“Deepening our realization that in order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other, and thus becoming an apostle and agent and ambassador of Love!”

(Based on Ezek 37:1-14 and Mt 22:34-40 – Friday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time)

There once was a farmer who grew award-winning ‘corn’ (maize).

Each year he entered his corn in the fair-competition conducted at the state-level, where it won a prize.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him.

Among the many great practices that this farmer had adopted, the reporter also learned something highly interesting about how this farmer grew corn…
… and which made him to win a prize every year.

The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn… his best variety seed…
… with his neighbouring farmers!

“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours…
… when they are also entering into competition with you?” enquired the bewildered reporter.

“Why sir,” replied back the farmer, “didn’t you know one of the important realities of life?

The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field.

If my neighbours grow inferior variety of corn, the cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn as well.

If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.

This is the reality of life that I have realized: In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

Yes, the farmer was very much aware of the relatedness of life.

His corn could not improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improved.

Have we realized this reality of our lives?

In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

Those who choose to live well, must help others to live well too.

The value of a life is measured by the lives it touches.

And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness…
… for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all!

The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbours grow good corn.

Let us all Love those that cross our paths.

Yes, Love is the starting point, the end and the essence of a Christian Life.

The Gospel of the Day emphasizes and affirms this aspect of Love: Love of God and Love of neighbour.

The Pharisees come together to trap Jesus with a question from the Law: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment of the Law?” (Mt 22: 36).

The Lord of Love is sought to be trapped in a web of malice!

This was a complicated question that was put forward to Jesus.

The Jewish Law of the Torah comprised 613 precepts.

It was certainly a challenge to condense these codes into a single commandment.

Probably Jesus would’ve looked into the eyes of the one who asked this question and thought, “Why do you seek to put me to the test?”

There was malice and a corrupt intention in the one who questioned.

But the greatness of the Lord overwhelms the evil designs of humans.

Jesus answers the question which had an evil bent, with an answer filled with goodness…

… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind….

Love your neighbour as yourself”! (Mt 22: 37)

Bingo..!

Two birds with one shot!

He not just answered His interrogators but He also proclaimed the summary of the Gospel.

He not just silenced His critics but He also won many followers for the Good News.

The Pharisee came asking which is “the” greatest commandment (Mt 22: 36)

He expected just one commandment.

But Jesus answers with two…and showed that those two commandments are nothing but one!

The Love of God and the Love of neighbour…

They were two dimensions of the same Love.

And this One Love, with two facets, formed the basis of all the other commandments of the Law!

The tragedy of our world and our spirituality very often, is the separation of these two dimensions…

One loves God….but fails to love one’s neighbour!

Another loves the neighbour…but fails to love God!

One loves to read and hear and understand God’s Word…but fails to apply it in real life.

Another loves to have a lot of social relations…but fails to build a strong spiritual basis.

One loves to preach deeply over virtues of the Gospel…but fails to live them in actuality.

Another loves to be in friendship with all…but fails in closeness with God, the source of Love.

One loves the Church and her teachings…but falls short to serve the society and its peoples.

Another serves people…but vehemently hates the Church, the ark of the Sacraments of Love!

Christian love is not just about emotions.

Christian love is not just about feelings.

Christian love, is…
… making a decision to serve, even if one does not feel so.
… being faithful, even if one is rejected or even shown indifference.
… being committed, even if one feels an aversion towards the other.

Easier said, than done….right?

This is where, we need to…
… depend on God, the Source of Love itself!
… draw strength from the Sacraments that the Church offers!
… display a Passionate love of God in order to share it with others!

Unless we are in Communion with the Lord, all this reflection remains merely a theory.

Unless we are joined to God, the Source of Love, all our meditations remain superficial.

We need to pray as the Psalmist says: “I love you, Lord, my strength” (Ps 18: 2).

The Lord assures us of His Great Love for us, through Prophet Ezekiel: “And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land…
… then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done it, says the Lord.” (Ezek 37:14)

Yes, God is the strength for us to love our neighbour.

He is the source for us to share our lives with our neighbour.
He is the supplier of hope for us to sustain in our difficulties to love.

As the famous signboard reads…

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered….

LOVE THEM ANYWAY

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives…

DO GOOD ANYWAY

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow…

DO HELP ANYWAY

What you spent years building, may be destroyed overnight…

BUILD ANYWAY

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth…

GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU’VE GOT ANYWAY

The world is thirsting for Love…

Each one of us is called to radiate this Love: Love of God and Love of Neighbour.

Yes, let us deepen our realization: In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

Let us become an Apostle and Agent and Ambassador of Love!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS)* – “To love our neighbour in charity is to love God in man…

… and man in God!”

“Responding to the invitation of the Lord and follow the norms of Love, in order to be among the chosen ones!”

(Based on Ezek 36:23-28 and Mt 22:1-14 – Thursday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time)

A story goes of a King in the olden days and of his “clown” or “jester.”

This jester would sometimes say very foolish things whereas sometimes he would make some wise utterances.

One day, it so happened, that this jester said something so foolish that the King handed him a staff and mocked at him saying: “Take this, and keep it… till you find a bigger fool than yourself!”

Years later, the kind fell ill and was on his deathbed. His favourite courtiers were summoned to him; his family and other friends were also around him.

The King, sick and pale, addressed them saying, “I am about to leave.
I am going on a very long journey and will never be returning to this place.
In deep sorrow, I wish all of you ‘goodbye'”

At that moment, the Jester stepped forward and said to the King, “Your Majesty, May I, please, ask a question?”

