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

The Church abounds in celebration of many feasts.

Today – September 08 – we have been celebrating the Birth of our Blessed Mother!

This is a day which we cherish much and rejoice much

Most of these Feasts focus our attention on the joyful and happy aspects of life.

But we also know, that…
… Life is not always a superhighway

Life is more a kuccha (temporary) road with many pits and rough areas!

Moments of joy are beautiful…
… but we also ought to have courage and strength to face the “not so easy” moments of life!

7 days from today – on September 15 – the Church celebrates a feast of our Blessed Mother, which is a celebration for sure…
… but focuses our attention more, on the rougher realities of life – pain, suffering, tears and struggles: The Feast of the Mother of Compassion.

This feast is characterized by the commemoration of the Seven Sorrows of our Blessed Mother…
… seven major events, evoking compassion, in the life of “Mater Dolorosa” (Mother of Sorrows)

We begin today a journey with our Blessed Mamma through the Seven Mysteries of the Sorrows

Each day, we will have…
… a short reflection
… a prayer
… and a virtue to be practised.
This will be followed by a Novena Prayer to the Mother of Compassion.

I invite all of you to this Precious Journey with our Mother of Compassion, as She teaches us to become a better disciple of the Lord…
… and thus find greater joy and peace in our journey of life!

St Francis de Sales beautifully writes about the Mother of Compassion, as She beheld Her Beloved Child on Mount Calvary:
“It is not joy I seek, it is Himself… and My Heart, full of love, makes Me seek always to be united to that Amiable Child, My Tenderly Beloved One.

In a word, the intention of the soul in this union is nothing, save to be with Her Lover!”

May this JOURNEY WITH OUR COMPASSIONATE MOTHER help us to face the rougher realities of life with greater courage…
… and thus enjoy joy and peace, to make our life a true feast!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“May the celebration of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, help us to deepen our love towards Her, and may we, holding Her Hands, walk in the path of God, more faithfully and strongly committed!

(Based on the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother)

A teacher in her classroom of Second Standard students, once explained and gave a lesson on the ‘magnet’ and its functions and uses.

The next day, the teacher conducted a written test.

One of the questions in this test was:

“My full name has six letters.
My name begins with ‘M’

One of my functions is to pick up things.
Another function is to attract things towards me.

Who am I?”

When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to see the answer that was given to this question by over half the class.

Any guesses as to what answer did the children write?

Hmmm….

They wrote the word – “Mother!”

The little children, with their own personal experience had seen and witnessed a Mother being the person..
… who would pick up things ( and especially the children!)
… who would attract to herself (especially the children themselves!)

The name “mother” evokes a lot of feelings and emotions…
Love, affection, tenderness, self-giving, warmth, kind-heartedness etc…

The name “mother” also evokes a lot of characters and functions…
A life-giver, a care-giver, a consoler, a strength, a forgiver, a refuge…

The name “mother” also evokes a long list of works and tasks that she undertakes… (from a modern perspective!)
(Hold your breath as we go through this lo…ong list!)

CEO of the Household, Chef, Cheerleader of a family, Housekeeper, Hair Stylist, Bed-wetting Patrol Squad, Keeper of Secrets, Food Tester, Family Therapist, Toddler Wrestling Coach, Laundry Machine, Teacher, Toy Repair Expert, Finance Manager, Art Director, Potty Trainer, Search and Rescue Manager, Champion Tickler, Day-care Provider, Personal Assistant for the entire family, Wardrobe Stylist, Toothbrush Inspector, Birthday Events Director, Sleep Scientist, Dramatic Story Teller, Professional Singer, Kiss and Hugs Expert, Speech Specialist, Vacation Coordinator & Tour Guide, Mrs. Fix-It, Stain Removal Expert, Bodyguard, Pet Caretaker, Marketing Director….etc etc…..

Yes, the list is indeed long…
… very very long…and we can certainly think of many more perhaps!

A simple word – Mother – yet evokes so many powerful functions and feelings.

Today we celebrate the Birthday of the Most Beloved, the Most Loving and the Most Lovable Mother of all – Blessed Mother Mary!

Our world, in the modern trend, fluctuates between two contrasting approaches towards our Blessed Mother.

1. Minimal devotion to Mother Mary

On one side, there is a highly sad and deplorable ignoring of the honour and the status that is due to our Blessed Mother.

