“Ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives!”

(Based on Rom 1:16-25 and Lk 11:37-41 – Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time)

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood.

The next morning while they were having their breakfast, the woman saw her neighbour hanging some clothes to dry.

“That laundry is not very clean,” she said. “She doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbour hung clothes to dry, the young woman repeated her observations about the dirty laundry.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”

The husband said:
“I got up early this morning…
… and cleaned our windows!”

All the while, the woman had been making critical and disparaging remarks…
… while her own windows had “the stains of hypocrisy and corruption!”

So often we too are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful lesson to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…
… and to live in genuineness.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal in his house.

We are unsure of the motives or the reason for this Pharisee to invite Jesus for the table sharing…

Maybe he just wanted to grow in his friendship with Jesus…
Maybe he wanted to check how this great preacher would conduct himself in his house…
Maybe he wanted to show off to his friends of having invited a great Rabbi to his house…
Maybe he wanted to break the ministry of Jesus and trap Him in doing some aberrations…

In any case, the Pharisee certainly expected Jesus to follow the rules and customs of the traditional Jewish meal.

But he notices that Jesus has failed to wash his hands before dinner.

This washing of the hands was a ritual purification process.

The insistence on this act was not for the sake of hygiene, but for ritual purity!

This omission of the sacred tradition came as a big shocker for the host Pharisee.
He would have thought about Jesus:
“This Rabbi is doing it all wrong!

Why can’t He follow our age-old customs?

He is insulting me before my other guests!
How dare He behaves so, in my own house!?”

But this is where Jesus, in His unique style of courage & conviction comes into confrontation with the attitude of the Pharisee…

The Pharisee was surely His host…
… yet Jesus dares ‘to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…’

Standing up for convictions and principles was a value that Jesus always upheld.

Being bold to always promote and defend goodness was a virtue that Jesus always supported.

Jesus lashes out with a righteous anger, “So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside yourselves, you are full of greed and evil. Fools…!” (Lk 11: 39)

The Pharisee got offended because Jesus failed to wash his hands before meal.

But Jesus got offended because they failed to have a true cleansing of their hearts.

The Pharisee got upset because Jesus failed to uphold the sacred tradition.

But Jesus got upset because they failed to uphold the values of inner purity and holiness.

The Pharisee felt insulted because Jesus failed to honour their customs and practices.

But Jesus felt insulted because the table-meal failed to reflect true love and sharing.

Jesus was not afraid to encounter the Pharisee in his wrong thinking.

And today He encounters us and challenges us to ‘live in genuineness’

Maybe we are bold in being relaxed in some of our comfort and pleasure zones..

But Jesus exhorts us to renew our lives with a life of holiness and purity.

Maybe we are quite okay with aspiring for many gadgets and objects of passing joys and desires

But Jesus urges us to focus on the real necessities of a good life.

Maybe we are satisfied to beautify our external life, even if it means being greedy and selfish

But Jesus spurs us to repent by living a self-sacrificing and a self-controlling life.

The ‘lion of Pharisaism’ is deep rooted in many of our personal lives, our family lives and in our community lives…

Having the focus only on external factors… but neglecting the inner dimensions…
Giving importance to only outer shows… but totally forgetting the internal aspects…
Being obsessed with doing many things… but totally ignoring the necessity of being holy…

The Lord today reminds us that often we are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH – INSTITUTED BY CHRIST JESUS

It was the Son’s task to accomplish the Father’s plan of salvation in the fullness of time. Its accomplishment was the reason for his being sent.
“The Lord Jesus inaugurated his Church by preaching the Good News, that is, the coming of the Reign of God, promised over the ages in the scriptures.”
To fulfil the Father’s Will, Christ ushered in the Kingdom of heaven on earth.
The Church “is the Reign of Christ already present in mystery.”
“This Kingdom shines out before men in the word, in the works and in the presence of Christ.”
To welcome Jesus’ Word is to welcome “the Kingdom itself.”
The seed and beginning of the Kingdom are the “little flock” of those whom Jesus came to gather around him, the flock whose shepherd He is. They form Jesus’ true family.

