“Casting away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extending the Mercy of the Lord to others!”

(Based on Sirach 27:33-28:9, Rom 14:7-9 and Mt 18:21-35 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

A common observation that is noticed among many children, is the fear and apprehensions of some subjects in the school or college.
Among these subjects, one which would top the list of subjects which causes tension and undue worry, is certainly, Mathematics!

Many have a fear of this subject which deals with figures and numbers.

Many have an aversion to this subject which deals with digits and numerals.

Well, it’s not known or certain whether Our Lord had any such aversion or fear or apprehension or even dislike for this subject, Mathematics!

But one thing is for certain…
… that the Lord sure loved to keep out Mathematics when dealing with important spiritual dimensions.
… that the Lord indeed would transgress the norms of Mathematics when engaged in vital spiritual aspects.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of this aspect of the Lord going beyond mathematical boundaries in dealing with the beautiful virtue of forgiveness.

The passage begins with the Lord’s chief and one-of-the-first apostles Peter, raising a query to his Master, ” Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (Mt 18: 21)

It was probably a genuine doubt of Peter, which arose from his own personal experiences.
He must have had some difficulties in forgiving, out of his wavering temperament, perhaps!

But he now puts forward to Jesus a doubt as to what should be the limit of one’s forgiveness.

Peter sought to know what are the exact boundaries that one must limit oneself, while forgiving.

He wanted clear-cut rules to define the maximum threshold and frontiers of generosity in pardoning.

But the Lord replies firmly, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy seven times” (Mt 18:22)

The Lord does away with the mathematical rules in forgiveness!

The Lord does not confine to the mathematical stipulations in forgiveness!

“Seventy seven times” would refer a number, unlimited and uncountable!
The frontiers for how many times to forgive are done away with…
The boundaries for how many times to forgive do not hold good…

As the Lord spoke these words to Peter, the apostle would himself have recalled…
“Once beside the sea of Galilee, when I encountered the Holy Master, I realized that I was drowning in the waters of sin… and I had asked pardon from the Lord.
Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man (Lk 5:8)”

These words of the Lord would have again echoed in the ears of Peter, later on, after the resurrection of Jesus….

Once again, beside a Sea… this time, the Sea of Tiberius, Peter experienced the forgiving power of the Lord in accepting back, though he had betrayed Him three times (Jn 21: 15-18)

Many times he had sinned against the Lord…
Many times he had caused pain and ache to the Lord…
Many times he had abandoned and betrayed the Lord…
But every time, the Lord forgave, wholeheartedly!

The Lord was truly the Master, “who practised what He preached”

The Lord was truly the Master, “who forgave unconditionally and without any limits”

This Lord, today seeks to impress on us too, this same attitude of forgiveness.

The teaching on forgiveness, is most certainly easy said than done!

To forgive….especially to forgive repeatedly, is certainly no easy task…

But it would require a deeper experience of the Unconditional Love of the Lord and our own determination, along with His grace, to reach out in forgiveness and pardon to our constantly erring brothers and sisters!

The Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) reminds u: “Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray!

Remember the end of your life, and cease from enmity, remember destruction and death, and be true to the commandments. Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook ignorance!
Refrain from strife, and you will lessen sins; for a man given to anger will kindle strife, and a sinful man will disturb friends and inject enmity among those who are at peace.” (Sir 28: 2, 6-9)

Let the words of St Paul, “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s!” (Rom 14:8)…
… help us to live a life of forgiveness and peace.

Are we ready to cast away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extend the Mercy of the Lord to others?

Are we ready to do away with mathematical countings in pardoning others, knowing that we ourselves have received this favour from the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There was never an angry man that thought his anger unjust!”

THE FIFTH SORROW: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

REFLECTION
At the Annunciation, when asked to give birth to a child, Mary had asked the Angel: “But how can this be since I am a virgin”.

At Calvary, when seeing the death of Her Beloved Child, perhaps, Mary could have asked God: “But how can this be since I am a mother!”

They were questions which expressed human limitations and the demand to let everything be resigned into the hands of God!

We ourselves have had many such mini-experiences of Dying – of loved ones, of relationships, of great dreams..