Many consider Her only as an “egg-shell”, whose role and relevance completely ceased, after having given birth to Jesus

Many consider Her as just any ordinary woman, who “happened” to be picked by God, so that He could “use” Her to fulfil His plan.
Many consider Her to be worthy of absolutely no extra honour and mock at Her only as causing a distraction, away from God

2. Exaggerated devotion to Mother Mary

On the other side, there is a “comfortable” and dangerous trend towards exalting Mother Mary to such an extent that She is sometimes accorded the worship of a goddess or a deity!

Many consider devotion to Her being much more important, much more satisfying and much more easier than to God Himself!
Many consider expressing their actions of piety and affection to such an extent that even God is sometimes neglected (especially God in the Blessed Sacrament or in the Holy Word)!

But both these extreme understandings and approaches towards Blessed Mother Mary need to have a refinement, a filtering and a restoration towards the right perspectives!

Towards this end, the name “Mary” could be expanded, in the following manner, to help in having a truer appreciation, a genuine devotion and a deeper love for Her: MARY – a Model, an Apostle, a Revolutionary, a Yeast

1. Mary – is the Model for every Christian

Her life becomes a wonderful example to every person who wishes to follow our Blessed Lord.

She remains the perfect Model of being attentive to the voice of God, being actively response to His call and being faithfully committed to every task entrusted to Her

2. Mary is the Apostle-par-excellance
   As an Apostle of Her Son and Saviour, She always remained in His presence – either physically or in Her thoughts or through Her constant longing for Him

She is the Beloved Apostle who had offered Her whole body, mind and soul to the glory of God and fulfilling His every plan

3. Mary is the Revolutionary who dared to do God’s Will
   Her Yes to the Plan of God, at the Annunciation and Her continual Yes to His Will, even in the moments of the most extreme suffering had the tenacity and the passion of a True Revolutionary.

It is hard to follow God’s Will, especially in some moments of crisis;
It requires extreme courage and unfailing commitment to be always walking in the path of God

She is the wonderful Revolutionary who dared to always seek and do God’s Will in Her life!

4. Mary is the Yeast who silently fulfilled Her role in the plan of salvation
   In the Bible, the words of Mother Mary are fairly minimal; yet Her few words and above all, Her dedicated life speaks volumes of Her role in the Salvific Plan!

She is the unseen Yeast through whom the mighty Grace of God wonderfully worked to raise up the Author of Salvation!

Blessed Mother Mary is our wonderful and beautiful mother, who deserves our greatest affection and love, in a way that draws us more and more towards Her Son, Jesus.

May we be encouraged by the words of St Maximilian Kolbe:
“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

May the celebration of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother, help us to deepen our love towards Her, and may we, holding Her Hands, walk in the path of God, more faithfully and strongly committed!

As Fulton J Sheen says:
“The less we think of Him, the less we think of Her.

The more we adore His divinity, the more we venerate Her motherhood.
The less we acknowledge His divinity, the less we have respect for Her!”

A wonderful Birthday to our Blessed Mother!

We Love you, Dearest Mamma!

Happy Feast day to all Her children!

May we deepen our love for Her Beloved Son and our Saviour, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo
Bengaluru, India

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – ” Honour, revere and respect the Blessed Virgin Mary with a very special love; she is the Mother of our Sovereign Lord…
… and so we are Her children.

Let us think of Her with all the love and confidence of affectionate children; let us desire Her love…

… and strive with true filial hearts to imitate Her graces.

“Allowing the Lord to work a revival in us, by “encircling” ourselves in prayer and self-discipline, and being willing to get out of our “comfortable zones” of worldliness and hard-heartedness!

(Based on 1 Cor 5:1-8 and Lk 6:6-11 – Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time)

A young missionary in a particular village, had heard the fame of a senior missionary and his successful ventures in reviving the faith of the people.

Wanted to know the secret of success in ministry, the younger missionary, on meeting the senior, asked him: “What is the secret of reviving the faith of the people in my village?”

The senior man, who was also aware of the worldly lifestyle of the younger missionary said:
“Go back to your home and lock yourself up in a private room.

Then, take a piece of chalk, and mark a circle on the floor.

Get down on your knees, then, inside the circle…
… and pray to God to begin a revival inside the circle!

When this prayer is heard, a revival will take place in your people as well!”

Yes… it is when one is revived with the Spirit and Enthusiasm of the Lord…
… that one can radiate the same to others!

