“May St Mary Magdalene help us to understand that ‘Love transforms everything!’ and thus do everything with greater passion!”

(Based on the Feast of St Mary Magdalene)

A Dutch diamond collector was seeking for a very rare diamond.

A diamond dealer in New York heard of this inquiry and contacted him…
… letting him know that he believed he possessed the diamond he was looking for.

The diamond collector arrived…
… and the dealer had his salesman present the diamond.

The salesman described all the technical aspects of the diamond.

However within minutes, the diamond collector rose his hand and said: “I am sorry! This is not the diamond I am looking for”…
… and began to walk away.

Watching from a distance, the diamond dealer hurriedly intercepted him…
… and he asked him if he could present the diamond again.

Since he had travelled a long distance, the collector agreed to listen once again.

The dealer pulled out the same diamond and started describing his admiration for this particular diamond.

Within minutes they were signing papers, and the diamond was purchased.

As the gentleman was walking out, he asked, what just happened?

Why was it so easy for me to say no to your salesman a little while ago, while with you I purchased the diamond?

The dealer replied: “That salesman is the best in the business.

He knows more about diamonds than anyone, including myself, and I pay him a large salary for his knowledge and expertise.

But I would gladly pay him twice as much if I could put into him something I have which he lacks.
You see, he knows diamonds…
… but I love them!”

Love transforms everything!

Love adds passion in any activity we do.

Today we celebrate the Feast of one such person who deeply loved the Lord – St Mary Magdalene.

The Bible presents St Mary Magdalene as a woman who loved Jesus intensely and passionately.

She teaches us remarkable things for each one of us to Love the Lord deeper:

1. She Followed Him
   Luke 8:2 presents Mary Magdalene as having been cured of seven demons.

Her experience of the Healing of the Lord, made her to Follow Jesus, in His ministry of preaching and healing.

Am I following the Lord?

All have us have, in our life, have experienced the power of the Lord.

But do I truly follow the Lord?

2. She was Persistent to seek Him
   The Death of her Lord had rocked Mary Magdalene…
   … and she seeks persistently, in the tomb where Jesus was laid.

Even though she witnessed an empty tomb, her heart longed to see the Saviour…. “so she stayed outside the tomb weeping” (Jn 20:11).

Am I persistent to seek the Lord?

I have often had setbacks in my prayer life, work situations & aspirations.

But do I still persevere in looking for the Lord?

3. She was Single-hearted in her search for Him
   In her search for Jesus, whom she misunderstood as a gardener, Mary Magdalene expresses her sincerity and frankness and single-mindedness – “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” (Jn 20:15)

She sought no empty phrases or consolations…but the Lord alone!
Nothing and none else could suffice her… but the Lord alone!
Am I single-hearted in my search for the Lord?

I am sometimes content with fleeting pleasures, transitory consolation and momentary comforts in my spiritual life.

Do I rather be single-hearted in my longing for the Lord?

4. She was enthusiastic about Him
   Once she recognized the ordinary gardener as her Precious Master, Mary Magdalene is enthusiastic and fervent about Him.

Nothing could stop her from proclaiming Him.

In the words of St Bernard, “she became an apostle to the Apostles”.

Am I enthusiastic in my life?

As a Christian, I have in me the influencing, the powerful and the salvific good news of the Lord. >> Am I enthusiastic in sharing about the Lord to others?

Let us learn from St Mary Magdalene…
… her commitment in following of Jesus
… her persistence in waiting for Jesus, her single-heartedness in searching for Jesus, and her enthusiasm in telling others about Jesus.

St Mary Magdalene…
… is a beautiful model of being a Disciple
… is a wonderful example of being a Divine-Seeker
… is a classic illustration of being a Dispenser of the Good News

St. Mary Magdalene holds a unique place in the history of Jesus.

The One who rose from the grave of death, appeared first to her, who herself experienced a rising from the grave of sin!
She was the first (as per the Gospel accounts) to see Him alive and the first to hear His voice.
She became the first evangelist in Christian history.

She is the Mourner who turned into a Missionary!

Let us passionately love the Lord, like St Mary Magdalene,
… ‘cos there isn’t an ocean too deep, a mountain so high it can keep…
… keep us away, away from His love!

As Christians it is not enough that we “know about Christ”…
… it is more important “to know Christ” and to love Him!

May St Mary Magdalene help us to understand that “Love transforms everything!”

Love adds passion to any activity we do.

Happy Feast of St Mary Magdalene – the Disciple, the Divine-Seeker, the Dispenser of the Good News!

Happy Feast of Tender Love and Mercy to all!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Today I want to wish you one of the blessings accorded to Saint Mary Magdalene.

Not her ecstasies or extraordinary gifts…
… but imitating her by sitting at the feet of Jesus all the days of our life.
Above all, I hope you have the courage to overcome the difficulties that impede you from God.
Therefore, continually seek the Lord and do not give up until you have found Him.
Seek Him out during this mortal life, not risen and glorious, but crucified and dead.
Prepare your shoulders to carry the cross of the Crucified with love, and if the burden is heavy, console yourself…
… because courage and love will give you the strength!”

---

“Being members of the Family of God by being ready to do the Will of the Father!”

(Based on Mic 7:14-15, 18-20 and Mt 12:46-50 – Tuesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time)

A lady once remarked to her spiritual guide, “I am very afraid to pray, ‘Thy Will be done'”

“And why is that so?” asked the guide.