The Compassionate Mother Mary, becomes a model for us: To accept our human boundaries and give ourselves into God’s Hands.

(Reflect for some time and personalize the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may accept all my limitations, and give myself totally into the Hands of the Lord, Amen!

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Accepting the various limitations in my life
Giving myself totally to the Hands of the Lord

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us!
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

“Building our lives on the firm foundation of certainty and conviction and declaring Him, with passion, faithfulness and commitment, as the Lord!”

(Based on 1 Cor 10:14-22 and Lk 6:43-49 – Saturday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time – Feast of the Most Holy name of Mary)

What is common to…
… a sports match, a theatre-act, a street-play, a cinema-show, a circus-extravaganza, a musical-concert, a dance-display’…?

Any guesses…??

Yes… it’s the audience!

Audience are the onlookers who cheer and enjoy the performances.

But they themselves don’t participate.

Though they might seek to get involved emotionally, a little…
…. they still remain mere watchers and spectators.

A similar attitude is perhaps strongly seen in our following of Christ.

We seem to have become a people who are mere spectators to the teachings of Christ.
We seem to have reduced ourselves to being mere onlookers of the Gospel values.

The Gospel of the Day calls us to examine our real attitude and position in being a follower of Christ.

The Lord declares today, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, but do not do what I command?” (Lk 6:46)

The Lord is clear to tell that a mere lip-confession that Jesus is the Lord will not suffice in finding a place in the Kingdom…

How much do we really mean when we call Jesus as the Lord?

These days, “Jesus is Lord” and “Praise the Lord” are phrases that are very commonly used.

Sometimes we use them without being aware of it.
Sometimes we use them without actually meaning it.

The word, “Lord” – Kurios in Greek – means a possessor or the master of a thing or a sovereign prince or an emperor.

We call Jesus as our Lord and give praises to Him as the Lord…

But do we really consider Him as the possessor of all our thoughts and plans and aspirations?
Do we acknowledge Him as the Master of our broken past, our worrying present and our unknown future?
Do we enthrone Him as the Prince and Emperor to rule over all our desires and ambitions?

Very often, “Jesus is Lord” becomes a mere “profession” limited to the lips!

This aspect of “professing” but “failing to perform” is an aspect seen in various areas of our lives…

Politicians “profess” many promises and oaths…
…but many fail in their “profession” and indulge in unfair and corrupt practices.

Doctors “profess” an oath of being true to the service of the suffering humanity…
…but many fail in their “profession” and engage in cheating and swindling patients.

Lawyers “profess” to be honest and guardians of the truth and justice…
…but many fail in their “profession” and involve themselves in violating the law.

The religious circles are no exemption to this “cancerous” trend…

Religious “profess” to lead a life the consecrated vows and promises…
… but many fail in their “profession” and get busy with many worldly concerns and cares.

Priests “profess” to be committed to spreading the Gospel and the love of God to all…
…but many fail in their “profession” and lose track of the real focus and aim of priesthood.

Husbands and wives “profess” to be with each other in every situation and troubles of life…
…but many fail in their “profession” and break up in irreconcilable fights and disputes.

Christians “profess” to be the light of the world and salt to the earth at the Baptism…
….but many fail in their “profession” and often become scandals and anti-witnesses.

The Lord dishes out a challenging message today…

A “profession” without true faithfulness can be a dangerous one.
A “profession” without living up to its demands is highly destructive.

This is what the Lord reminds us through the parable of the two foundations (Lk 6: 46-49)

The house built on firm rock remains firm in every storm or calamity.

The house built on loose sand gets destroyed in any storm or calamity.

Is the “profession” that I make, built…
… on the firm rock of certainty and conviction?
… or on the loose sand of uncertainty and confusion?

St Paul strongly exhorts us to grow in our faith in the Lord…
… and in the unity we share with one another, by our communion with the Lord:
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor 10:16-17)

Christian calling is not a call to remain mere spectators or an onlooker.

A spectator enjoys the fun from far…
… a participant is fully involved in joy and satisfaction.

An onlooker appreciates a performance without being affected…
… a participant struggles hard for it.