This revival demands that we “encircle” ourselves in prayer and self-discipline…
… by being willing to get out of our “comfortable zones” of worldliness and hard-heartedness!

The Gospel of the Day is an encounter with a group of people, who got stuck in their own “comfortable zones” of interpreting and understanding the Scriptures, failing to be open to the True Author of the Scriptures and thus failing to tread the path of mercy, compassion and charity.

The Gospel passage is another Sabbath day controversy.
Jesus is in the synagogue, teaching and proclaiming God’s Word.

His words would bring strength and courage to those in despair
His teaching would fill with hope those who were stranded on the peripheries of life
His preaching would invigorate those who were sapped of energy and felt themselves rejected.

Among those who heard Him in the synagogue, was a “a man whose right hand was withered” (Lk 6: 6)

It’s not mentioned how did he began to have a withered hand…
… maybe he was born so
… maybe he met with an accident
… maybe he had a sickness which made it so

But having a withered right hand had its own implications and difficulties to pose.

Right hand in the Bible, usually refers to..
… being the hand of blessing
… being the hand of strength
… being the hand of labour

So this man with the withered right hand is portrayed as being…
… disfigured in his purpose and goals of life
… pitiable in being rendered weak and sort of helpless

But more than this man with the physical disability, there were also some others, who had a “withered mentality” – the Pharisees

They had God, the source and origin of the Law, as their “right hand”
They had the privilege of learning and knowing the Scriptures, as their “right hand”

But, unfortunately, we find them with “withered”…
… their focus on God, the purpose and goal of the Law was “withered”!
… their opportunity to interpret and understand the Scriptures properly was “withered”!

To the man who had the physically withered right hand, Jesus said, “Stretch out your hand” (Lk 6:10)

Probably these words were also directed or perhaps intended more for the Pharisees who were “withered” in their understanding and mentality regarding the Law and the Author of the Law Himself!

Jesus was asking them to “stretch out their hands” which were withered…
… because they failed to understand the basic purpose of God’s Law which was aimed at reflecting on God’s Goodness and to reflect the same in their lives
… because they were stuck to their own rigid and arrogant interpretation of God’s Word and failed to put into practise the real meaning of God’s Word which is to do good, show mercy and extend charity

Are those words, “stretch out your hand” being directed to us also?

Are we failing to centre our lives on the Precious Gift that God has blessed us with – His Holy Word in the Holy Bible – and failing to make efforts to read, learn more and understand God’s Word properly and effectively

Do we consciously cultivate practices which help us to set apart time (on a daily, regular basis) to read the Bible and reflect and shape our lives, in the light of the Holy Word of God?

Do we remain rigid, obstinate and closed to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us, through different sermons, write-ups, talks etc. on the Word of God and allow transformations to happen in my life?

Are we zealous to learn God’s Word more deeply, to know Him more and to cultivate a personal taste to understand the Scriptures better with self-reflection?

St Paul strongly warns us to cast away anything that is unbecoming in us, in our following of Christ: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.

For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.
Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth!” (1 Cor 5:7-8)

Our Blessed Lord invites and exhorts us to have a “Revival in our Christian Lives”

It is only when one is revived with the Spirit and Enthusiasm of the Lord…
… that one can radiate the same to others!

May we allow the Lord to work this revival in us, by “encircling” ourselves in prayer and self-discipline…
… and being willing to get out of our “comfortable zones” of worldliness and hard-heartedness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

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!”

“Breaking the chains of our ego and pride, and in humility and gentleness, reach out to the lost ones!

(Based on Ezek 33:7-9, Rom 13:8-10 and Mt 18:15-20 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

It’s a Friday…
… the scene over a small hillock

The mid-day sun shining bright and hot but preparing itself to slowly fade into darkness and tepidity…

A sparse number of people were around…

Some indifferent ones gazing from far…
Some proud ones standing on the ground…
Some broken ones on their knees…

Three were suspended on the Cross…

One of them…
… in Excruciating Pain, yet Majestic and Glorious in His Character and Nobility…

With a disposition of Graciousness and Goodness, spelled out into a loud, yet compassionate exclamation: “Father, forgive them…they know not what they do”

This cry of the Son of God – Jesus – from the Cross to His Father, on behalf of the sinful & strayed humanity…
… was a statement that summarized His life-long mission: To forgive, to bring back the lost & to give hope to the strayed ones!

The Gospel of the Day presents this teaching of the Lord, which He lived in His life and perfectly climaxed on the Cross: To forgive, to bring back the lost and to give hope to the strayed ones!