“I am afraid…”continued the lady, “… that God will bring some calamity to my only child or send me a heavy trial in life”

The spiritual guide, having patiently listened to her, replied:
“Suppose if your beloved child comes to you and says, ‘Mummy, here after, I want to always do whatever you say and live as you will…’

Would you say to yourself…
‘Ah! Here is my chance!

I will make my child to do all the harsh things.
I will make use of his willingness to obey me, by cutting off all his pleasures
I will make sure he has a tough time because anyway he will do whatever I say”

“Oh no!” answered back the mother, “I will give him the best possible things that I can. I will make sure that he is protected from every danger.

I will do anything to ensure him true happiness!”

“And do you think…” continued the spiritual guide, “Do you think that God is less loving than you?”

The will of every human parent is to ensure the best for their children, isn’t it?

How much more loving and caring is the Will of the Father!

“God’s Will” is best understood in the set-up of a family…

Even in a human family…
… Every member wishes that the other is taken care
… Every member seeks for the good of the other

How much more is the love and concern in the Family of God…
… to all those who seek to do the Will of the Father?!

Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each of us to be part of the Family of God…
… by doing the Will of the Father.

Our Blessed Lord says, “For whoever does the Will of My Heavenly Father, is My brother and sister and mother” (Mt 12: 50)

The passage begins with the family of Jesus waiting to see Him…
“While Jesus was still speaking, behold, His Mother and His brothers stood outside, asking to speak to Him” (Mt 12: 46)

This is a passage that is often used to attack the position of the Catholic Church on Mary.

Many misinterpret this passage to mean that Mary was out of the Family of God
Many wrongly consider this passage to mean that Mary had other sons, referred to as ‘brothers’

We take a short apologetic approach to our Bible passage today….

1. Who are the brothers mentioned here?
   There are about ten instances in the New Testament where “brothers” and “sisters” of the Lord are mentioned

The term used for ‘brother’ in Greek is “adelphos”

“Adelphos” can mean…
… a biological brother
… an extended relative
… or even a spiritual brother

The languages – Hebrew and Aramaic (the language spoken by Jesus) – did not have a special word for “cousin”

The writers of the New Testament used the Aramaic equivalent of “brothers” to mean both cousins and sons of the same father—plus other relatives and even non-relatives.

When the Old Testament was translated into Greek and the New Testament written in Greek, the word “Adelphos” was used to capture all of these meanings.

Further, the Gospels are clear that Mary was a virgin at the time she conceived Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Mt 1:18-25, Lk 1:26-38).

After the birth of Jesus, no mention is made of Mary and Joseph ever having other children.

Never does the Gospels refer to the “sons of Mary” or “a son of Mary,” but only “The Son of Mary.”

We also see that at the Crucifixion, Jesus entrusts His Blessed Mother to John, who was not his blood-brother (Jn 19: 25-27)

According to Jewish law, the oldest son had the responsibility of caring for the widowed mother, and that responsibility would pass to the next oldest if anything happened to the first-born son
Since Jesus, “the first-born”, had no “blood brother,” He entrusted His Mother to the care of St John, His Beloved Disciple.

Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church clarifies “the brothers of Jesus”….
“The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary.
In fact James and Joseph, “brothers of Jesus”, are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ, whom St. Matthew significantly calls “the other Mary”.

They are close relations of Jesus, according to an Old Testament expression.” (CCC #500)

2. Was Mary only the ‘biological’ Mother of Jesus?
   Jesus said, “Whoever does the Will of My Father in Heaven, is my…. Mother!” (Mt 12: 50)

Did Mary fulfil this call of Jesus?

When we scan through the pages of the New Testament, we find, that perhaps no other person fulfilled the Will of the Father as perfectly as Mary

Mary was Blessed indeed…

Not just because she gave a physical birth to Jesus…
… but also because She listened and lived the Will of the Father!

She is blessed…
… because She listened to God’s Word and accepted it wholeheartedly.
… because She chose to put Her faith in God, though the path ahead was dim
… because She was obedient to God’s Will, though She did not understand many things”

As St. Irenaeus says:
“Being obedient, She became the cause of salvation for Herself and for the whole human race.”
The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience
What Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary loosened by Her faith”

Mother Mary is the first Evangelizer and the first Disciple of Her own Son and Lord, Jesus the Christ!

Mother Mary is thus, not just the biological Mother of Jesus…
… by doing the Will of the Father perfectly, She is also His Spiritual Mother!

As St Maximilian Kolbe says, “If anyone does not wish to have Mary Immaculate for his Mother, he will not have Christ for his Brother!”

Yes, doing the Will of the Father…
… is the DNA that joins all the members of the Family of God
… is the sole and mandatory criteria to be part of the Family of God

We may have our fears in doing His Will….

But let us realize, that the Will of Father is wrapped with much love and affection…
… there is a tenderness in His Will, that ensures each of us, His children are protected!
… there is a warmth in His Will, that makes sure that we, His children are always given the best!

Prophet Micah reminds us of the Merciful Love of the Lord…
… which casts all ours sins, even into the depths of the sea: “He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Mic 7:19)

Jesus is our Supreme Model and Leader in listening and living the Will of the Father

Mother Mary is our Beloved Mother and Perfect Disciple, Who followed Her Son wholly, in obedience to the Will of the Father!
Many saints and holy people also show us, by their sanctified lives that it is worth, meaningful and salvific to do the Will of the Father!