“When you journeyed abroad – visiting your people, or paying diplomatic visits to other Kingdoms, you have always made sure there is a great deal of preparation that is ensured.

May I kindly ask, what preparations has your Majesty made for this long journey that he is about to take?”

With tears and remorse and self-realization, the King replied, “Alas! I have made no preparation!”

‘Then,’ said the jester…and taking the staff that he had with him, said:
“Then, here is this staff for you. For now I have found a bigger fool than myself.’

Is the state of the King – being unprepared for the journey towards heaven – finding resonance with our own lack of preparations, with respect to eternal life?

The Gospel of the Day presents the parable of the Wedding Feast with a mighty warning to “stay prepared” in our endevours to be part of the Banquet of Eternal Joy in Heaven.

The Parable of the Wedding Feast, broadly speaking, presents two dangerous attitudes that can overpower a Christian:

1. The arrogant attitude of rejecting God’s omnipotence
2. The lethargic attitude of taking for granted God’s graciousness

In the first part of the parable, we come across the group of people, who turn down the offer of the King for the Wedding Banquet (Mt 22: 5-6)

They made several excuses…
… some ignored the invitation and went away
… one to his farm
… another to his business
… the rest manhandled the King’s servants

On display was their highly casual and lethargic attitude towards the King.

They were least bothered regarding the royal nature of the invitation
They cared little for the feelings and the sentiments of the King who had called them with much expectations

In the second part of the Gospel, we come across the guest, who failed to wear to the appropriate wedding garment (Mt 22: 11-12)

It was a sheer lack of failure to follow the customs of the land and was a betrayal of the host’s generosity…
… It was customary for the hosts to provide the suitable wedding apparel
… The “speechless” silence of the man, showed his inability to produce any valid reason for this act of disobedience and non-compliance

On display was his highly diminishing and disrespectful attitude towards the King.

He was overly adamant in keeping up the wedding protocols of his times
He was exceedingly proud to acknowledge the generosity of the King and chose to purposely insult the King

These two extremes, then, are fearful plagues that a Christian needs to be wary of…

1. A devastating tendency to be arrogantly proud towards the Mercies and Favours of God
2. A dissipated tendency to be lethargic towards the Graces and Blessings of God

Do I put down the power of God…
… by failing to give any response to His constant calls and inspirations to lead a more holy life?
… by busying myself in my worldly activities and failing to give any heed to the works of the Kingdom?
… by engaging constantly only for self-centred glory and sideline anything that promotes the Glory of God?

Do I make a mockery of the Grace of God…
… by professing to be a Christian and yet failing to wear the garments of doing God’s Will and in living His Gospel Virtues?
… by wanting to be proudly seen as a follower of Christ and yet unwilling to follow His teachings and commandments in daily life?
… by enjoying all the comforts that comes alone with being a ‘Christian’ but shamelessly failing to perform the duties associated with it?

The foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet is seen in the Holy Eucharistic Celebration.

The seriousness in our preparation for the Holy Mass is a clear indicator of our seriousness in preparation for the Heavenly Banquet.

Do I approach the wonderful foretaste of Heaven – the Holy Eucharist – with greater devotion and preparation…
… or do I adopt an attitude of arrogant denial of its Holiness or an attitude of lethargy and “taking for granted”?

The Lord adopts a tone of seriousness and strictness, when it comes to our question of preparation for Eternal Life.

There is only one life here on earth – and it deserves to be lived in its utmost fullness by responding to God’s Graces.

Prophet Ezekiel reminds the promise of the Lord, to all those who respond to His Norm of Love:
“I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances!” (Ezek 36:25-27)

Many of us these days, due to the situation of the pandemic, are greatly missing the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist.

Do I still nurture in my heart a deep fervour to receive Him in the Eucharist, and thus receive the Graces that are surely due, “to a soul who ardently longs for the Lover’s Real Presence!”
Do I regularly receive the Lord Sacramentally into my heart and radiate His Presence in all the activities of my life?

Let us give heed to the words of St Bernard of Clairvaux (Doctor of the Church and promoter of the Marian Devotion especially through the prayer, “Memorare”), who says:
“There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge: that is curiosity

There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others: that is vanity
There are those who seek knowledge in order to serve: that is love!”

May we seek knowledge in order to respond to the demanding call of the Lord – and make ourselves worthy of Life Eternal, to the best of our possibilties and capabiltities.

“Many are invited and a few are chosen” (Mt 22:14)

Are we willing to respond to the invitation and follow the norms of Love, to be among the chosen ones?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

• Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
  Bengaluru,

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Comets appear to be larger than stars and more fanfare is generally made of them.

Yet, they are not comparable to stars either in size or in quality and only seem more spectacular
because they are closer.

So, too, most people generally esteem the virtues which are, so to speak…
… closer, more tangible and more material.

Virtues such as gentleness, temperance, honesty and humility are the sort which should characterize all of our actions.”

“Shaping our lives, into a volcano of Generosity – like our Blessed Lord – so that we too can be a powerful, spectacular and amazing witness to the Lord in this world!”

(Based on Ezek 34:1-11 and Mt 20:1-16 – Wednesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time)

One of the most powerful, spectacular and amazing natural wonder of the world is a Volcano!

The image of a Volcano brings to our mind a massive mountain, erupting fumes of smoke and lava.

(When the Volcanic Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 it released 24 megatons of thermal energy – equivalent to 1,600 Hiroshimas!)

A volcano represents mighty force.

A volcano stands for…
… immense heat
… great strength

The Gospel of the Day lets out a life-challenging message, delivered with much power and force…
… like a volcano!

