (Acts 20:22-24)

May we be inspired by the “Humorous Saint” St Philip Neri, whose feast we celebrate and be encouraged by his words, to follow the Lord more closely and deeply:

“Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.”

“Nulla dies sine linea: Do not let a day pass without doing some good during it.”

“Give me ten truly detached persons. and I will convert the world with them.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer every day, except when we are busy…

… then we need an hour!”

We are seven days away from the Great Feast of the Pentecost – the Feast of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit, can be termed as the “Shy-Person of the Trinity”. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI once stated that “The Holy Spirit has been in some ways the neglected Person of the Blessed Trinity!”

When we consider the works of the Holy Spirit, it absolutely amazing…
… He is the One who sanctifies,
… the One who searches the depths of our hearts
… the One who intercedes
… the One who reveals
… the One who leads and directs
… the One who convicts us of sin
… the One who disciplines
… the One who creates and recreates
… the One who unites
… the One who empowers and counsels
… the One who inspires etc…

The Holy Spirit is mighty; yet, very often, in our spiritual activities, the Holy Spirit is given a backseat!
… He remains the Silent Worker behind every Divine Act
… He remains the unknown figure of the Great Drama of Salvation,
… He remains the Gentle Presence behind every Holy Touch of God

We usually, even have more prayers to God the Father, and to Jesus, the Son…
… but very less to the Holy Spirit.

This Great Feast of the Pentecost, is a reminder to invite the Holy Spirit deeper into our lives and to experience HIS LOVING and LOVING PRESENCE in our lives!

The Lord has promised the gift of the Spirit to all those who ask Him.

After the Ascension of the Lord, the Disciples were gathered together with our Blessed Mother and were praying, when the Spirit was poured out on them!

We begin today POWER PULSE – a Seven-Day Preparation for this Wonderful Feast of the Holy Spirit.

We reflect, in short, some of the functions and roles of the Holy Spirit
We seek to grow in love of the Holy Spirit and learn to have Him as our walking-companion!

As we prepare our hearts for this Feast, let us pray with our Blessed Mother, for the Gift of this Gentle and Dynamic Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit…Come into our hearts… and renew us, in your mighty love and fire!

May God Bless us!
 
DAY ONE – HOLY SPIRIT – THE SANCTIFIER
REFLECT:
One of the important functions of the Holy Spirit is “To Sanctify”

Sanctify means, “to make Holy”

It is the Will of God that “all should be holy”

You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, Am Holy (Lev 20:26)

It is the Holy Spirit who “sanctifies us”….
… He convicts of our sin, of the times when we stray away from God’s Will and ways
… He reminds us of the need to remain faithful to the commands of God
… He helps us to fight against our natural desires and instead seek Divine virtues

EXAMINE:
Can I seek to embrace deeper, The Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier…?
… Seek to grow in holiness?
… Seek to let go my sinful tendencies or bad habits?

PRAYER:
Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, I pray that you help me to have a deeper desire to grow in sanctity. Help me realise that God’s Will for me, is to be Holy, and to walk in accordance to His Will.

ACTION:
Strengthen me, Dear Holy Spirit…

to take decisions to move away from occasions of sin
to let go habits that cause me to be impure
to choose to live Your Divine virtues in my life!

Sanctify me, cleanse me, purify me, AMEN!

Come Holy Spirit…Come into my heart… and renew me, by Your mighty Love and Fire!

May God Bless us!

“Not being discouraged by the problems of life; instead, considering them as golden opportunities to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord, knowing that ‘strength of any kind grows only by exertion!’”

(Based on Acts 19:1-8 and Jn 16:29-33)

Space scientists in the 1960’s and 70’s made several efforts to help astronauts (cosmonauts) to have a safer and healthier stay in space.

The major hurdle to this was the fact that no matter how well prepared physically the cosmonauts or astronauts for the trip…
… even a short stay in space had a massive negative influence on their health.

Weightlessness (antigravity) and lack of movement (hypokinesia) caused immediate retardation of the whole body space traveller – muscles, bones, peripheral and central nervous systems degenerated within several hours to a large extent.

Upon return to Earth, the astronauts had to readjust to Earth’s gravity and experienced problems standing up, stabilizing their gaze, walking and turning.

They needed a long-term intensive rehabilitation to get back in shape.

To counteract this, a running suit laced with elastic bands was utilized.