All of them beckon us:
“Come be part of the Family of God…

Listen always to what God wants of you in your life
Ask Him, at all times, what you should be doing in life
Put your trust in His Power and Providence, when you do His Will!”

Are we willing to be members of this Family of God?
… Then we need to be ready to do the Will of the Father!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “God’s Will is that we should be perfect, uniting ourselves to Him…

… and imitating Him to the utmost of our powers!”

“Being closer to Jesus, the Great ‘Sun’ and living our Christian Lives, in ‘sincerity’, in zealousness and with a deeper passion for the ‘Son’ of God!

(Based on Mic 6:1-4, 6-8 and Mt 12:38-42 – Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time)

The English word (according to a popular legend) ‘sincere’ comes from two Latin words : ‘sin-e’ and ‘cere’.

‘Sin-e’ means: without
‘Cere’ means: wax
So ‘sin’e’ + ‘cere’ means “without wax”

Sincere, therefore, literally means, being “without wax”

In ancient Greek, when art flourished, it was a common practice to repair with “invisible wax”, any vase or statue that had, as a result of carelessness, been damaged.

Sometimes while chiselling the bust in marble, if the chisel slipped out the Sculptor’s hand, some edge of the statue would be chipped off.

Rather than taking the trouble of making a new bust, the sculptor would repair the features with “wax” so that the flaw could not be detected, unless by very close scrutiny.

However, if the client happened to be a knowledgeable person, he would carry the finished statue into the open before paying for it, and examine it carefully in the sunlight!

If the statue was “sincere” i.e. “without wax” – it would remain firm; else some parts of it would drop down!

“Sincerity” of the statue was thus examined in the presence of sunlight!

Am I a “sincere” person… “without the wax” of deceit, malice, corruption or guile?
• I need to come into the presence of the Sunlight – Jesus – to be examined!

The Gospel of the day presents an incident where the “insincerity” of a certain group of people was exposed in the warming and bright presence of Jesus, the Light of the world.

Some of the Scribes and the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you” (Mt 12: 38)

Through St Paul, we get to know that it was, probably, a characteristic of the Jews to ‘demand signs’.
“For Jews demand signs, and Greeks look for wisdom” (1 Cor 1: 22)

When we scan through the pages of the Bible, we also see God Himself giving many signs to His people…

God put a mark on Cain, after he had killed Abel, so that no one should kill him at sight (Gen 4: 15)
God gave the sign of the ‘rainbow’, as a sign of the covenant, so that the waters would never become a flood, to destroy all mortal beings (Gen 9: 13-15)
God empowered Moses with many signs, when Moses had to present himself before Pharaoh, in a bid to ask him “to let go” of the Israelites ( Ex 3: 12)
Two hundred and fifty men were consumed, by a fire from the Lord, after they had unworthily offered incense to God (Num 16: 35)
God gave a sign to Gideon, when he asked for it, humbly, as a confirmation in his entrusted task (Judg 6: 17)
God gave a sign at King Saul’s anointing (1 Sam 10: 1-13)

However, in today’s Gospel, we find that when the Pharisees and the Scribes, demand a sign, Jesus doesn’t yield to it!

What was the reason?

The demand of the Pharisees and Scribes was a demand for a sign “not in humility” or “to really cast off any doubt”
• Rather, this was a demand for a sign that exposed their obstinacy to remain in unbelief!

In fact, Jesus sees through their “insincerity”

He sees through the fact, that they were “with wax” – the wax of deceit, falsity and deception!
• And this their “wax” of trickery, began to melt in the presence of Jesus, the Powerful Light!

Therefore Jesus comes down heavily on them and says, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign…” (Mt 12: 39)

Note the two strong words that Jesus uses…

Evil: pointing to a wicked heart that sought destruction and spoiling the lives of others
Adulterous: pointing to an unfaithful heart that reduced relations to a mere pragmatic nature, and was characterised by cheating and disloyalty.

Is my life also characterised by constantly wanting “only” signs from God…
• I expect immediate answers to all my prayers, in the way I want
• I always want some miracles, as I choose, to keep the light of my faith burning
• I get depressed and feel totally lost when I do not get the signs that I expected in life
• I witness a lot of wondrous deeds around me, but still I remain obstinate in my unbelief

Is my Christian life only a sign-seeking one…
… or is my Christian life, rather, a Saviour-seeking one?

Am I obsessed with wanting only miracles…
… or am I, rather, passionate and zealous about the Master?

Jesus invites us to be “sincere” – “without wax”.
• In His bright presence, all “wax” of duplicity and hypocrisy will melt
• In His glowing light, all “wax” of dishonesty and deception will dissolve

Prophet Micah beautifully echoes the mind of the Lord when he proclaims: “He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8)

May we be closer to Jesus, the Great ‘Sun’ and live our Christian Lives, in “sincerity”, in zealousness and with deeper passion for the ‘Son’ of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Assuredly straightforward honesty and sincerity in speech is a great beauty in the Christian life!”

“Allowing God to be God in our Lives – the Ultimate Judge and Defeater of all evil!”

(Based on Wis 12:13, 16-19, Rom 8:26-27 and Mt 13:24-43 – 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time)

One of the most baffling and mysterious aspect in our world is the active & dynamic presence of evil in this world.