We have the familiar parable of the Landowner and the workers for our Gospel Passage today.

This landowner is quite unique and amazing in his approach.

He hired labourers for his vineyard first at 6 am…

Then periodically throughout the day…
Finally, he hired some at 5 pm to work only one hour.

The labourers in those days, like often in our society too…
… had no secure work and no consistent income.

They were hired on a day to day basis.

Those hired late, were not sure of what wages they would be paid…
They had to, therefore, solely depend on the kindness of the one who had hired them!

The landowner in the Gospel, pays the labourers, not as per their work…
… but as per his kindness!

He pays the labourers, not just based on their hard efforts…
… but based on His big-heartedness!

The Landowner is like a Volcano… mighty and immense and great…
… in his generosity!

He is a Volcano of Generosity!

Like a volcano, he is mighty…
… in standing up to his principles in being firm to render benevolence.

Like a volcano, he is immense…
… in lavishing unexpected favours and rendering surprising packages

Like a volcano, he is great…
… in being fair in his dealings and yet going beyond justice to the needy.

This landowner is Jesus!

He is the Volcano of generosity.

Jesus has given us life and many essentials and comforts of life…
… by His generosity.

Jesus has strengthened us with His transformative words in the Bible…
… by His generosity.

Jesus has provided us with grace and mercy when we have been lost in sin…
… by His generosity.

Jesus has blessed us with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist to nourish us…
… by His generosity.

Jesus has showered us with love and affection when we have been broken and shattered…
… by His generosity.

All this He has done when we least deserved it.

Like the late-employed workers, we did not deserve this great bounty.

Perhaps, some of us might identify ourselves with the workers who were employed at the start of the day…and we feel ourselves been cheated and treated unfairly.

We feel that since we have been more faithful and committed, we ought to deserve more!

But the words of the Lord, need to sink deep into our hearts, “My friend, I am not cheating you….Am I not free to do as I wish, with my own money?” (Mt 20: 13, 15)

Let’s accept it: We have been treated justly…
… we have been given our just wages
… we have been paid rightly.

But we lose our temper, because we compare ourselves with others and feel, “I deserved more”!

We cry foul, because we judge other people and their efforts and say, “That fellow was not so much worthy “!

We shout unfair, because we look over on the other side of the fence and exclaim, ” I did better than that one!”

We go blind that we have been treated justly and instead crib that others have been prized with great generosity.

This is the Volcano of Generosity – Jesus.

His generosity goes beyond our wildest imaginations.
His generosity crosses all human boundaries of expectations.
His generosity traverses way ahead of what we can think or conceive!

And this Volcano of Generosity invites us to be similar in our attitude and life…

Be a volcano of generosity…
… with encouragement, for those who fail in life, despite trying hard!
… with love, for those who lose heart and struggle with problems of life!
… with patience, for those who get irritated and annoyed with situations!
… with kindness, for those who constantly find faults and are pessimistic!
… with hope, for those who find no meaning in life and remain depressed!

The Volcano is one of the most powerful, spectacular and amazing wonder in the world.

If we can shape our lives, into a volcano of Generosity, we too can be a powerful, spectacular and amazing witness to the Lord in this world!

Are we ready to let go of ourselves…
… and get transformed to be a volcano of generosity?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy…
… but those who have the greatest courage
… the greatest generosity, the greatest love
… who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves

… and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping!”

“Giving heed to the exhortation of the Lord to ‘give up’ things that do not count and instead to ‘take up’ the greater priorities of our Christian life!

(Based on Ezek 28:1-10 and Mt 19:23-30 – Tuesday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time)

Pompeii was an ancient Roman town-city near the modern Naples, in the region of Campania in Italy.

This city was greatly devastated – destroyed and buried – by nearly 13- 20 feet of ash and pumice, in the volcanic eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The dreadful eruption killed the inhabitants of the city and buried it under tons of ash. During the excavation, plaster was made use to fill in the voids in the ash layers that once held dead bodies. This made way for one to see the exact position that the person was in, when he or she died.

Several years later, as the construction workers were laying a foundation for a building outside the city of Pompeii, they found something very strange…

They found a corpse of woman, who probably had been fleeing from the eruption, but had got caught in the shower of hot ashes!

The weird part was that the woman’s hands clutched jewels, which were preserved in a very good condition!

The jewels were all hers…
… but death had rendered them useless for her!

That perhaps, is the bottom-line of life, isn’t it?

Treasures of this world are just not a wise investment…
… they can neither be taken with us at the end of life
… neither can they be enjoyed for but a few years on the earth

These are the sentiments and the teachings that are transmitted by the Lord in today’s Gospel.

Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19: 23)

The Gospel goes on to say that, “when the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished…” (Mt 19: 25)

It is fairly understandable, that just like the disciples, we too find ourselves in a state of amazement, wonder or even shock, at the words of the Lord concerning richness.

Could Jesus “really” mean that the rich won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

Was Jesus meaning that all wealth is categorically bad and therefore to be dumped off?

One of the prevailing dominant notions with respect to riches, in the Old Testament was that, they were considered to be a sign of God’ special favour.

There are several references for the same…

In Gen 24: 35: “Abraham’s servant tells Laban, ‘The Lord has blessed my master abundantly, and he has become wealthy.’

In Job 42:12: “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.”

In Prov 10: 22: ” It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.”

But the Old Testament also very clearly points out that these material blessings ought to be undoubtedly accompanied by a concern and care for the poor…

In Ps 132: 15: “God will bless Zion with abundant provisions and satisfy her poor with food”

In Ps 37: 11: “The meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace”

Thus the teachings of the Scriptures point to a greater responsibility that is placed on the rich.