To those whom He thus gathered around Him, He taught a new “way of acting” and a prayer of their own” (CCC #763-764)

“Relying solely on the Word of the only One who is truly sighted – God Himself!”

(Based on Rom 1:1-7 and Lk 11:29-32 – Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time)

A television program preceding the 1988 Winter Olympics featured blind skiers being trained for slalom skiing…
… impossible as that sounds.

(Slalom Skiing is a snow-mountain skiing between poles or gates.

The poles are spaced more closely than those in other types of skiing
… and therefore requires quicker and shorter turns.)

Paired with sighted skiers, the blind skiers were taught first, how to make right and left turns.

When that was mastered, they were taken to the slalom slope, where their sighted partners skied beside them shouting, “Left!” and “Right!”

As they obeyed the commands, they were able to negotiate the course and cross the finish line, depending solely on the sighted skiers’ word.

It was either complete trust or catastrophe!

This is a vivid picture of the Christian life!

In this world, we must rely solely on the Word of the only One who is truly sighted–God Himself.
His Word gives us the direction we need to finish the course.

This requires immense faith
This requires hopeful belief

The Gospel of the Day is an example of how we become resistant and stubborn in refusing to have this faith and belief.

This is reflected by the sighing words of Jesus: “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah!” (Lk 11:29)

What made Jesus to respond so strongly?

Is Jesus against asking signs?

Is Jesus against lack of faith?
Is Jesus against having doubts?

The answer to perhaps all the three questions above is…
… not in the affirmative!

Jesus is NOT necessarily against asking signs…

The Bible is a witness to many people asking for signs from God…
• Gideon asked for a sign from God (Judg 6:17)
• Moses asked God what sign would prove to Pharaoh that he was sent by God (Ex 4:1)
• Elijah promises what Elisha had asked for, on the condition of a sign (2 Kg 2:10)
Jesus is NOT out rightly against lack of belief or unbelief…
• The unbelieving Thomas, was chided, but not condemned by Jesus, after His resurrection (Jn 20:27-28)
• The lack of faith of the disciples is saddening for Jesus, but He does not reject them (Mk 4:40)
• The father, whose boy was possessed with a demon was blessed with a healing, on his acknowledgment of littleness in faith (Mk 9:24)
• The emotionally unsettled and wavering Peter is given another chance to prove his loyalty despite his rejection and denial of faith in Jesus (Jn 21:15-17)

Then what is Jesus against?
Jesus is against those people…
… who reject faith, despite many signs and wonders that are plainly presented
… who demand for greater miracles for merely curiosity and excitement
… who make use of the powers of God for personal satisfaction and gratification
… who remain stone-hearted, unmoved and indifferent despite clear indications and signals from God.

Am I also a person who constantly rejects signs and wonders from the Lord, and fail to grow in faith?

Am I also a person who remains obstinate and indifferent to God’s powers, and fail to be open to God’s movements in my life?

The Lord is constantly speaking to us through various miracles.

The Lord is constantly moving our hearts through many blessings.
The Lord is constantly inspiring our lives through immense wonders.

Our Christian life requires us to rely solely on the Word of the only One who is truly sighted–God Himself.

His Word gives us the direction we need to finish the course.

This requires immense faith
This requires hopeful belief

Let us be open and docile to Him!

Today we seek the intercession of Pope St John XXIII – one of the most popular Popes of the 20th century – on this feast day.

He was the one who convoked the historical ‘Vatican Council II’, which paved the way for “throwing open the windows of the church, to let the fresh air of the Spirit blow through.”

Let us give heed to his words: “Prayer is the raising of the mind to God.