Christianity is a call to get involved in the realities of life, with the power and love of the Lord.

Our “profession” to call Him as our Lord…
… ought to get translated into our day to day living.
… ought to make a purposive choice to do God’s Will.
… ought to be a preferential option for God’s Word.

Let us build our lives on the firm foundation of certainty and conviction and declare Him, with passion, faithfulness and commitment, as the Lord!

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy name of Mary, the Mother of God.

Mother Mary always points us to God, reminding us of infinite goodness of God

She helps us to open our hearts to the Ways of God, wherever those may lead.

Let us seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary to give heed to the call of the Lord to build a firm foundation of conviction and certainty…
… and reform our lives, so that our love for the Lord may show forth in true obedience and sincere submission!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Those who wish to straighten a young tree,
not only to bring it to the direction in which they wish it to grow…

… but even bend it somewhat beyond, so that it will not return to its former direction!”

THE FOURTH SORROW: MARY MEETS JESUS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY

REFLECTION
The sight of the Mother and Child meeting on the ‘Via Crucis’ (Way of the Cross) was a picture of total sadness!

Tears filled both their eyes…
… the Divine Child and the Sorrowful Mother!

One with a Cross over the shoulders…
… the other a cross in Her heart!

Both their lips, however, sang the same chorus – Fiat…
… Thy Will be done Lord!

Life often puts us to situations of total hopelessness and darkness…
… the way ahead seems closed!

The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a model for us: To remain faithful and loyal.

(Reflect for some time and personalize the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may always be faithful to the Lord, as I walk through my ‘Via Crucis’ – my way of the Cross, Amen!

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Being faithful and loyal to the Lord at all times

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us!
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

THE THIRD SORROW: THE LOSS OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

REFLECTION
The picture of the Holy Family had also some shadowy spots.

They were not free…
… from troubles
… from doubts
… from conflicting situations

The Holy Family was very much a human family.

But what made them Holy and a Model for families?

It was their willingness to let go of their personal mindsets and seek how God wanted them to live.

Often, we find our families or communities broken and unable to gel with each together.

The Compassionate Mother Mary, as the Mother of the Family, becomes a model for us: To adapt to God’s Will.

(Reflect for some time and personalize the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may learn to adapt myself to God’s Will and thus to find joy and peace always

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Adapting to the Will of God

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

“Seeking for the Grace of being compassionate and charitable in dealing with the faults of others!”

(Based on 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-27 and Lk 6:39-42 – Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time)

The eye is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body.

An eye surgery, therefore, becomes one of the most vulnerable surgeries of all.

It takes a compassionate hand and a delicate touch to do surgery in the eye.

When there is an eye trouble, we need a doctor who knows what he/she is doing because even the slightest mistake can have catastrophic consequences.

The Gospel of the Day focuses our attention on the EYE…
… and the need to have a clear and fine eye!

Jesus says, “Can a blind person, guide a blind person?” (Lk 6: 39)

The Lord has blessed us with the gift of the Eye…

We are to marvel at the treasure of creation and the beauty and marvel at the wonders in nature.
We are to see the many gifts and talents that we possess in ourselves.
We are also to see the resources and assets in others and to grow in our love for our fellow beings.

This love for the others also, however, makes us…
… to encounter the weaknesses and shortcomings in others!
… to get impatient and irritated with others!

Christian love is not blind.

Christ never says to, “ignore the faults of others.”

But He surely does say, “Take care of your own faults first.”
That’s why Jesus says, “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly, to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye” (Lk 6:42b)

Look in the mirror!

Am I quick to see how arrogant people are…
… when I myself am often given into to anger and quick-temper?
Am I quick to see how lethargic are people in their spiritual life…
…when I myself fail to be active and energetic?

Am I quick to see how corrupt and dishonest people are…
… when I myself often resort to unhealthy lifestyles?

Sometimes we tend to have a microscopic view when we look at the faults of others…

A microscope magnifies an image and displays the view in a much enlarged and amplified manner.

Maybe the following check-list will help us to discern whether I am microscopic in my perception of others:

Do I blow small things out of proportion and make mountains out of molehills, without realizing its drastic consequences?