This responsibility finds it onus on discovering God as the greatest treasure and richness of one’s life.

The Prophet Habakkuk gives beautiful expression to this clarion call:
“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen, and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.” (Hab 3: 17-18a)

This then is the spirit of “richness” that Jesus, the culmination of the Laws and the Prophets calls forth for.

“Richness” that rests not on material wealth…
… but on God, the Source of all wealth and prosperity

“Wealth” that doesn’t pride on external glory…
… but on the Lord, the giver and provider of every richness and gift

Our lives sometimes gets so pre-occupied and anxious with….
… garnering of material wealth
… planning on amassing greater resources
… harvesting mighty fields of glory and richness
… that God gets pushed out of life and the Source and Sustainer of all goodness finds no place in our hearts and minds!

But Jesus makes us to realize the need to discover, maintain and hold on to the Lord as the Supreme Treasure of our life…
… and consider all other riches and wealth as flowing from His Mercy
… with a duty towards sharing it with the needy and the disadvantaged!

Prophet Ezekiel reminds us of the miserable end of the prince of Tyre who savagely took false pride in his riches and position, considering himself even “to be a god” (Cf. Ezek 28:2)

“… by your great wisdom in trade, you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth; therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you consider yourself as wise as a god, therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon you, the most terrible of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor…” (Ezek 28:5-7)

Instead of clinging on to worldly wealth…
… may we cling on the Lord, who alone can help us to find the true meaning of our lives!

Instead of holding on to material glory…
… may we hold on to the Kingdom of Heaven, where alone can we find the perfect peace and happiness!

As goes a beautiful quote: “A person is no fool to give up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose.”

Let us realize: Treasures of this world are just not a wise investment…
… they can neither be taken with us at the end of life
… neither can they be enjoyed for but a few years on the earth!

Instead, may we give heed to the exhortation of the Lord to “give up” things that do not count and instead to “take up” the greater priorities of our Christian life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Riches can prick us with a thousand troubles in getting them, as many cares in preserving them, more anxieties in spending them…

… and with grief in losing them!”

“Accepting the intervention of the Gospel in our lives and taking the necessary decisions to focus our attention on the True Riches of Life!”

(Based on Ezek 24:15-24 and Mt 19:16-22 – Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary Time)

A man was passing out of a church when he met an old acquaintance whom he had not seen for several years. In their brief interaction, the man said to his acquaintance, “I understand you are in great danger.”

This statement was said seriously, and was heard with surprise.

The acquaintance who was addressed was not aware of any danger that he was facing, and so, curiously inquired what was meant.

The man, with a sense of concern, then replied: “I have been informed… that you are getting rich!”

(The acquaintance was being reminded of the danger that riches have…
… Riches can lead one’s heart away from the Lord, the greatest treasure
… Riches can blur one’s vision to help and reach out in service to the needy)

With a sense of acceptance, the acquaintance answered: “I thank the Lord for this timely intervention!

I do agree I have been losing my peace of mind over the last years, even though my bank balance is on the rise!
I do experience a spiritual vacuum!
I hope that your reminder will help me focus my attention back on the True Riches of Life!”

This is the great and a naked reality of our 21st century, in particular: There is a great spiritual vacuum at the heart of our society… a tumour of the soul!

There are many who have plenty of wealth…
… but extremely poor in peace of mind

There are many who have honour and fame…
… but strangely lost in loneliness and despair

There are many who have cashed in popularity and glam and glitz…
… but end up in depression and gloom

There are many who have built bungalows and estates…
… but sadly abandoned in nursing animosity at home

Our world is habitually sick…

Our society is often sad deep within…
Our families are frequently cracked and broken!

The Gospel of the Day, brings on stage, one person…
… who claimed he had everything right
… who claimed he did everything right

And yet….yet…”he lacked something!”

A vacuum filled his soul!!

The rich young man in today’s Gospel passage apparently looks as an ideal person…
… and some of us can even identify the pattern of our lives with his.

He seeks for Eternal Life…
… We too seek the spiritual treasures and religious riches

He addresses Jesus as the Master…
… We too acknowledge the supremacy and authority of God in our lives…

He knows the laws…
… We too know the basics of our teachings and are informed of the doctrines

He practices the commandments…
… We too do our bit in keeping the rules and regulation of religion

Despite all these aspects, he still lacked something…..

DESPITE ALL THESE ASPECTS, ARE WE TOO LACKING SOMETHING?

To hear that statement was hard for that man…
… and it is hard for us too, to hear and digest that – “You are lacking something!”
It’s a statement which can belittle people!

It’s like telling a Great Artist…
… your art is superb, but you still lack the quality in painting the nuances

It’s like telling a Great Speaker…
… your talks are classic, but you still lack the trait of modulation of tones

It’s like telling a Great singer…
… your voice is amazing, but you still lack the punch in singing the high notes

After doing and achieving many things, to hear that “You are lacking something” is hurting….

But that was the fact…. that was the Reality and the Reason, for the Vacuum and the Void that was experienced!

The rich young man thought he had gained everything… He assumed he did everything right…

But he still lacked something
… What was that?

“He lacked” having heaven as his greatest treasure and fortune…

“He lacked” the control to let go off money and mammon as the controlling factor of his life…
“He lacked” the charity to share his resources and his possessions to the needy and the wanted…
“He lacked” the generosity to set free his mind from being dominated by the cares and burdens of this world…

The man had gained much in life, but he still lacked what was most important: A great vacuum had engulfed his soul…
… a great void had overpowered his life!