We must always remember this. The actual words matter less.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH – PREPARED FOR IN THE OLD COVENANT

The gathering together of the People of God began at the moment when sin destroyed the communion of men with God, and that of men among themselves.
The gathering together of the Church is, as it were, God’s reaction to the chaos provoked by sin. This reunification is achieved secretly in the heart of all peoples: “In every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable” to God.
The remote preparation for this gathering together of the People of God begins when he calls Abraham and promises that he will become the father of a great people.
Its immediate preparation begins with Israel’s election as the People of God.
By this election, Israel is to be the sign of the future gathering of all nations.

But the prophets accuse Israel of breaking the covenant and behaving like a prostitute. They announce a new and eternal covenant. “Christ instituted this New Covenant” (CCC #761-762)

“Giving heed to the words of the Lord and confidently moving across the deserts of life!”

(Based on Wis 7:7-11, Heb 4:12-13 and Mk 10:17-30 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

A river wanted to flow to the sea, through a vast desert.

But seeing the vast dry sand, it got afraid.

Fearful thoughts crept into its mind:
“The desert may gulp up all my water…
… the hot breath of the sun will surely dry me up…
… and I will be reduced to a mere stinking swamp!”

Then it heard a mysterious voice, “Trust the Desert”

But the river retorted, “But then, will I ever be the same?

Will I not lose my identity?”

The voice once again thundered, “There is no way to remain the same!”

So the river, with trust in the desert, began to flow through it.

The simmering heat of the sun turned her into vapour.
The wind carried her over, as clouds, over the hot expanse of the desert.
She was formed into rain!

And out of the clouds, came down a newer, fresher and much more splendid river, on the other side of the desert.

The river was delighted and exclaimed, “Now, I am truly my Real Self!”

Immense trust and making the radical decision to pass through the desert, helped the river to experience newness in life and to enjoy the delight of a transformed and renewed life!

Is life calling us to have a deeper trust and cross through deserts, in order to experience freshness in life?

Or are we afraid to take that risk of losing many of the ‘things’ we hold precious to ourselves?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus exhorting us to trust in Him, and to cross the deserts of life, “letting go of riches, in order to experience true joy in Him and eternal life with Him!

The incident of the person asking Jesus, “’Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’” (Mk 10:17) finds resonance with many of our inner desires and longings.

We too have a lot of questions, like the man who asked, “What must I do to have eternal life…”

How can I really have peace of mind and happiness at home and in my life…?
How is it that I may be able to experience joy in life, despite the many poundings and grindings that life renders me…?
How is it that I can be assured of the treasures of heaven and the bliss of life eternity…?

The man who enquired Jesus assured that he had been keeping all the prescribed rules and regulations from his younger days:

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

We too have something similar to say…

I keep on working hard, putting in constant efforts in my daily duties and the various responsibilities entrusted to me…
I toil very much in meeting life’s ends and gathering together my resources in making sure that things go on well in life…

But like He told to the man, the Lord “looks at us, loves us” and tells us: “One thing you lack”

And goes on to tell: “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mk 10:21)

The man was attached to his possessions, even though he performed many acts of God’s commandments.

The man found it hard to leave his riches, and his following of the laws of God made little impact on him, to make renunciations.

Therefore, the Lord diagnosed his problem as his inability to “let go” of his attachments.

“Unnecessary accessories” of life can be a burden in our smooth travelling on the path of eternity!

Are we also faced with the same diagnosis?

Do I find it hard to “let go”…
… of my selfish lifestyle and my own personal comforts… even though I seek to render service or engage in different works?
… of my egoistic tendencies and self-centred inclinations… in my relationships and in interacting with the people in my life?
… of my individual agenda and self-interested plans… and fail to base my life as per the Plan of God and walk according to His Will in my life?

As Christians, we are all called to perfection (Mt 5:48)

This ‘challenge to perfection’ demands that we have to pass through the “deserts”…
… deserts of renunciation
… deserts of seeking only God’s Will
… deserts of altering our personal choices and prioritizing the values of the Lord

This will help us to experience newness in life and to enjoy the delight of a transformed and renewed life!