The function of this elastic band, was to resist every move that the cosmonaut would make.
This resistance would force them to exert extra strength.

This worked!

When they had resistance, their muscles were stronger and it prepared them for recovery back into the earth’s atmosphere.

The greater pressure they exerted, the stronger was their physique and faster did it help them to get back to normalcy faster.

How true is this of our life as well!

The easier our life, the greater is the possibility of our spiritual fibre being weak…
The comfortable our living, the higher are the chances of being lax and lethargic…

Strength of any kind grows, only by exertion!

And therefore, the Gospel of the Day will present Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples and we, His followers to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.

Jesus will tell, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16: 33)

The Lord in His final discourses to the Disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.

Jesus is a not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth.

Jesus is not a Master who hides the real facts of following Him.

He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.

He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)

Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.
He is bold to tell them, “… Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)

Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.

Sometimes, we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”
Sometimes, we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”
Sometimes, we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”

But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.

Rather, we need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.

When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.
… But when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances that tend to relax our relation with Him

When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord
… But when life is too cozy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life

When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God
… But when life goes on a smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life

Adversities in life act as elastic bands that cosmonauts or astronauts use…
…. They function in a way, to resist our every good action and aspiration…

But resistance ought to make us exert greater effort and have a stronger dependence on the Lord!

The greater the adversities, the stronger ought to be our dependence and trust in the Lord.

Strength of any kind grows only by exertion!

St Paul is a beautiful example of a person who never got discouraged by the troubles of life.

After having prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believers at Ephesus, who had never even heard about the Holy Spirit… (Acts 19:1-7)
… St Paul went on to preach and boldly proclaim about the Kingdom, in the synagogues: “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8)

May we not get discouraged by the problems of life…
… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!

Let us seek the intercession of St Bede the Venerable, whose feast we celebrate today

May his words inspire us: “Christ is the Morning Star, Who, when the night of this world is past, gives to His saints the promise of the light of life, and opens everlasting day!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not become upset when difficulty comes your way

Laugh at its face…

… and know that you are in the Hands of God!”

“Celebrating Jesus, the Divine Doctor of our souls – the Dr Carpenter Who is upstairs – and continues to heal people and bring salvation to all people!”

A very poor family by the name of Carpenter, lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

The oldest boy was given education in the city, with the help of some family friends, who generously financed his studies when they realized he wanted to become a doctor.

The boy Carpenter, graduated with honors…
… but declined all job offers to practice medicine in the city.

He decided to go back to the mountains, where there were many sick people and few doctors.

For many years he ministered to the sick.

Some paid, most couldn’t.
He gave his very best and helped everyone he could.

In his old age he was in broken health himself and almost penniless.

Two small rooms above the town grocery store were his home and office.

At the foot of the creaky stairs leading up to his office was a sign with these words: “Dr. Carpenter is upstairs.”

One morning someone climbed those stairs to find their devoted doctor dead.

The entire community was plunged in grief.

They wanted to erect some kind of monument to him.

But they decided to simply write these words on a large tombstone: “Dr. Carpenter is upstairs.”

Today, on this Ascension Day, the Church proudly displays the placard of hope and salvation: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

But unlike the doctor boy who died, Jesus –the Divine Doctor of our souls – is alive…
… and continues to heal people and bring salvation to all people!

Yes, “Jesus, the Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

This is the day…
… in which Jesus ascended to the heavens, as a culmination of the glory of the Resurrection
… on which Jesus gave the mission mandate of preaching His Good News to the entire world.

In our proclamation of the Apostles’ Creed, we affirm:
“… He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty!”

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is a declaration of various pointers for our reflection…

1. The Ascension is an event that reminds the glory and majesty of the Lord, who is sovereign over all

The Lord ascended.

Elsewhere in the Bible, we have incidents of persons being taken up to heaven

Enoch was taken up by God: “Then Enoch walked with God and he was no longer here, for God took him” (Gen 5:24)

Elijah went up: “As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between Elisha and Elijah, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind” (2Kgs 2: 11)

Mother Mary was ‘assumed’ into heaven, body and soul (Dogma of the Assumption)

However, Christ ‘ascended’

It was His Power that made Him to ‘go up’ to the heavens.

This is a tremendous demonstration of His Divinity, His Glory and His Power!