Last Sunday, the Gospel exhorted us to “deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him” (Mt 16:24)

This exhortation is given a practical dimension in today’s Gospel…
… with a strong accent on the need to grow ourselves in the aspect of Active Forgiveness and to make eager and earnest efforts to bring back a lost person and to render hope and optimism to the wayward hearts.

Just a few verses before today’s passage, we have in Mt 18: 10-14, the Parable of the Lost Sheep.

The shepherd loves all his hundred sheep…
… yet, when one gets strayed, he makes “an out-of-the-way effort” to get the lost one back.

He doesn’t give up on the strayed.
He doesn’t desert the lost.
He doesn’t abandon the one gone from his circle.

This attitude of “taking an extra pain” and “dripping an extra sweat” would seem weird and strange to a calculative, pragmatic and business-minded head of ours, in this modernistic period…

Is it not a waste of time to go after the “lost sheep” – of an obsessed drug-addict or a habitual drunkard or a consistent smoker?

Is it just too futile to awaken a “lost sheep” – of a soul in slumber, where there is no focus on spiritual life, where there is slackness of prayer and sacraments and where worldliness and materialism have crept and conquered?

Is it of any use to go after the “lost sheep” – of a couple who are constantly bickering and a family which is broken up with regular fights and misunderstandings?

Is there any sense in trying to restore the “lost sheep” – of a community whose members seem disinterested, who are lethargic, who have their own personal and hidden agenda and who always back-talk and back-bite?

Is it just not meaningless to revive the “lost sheep” – of a society or a nation where corruption has taken deep-roots in hearts of people and all sincere efforts of transformation often gets dumped into the bin?

The True Shepherd however, in all such situations, of the sheep being lost, makes an extra effort in getting them back.

This same Shepherd today invites us, through the Gospel of the Day, to be partakers in restoring the lost ones.

A series of steps are enshrined to make this “seemingly not-so-pleasant” task happen!

1. Engaging in a mutual dialogue
2. Engaging in a small-group interchange
3. Engaging in a communitarian initiative

Why is it a “seemingly not-so-pleasant” task?

Mt 18:15 says,” If YOUR brother sins against YOU…“

Can we read it again…
… YOUR bro sins against YOU….

Now that sounds crazy, isn’t it?

Why should I…I be doing that?

Someone hurts me…should I go?

Someone wounds me…should I restore?
Someone harms me…should I reconcile?
Someone kills me mentally…should I patch up?
Someone spoils my name…should I take the lead?

Well.. the Gospel of the Day…simply says, ” If YOUR brother sins against YOU…”
…Then….YOU TAKE THE LEAD, TO GET THINGS RIGHT!

YES… You!

But we ask WHY?

WHY ME?!

This WHY may not get answered so easily or convincingly..

But the One who gave this exhortation, makes us to focus our attention back on the small hillock, on the Friday…

With the mid-day sun slowly fading into darkness…
… with hands stretched on the Cross with deep pain, crying: “Father, forgive them…they know not what they do!”

Tough words to hear on a relaxed Sunday, right?

Christianity is wonderful…
… but Christianity is also a task!

Yes, the Obligation of Sunday duties ought to get actualized and lived in all the other weekdays of our life!

St Paul tells us: “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law!” (Rom 13:8)

The Lord reminds us through Prophet Ezekiel of the noble yet great responsibility entrusted to us to be accountable to one another: “O you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me!” (Ezek 33:7)

Let’s embrace this task of the Lord…
… to forgive, to bring back the lost and to give hope to the strayed ones!

The Good Shepherd preached it…

The Good Shepherd lived it in His life…
The Good Shepherd perfected it on the Cross.
We, His little Sheep, are now exhorted the same…

Let us break the chains of our ego and pride…
… and in humility and gentleness, reach out to the lost ones!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Refrain from imputing imaginary faults to your neighbour…
… from revealing those which are secret

… and from exaggerating those which are obvious!”

“Truly seeking to throw away frivolous practices of any Laws, and embrace the Lord of the Law and grow in His love!

(Based on 1 Cor 4:6-15 and Lk 6:1-5 – Feast of St Mother Teresa and Teacher’s Day – Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time)

Society is governed by various laws and regulations.

Every organization, every institution and every establishment has its own rules and legislations.