Is my life in resemblance with this person, who thought he had everything right…
… yet lacking the Basics?

Is my life similar to this person, who considered he was on the right track…
… but lacked the Right Direction?

The Lord invites us too, as He invited the Rich Young Man:

“Go, sell what you have
…give to the poor and follow Me!”

“Give up the feeling that money and worldly riches can rule your life…
… rather acquire spiritual treasures”

“Give up the notion that worldly success can satisfy you…
… rather feed your lives with divine riches”

May this intervention of the Gospel help us to have a sense of acceptance, and reply: “I thank You, Lord for this timely intervention!

I do agree that perhaps, I have been losing my peace of mind…for various reasons
I do experience a spiritual vacuum!
I hope that Your reminder will help me focus my attention back on the True Riches of Life!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It [is] overambitious to aim at being poor without suffering any inconvenience…

… in other words, to have the credit of poverty and the convenience of riches!”

“Being a Person of Faith with the Heart of a Dove and the Skin of a Rhinoceros to withstand and be firm in every trying situation of life!”

(Based on Is 56:1,6-7, Rom 11:13-15,29-32 and Mt 15:21-28 – 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time)

There lived a good woman, who was well-known among her circle for her simple faith and her great calm and composed attitude, in the midst of many trials.

Another woman, who came as her new neighbour, hearing of her, remarked: “I must go and see that woman, and learn the secret of her calm, happy life.”

She went, and, enquired of the woman: “Are you the woman with the great faith?”

“I don’t know,” was the answer, “I don’t know if I am the woman with the great faith…
… but I do know that I am the woman with a little faith in the Great God!”

The Gospel of the Day in a similar way, presents before us a beautiful incident of faith…
… of a woman, with a faith, in the Great God!

“You are beautiful… pleasant… delightful…
Your love is like honey… Your presence is charming!
You are wonderful in your splendour and spectacular in your majesty and glory!”

These are some of the endearing and appealing and fascinating words that we often address to our Beloved Lord.

This is the Jesus who is sweet, cuddly, lovable, adorable, amiable, agreeable and friendly!

We yearn for this Jesus.
We are happy with this Jesus.

We get settled, often for a sentimental faith.

We get fixated, often with a faith based on emotions and sweet words.

Perhaps, that’s how we also want our world to be – kind, caring, accommodating, considerate and gentle!

But we know…the reality is different.

The world that we wish is very often not the world that we experience.
The world that we aspire is often in contrast with the world that we come in contact with.

We like a peaceful world…
… but we often encounter a world with missiles and innocent lives snatched away!

We like an equal society…
… but we often meet a society which discriminates and victimizes people!

We like a just culture…
… but we often run into a culture which is corrupt and degrading and inhuman!

We like a respectful civilization…
… but we bump into a civilization which is debasing and merciless!

The world of our actual experience is very different from the world that we hope and desire for…

In this context, we need a Faith that can carry us through this tough life.

A faith based on mere sweet words, pious rituals and peripheral feelings doesn’t suffice…

A mere sentimental faith leaves us paralyzed and crippled with the hard-hitting realities of life!

We need a Faith that’s strong….
… a Faith that’s valiant
… a Faith that can battle life’s odds..

The Canaanite Woman in today’s Gospel Reading is a Person who possessed this Challenging and Brave Faith!

She is a big misfit in approaching Jesus and to be a bearer of Faith…

1. She is a Canaanite: An unaccepted pagan… a denied heathen!
2. She is a Woman: A degraded status… a humiliated class!
3. She has a possessed child: A helpless situation…a miserable condition!

Yet she dares…
… to approach the Lord of the Universe: ” Lord, Son of David, have pity on me!!”

The First Reply from the Lord…?

SHHHH…. (the Word Perfect responds with a total hush…)

No answer from the Master…. the wait for the Woman increases…

It’s trying time!
It’s a testing moment!

The probably irritated-disciples seek to chase her away, disturbed by the shoutings and the wailings…

The Second Reply from the Lord…?

HMMM… I am sent not for her category…I am sent only for the Chosen Race…

Agony from the Master… the hopes of the woman diminishes…

It’s a grilling time!
It’s a gruelling moment!

Yet she dares… to approach once more…kneeling before the Throne of Mercy…” Sir, help me!!”

The Third Reply from the Lord…?

GRRR… Children’s bread is not thrown to the dogs…

More anguish from the Master… the expectations of the woman is crushed…

It’s a hard time!
It’s a harsh moment!

To hear being called a DOG…was humiliating and insulting and offensive…

Was this the height of rudeness??

But, the woman of Faith noticed that Jesus had used the word “kunariois” – the word for household pets…

She noticed that He had not used the word kuon – the word for other ordinary dogs…

Ah… there was the opening.. there was the possibility…there was the occasion…

A person of Deep Faith is able to wait patiently for a sparkle of sunshine even in the midst of the darkest clouds!

The Woman of Faith sneaked a chance in that seemingly degrading word…

The Woman of Faith found her prospect in that apparently disgusting expression…

She was a kunariois – a household pet…. She immediately matches her wit, with the wit of Jesus..

Pets are not outsiders… they are insiders;

Pets are not out of the family…they are part of the family…

Pets are not to have a seat at the Master’s table…
… but they enjoy an intimacy at the Master’s feet!

So she replies: “Yes Lord! But even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table”

It was a moment of Truth!

The Fourth Reply from the Master…?

WOW! “Woman, how great is your faith!!”

The Woman of Faith had triumphed!

The Lord of the Universe marvelled at her faith!

The God of Healings blessed the Woman of Faith with heart’s desire!