Today the Lord Jesus ventures into opening His mind on this crucial Reality of our lives….

Last Sunday, we were with the Generous Sower, who was madly liberal in sowing on different types of soil and which had their corresponding results.

This week, we are back to the field….
But our deliberation is not on the Sower or the
Seeds…
… but on the presence of Weeds among the Wheat.

Let the botany in us, focus today on The Weeds…. the Irritable Weeds!

Botanically named Lolium temulentum, the weeds are also called Darnel or Tares.

These weeds have a characteristic of making one feel poisoned with drunkenness, when consumed.
They also have the deceptive characteristic of bearing a close resemblance to Wheat. In fact, these weeds are also called as False Wheat!

So the enemy in the parable…is a Learned Deceiver…

He sows this deceptive and misleading weed among the innocent and harmless wheat!

But the Lord, the Ultimate Judge gives out a strong, yet strange command, “Let the weeds not be pulled up, lest the wheat be uprooted with them; let them just grow together until harvest!” (Mt 13:29-30)

Some mysteries in life cannot be fully understood…
… but they are to be boldly lived

Some struggles in life cannot be totally eliminated…
… but they are to be bravely challenged

Some problems in life cannot be completely solved…
… but they are to be fearlessly encountered

Here is another hard reality to be digested:
God uses the very wickedness and injustices of evildoers to perfect his Elect.

As the saying goes: “God writes straight, even with crooked lines!”

The triumph and prosperity of the wicked are short-lived…
…whereas the reward of the Christian who suffer from their wickedness is everlasting.

Hard and Unpopular and even Impractical statement, right?

But Facts remain facts – we consent or not!

This leads us to a vital aspect of our Practical Christian Living: To be Patient with ourselves and with others…
… in dealing with sin, with unacceptable practices, with unalterable addictions, with evil tendencies, with horrifying obsessions and with abominable disgraces.

Often…
… we lose our cool in finding ourselves to be imperfect and sinful even after years of trying
… we have our blood boiling seeing the various scandals and shameful incidents in the Church
… we bite our teeth in anger glaring at the atrocities and inhumanness in our society and the world
… we go mad in encountering silly disputes and appalling indifferences in our families & communities

But the Lord says: “Hold On….!”

Do your best…and leave the rest to Me!
Aim for perfection….but be not saddened by scandals…

This certainly is no excuse for us to deny our duty and responsibility and even an obligation to avoid wickedness and dissuade evil practices.

But we may never find ourselves in PERFECT elimination of evil and sinful behaviours…
… either in our personal life, or societal life or even in the life of the church.

The Ultimate Eliminator is the Lord Himself…
The Supreme Conqueror is the Lord Himself!

Is it all too abstract, theoretical & impractical talks?…
… NO!

St Paul gives an assurance in Romans 8:26-27:
“The Spirit comes to our aid in our weaknesses. He Himself will intercede for us, when we co-operate with Him.”

And God Who is all-powerful shares His Omnipotence with us…
… in the Holy Sacraments
… in Prayer
… in the Bible
… and in the Church

Let us tap this power of God, and be strengthened in our lives!

Let us try to do our utmost….but let us also permit to encounter disappointments…!
Let us strive for the finest….but let us fret not too much over failures and frustrations…!

The Lord knows all.

The Lord sees all.
The Lord has the perfect solution to all.

St Faustina would say…”our sins and weaknesses and miseries are like little sticks, before the burning furnace of the Love of God”.

Let us throw our little sticks into this burning furnace…

Let God be God in our Lives – the Ultimate Judge and Defeater of all evil!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We have freedom to do good or evil; yet to make choice of evil, is not to use…
… but to abuse our freedom.

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit!”

“Let’s be prepared to rise up in hope and to burn on in love, as the Lord assures that we are His Beloved!”

(Based on Mic 2:1-5 and Mt 12:14-21 – Saturday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

The Bible is the Real Word of God…
… describing Real Situations of Human Beings and the World.

The Bible does not shy away from presenting the weaknesses & the vulnerability of people.

In fact, the Bible has a special concern and a likeness for persons who are…
… feeble & fragile
… weak & worn-out
… helpless and hopeless
… unprotected & unarmed
… demoralized & defenseless

The Bible presents an “Anawim God”!

The term “Anawim” in Hebrew means “The Poor who seek the Lord for deliverance.”

God has always taken the ones in the position of powerlessness…
… and placed them in the position of strength.

The idea of God’s people being poor and delivered by Him is found throughout the Scripture.

Jesus is the Face of this Anawim God.

Though He was God, He emptied Himself and became..
… poor & powerless, frail &feeble
…. like any of us!

Today’s Gospel presents two images quoting Isaiah, on how this Anawim Jesus cares for His people: “The bruised reed He will not crush…nor snuff out the smouldering wick”!

What are Bruised Reeds and Smouldering Wicks?

1. The Bruised Reed
   A reed was a tall hollow blade of grass along the river bank.

But sometimes, a strong wind would blow, or people would stamp them down and they would become bowed and bent over…

Battered and shattered lives of people are Bruised Reeds…
… But Jesus does not crush them!

Is my Life like a Bruised Reed?