2. The Ascension is an event which radiates hope to the suffering and optimism to the distressed
   The interesting saga of Christ’s life, beginning with….
   … His simple yet powerful event of His Birth…
   … His ordinary yet impressive event of His ministry…
   … His agonizing yet impactful event of His passion and death…
   … His glorious and spectacularly amazing event of the Resurrection…
   … finds its joyful and resplendent finale in His Ascension to the heavens.

This is a beautiful exhibition of how a life, lived in faith and commitment, even if it has to go through the barbed wires of pain, humiliation, suffering and uncertainty…
… has a splendid and magnificent ending!

3. The Ascension is an event that urges us in our commitment to be Missionaries for the Kingdom of God

The Lord’s concluding words to His apostles constituted a binding mandate…
… to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation
… to be an instrument of His power to cast out demons, to speak in new tongues, to endure poisons, to lay hands on sick and restore them to recovery.

This is a dutiful reminder of how the Lord trusts and has immense confidence in each one of us to be the proclaimers of His word.

The Lord wishes to reign over in our hearts.

He wishes to be the sovereign ruler of our lives.

May the Feast of the Ascension be a reminder for us to open our hearts to let the Lord to be in total command of our lives.

May…
a. The conviction in His love
b. The zeal to be His Missionaries and
c. The passion to make this world a holier place
… help and strengthen us, to be “doctors of healing and love” in our world of suffering and pain!

Yes, “Dr Carpenter is Upstairs!”

Happy Feast of the Ascension!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “After Jesus had shown Himself for a little while to the disciples, he ascended up to heaven…
… and at length a cloud surrounded Him, took Him and hid Him from their eyes.

Jesus Christ, then, is hidden in heaven in God.

Jesus Christ is our love, and our love is the life of the soul.

Therefore our life is hidden in God with Christ Jesus, and when Christ Who is our love…

… and therefore our spiritual life ‘shall reappear’ in the Day of Judgment, we shall also appear with Him in glory!”

“Realizing that God is walking with us, through every stormy and rainy situations of life, may we boldly look up to the pealing flashes of troubles, with a smile, acknowledging: ‘My God is always with me!’”

(Based on Acts 18:23-28 and Jn 16:23-28)

A cute story is told of six year old Sally.

Sally loved to walk to and from, school, daily.

One evening, as she came back from school, it was too cloudy.

The skies were dark; with a frightening intervention of lightning and thunder.
But Sally still enjoyed to walk in those overcast conditions.

As she reached home, her mother was extremely worried.
More than anything, she was worried that her little daughter would be extremely frightened by the heavy storm and the peals of thunder and lightning.

However, as the mother saw her daughter coming from far, towards home, she was surprised.

She could see her little daughter looking up to the skies, every time a lightning flashed.

In curiosity, the mother asked the daughter, when she reached home:
“My child, were you not afraid of this dreadful climate? And why at all were you looking up, every time that there was a lightning?”

The little girl, with all her innocence said:
“Why at all should I be worried, Mamma?
God is always walking with me, isn’t it?

And moreover, today, He was taking pictures of me. So I kept looking at those flashes with a big smile!”

Well, that’s the innocent heart of a child…
… who trusts in God, and knows that He would be with her, in all the walks of life!

How happy are we, if we recognize that our Heavenly Father is deeply in love with us, His children, and never ceases to express His caring affection to us, at every moment.

The Gospel of the Day is a testimony to Jesus affirming the assuring and loving presence of God, our Heavenly Father.

Jesus declares these beautiful words, which ought to be inscribed in golden shades, on the canvas of our hearts, “… the Father Himself loves you…” (Jn 16: 27a)

This is indeed one of the mightiest and loftiest truth that we all need to know, experience, be convinced of, and live constantly in its assurance…
… the truth that “The Father Himself loves us!”

Every person longs for love and longs to be cared for…

Human love, however, sometimes fails to answer to this basic and essential need.

Sometimes people around us get too busy, to even care for us…

Sometimes, people from whom we expect love, fail to understand our need…

Sometimes, people who ought to care for us, fall short of their responsibility….

All this could leave a feeling a hurt within us.

All this could imprint a wound of sadness inside of us.

But in such moments of feeling lonely and desperation, especially, Jesus assures and promises us that we are not abandoned or left lonely…

Instead Jesus emphatically proclaims that just as He was loved by His Father, we too are loved by our Heavenly Father!
It is confidence in this tremendous love of the Father…
… that will make us to seek whatever we wish in life, knowing that our prayers will be answered, in the way and the time, that He, My Father wishes! (Jn 16: 26)

His Love will make me delight in His Will, letting go of my personal desires!