May we heed to the call of the Lord today…
… to make such radical choices and decisions in life, so that we can truly experience the joy of heaven in our day-to-day lives and one day, be blessed, with the fullness of life eternal!

When faced with the deserts of life…
… let us, with confidence, give heed to the words of the Lord assuring us: “Trust the desert”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH – FORESHADOWED FROM THE WORLD’S BEGINNING

Christians of the first centuries said, “The world was created for the sake of the Church.”
God created the world for the sake of communion with His Divine Life, a communion brought about by the “convocation” of men in Christ, and this “convocation” is the Church.
The Church is the goal of all things, and God permitted such painful upheavals as the angels’ fall and man’s sin only as occasions and means for displaying all the power of His arm and the whole measure of the love He wanted to give the world:

Just as God’s Will is creation and is called “the world,” so His intention is the salvation of men, and it is called “the Church.” (CCC #760)

“Obediently living our life, in accordance with the Plan of God!”

(Based on Joel 4:12-21 and Lk 11:27-28 – Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time)

A highly skilled engineer had been confined to his bed due to a paralysis of the lower limbs.

So great was his reputation, that even though he was sickly, he was asked to draw the blueprints for a great suspension bridge.

With much determination, the engineer completed the blueprints and handed it over to those who were to carry out the work.

Months passed by…
… and the work of the bridge was completed.

Four men came to the engineer’s room and carried him, on the cot, to the place…
… from where he could see the bridge, suspending over a wide river

Tears filled his eyes as he gazed at the engineering marvel…
… and with the blueprints in his hands, he cried out:
“It’s just like the plan! It’s just like the plan!”

God, the Great Engineer, has His blueprints for each one of us, in our lives…
… His Holy Will!

Do we build our lives as per this blueprint?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to have our wills in harmony with this blueprint…
… the Will of God!

In today’s Gospel, a woman from the crowd calls out to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who bore you and nursed you” (Lk 11:27)

This woman had probably been following Jesus for some time or had observed some of His works or had heard about Him.

This greatness of the Man was attributed to His Mother.

The woman had probably a driving principle behind this thought:
“Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman…constantly supporting and nourishing”.

Mother Mary was recognized and understood as this Woman behind the success of Jesus!

Let’s just visualize how Jesus would have felt when He heard these words…

Every child is proud and to hear good of one’s parent…
… especially about the mother.

Jesus too, would have been very proud and happy of His Mother.

He would have thought of the moments that His Mother…
… would have taught Him various prayers
… would have taught Him the scriptures.
… would have taught Him to love God

Jesus surely had many things to thank and praise His Mother.

But the Lord doesn’t remain fixated on the level of mere human praise and efforts…

The Lord loves things of the High….and His concerns are of the High!

And so, he invites and challenges the woman to look higher…
“Surely blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it as well” (Lk 11:28)

The Lord was probably telling the woman…
“Yes, surely my Mother is truly great for Her tender care of me.
She is indeed wonderful for Her amazing upbringing of me.

But My Mother is great, not just because of these earthly factors…

There is much more…
There are many more reasons which makes Her truly great.

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

The Lord made the woman to not just be satisfied with transient, material aspect…
… but to have a higher perspective in life.

The same message is reached out to each one of us today….

Am I a person…
… who is merely satisfied with only the concerns of the material world?
… who remains stunted on just listening to God’s word, but not practising it?
… who fails to fly higher, to also be concerned with the aspects of the Divine?
… who is excited to hear and listen to the Bible, but afraid to live it in my life?

God has His blueprints for each one of us, in our lives…
… His Holy Will!

Do we obediently carry out our works, as per His plan?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church beautifully speaks of the origin, foundation and mission of the Church as a “Plan born in the Father’s Heart!”