Crushed by a financial crisis…
Devastated by human calamites…
Suppressed by lack of spiritual solace…
Struck by an illness…
Hurt by a harsh word…
Disappointed by a death…

The world may want to cast these bruised reeds aside.

But Jesus reaches out in love and mercy!

The world did not see their pain and misery.

But Jesus gets in touch to comfort and relieve!

There are lot of Bruised Reeds in the Bible:

Zacchaeus…
Martha…
The Woman caught in adultery…
The Samaritan Woman…
The Man with a withered hand…
The widow who offered a mite etc…

Is my Life like a Bruised Reed?

2. The Smouldering Wick:
   Jesus’ image here was based on wicks used in oil lamps.

When the oil supply became less, the flame begins to flicker. As the wick burned out, smoke was emitted that smelled bad…
… the normal tendency is the put off this smouldering wick…

But Jesus does not snuff them out!

Is my life like a Smouldering Wick?

Saddened by trials and troubles, our flame of life often flickers…
Encountered by constant failures, our light of faith dies out…
Blown by winds of catastrophes, our glow of hope fades away…
Stumbled upon darkness of consolations, our flare of charity wanes away…

The world wants to snuff out these wicks.

But Jesus intervenes to renew the fire and the blaze!

The world feels it’s the end.

But Jesus jumpstarts and rejuvenates our lives!

There are a lot of Smouldering Wicks in the Bible…

Peter…
Mathew…
Bartimaeus…
Mary Magdalene…
The Crook on the Cross etc…

Is my life like a Smouldering Wick?

Through Prophet Micah, God condemns those who plan wicked and harm these innocent…
… and assures that He is with the Bruised Reeds and Smouldering Wicks:
“Woe to those who devise wickedness, and work evil upon their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand.

They covet fields, and seize them; and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance!”

Am I an Anawim…a NObody?….

God wants to make me a SOMEbody!

The Bible tells stories after stories about nobodies; about those who never do well!

But God chose them.

God’s eyes search throughout the world, looking for ones whose stories ended before it began.

He looks for those who have no hope in this world – The Bruised Reeds and the Smouldering Wicks

Let’s be prepared to Rise Up in Hope and to Burn On in Love!

The Anawim are God’s Beloved!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “”Our misery is the Throne of God’s Mercy.”

“Scraping off the rust of legalism and ritualism; instead, polishing our lives with the virtues of mercy, empathy and compassion!”

(Based on Is 38:1-6,21-22, 7-8 and Mt 12:1-8 – Friday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

Most of us, at some point or the other, have given gifts to our loved ones, our friends or our relations.

Imagine, if the one who received the Gift, were to neatly…unwrap the Gift Wrapper…

And to your horror….throws the Gift inside the Dustbin, and keeps to oneself, only the Gift Wrapper?

That would too be sad and painful …right?

Well, something similar is the case, when we look into the Salvation History.

God Yahweh had presented a Gift to the People of Israelites: The Gift of the Law…
… so that He could be their Only God and they could always be His People ( Jer 7:23)

But as time passed, this Gift of the Law was interpreted into several external practices…

So much so that the purpose of the law was forgotten…
… and only the external regulations were prevailing.

The Gospel of the Day is an exposition of how the Gift that God had given was being squandered…
… and just the externals – the wrapper of the gift – was being glorified…

and how, Jesus the Source of the Law seeks to restore the original spirit of the Law!

The Gospel passage begins with the Pharisees accusing the disciples of having transgressed the Sabbath Laws by plucking and eating on the Sabbath Day (Cf. Mt 12:2).

The External actions were accorded primacy…
.. the actual Law was slowly discarded!

The Body of the Commandment was insisted…
.. the Spirit of the Law was diluted!

The Gift wrapper gained more importance than the Gift Itself!

The Law of Moses was glorified, but there was a failure to see the Glorious God of the Law!!

And so today, the Majestic Lord of the Sabbath seeks to capture our attention to see the Most Important Aspect of Law: Inner Disposition rather than External Practices!

True Righteousness and Holiness stems from the with’in’…
… and not from the with’outs’!!

The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word sabat…which means repose or rest.

Just a few verses before this Reading… Jesus invited us “to take REST in Him” (Mt 11:28)

The Real Rest is in Him!
The Real Sabbath is in Him!

And Jesus, the True Rest and the Lord of the Sabbath is also a Might Defender of His Chosen Ones…

The Lord refutes the charges of the Pharisees, on three levels:

a. As a King
Jesus quotes the example of how King David had consumed holy bread, which was reserved only for the priests.

And yet, King David is never condemned and neither is his action worthy of being guilty

b. As a Priest
Jesus quotes the temple priests who perform work on a Sabbath.

And yet, it is not considered a religious violation, but is acceptable as a Sacred Duty.

c. As a Prophet
Jesus quotes Prophet Hosea and spells out God’s mind of Mercy being of greater value and importance than sacrifice!

Yes, Jesus, the True King, the Holy Priest and the Mighty Prophet…
… quotes the example of a King, a Priest and a Prophet to Defend His Chosen Ones and to declare that He is the Lord of the Sabbath!

Jesus Himself is the Real Rest and the Real Sabbath!

We need to examine…

Do I tend to become more legalistic in my mentality and fail to see the Spirit of the Law?
Do I become rigid in my external practices and rituals, but fail to relish the Heart of Worship?