It is conviction in this unconditional love of the Father…
… that will make us to enjoy a deep sense of joy and bliss, knowing that in any situation of gloom or sadness or tension or worry, He, My Father, is taking me through! (Jn 16: 24)

His Love will make me want to do only His Will, setting aside my individual desires!

The Acts of the Apostles records the incident of a man named Apolos of Alexandria, who was willing to grow deeper to understand more about the Lord…
… and thus becomes a more effective witness to the Kingdom.

Apol′los, a native of Alexandria began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately.
And when he wished to cross to Acha′ia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” (Acts 18:26-28)

When one is encompassed by the Love of the Lord, one seeks to always do His Will…
… being ready to even change and accept corrections!

May we always realize that He is walking with us, through every stormy and rainy situations of life…
… and we can boldly look up to the pealing flashes of troubles, with a smile, acknowledging: “My God is always with me!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “He asks for your own heart.

Give is such as it is!

Are we not aware that everything that is remitted into His Divine Hands is converted to good?”

“Let us be reminded of the assurance of the Lord: “Well, I’m shaping the stone of your life, down here on earth, so that it will fit in up there in heaven!!”

(Based on Acts 18:9-18 and Jn 16:20-23a)

A Christian who was known for his deep faith in God was going through an extremely sorrowful time.

In the time of recession, he had lost his business
His beautiful house was made to be vacated
Adding to that, he also lost his precious wife to death

Yet, he steadfastly held on to his faith.

One day, while he was out, walking in search of employment, he stopped to observe some people who were doing stonework on a large church.

He observed that one of them was chiselling a very small triangular piece of rock.
“Where are you going to put that small triangular stone”, he asked curiously.

The watchman replied:
“Do you see that little groove, right atop the tower?

Well, I’m shaping this stone down here, so that it will fit in up there!”

Tears filled the man’s eyes, as he walked away hearing those words.

For God had spoken to him in his troubled situation of life, as he felt the Lord reminding him: “Well, I’m shaping the stone of your life, down here on earth, so that it will fit in up there in heaven!!”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring the reality of the presence of pain, suffering and sorrows in spiritual life, and yet those factors being pathways and passages to experience deep joy and bliss!

Not negating the actuality of the darker side of life, Jesus also mightily displays the large canvas of life which is enveloped in the light of happiness…
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16: 20)

Jesus was making His Apostles aware of the realities of His passion and death.

He had come into the world to die!

Death was the goal and fulfilment of His life.

To the delicate and fragile minds of the Apostles, the Lord gives a very practical analogy: the pains and the bliss of motherhood…
“When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish, because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16: 21)

This analogy of the Lord sheds light and hope for our sufferings and pains in life too.

Mothers know the pain of giving birth to a child.

To others, this pain, though not experienced, can be vaguely understood as being a very painful experience.

The pain is too excruciating…

The pain causes to think that everything within is being pulled out, with a piercing pain…
The pain sometimes makes the person to even cry out ‘I wish this never happened to me’ ….

Jesus says that the hardships, sufferings and trials that we undergo in life are such.

But the moment, the child is delivered and the mother sees the innocent face of her tender babe, the whole scenario of emotions changes…

The excruciating pain is replaced by a thrilling excitement and exhilaration!
The nerve-wracking ache is replaced by a heavenly joy and happiness!

And Jesus, such will be our joy too, if we are also faithful and loyal to the Lord, in pains and sufferings!

This is indeed a higher spirituality… a higher level of holiness…

To cherish joy, even in the midst of pain
To radiate happiness, even in the thick of sorrows.
It is to this elevated floor of sanctity that the Lord invites us.

He is with us to hold our hands
He is wanting to embrace us in love, as He beckons us to come nearer to Him.

The Lord assures His comforting Presence to each one of us, just as He assured St Paul:
““Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9-10)

When life chisels the rock of our life with pain…

When problems chip away the bits of consolations in us…
… With hope, trust, faith and strength,

Let us be reminded of the assurance of the Lord: “Well, I’m shaping the stone of your life, down here on earth, so that it will fit in up there in heaven!!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Consider the pains which martyrs have endured, and think how even now many people are bearing afflictions beyond all measure greater than yours, and say…
… ‘Of a truth my trouble is comfort, my torments are but roses as compared to those whose life is a continual death, without solace, or aid or consolation…

… borne down with a weight of grief, tenfold greater than mine!”