Do I maximize the sins of others – their faults, their bad habits and their shortcomings, without understanding their contexts and backgrounds and situations?

Do I come to quick, hasty or negative conclusions without seeking to garner the full truth & the complete information & details?

Do I unnecessarily get involved in situations where we should not be involved and thus bring upon unnecessary tensions and worries upon ourselves?

Do I pass along critical stories to others and fail to verify the authenticity of the rumours and even fail to stop a particular gossip from disseminating?

Do I have a strong bias to find others guilty and often look at the other with eyes of suspicion and doubt and scepticism?

Do I behave too harsh even when speaking the truth and fail to realize the emotions and the feelings that could cripple the person under guilt?

Do I add aggravating remarks and sprinkle home-made masalas when re-telling a story about the life or event of another person and thus twist things in the way I want?

Do I taking delight in condemning others and harping upon the misdeeds of others and thus enjoy a certain amount of pleasure and gratification through this process of character assassination?

Christian charity demands that we seek to correct others and help others in their growth and progress of spiritual health!

But in dealing with the fault of others, what is most needed is: A clear vision!

Psalm 139:23-24 says:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

The order or the sequence in which we go about this process is highly crucial and vital:

First, we judge ourselves.
First, we be hard on ourselves.
First, we ask the Lord to show us our sins.

Until we do that, the “speck” in our brother’s eye will look like a log to us…
… while the log in us will be invisible!

Only then are we ready to find the fault in others and help them to overcome the “spot” in their lives!

This stage of our life will be characterized by the virtues of:

Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Discretion

When we sincerely follow these virtues…
… our sins will bother us more than the sins of others!
… our failures will disturb us more than the failures of others!
… our weaknesses will unsettle us more than the weaknesses of others!

St Paul gives a beautiful adage:
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.

I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.
I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings!” (1 Cor 9:22-23)

The line is fine and thin: between correcting others and being charitable to others
The line is slender and slim: between helping others and being judgemental on others

Yes, the eye is highly sensitive and an eye surgery, is one of the most vulnerable surgeries of all.

It takes a compassionate hand and a delicate touch to do surgery in the eye!

Let us seek for this grace of being compassionate and charitable in dealing with the faults of others!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “”Those who look well after their own consciences…

… rarely fall into the sin of judging others!”

THE SECOND SORROW: THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

REFLECTION
Mother Mary and Joseph took up the great duty in the safeguarding of their Little One, Jesus!

They listened to God’s voice…
… to come together as the parents of God’s Child
… to share the difficulties during the Birth of the Child.

And now, they listen to God’s voice to flee to Egypt and save the Saviour of the World!

To listen to the voice of the Lord, was a remarkable aspect of the success of their life as a couple!

To listen to God’s voice through the Bible, through our authorities or through our life situations sometimes becomes difficult for us.

The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a model for us: To be attentive and Obedient to God’s voice.

(Reflect for some time and personalise the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may always be attentive and obedient to the Voice of the Lord

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Being attentive to the Voice of the Lord
Being obedient to His Voice

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

“Allowing the Crucified Lord to be our model, our inspiration and our strength in our desire to live the ‘Gospel of the Tough!’”

(Based on 1 Cor 8:1-7, 11-13 and Lk 6:27-38 – Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time)

There is a joke among listeners of sermons and talks:

There are two Gospels:
(a) The “Gospel of the Easy” – Gospel passages which are uncomplicated to comprehend and unproblematic to carry out.

(b) The “Gospel of the Tough” – Gospel passages which are very difficult to understand, highly demanding in practicing and too taxing to be even considered realistic and feasible!

The Gospel Reading of the Day would undoubtedly fall in the second category: A Gospel of the Tough!

And this Gospel of the Tough, has probably one of the most toughest sentence of the Gospels enshrined in it: “Love your enemies…” (Lk 6:27)

Many of us may feel that this statement is just way too ideal to be feasible and doable.

But well…
… Facts remain facts… we like it or not… we accept it or not!

And this fact that Jesus really meant to “Love your enemies…” is proved by what follows after this statement:

He gives some explanations for the same: (Lk 6:27-28)

Do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you.
Pray for those who abuse you.