In the Old Testament, we read about King Hezekiah who sought to live a righteous and blameless life, before the Lord. With sincerity of heart, the king prays:
“Remember now, O Lord, I beseech Thee, how I have walked before Thee in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in thy sight!” (Is 38:3)

The Lord has gifted us His Commandments and Laws…
… so that HE can be our Only God and we can always be His Beloved People.

Do I cherish the inner dimensions of the Law and treasure this Gift?

Or am I giving more importance only to external factors, like the Gift Wrapper?

Let us scrape off the rust of legalism and ritualism…

Let us, instead, polish our lives with the virtues of mercy, empathy and compassion!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Obedience is…
… a consecration of the heart
… chastity of the body
… and poverty of all worldly goods to the Love and Service of God!

Blessed indeed are the obedient, for God will never permit them to go astray!”

“Seeking the intercession of the Blessed Mother in our struggles and hardships of life – with the Sacramental of the Scapular as a sign to publicly declare our Love for Christ – let us respond to the invitation of the Lord, and readily ‘take up the Cross!’”

(Based on Is 26:7-9,12,16-19 and Mt 11:28-30 – Thursday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time – Feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel)

Many of us would have come across the acronym “RSVP” in Invitations for marriage, baptism, birthdays, wedding anniversaries or some other social events.

RSVP stands for Repondez S’il Vous Plait ( in French) which is translated as “Reply, If you please!”

The purpose of this RSVP is that the person sending the invitation, would like you to tell him or her, whether you accept or decline the invitation.

Today, Jesus, the King of all Hearts, presents a thrilling and a pleasant invitation… “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden…” (Mt 11:28)

Every invitation is to contain “By Whom”, “To Whom”, “What” and a “When”!

Let’s analyze these aspects in the Invitation of the Lord

1. BY WHOM is the invitation?
   Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour!

He’s in deep love with us!
“…You are precious in my eyes and I love You!” (Is 43:4).

As a Beloved Lover, it is He who tugs at the strings of our hearts & beckons us to Himself.

2. TO WHOM is the invitation?
   He extends His cordial and warmest invitation to each one of us who is weary and heavy-burdened….personally!

The Greek word for Weary is “Kopiao”…which means to toil & become weary to the point of exhaustion!

Weary could refer to the internal exhaustion caused by seeking Divine Truth through mere Human Wisdom.
Heavy Laden could be the external burdens caused by futile peripheral efforts & works to seek the Divinity.

Many of us certainly, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue in our everyday works and life and in our search for salvation.

Yes, You and I, each one of us, is today, an honoured and a privileged Invitee!
“Behold, I stand at the door and Knock!” (Rev 3:20).

3. WHAT is the invitation?
   To rest in His Sacred Heart and to Learn from Him Gentleness and Humility.

A haughty heart robs the person of spiritual insights…
Pride renders a person to look only to oneself; the gaze on the Lord is considered meaningless.

This is where the Pharisaic Mentality went wrong. They saw legalism as the vehicle to heaven. They lost sight of God’s desire for the heart.

They glorified the Law of Moses, but failed to see the Glorious God of the Law!

The Kingdom belongs to the Gentle and Humble…and that’s what Jesus invites us to learn!

4. WHEN is the invitation?

“Why delay good things in life?”
The Yoke of the Lord is easy.. because it is HE who takes up the burden…
… we are only sharers in His Divine Yoke!

He gives us a yoke which is made to fit our needs and abilities perfectly well!

And the Time is NOW!

With Prophet Isaiah, let us also echo: “My soul yearns for Thee in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks Thee.

For when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness!” (Is 26:7)

Yes… the Invitation from the Lord is already posted, and our Beloved Master is waiting!

What is our Response….

RSVP…. Repondez S’il Vous Plait?

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The feast was assigned to July 16, because on that date in 1251, according to Carmelite traditions, the scapular was given by the Blessed Virgin to St. Simon Stock.

The Scapular (from Latin scapulae, “shoulders”) – is both a sign of our belonging to Mary and pledge of her maternal protection in this life and the next.

It is also a sign of couple of elements:

1. A consecration to and trust in Mary
2. A declaration to imitate Our Lady’s virtues, especially Her humility, chastity, and prayerfulness.

The scapular is not…
… a magical charm to protect someone.
… a automatic guarantee of salvation.
… an excuse for not living up to the demands of the Christian life

It is instead, a sign…
… to follow Jesus like Mary
… to be open to God and to His Will.
… to be guided by Faith, Hope and Love.
… to pray at all times
… to discover and be aware of the Presence of God in all that happens around us.

As St. John of the Cross says:
“He who loves, is not ashamed before men of what he does for God…
… neither does he hide it through shame, though the whole world should condemn it.”

Let us seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother in our struggles and hardships of life…
… and may the Sacramental of the Scapular be a sign for us to publicly declare our Love for Christ and our Readiness to “take up the Cross!”

May we hold Mamma’s Hands…
… as She Inspires, Helps, Challenges and Intercedes for us!

Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother of Carmel!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Our Lord established three unions in the sacred Virgin Our Lady…

The first is that of the Divine Nature with the human nature in her sacred womb, which is so elevated a mystery.
The second union which He effected in Our Lady was that of maternity with virginity, a union which is absolutely outside the course of nature, for it unites two things which it is impossible to find together in nature.

The third union is that of a very exalted charity and a very profound humility!”