We are reminded strongly that no one is outside the purview of God’s Mercy.

What is needed is a total trust in Him… following of His Commandments… and Living as He teaches!

Prophet Isaiah prophetically told us: “Foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the sabbath, and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant, these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer!” (Is 56:6-7)

St Paul reminds us: “Just as you were once disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy!” (Rom 11:30-31)

Life is definitely hard.

We are challenged however to have a harder and a stronger faith!

The Canaanite Woman, who is proclaimed, through all the churches today, is a shining model!

She, who was called a DOG….(!!)…is today praised and glorified by GOD…(!!)!

Sentimental Faith and Sugary Words are needed.

But it’s not enough!

We need to combine our Sweet Faith with a Tough Trust…
… our Pious Devotion with a Faithful Dedication!

Let us be a Person of Faith with the Heart of a Dove and the Skin of a Rhinoceros!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let us be firm in our intentions, unwavering in our decisions.

Our very perseverance will prove that in good earnest desire, we have sacrificed ourselves to God…

… and committed ourselves to the devout life!”

REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY – Aug 15, 2020: Saturday

“Holding the loving hands of our Blessed Mamma, as we seek to grow in Holiness and making the best use of our freedom as Children of God… and asking Her to intercede for our Beloved Nation India!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Assumption and the Independence Day of India)

“Saare jahaan se acha!” (“Better than the entire world!”)

High up in the outer space, with a jubilant face and an excited voice, exclaimed Rakesh Sharma, these words.

The first man to go up to space from India, was replying to the query by Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India, as to ‘how the nation looked from the outer space’.

“Saare jahaan mein acha!” (“Better than all in the entire world!”)

Transcending the entire universe, with a radiant face and a splendid voice, looking at Blessed Mother Mary, exclaims God, these words.

These triumphant words are proclaimed and repeated by the entire Church in unison and acclamation!

Rakesh Sharma stated India to be the Better than the Entire world!

God declared Blessed Mother Mary to be better than all in the Entire World!

Sentiments of Patriotism and Sentiments of God’s Abundant Grace and Mercy join hands on this day
…the 15th of August… the Independence Day of India… & the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary!

This day has much to teach us…much to thank the Lord…and much to exhort us!

This day has much to be nostalgic…much to be joyful….and much to be hopeful of!

The Feast of the Assumption is one of the most important feasts of our Lady.

The Dogma of the Assumption declares that when her earthly life was finished, Mary was taken up, body and soul, into heavenly glory, where the Lord exalted her as Queen of Heaven.

The Assumption was the reward God granted to our Blessed Mother for the Right use of Her Freedom!

Freedom plays a vital role in the destiny…
… of a person
…of a family
…of a society
…of a nation
… of the world!

Mamma was invited to be the Mother of God by Angel Gabriel…
… in true freedom, She said Yes!

Mamma felt the need to be a Helper of the Needy by her cousin Elizabeth …
… in true freedom, She said Yes!

Mamma was to be a model of Patience in difficulties at the birth of Jesus …
… in true freedom, She said Yes!

Mamma was requested to be a Silent Contemplative during His boyhood …
… in true freedom, She said Yes!

Mamma sensed an urgency to be an Intercessor before God at Cana …
… in true freedom, She said Yes!

Mamma was called to be a Serene Bearer during the Passion of the Lord…
… in true freedom, She said Yes!

Mamma was called to be a Model of Prayer at the Upper Room…
… in true freedom, She said Yes!

A responsible use of freedom is a sign of true and authentic spirituality and is a pathway to greater glory!

Freedom is not simply doing what we want…
… Freedom is assuming responsibility for ours and others’ lives!

Freedom is not simply getting our pleasures fulfilled…
… Freedom is fulfilling our tasks in the best way possible!

The Assumption of Blessed Mother Mary is an invitation and a challenge for each one of us….
… To focus our attention on things of heaven & transcendence and not get fixated with cares of this world!
… To live a life of holiness and purity and seeking to do God’s will at all times and in every situation!
…To share with the pain and passion of the Lord and become partakers in the salvation of the world!
…To realize that to be Holy & a Saint is a call of every Christian & we need to prioritize our life on them!

Today is a BIG Day..
… a Day to thank the Lord for Mamma’s Holiness and Her exemplary Life of Responsible Freedom …
…a Day to thank the Lord for our nation’s freedom and her valiant freedom fighters!

Let us become mindful of our Loyalty & Obligation to our Nation…
… safeguard the Precious Gift of Freedom!

Let us become conscious of our Responsibility & Duty to the Lord…
… grow in the Prized Treasure of Holiness!

May Blessed Mamma intercede for our Beloved Nation India…

And may we hold Her loving hands…
… as we seek to grow in Holiness and making the best use of our freedom as Children of God!

A very Happy Time to Blessed Mamma reigning with Her Divine Princely Child…
…and a Happy Feast to all of us, Her little ones on the earth!

A Very Precious Future to Mother India, on her Independence Day…
…and a Precious Day to all of us, her beloved citizens!

God Bless! Jai Hind! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When the Most Holy Soul of Our Lady left her Most pure Body, this Body was carried to the sepulcher and returned to the earth like that of her Son.

For it was most proper that the Mother should not have a greater privilege than the Son.

But just as Our Lord rose at the end of three day, so did She rise at the end of three days.

Yet in a different manner, inasmuch as the Saviour rose by His own power and authority and Our Lady rose by the almighty power of God Her Son…
… Who commanded the blessed Soul of His most Holy Mother to be reunited to Her Body.