The world, however, also is a strange witness to weird and peculiar laws…
… some known
… many unknown

In Oklahoma State of the U.S. …
… you can be arrested for making ugly faces at a dog.

In Vermont State of the U.S….
… a woman must get written permission from her husband to wear false teeth.

In Turkey…
… it is illegal for a man above 80 years to become a pilot

In Samoa…
… it’s a crime to forget your own wife’s birthday.

Creepy and unusual, isn’t it?

Well… each law has its own purpose and motive when it was framed and formulated.

But, when a rule fails to deliver its intended aim and gets devoid of all target, it becomes worthless!

When a law loses its original flavour and objective, it gets reduced to merely a plain statement!

A similar situation is what is encountered in today’s Gospel passage from Luke 6:1-5.

Here is a law that is genuine and good and was commanded by God Himself…

And all of us know this by heart, when we recite the Ten Commandments: “Keep the Sabbath Day Holy!”

The Sabbath day was initially the seventh day of the week.

In the seven days of creation, it is the day on which God rested from His work.

And so in Exodus 20, we learn that since God rested from his work on the Sabbath, He wanted His people to take a day of rest on the Sabbath as well.

This is a great principle, right?

It is certainly good to get some rest during the week!

So the Sabbath Law was not a funny or a crazy law like some of the ones mentioned above.

So far, so good!
So far, so nice!

But as time moved ahead and as generations passed on…
… Craziness began to find its way into this law!

The Jews were so intent at keeping this law that they began formulating practical guidelines on “how” to follow this law – what could be done and what could not be done.

They came up with a list of 39 main tasks which could not be performed on the Sabbath.

This list included sowing seed, ploughing, reaping, binding, threshing, winnowing, grinding, sifting, kneading etc etc…

A Jewish scholar by the name of Yehoshua Neuwirth, mentions some instructions for the present day Jews, in his book titled “A Guide to the Practical Observance of the Sabbath”:
(Please note: Don’t be amused too much!)

If the hot water tap is accidentally left on, it cannot be turned off on the Sabbath.

One cannot light a fire on the Sabbath, it is also wrong to turn on electric lights.

If you need to turn on the lights, you can get an automatic timer which will do the job for you.

You cannot bathe with a bar of soap on the Sabbath, but you can use liquid soap.

A person is not allowed to simply take the item out of their pocket….
… In order to get it out, he has to reverse his pocket so the item falls out!
… And after that, he has to ask a Gentile to pick up, ‘cos he himself is forbidden to do so!

Are you getting bored with these “excessives”?

Are you getting irritated with these unnecessary “extremes”?

Well… so too was Jesus!

He was not just bored or irritated…
… but he was also zealous to restore back the Original Spirit of the Sabbath Law!

Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath is clear to point out to the legalistic Pharisees:
“You don’t have to teach me about Sabbath rules…
… It is I who have set up it in the first place!

The Sabbath was supposed to be a day of rest…
… but you’ve made it a day of working hard to keep the law!

If you have to work so hard to keep the Sabbath, then you’ve totally misunderstood the intention of the Sabbath.”

The Sabbath is giving God the priority…

The Sabbath is giving one’s heart to the Lord!
The Sabbath is growing in relationship with Him!
The Sabbath is a day of taking rest, with the Lord!
The Sabbath is restoring our relationship with God!
The Sabbath is dedicating more of one’s resources to His Kingdom!
The Sabbath is strengthening ties with our family and fellow beings!

Yes, the Law is important…
… but do I lose focus of its original purpose, like the Pharisees…

Or do I, like Jesus, understand the true meaning and intention of the rules and guidelines in our lives?

Let us truly seek to throw away frivolous practices of any Laws & embrace the Lord of the Law and grow in His love!

Love the law…
Be zealous to keep the law…
… But not just for the sake of the law!

Rather, to grow in the Love of the Law-Giver Himself…the Lord of Law…JESUS!

September 5th is Teacher’s Day in India.

Teachers mould and shape a child to make him/her a beautiful person with a noble character!

Teachers inspire change!
Teachers stir up conversion!
Teachers motivate transformation!

Today the Greatest of all Teachers – Jesus – challenges and exhorts each one of us to adopt and adapt…
… a Transformed way of Living
… a Changed Lifestyle
… a Converted Life!

And allow Him to reign over every situation of our life and embrace us!

Today is also the Feast day of Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata.