“Seeking to depend and trust more in the Lord, with a childlike faith, so that the Lord may rejoice in us and He – the Wisdom – may reveal Himself more and more to us!”

(Based on Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16 and Mt 11:25-27 – Wednesday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

A little girl child was to undergo a risky surgery.

She was placed upon the table and the surgeon was about to render her a dose of anaesthesia.
“Before we can make you well, dear, we must put you to sleep”, said the surgeon to the li’l girl.

With a cute smile, she said sweetly, “Oh, if you are going to put me to sleep, I must say my prayers first.”

So she got on her knees and said the child’s prayer.
“Now I can go to sleep,” said the sweet child.

The surgeon, later, testified that this action of the child moved his heart greatly…
… and he himself, prayed, that night, for the first time, in thirty years!

The power of the little child to influence was amazing…
… even on a person who was much older to her!

There is great sincerity and openness in the actions of little children.
There is immense authenticity and truthfulness in the deeds of little ones.

It is this childlike faith and simplicity that finds an expression of appreciation from our Blessed Lord in today’s Gospel.

Jesus says, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes” (Mt 11:25)

When we go back to the first book of the Bible – Genesis – and to the Garden of Eden, we encounter the first temptation scene – between the serpent and Eve.

It is interesting to note the words, when the serpent tempts Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, and Eve puts forth the reason for not eating:

The serpent says, “… God knows well that the moment you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad” (Gen 3:6)
The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes and desirable for “gaining wisdom” (Gen 3:7)

This then was the first temptation: To Know – seeking for wisdom; seeking for knowledge.

However the Lord says that wisdom is hidden from the wise and the understanding, and instead revealed to the babes, to those childlike.

As Prophet Isaiah declares, the Lord has all power and wisdom: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding…” (Is 10:13)

What makes the Divine Wisdom to hide from the wise and reveal to the childlike instead?

We could consider a couple of reasons….

1. The wise depend on their own strength; the childlike have a sense of dependency

One of the qualities or rather a condition of little children is their “helplessness”!

Little children are helpless…
… to be taking care of even their basic needs
… to be able to meet their basic emotions

They therefore have a sense of dependency!

2. The wise have over-confidence in themselves; the childlike trust on others
   Another quality of children is their basic sense of “trust”

They tend to easily trust the others…
… in meeting their needs and in having what they desire
… in being protected and being taken care safely

These two great qualities of the childlike are what helps the Divine wisdom to be revealed to them:

A sense of dependency: Depending on God, the Father in every moment of life

A sense of trust: Trusting in the Lord for every need and believing in His providence

The Gospel of the Day makes us to examine our own lives and check the level of childlike qualities that we possess…

Do I possess a sense of Dependency on the Lord…
… or is my reliance only on my own self-worth and abilities?

Do I possess a sense of Trust in the Lord…
… or do I fall into constant anxieties and apprehensions?

May we seek to depend and trust more in the Lord, with a childlike faith, so that the Lord may rejoice in us and He – the Wisdom – may reveal Himself more and more to us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Children learn to speak by hearing their mother talk, and stammering forth their childish sounds in imitation

And so if we cleave to the Saviour in meditation, listening to His words, watching His actions and intentions…

… we shall learn in time, through His Grace, to speak, act and will like Himself!”

“Examining our lives and making the necessary changes, in order to live a holier life!”

(Based on Isaiah 7:1-9 and Mt 11:20-24 – Tuesday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

There is an incident in the life of Queen Victoria.

As a queen, she enjoyed many luxuries and comforts.

She too, however, had to go through many family problems, especially, concerns as a grandmother.

One of her grandsons was highly reckless in the usage and spending of money.

Once, as his birthday was approaching, the grandson wrote to his grandmother, Queen Victoria, reminding her of his approaching birthday.

He cleverly suggested that “money would be the best and the most acceptable birthday gift”.

In reply, the Queen Grandmother wrote back a “letter of advice”- in her own hand – sternly reproving the young boy for his life of extravagance and urging him on the practice of economy.

However, the young boy’s reply to this letter, staggered her:
“Dear Grandma,” said the letter, “thank you for your kind letter of advice.

I have just sold the same letter for five pounds!”

The young grandson spared no efforts to even “auction and sell” the prized ‘letter of advice’ of the Queen, and got for himself some extra money!!

The young fellow wasted away every chance that was offered to him, to live a good life.

Instead, the privileges that were offered to him were converted to opportunities for indulging in more and more occasions of sin!

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus condemning such an “unrepentant” and “arrogant” attitude of some cities, in amending their ways and in turning back to the Lord.

Jesus raises a cry of sigh, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done to you, had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long back” (Mt 11:21)
“And you, Capernaum! Will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades” (Mt 11: 23)

These three towns – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – had a unique common feature.

These three were called as the “Orthodox Triangle”.

These towns consisted of “traditional” Jews – Jews who took the Law of Moses very seriously!
• They had a benefit of a “faith that was traditional and deep-rooted”

These towns also consisted of “privileged” people – people who had the great privilege of being witnesses to many miracles, events, preaching and deeds of the Lord Jesus.
• They had the privilege of a “faith that was encouraged and boosted by the wonderful deeds of Jesus”

In spite of these great opportunities and advantages that were offered to them, the people in these towns “failed” to live a life of repentance!