Certainly it was very fitting that this most pure Body should in no way be tainted by any corruption, since that of Our Lord had been drawn from Her chaste Womb…

… and had reposed in it for nine months.”

“Let’s say, Yeah to Jesus and His Kingdom… and Nay to Satan and the ways of the world!”

(Based on Ezek 16:1-15,60,63 and Mt 19:3-12 – Friday of the 19th Week of Ordinary Time)

Henry Ford is the founder of the Ford Motor Company.

He manufactured the first automobile that was affordable even to the middle class – an object of expensive curiosity turned into a practical conveyance.

Ford had a happy married life with Clara Jane Bryant.

On their golden wedding anniversary, a reporter asked them:
“To what do you attribute your fifty years of successful married life?”
“The formula,” said Mr. Ford, “is the same formula I have always used in making cars – just stick to one model!”

Being faithful and loyal is undoubtedly the hallmarks of a successful relationship.

But we live in a world, where divorce is becoming an increasingly common term and phenomenon.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus engaged in a conversation with the Pharisees and clarifying and shedding light on the concept of faithfulness and fidelity in relationships.

When we hear the word Divorce, we primarily associate it…
…. with a man and woman, in marriage, seeking divorce.

But Divorce is not merely limited to spousal relations.

In fact, divorce is on the increase everywhere….

There is divorce…
… between the parents and the children
… between siblings and family relations…
… among the members of a religious community and congregation..
… among the members of the Church…
… within the society itself.

There is also a great divorce within one’s spiritual life…
… One is separated and torn apart between serving God and serving the World!

In all these cases of Divorce…
… the one basic factor that is lacking is that of Commitment and Faithfulness.

When there is a decrease in commitment and faithfulness, the gravity of divorce and separation, increases!

It could be…
… in the spousal relation
… in the family relation
… in the community relations
… in the societal relations
… or even in our personal spiritual relationship with God!

When we fail in faithfulness, we succeed in separation…

When we are complacent in commitment, we are in danger of divorce…!

Today, let us look into our personal spiritual relationship with God…and examine…

Are we separating ourselves from God?
Are we being divorced from God?

Apparently, we may feel that these questions are not for us…

But let’s go a little deeper into ourselves…
… Are we really serving God as our master? … as the Only Master?
… Or are there times, when we fail in our faithfulness, and become complacent in our commitment…?

We need to give the first place to God…
… in our personal lives, our family lives/ our religious and priestly consecration.

But are there occasions, when for some time at least, we keep God away…
… to satisfy our sinful pleasures?
… to answer our egoistic tendencies?
… to fulfill our worldly sinful desires?
… to gratify our evil personal agenda?

If the answer is yes…
… then we are not on God’s side!

The Lord demands a total commitment and dedication to Him.

God hates divorce!

In Baptism, we have entered into a covenant with Him.

Am I in danger of being divorced or separated from our Beloved Covenant Partner?

The little acts of unfaithfulness and infidelity are the ones that slowly shreds a relationship into pieces.

Lets tighten up our spiritual lives, and re-dedicate our commitment and faithfulness and consecration to the Lord.

He is a God who cares deeply for us

He is Loving parent who sees to all our needs
He is a lover who is intensely passionate about us

Shall we not remain in His loving affection by being more faithful and committed to Him and Him alone?!

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Maximillian Kolbe, who was called by Pope St John Paul II as the “Patron Saint of our Difficult Century!”

May the words of this Heroic Saint, who volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz, be an inspiration for us:
“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference.

And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits.
Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him…
… to the greatest extent of our powers!”

Yes… let faithfulness and loyalty be the hallmarks of our successful relationship with the Lord.

Let’s say…

Yeah to Jesus and His Kingdom…
… and Nay to Satan and the ways of the world!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The chaste heart is like the mother of pearl, which cannot receive a single drop of water that does not come from heaven

For it cannot receive any pleasure but those ordained to it from heaven…

… apart from that it is not permitted to dwell on voluptuous thoughts!”

“Entrusting ourselves to the Lord and imitating Him, knowing that God’s Plan of Salvation (GPS) for human beings is His Mercy!”

(Based on Ezek 12:1-12 and Mt 18:21-19:1 – Thursday of the 19th Week of Ordinary Time)

A tech-savvy young man was once explaining the functioning and usage of a smartphone to an elderly priest.

The use of GPS (Global Positioning System) was among the few things that he taught the senior priest.

Explaining GPS, the man told of how it can be used to quickly locate places, move from one place to another effortlessly…
… and adding, “You know Father, even if you lost your direction, the GPS will safely guide you

It will only give a message, ‘Re-routing’ and then guide you to your location, provided your destination is proper”.

Hearing this, the priest reflected a while and said, “Ah! So this is a beautiful reflection of the way God is, isn’t it?”
… and he continued: “Every time we stray, God safely guides us. Every time we miss the way, He prompts the right direction. He gives the message ‘re-routing’ and amazingly shows the way to proceed ahead. Of course, all we need to ensure is that our destination is Holiness!”

The priest concluded by saying, “I think GPS for me stands for God’s Plan of Salvation…
… and GPS for human beings is His Mercy!”

That’s truly beautiful, isn’t it?

God’s Plan of Salvation (GPS) for human beings is His Mercy!

The Gospel of the Day is the mighty message of the Lord to share in this Divine attitude of reaching out Mercy to everyone in our life.

To be merciful involves the aspect of forgiveness.

Many of us have our moments of grappling with the aspect of ‘forgiveness’.

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

Jesus today teaches us this necessary virtue of “forgiveness”.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And our thought-process takes the following pattern:

“This person, on so and so date, committed this mistake
And on so and so date, I had forgiven him”.