He gives some practical tips for the same: (Lk 6: 29-30)

If someone hits you, turn the other cheek.
If someone takes your shirt, give your jacket too.
If someone asks you, give him something.
If someone steals your money, do not demand it back.

This is followed by the splendid Golden Rule: Do to others what you want others to do to you! (Lk 6:31)

Indeed, the teaching to “Love your enemies” is a reality and a fact and is a call to which we are invited to give heed.

That leads to a very practical question: Who are my enemies?

In general, an enemy is anyone who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes the interests of another.

The moment we hear the word “enemy”, our minds usually transports to some famous “enemies” of the world like some notorious terrorists or some dictators or rulers or gangs etc…

But the Lord is very particular in pointing out who are these “enemies”.

Jesus doesn’t restrict “enemies” to people who are against the state or the nation, but he specially means our personal enemies.

Who are these our personal enemies?

One clue we get from the words of Jesus, in Mt 10:36, “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household”.

Oops! That’s pretty close, right?

Our personal enemies are not most often spread in Iraq or North Korea or Afghanistan or China etc…

We may perhaps never even visit these countries or encounter the people of these nations..

But our personal enemies are those in our homes…those in our close circles.. whom we meet everyday…

People whom we meet regularly and whom we come in contact often are the ones whom most likely we can hurt or who hurt us….and over time…they become our personal enemies…

So, well… it’s time to identify a few enemies….a few personal enemies…

Do I own a grudge against the members of my family – spouses, parents, children?

Do I possess hatred against the members of my community – superiors, companions, juniors, mates?

Do I kindle anger against my extended family members – siblings, in-laws, relatives?

Do I harbour ill-feelings against those with whom I work – bosses, colleagues, junior workers?

Do I maintain bad thoughts against the members of my church – priests, persons with duties, various associations?

Do I keep resentment against some other known people in life – friends, acquaintances, neighbours?

Do I entertain bitterness against many strangers – storekeepers, some walkers on the street, bus/auto/train people?

We have to admit it…
The ones who are close to us and who are more familiar are the ones who are hurt or who abuse us
… and they turn out to be our “personal enemies”!

Yet, the statement of the Lord remains firm as a rock – “Love your enemies…”

So how do we love our “enemies”?

Here are some practical tips and suggestions:

Greeting them: Wishing them constantly at least ensures we do not avoid them or dodge away from them.

Spread goodness: Answer constant avoidance with positive strokes of good deeds. Make the first move to heal.

Avoid evil-talk: Stop any bad utterances and expressions to flow from the mouth. Every time we talk: either life comes or death. The tongue has power! Allow it to forgive and bring forth life.

Thank God for them: God seeks the good of ALL persons…including the one who is not liked by us. Offer the person to this goodness and benevolence of God and be grateful

Pray for them: We may become helpless in our situation. But through prayer, God has the great ability to gift pardon and mercy. An honest heart will surely allow God’s love to flow through the relationship.

Ask God to Bless them: It’s hard to accept, but the enemy can be a gift from God. Like Joseph who said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen 50:20), the enemies become an cause for us to be humble, to keep us on our knees, to reveal our weakness & to expose our total need for God!

The teaching to – “Love your enemies…” is unmistakably a “Gospel of the Tough”!

St Paul exhorts and tells us: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1)

Let the Crucified Lord be our model, our inspiration and our strength in our desire to live this “Gospel of the Tough”!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Love is at its highest when we accept afflictions, not only with gentleness…
… but when we cherish them, love them and embrace them.

It is because they come to us through God’s Permissive Will!”

“Following the instructions of Jesus, the Dietician and the Nutritionist of our Lives, Who wants to make us fit and fine and agile in our spiritual life!”

(Based on 1 Cor 7:25-31 and Lk 6:20-26 – Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time)

Dieticians and Nutritionists offer various advices and tips on how to have a healthy lifestyle

For eg…they point out diverse foods that can be either beneficial or be harmful for good health
• Too much of caffeine affects the body.
• Certain foods leads to cholesterol and may cause heart diseases.
• Fruits and vegetables with vitamins and other nutrients, anti-oxidants etc supply greater energy and vitality.