And this is what the Lord condemns them for…

They had the benefit of a traditional faith…
… but it did not move their lives to be lived in holiness!

They had the privilege of a faith that was nourished and encouraged…
… but it did not make them to purge their lives of sin and seek to live worthily in the presence of God!

The people of these towns wasted away every chance that was offered to them, to live a good life.

Instead, the privileges that were offered to them were converted to occasions for indulging in more and more opportunities for sin!

Is my life also resembling these three towns?

I may be a “traditional” Christian…
… having ‘inherited’ my faith in the Lord from my family and my background
… having heard and even practising many acts of faith and devotion

I may also be an “encouraged” Christian…
… having got many opportunities to hear and witness the powerful works of the Lord through many talks, retreats, miracles, sacraments etc
… having the privilege of constantly encountering the living presence of the Lord in the lives of many people.

But do these factors get “personalized” and make me “to live a life of holiness and repentance”?
• I may boast that I am a Christian by birth
• I may claim that I am doing many great works in the ministry of the Lord
• I may assert that I have experienced many miraculous Divine interventions in life

But do all these make me to “repent” of my sins and help me seek to “live a life of sanctity”?

The message of the Gospel is clear: “Repent, and believe, in the Lord!”

The faith-inputs that I receive, ought to, first and foremost, cause a transformation in my life – seeking God’s Will at all times and remaining firm to avoid any occasions of sin.

Through Prophet Isaiah, God offers His assurance of strength and grace to us:
‘Take heed, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint…” (Is 7:4)

The Lord through today’s Gospel is writing a “letter of advice to us” – to examine our lives and to make the necessary changes, in order to live a holier life.

Are we going to take serious heed to this “letter of advice” and make suitable changes?
… or are we going to “auction and sell off” this “letter of advice” and nullify the loving message of the Gospel?

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS* – “This loving repentance is usually practiced by frequent aspirations or elevations of the Heart to God…

… after the example of the ancient penitents!”

“Driving away all fears and embracing the Cross as our Christian Lifestyle!”

(Based on Isaiah 1:11-17 and Mt 10:34-11:1 – Monday of the 15th Week of Ordinary Time)

Every society or organization or a way of life draws up rules and regulations…
… to which its members have to promise obedience.

A faithful commitment to these guidelines will help for the true growth of the society and help the members to genuinely enjoy all the rights and privileges.

Christianity as a Life Style, also has its Rules and Regulations and it demands Commitment!

The Cross forms part of this Basic Rule of Christianity.

The ‘modern’ Christian however, is often afraid and oppose this dimension of Christianity: The Cross!

Bishop Fulton Sheen presents before us this mentality which is fast catching up in our world…

It is termed as Staurophobia… The Fear of the Cross!

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation of the Message of the Cross…
… an invitation to follow the Crucified Christ
… a challenge to faithfully carry the crosses of our life.

Jesus says, “He who does not take his cross and follow me, is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10: 38)

Our Blessed Lord loves to jolt static minds and the inert understandings..

He doesn’t promise cushy comforts…
… He demands Commitment to the Cross!

Those who choose Christianity as a Life Style, ought to be…

Losers of oneself
Be carriers of the Cross
And then Follow Him!

Christianity, as a Life Style, has the Cross as its Basic Rule and it demands Commitment!

But the very mention of the word “Cross”, sometimes puts people off…

“Not again the Cross”
“Enough of pain and suffering”
“We go to Church to relax and be comforted; not simply to hear of the Passion &Anguish of the Suffering Jesus on the Cross; we only prefer the Glorious & Victorious Christ”
“Stop being pessimistic with Sin & Repentance…. Just be optimistic with Joy & Salvation!”

These are often, the “happening” buzz phrases and popular opinions…even in our religious environs.

Staurophobia – the Fear of the Cross …is creeping stealthily but mightily in our lives…

We like to be Saved…
… but we Fear the Cross of repentance of our Sins

We like to receive Blessings…
… but we Fear the Cross of living an honest life

We like to live a peaceful life…
… but we Fear the Cross of trusting in God’s Providence

We like to be prosperous…
… but we Fear the Cross of being generous and compassionate

We like to be called good…
… but we Fear the Cross of being Faithful to the teachings of Christ

We like to have joy…
… but we Fear the Cross of giving up attachments & belong totally to God

Yes, We often, Fear the Cross…

But Christ – Crucified on the Cross – promises His Choicest Rewards to the ones, who dare to take up the Cross…

They will find Life…
They will be rewarded…
They will find true joy and peace…
…says the Lord.

Prophet Isaiah strongly warns and reminds all of us:
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts;
… Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.
… When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow!” (Is 1: 11, 13, 15-17)

Have we really accepted Christianity as our Life Style?

Then Let us Embrace the Cross…
Let us drive away the Fear of the Cross

Let Staurophobia (Fear of the Cross) be wilfully banished

Let Staurophilia (Love of the Cross) be willingly accepted!

St Camillus says, “Commitment is doing what you said you would do, after the feeling you said it in, has passed”.

Let us remain committed to the Cross of Christ and celebrate Christianity with conviction!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Think well on it, faithful soul: it is certain that on the Tree of the Cross, the Heart of our Lord Jesus beheld yours, and that He loved it…

… and by His love, obtained for it, all the favors which you have ever received, or will ever receive: among them, your good resolutions!”