“This person, on this particular day, had behaved in a very indifferent manner to me
And a particular number of days later, I had extended my pardon”.

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

What is the basis for Jesus to say this?

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

God abandons all mathematical calculations in extending His forgiveness to us

God lets go of every measure of computation in allowing us to receive His mercy

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

Each of us find ourselves sinking in the “boats of sinfulness and guilt”.
But it is the Mercy of God that still keeps us ashore.

Each of us pass through the “deserts of shame and culpability”
But it is the Forgiveness of God that nourishes us with the oasis of blessings

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

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

But do we realize that it contains a clause, whose condition, if not fulfilled, does not help us to receive the “unconditional forgiveness of God”?

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

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

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

So many are the moments we stray away from the path of the Lord.

But every time we stray, God safely guides us.
Every time we miss the way, He prompts the right direction.

He gives the message ‘re-routing’ and amazingly shows the way to proceed ahead.

Of course, all we need to ensure is that our destination is Holiness!”

Let us entrust ourselves to the GPS of our lives and imitating the Lord… knowing that
… God’s Plan of Salvation (GPS) for human beings is His Mercy!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

… and talk to God!”

“Installing God as the Lightning Rod in our lives, in our homes, in our communities and in our Church and uniting ourselves, to find strength and meaning in Prayer

(Based on Ezek 9:1-7, 10:18-22 and Mt 18:15-21 – Feast of St Jane de Chantal – Wednesday of the 19th Week of Ordinary Time)

“Where two are three are gathered in my name…there am I in the midst of them.”

This is perhaps one of the common verses that are familiar to many, memorized by many and quoted by many.

We often understand and assume and take for granted this verse to be a sure assurance that the Lord is with us, whenever a few of us, gather together in prayer or worship.

But let’s look at this verse a little more closely…
God, as the Lord of the Universe, is surely present everywhere…
… but to experience His Living Presence, there is a condition required on the part of the ones gathered.

What is that condition?

A unity of hearts!

Every assembly of prayer is not an assurance of spiritual power
… there needs to be a relationship of love!

Every coming together doesn’t assure a default presence of God
… there needs a communion of hearts!

Every gathering together does not mean that the Spirit of God reigns
… there needs a dispersion of hatred!

Every get-together for praise and worship need not grant divine renewal
…there needs a harmony of bonds!

We are familiar with the concept of a Lightning Rod.

A lightning rod is a metallic rod on the top of a building or some elevated structure
… which is used to protect the structure from a lightning strike.

If a lightning strikes, it hits the lightning rod, and the force is conducted to the ground, through a wire.

The structure or the building remains untouched and safe!

A lightning rod takes away all the energy and grounds it so that everything remains safe!

Our relationships need such a lightning rod
… God is to be that Lightning Rod!

When there is anger among us
… we need God, as the lightning rod, to diffuse away the tension!

When there is bitterness among us
… we need God as the lightning rod, to absorb the unpleasantness!

When there is unforgiveness among us
… we need God, as the lightning rod, to take in the ill feelings!

When there is a hateful feeling among us
… we need God, as the lightning rod, to scatter the repulsiveness!

The Gospel of the Day is a challenge to each one of us to examine the quality of our prayer life, especially our praying together in a family, or a community or a Church.

Let us not deceive ourselves or water down this grave matter!

Unless there is a unity of hearts
…there is no real prayer!

Unless there is an accordance of relationships
…there is no real worship of God!

Unless there is mutual unity and friendship
… there is no real Community of Prayer!

The Lord doesn’t demand perfection always, but He certainly does demand an effort towards perfection!

We need to examine…
We need to evaluate our lives…
We need to even fraternally correct others in this!

Let us truly recognize the meaning of Gathering together in the Lord’s name.

There is much meaning in coming together to pray.
There is great power in praying as a family, as a community and as a Church.

St John Marie Vianney would enlighten us – “Individual praying is like straw scattered over a field. If you set a straw alight, the flame is small. But if you gather up all the bits of straw, the flame fills out, rising high up in the sky, and it’s the same with communal prayer.”

The Lord loves to reign in our prayer

The Lord wishes to be enthroned in our praises
The Lord seeks to be crowned as the centre of our worship

May we purify our hearts of all our hatred and ill feelings, to make this happen when we come in prayer!

Let us install God as the Lightning Rod in our lives, in our homes, in our communities and in our Church.

Let us unite ourselves to find strength and meaning in Prayer!

Today we specially seek the intercession of St Jane de Chantal, in order to have greater strength in our personal relationships.

She is the patron saint of forgotten people, in-law problems, loss of parents, parents separated from children and widows.
She is the foundress of the Congregation of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary
… along with St Francis de Sales (the Doctor of Love)
(This is the Congregation to which St Margaret Mary Alacoque who promoted the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus belonged to

May the words of St Jane de Chantal words inspire us:
“If we truly love our neighbours, we refrain from saying anything prejudicial to them.

We support everyone as we would like to be supported.
We try to give the example that we would like to receive from others.
We excuse and forgive the blunders of others as we would like ours to be forgiven and excused.
We rejoice in the happiness of others and are sorrowful in their pains, just as we would like them to respond to us in ours.
We graciously help others in their needs both by prayer and actual service.

In this way we truly show our good-will and love.”

Happy Feast of St Jane de Chantal!
God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “To be pleased at correction and reproofs shows…
… that one loves the virtues which are contrary to those faults for which he is corrected and reproved.

And, therefore, it is a great sign of advancement in perfection.”