Let us seek her intercession…
… and be inspired by her love and life, that we may truly see – and like her – bring the Powerful Presence of God in every situation of our society.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Concerning those virtues pertaining to our duties in life, preference must be given to those which are most effective…

… not those which may be the most showy!”

“Daring to imitate our Blessed Lord in ‘washing the windows’, in order to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!”

(Based on 1 Cor 4:1-5 and Lk 5:33-39 – Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time)

John Wanamaker was an American merchant and a religious and civic leader.

He is considered by some, to be the proponent of advertising and a “pioneer in marketing”.

Once, a neat and handsome young man, applied to John Wanamaker for a job.

This young fellow was told that there was no job for him.

But the young man persisted, “I am willing to take up any work!”

With a view to get rid of him, Mr Wanamaker said, “The only job I have is the job of washing windows”

“Yes, I am willing” said the enthusiastic young man!

He washed those windows as they never had been.

He also showed a great sense of responsibility.

Within a short period, he became the manager of the store.

When this man died, after a splendid service of nearly two decades, Mr Wanamaker said:
“I am willing to pay as high as one hundred thousand dollars for a manager, who can fill the place of the one I lost!”

The young man’s willingness and his committed act of “washing the windows” brought about a change of mentality and won accolades galore!

Today, perhaps, the Church is in a great need for people who are willing to “wash the windows” for the sake of the Kingdom…
… windows which are sometimes dirtied with the dust of ritualism, legalism and relativism
… windows which are sometimes tainted with the stains of corruption, scandals and misconduct
… windows which are sometimes splattered with the blemishes of indifference, injustice and inactions

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus who courageously dares to “wash the windows”, in order to clear away the dust of legal fanaticism, religious rigidity and spiritual gloominess!

The passage in consideration (Lk 5: 33-39) begins with an interrogative complaint by the Pharisees and Scribes, on why His disciples ‘ate and drank’ whereas the disciples of John the Baptist as well as the Pharisees fasted often and offered prayers (Lk 5: 33)

The immediate context of this passage is the Call of Levi, the tax collector and the grand party hosted by him, in honour of Jesus (Lk 5: 27-32)

Jesus, later on, in His ministry would say, “There is more rejoicing over one sinner who repents and returns to God, than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7)

Levi, the tax-collector was called by Jesus to follow Him – an occasion of a “lost sheep” returning back to the arms of the Shepherd!

It was a moment of great joy and happiness!
It was a moment of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ!
It was a moment of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love!

In this context, when the religious leaders questioned Jesus on why were His disciples into “eating and drinking” unlike the disciples of John the Baptist and Pharisees, who were into rigorous fasting and prayer…
… Jesus gives a fitting reply using three imageries:

1. The imagery of the wedding guests feasting, when the Bridegroom is with them (Lk 5: 34-35)

It pointed to the “moments of great joy and happiness, that is experienced” when one recognises Jesus as the bridegroom – the True Love of one’s life and the Primary Purpose of one’s existence (Gal 2: 20)!

2. The imagery of the patched garments (Lk 5: 36)

It pointed to the “moments of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ”, and putting on the New and Festal Garment of Christ (Gal 3: 27)

3. The imagery of the wine and wineskin (Lk 5: 37-39)

It pointed to the “moments of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love”, and cherishing the experience of discovering the Lord as the true and only source and foundation of happiness in life (1 Cor 3: 11).

In short, our Blessed Lord was pointing to a renewed perspective in one’s relationship with God…

Doing away with “legal fanaticism” that cripples one’s life with mere external following of rituals and rubrics
… and instead to discover the real meaning and purpose of one’s actions of piety and religiosity!

Doing away with “religious rigidity” that steals away any spontaneity and openness in one’s life of faith…
.. and instead to unearth the freedom that often lies buried, and to relate without any inhibitions with one’s Loving Creator!

Doing away with “spiritual gloominess” that casts a dark and ugly veil on one’s practices of spirituality…
… and instead to unwrap the gifts of happiness, trust and genuine bliss that is constantly bestowed by God!

Our practise of faith and spirituality certainly is in a constant need of a “cleaning up”!

Our understanding and perspectives on religion is in ever need of “sprucing up”!