Many follow this routine and practice in their lifestyle…

Some to reduce; some to maintain!
Some to stay fit; some forced due to their ill-health!

Whatever be the motive…
… there seems to be a principle behind this: “Your health is what you eat”

A similar principle can also be perhaps applied to the spiritual realm:
“Your spiritual health is what you seek and feed your soul”

The Gospel of the Day says in Luke 6:21, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled”

We are given a challenge to inspect and examine: How is my Spiritual Appetite?

What is the craving that I have for God and His Kingdom?

Am I really hungering for what matters most in my life?

Do I give the highest precedence to the Lord and His Will in my life?

Perhaps, some of us have not known real hunger…
… or we have kinda got used to getting our food…

Hunger to us may mean…
… waiting for an extra ten-fifteen minutes for food to be served
… not getting the food that I like or not being served the taste that I wish
… missing the food-time and then gulping down a meal from a roadside hotel etc..
And because we don’t realize much the importance of the word HUNGER, we perhaps fail to grasp the urgency and the importance when Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled”!

We tend to satisfy our hunger…
… through the food of amassing enormous wealth and money
… through the food of acquiring many titles and positions and power
… through the food of many unhealthy practices and habits and addictions

But the Lord says, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled”

Filled with what?

Food? Money? Long life? Promotions? A perfect family? A trouble-free life?
….No, no…no…!

Mt 11:28 says, “Come to me…”!

It’s in Jesus alone – GOD ALONE – that all our hunger can be satisfied and all our cravings be fulfilled!

If we are hungry, let us go and eat of the Bread of Life!
If we are thirsty, let us go and drink of the Water of Life!
If we are weary or heavy laden, let us go to His Heart and find rest!
If we are guilty, let us go to Him, the Saviour and be forgiven!
If we are far from God, let us go to Him and be reconciled in His arms!

Yes… in the Kingdom of God, everything begins with a hunger… a craving… a search… a seeking…!

This is what St Augustine said, “O God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you!”

St Paul reminds of the passing nature of the world, “For the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Cor 7:31)

Perhaps we need to reverse and turn upside the way we have been thinking and perceiving…

a. Maybe we have been thinking that riches and material prosperity is that which really matters in life…

But Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor…the Kingdom of God is yours”

Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who is the True Richness and the Authentic Treasure of our lives?

b. Maybe we have been thinking that we are totally satisfied with great food and our every taste is fulfilled..

But Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are hungry… you will be filled”

Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who can truly satisfy the hunger and thirst of our lives?

c. Maybe we have been thinking that we are quite happy in life and all our leisure and entertainments give us so much joy

But Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep…you will laugh”

Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who can bless us with true joy and genuine happiness in our lives?

d. Maybe we have been thinking that we are quite safe when all people praise and flatter us in life, especially when we gain popularity at the cost of some Gospel values or virtues of life

But Jesus says,” Blessed are you when people hate you because of Me…a great reward is kept for you”

Have we discovered and experienced Him as the only One who is worth facing all difficulties and problems in order to be standing up for our Christian values and principles?

Our spiritual health depends very much on what we really seek for and what we feed our souls.

Jesus, the Dietician and the Nutritionist of our Lives, today, wants to make us fit and fine and agile in our spiritual life.

Come, let us make the necessary changes in our life so that we may enjoy better health and life…
… in the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Perfection does not lie in avoiding
the world…

… but in not clinging to it!”

In preparation for the Feast of the Mother of Compassion on September 15

The First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon

REFLECTION
The time was festive and the mood was joyous when Jesus was being presented in the Temple.

It’s in this special time that Simeon comes forward to bless the Child Jesus.

But it comes with a catch: Mother Mary was to be pierced by a sword – a sword of sorrow!

The celebratory atmosphere suddenly turns a bit gloomy and overcast!

Many are the times when we enjoy joyful moments, when a sudden crisis hits our life.

The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes the Model for us: To be Patient and Trustful!

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may grow in my patience and learn to be trusting in God, even when situations in my life are hard and difficult.

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Patience in trials
Trusting God in difficult moments

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!