“May the assurance of the Lord: “Fret Not, Faint Not, Fear Not” be our hope and our confidence!”

(Based on Acts 18:1-8 and Jn 16:16-20)

A young man had joined a new parish.

After a couple of Sunday Masses, he went across to an elderly person, whom he had observed to be quite joyful and in good cheer.

The young man asked him: “I have been noticing over the last couple of weeks that you radiate a great sense of joy.
Is there any particular philosophy that you follow, which makes you always rejoice?”

To that, the elderly man, smiled and reaching out to his shirt pocket, handed the young man a small handwritten-card and said: “Have this for yourself, and you will never be sad!”

The young man, curious to know what it was, read the words on the card:
“Fret not – God Loves you! (John 13:1)
Faint not – God Holds you! (Psalm 139:10)
Fear not – God Keeps you! (Psalm 121:5)”

Fret Not, Faint Not, Fear Not!

These were three assuring phrases that the man had made the philosophy of his life
… and those words, kept him always joyful and in good cheer.

Life is very often “uncertain!”

Such uncertainties, often put us through tensions or anxiety or in an “uncomfortable” state of mind!

However, the Lord always assures us in such “uncertain” situations: “Fret Not, Faint Not, Fear Not!”

The Gospel of the Day presents the disciples undergoing “an experience of uncertainty”…
… and Jesus assuring them with hope and courage.

Jesus told His disciples, “A little while and you will see me no more; again a little while and you will see me” (Jn 16:16)

But these words of Jesus put the disciples into a state of dilemma

They failed to grasp the meaning of the words of Jesus and were confused!

They began to have a discussion on the phrase of Jesus – “a little while”

“What does he mean by ‘a little while'”? (Jn 16: 18)

How long was this “little while” going to be?

How does He define the phrase “a little while”?

If they knew exactly how long this “little while” would last…
…. then they would have been more courageous and patient

But now the disciples find themselves to be confused and in dilemma.

However, Jesus the Good Shepherd, knew the confusion of His little sheep

Jesus, the Master, knew the perplexity of His simple followers

But He doesn’t define the phrase “a little while”

He doesn’t say that it is a particular moment of time, that can be considered as a countdown!
He doesn’t refer to it as being an exact measure of time, to which one can count and gauge!

Instead, Jesus defines “a little while” in terms of an experience…
… an experience of weeping and lamenting turning into rejoicing
… an experience of sorrow turning into joy (Jn 16:20)

Is our life today in a state of crisis and confusion?

Is our life today passing through waves of troubles and the deserts of anxiety?
Is our life today moving along the rough terrains of calamities and the valleys of brokenness?

Then the Lord assures us…
… “In a little while” and things will be fine!
… “In a little while” and the sunshine will appear again!

We might complain… How long is this “little while”!

We might argue…. this “little while” is being too agonizing!

But the Lord invites and challenges us to look to Him, telling us…
“I too have had my painful and agonizing moments… in My life and especially on the Cross
I too had My experience of feeling ‘how long is this little while going to last’…

But I stood firm and patient in trusting the Will of My Father…
… I held on the mighty Providence of my Father and knew that a bright morn awaited Me”

Yes, Jesus, through the Gospel wishes to encourage us and strengthen us…
… in sufferings, to love Him strongly!
… in hardships, to trust in Him deeper!
… in uncertainties, to depend on Him greater!

St Paul and the other early Christians experienced much persecution and opposition.

Yet, they – being convinced of the Presence of the Lord – gave bold witness to Christ and His Kingdom…
… “And he argued in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks!” (Acts 18:4)

Surely, life will take us through many experiences of “uncertainties”
… We may tend to lose our patience!
… We may feel like giving up!
… We may want to quit!

But let us turn to the Lord for strength, grace and courage…
… and listen to Him whispering to us…
“Hold on my Child! I am with you… embracing you in my arms!
In Me, your weeping will be changed to rejoicing
In Me, your sorrow will be turned to joy!”

May the assurance of the Lord: “Fret Not, Faint Not, Fear Not”…
… be our hope and confidence!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Have patience to walk with short steps…

… until you have wings to fly!”-