Else, it can very easily happen, that…
… religion turns out to be a farce
… practices of piety fail to touch and inspire lives
… acts of charity turn out to be hypocritical gestures

St Paul reminds all of us – the stewards of the Lord on this earth – to possess the quality of being trustworthy workers: “It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy” (1 Cor 4:2)

On this First Friday of the Month, as we consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart of our Blessed, we hear His words of invitation: “Learn from Me…”

May we dare to imitate our Blessed Lord in “washing the windows”, in order to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Charity never enters a heart without bringing with it all the other virtues…

… empowering them and marshalling them as needed, just as a captain does his soldiers!”

“Giving ourselves, entirely to Jesus, the Great Fisherman of Galilee!”

(Based on 1 Cor 3:18-23 and Lk 5:1-11 – Thursday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time)

“Would you like to come along with me, for a short walk along the sea?

We could share some of our experiences of life…
… that would probably help us to live better!”

These are the words of Simon Peter, the Apostle of Jesus.

Saying a “Yes” to this invitation…
… let us now stroll along with Simon Peter, as he recounts, in first person, his experiences…

“Ah, so there you, my friend!

I am so happy that you have accepted my invitation.

Uh… by the way, be careful, as we walk along the sea…
…. ‘cos there might be some rough stones and thorny bushes.

Just mind your steps, as we walk along.

So, where shall I begin with?

Hmm… I guess I shall begin with my beginning itself…
… my beginnings with the Lord!

Let me start by saying that nothing much about my life before I encountered the Lord, is known to others.

But that itself, I feel, is a point of great reflection…

That unless we come to the Lord, our life is mere existence…
… nothing noteworthy, nothing special, nothing significant!

Only when we are in the Lord…
… do we have a meaning and purpose in life!

Only when we are in the Lord…
… can we say that our lives have a destination and a goal!

How I wish that many more discover Jesus as the purpose and objective of one’s life!

How I pray that followers of Christ may have more zeal to bring many to the love of Christ!

So continuing with my story – of my beginnings in the Lord – …

How very fresh is the memory of that golden day in my life!
… The day the Lord came to me and called me to be His “fisher of men” (as we would read in the Gospel of my friend St Luke 5: 10)

My friend St Luke, told you in 4:38-39, that my mother-in-law was healed of a severe fever.

This incident had brought great joy and hope to our family.

Somehow, (I probably guess so… though am not fully sure!), that miracle had also sparked a sense of interest and liking in me, towards that Great Rabbi, Jesus!

He was already moving across streets in villages and towns bringing much healing and hope
He was also revealing God as a Father… as One Who was much closer and lovable and friendlier, than many of us traditional Jews had thought!

But the experience of that glorious day still lingers in my mind…
… so fresh… so gracious!

My Master had his large crowd of fans gathered around him.

It was such a privilege that my boat was used by the Master to stand and preach to the crowds!

Yeah, my simple boat became His Great Instrument of Evangelization!
… You can call it as the story of “Pauper Peter’s Plank transformed into the Precious Preacher’s Pulpit!”

After the great round of boldly proclaiming the Word of God…
… it was time for the Word to touch me!

The Master, with His powerful words reached out to me, “Put out into the deeper water and lower your nets for a catch!”

But of course, all of you do know that I am a very instinctual and impulsive man!

The “expertise” in me protested and said, “We have worked the whole night and caught nothing!”

But this is where the Master “caught me”

That was the bait, by which I, the little fish, would be hooked by the Great Fisherman of Galilee!

I thought I knew everything about the seas… about fishing…!

But the Lord, the Creator of all…
… sliced through my inner being and exposed my weakness!

The miraculous catch of fish that followed was a lesson in humility and obedience!

I thought I knew everything… only to realize, that “human knowledge is foolishness before God’s Wisdom”
I felt I was an expert in my area of activity… only to realize that “human minds have to always bend before the One Who has shaped and created this entire universe!”

And so I cried out…”Depart from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!”

That was the beginning, of the end…
… the end of my pride
… the end of wanting “my way”

For it was also the beginning…
… of a new way of life for me!

Yes, God’s Mercy had touched me!
… and His Mercy had sparked me in a new vocation – the vocation to be “fishers of men!”

His Mercy would continue to accompany me, all through my life…
…. in times when I would act impulsively as the leader of the group
… in times when I would go on to betray my Master
… in times, when I would once again be called to follow the Lord after His Resurrection
… in times, when I would be instilled with hope to continue as His Vicar on the earth!

And so I strongly believe in this statement: “Mercy is the source and the strength of every vocation!”

Be it any vocation: Family life…. Consecrated Life…. Priestly Life… Celibate life…

Have you discovered the meaning and depth of this statement?

Check into your lives and see…
… so many are the acts of mercy of God in your life
… so many are the ways in which the Mercy of God has led you through

Perhaps, many times, you are not aware… many times, you have taken it for granted!

But look deeper… and surely you will find: Your life is a living witness of God’s Mercy!

And so, become aware that “Mercy is the source and the strength of every vocation!”

Hmmm… Are you still with me?

I guess, I do talk a lot, right?

Well, as you see, I do have tears in my eyes now… (tears of joy, of course!)
… and this would be the joy you too experience, when your life is touched by the Mercy of God

And you give yourself, entirely to Jesus, the Great Fisherman of Galilee…and my Hero!

Are you willing to leave everything and follow Him…
… just as I did?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Holiness is found in a path opened to us in our daily lives…

… the duties of our daily lives, are offered to us with unequal attractiveness!”

“Imitating our “Enthusiastic” Master, so that every moment of our day can become an opening to spread the love of the Lord and to bring people closer to His Gentle and Merciful Heart!”

(Based on 1 Cor 3:1-9 and Lk 4:38-44 – Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time)

“Enthusiasm” is a very remarkable word.

This word, “enthusiasm” is derived from two Greek words:

“en” meaning IN
“theos” meaning GOD

So the word “enthusiasm” literally means, being IN GOD!

Therefore, technically speaking…

One who is “enthusiastic” is the one who is possessed by God and is passionate about His works
One who is “enthusiastic” is the one who is deeply involved in the concerns of God and is zealous for Him

The Gospel of the Day is a classic exhibition of our Blessed Lord who displays a lot of “enthusiasm” in His Mission and ministry.

The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 4, verses 31 onwards is a description of the activities of a day in the life of Jesus.

This was a Sabbath day.

And it is being a very long day for the Lord…

The day began with Jesus teaching in the synagogue (Lk 4: 31-32)

Amazement and astonishment had filled all those who listened to Him

Then, He cured a man with a spirit of an unclean demon (Lk 4: 33-37)

Authority and Power was on display to all those who encountered this healing

Then, He goes to the house of Simon Peter and heals his mother-in-law (Lk 4: 38-39)

Personal affection and interest was extended to the chosen disciple of the Lord

Later, at sunset, He heals the various sick and suffering who are brought to Him (Lk 4: 40-41)

Immense compassion and mercy is offered to those in need

Finally, at daybreak, He moves off to a deserted place and proceeds to preach in the other towns (Lk 4: 42-43)

Unmatched dedication and commitment for the mission is exhibited by the Lord

One of the outstanding features that is noticed in our Blessed Lord is His absolutely tremendous level of “enthusiasm”.

Nothing seemed to tire the Lord.
Nothing seemed to deter Him in His works
Nothing seemed to fluctuate Him in His focus.

The reason for this was that He was Enthusiastic – “In God”

The Chapter 4 of St Luke had begun with Jesus affirming, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…” (Lk 4: 18)

It was this “being in the Spirit” that was the recipe to our Blessed Lord being constantly “on the move” – in Mission with Enthusiasm!

His Presence brought about a wave of happiness and hope
His Words helped people to find new meaning and purpose in life
His Works enabled people to find acceptance and forgiveness in life

Is my life and the activities that I engage in, also “filled with enthusiasm?”

Am I able to live my life in joy and happiness, knowing that I have a God who is deeply in love with me, and takes care of my every need and knows my every movement?
Am I able to trust the Lord, especially in moments of crises and calamities, and be a beacon of hope in the darkness of tragedies and be an agent of encouragement in the thick of hopelessness?

St Paul reminds us through his letter to the Church in Corinth on the need to be totally focussed on the Lord…
… and not get deviated by any human plans or selfish motives or agenda: “For when one says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ and another, ‘I belong to Apollos,’ are you not merely men?

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
… so neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth!”

Our Christian Faith gives us so many reasons to be joyful…to be thankful… and to be “enthusiastic”

When I am “in the Lord”…
… I can always radiate joy
… I can always share love
… I can always spread hope

May we, thus, imitate our “Enthusiastic” Master, so that every moment of our day can become…
… an opportunity to share a joyful smile and a cheerful word to a sad and gloomy soul
… an occasion to extend the healing hand of compassion and service to those who are in need
… an opening to spread the love of the Lord and to bring people closer to His Gentle and Merciful Heart

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Live joyously among your occupations!”