“This ‘family of God’ is gradually formed and takes shape during the stages of human history, in keeping with the Father’s Plan” (CCC #759)

May this Great Engineer, seeing our lives…
… and with the blueprints in His hands, exclaim:
“It’s just like the Plan! It’s just like the Plan!”

Today we also seek the intercession of Abraham, the Patriarch – on the Feast Day (Oct 09 – as mentioned in the Roman Martyrology)

(Even though customarily, we don’t call the Old Testament figures as Saints, nevertheless, the Church teaches that they are considered as Saints:
“The patriarchs, prophets and certain other Old Testament figures have been and always will be honoured as saints in all the Church’s liturgical traditions [CCC #61])

May Abraham – the Father of Faith – inspire us to do everything with deep fidelity…
… and to live in accordance with the Will of God!

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH’S ORIGIN, FOUNDATION AND MISSION – A PLAN BORN IN THE FATHER’S HEART

“The eternal Father, in accordance with the utterly gratuitous and mysterious design of his wisdom and goodness, created the whole universe and chose to raise up men to share in His own Divine life, “to which he calls all men in His Son.
“The Father . . . determined to call together in a holy Church those who should believe in Christ.”
This “family of God” is gradually formed and takes shape during the stages of human history, in keeping with the Father’s plan.
In fact, “already present in figure at the beginning of the world, this Church was prepared in marvellous fashion in the history of the people of Israel and the old advance.”

“Established in this last age of the world and made manifest in the outpouring of the Spirit, it will be brought to glorious completion at the end of time. (CCC #759)

“Realising that true spiritual growth and nourishment is possible when credibility and authenticity are pursued!”

(Based on Joel 1:13-15, 2:1-2 and Lk 11:15-26 – Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time)

Michelangelo has been one of the greatest artists the world has ever seen.

His notable works of “Pieta”, “David”, “Moses” and “The Last Judgment” have been unparalleled in their beauty and perfection.

Another of his fantastic work has been the Frescoes on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling (in the Vatican)

It is said that as this great artist painted the magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel – lying on his back for endless hours to finish every detail with great care

A friend asked him why he took such pains with figures that would be viewed from a considerable distance.

“After all,” the friend said, “Who will notice whether it is perfect or not?”

The artist who was known for his perfection at all works replied…
… “I will!”

The motivation for perfection in all things, for Michelangelo, was not from outside…
… it was a based on his conviction that he should be “credible and authentic” in all what he does.

Our spiritual life also follows a similar principle: When credibility and authenticity are lacking in a spiritual endeavour, there is very less spiritual growth and nourishment!

It is credibility and authenticity that helps to gain spiritual progress and advancements!

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of how true integrity and authority can work tremendous wonders, conversions of heart and transformations of life…
… and how it can also cause some people to “oppose credibility and authenticity” by engaging in calumny and character-assassination!

The Gospel of the Day begins with the statement…
“But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ (Lk 11:15)

One of the reasons why the people, especially the religious authorities were irked by the personality of Jesus, was because of the tremendous authority that was displayed by Jesus!

Yes, the amazing factor in the ministry of Jesus was His tremendous authority!

The wondrous aspect in the ministry of Jesus was His awesome integrity!

Elsewhere, in the Gospel of St Luke, we read…
“They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority.” (Lk 4:32)

This authority and integrity came…
… through His deep union with His Heavenly Father.
… through His faithfulness to the commands of His heavenly Father
… through His undivided devotion to His Heavenly Father

How authentic, credible and integral are we in our life…
… as a Christian?
… in the family?
… as a consecrated person?

Authenticity does not mean arrogance…
Credibility does not mean over-confidence…
Integrity does not mean super-importance…

Authenticity, credibility and integrity in the Lord means…
… filled with the power and strength of God’s Spirit
… imbued with a deep passion for the Lord and His Church
… living an honest lifestyle in accordance to God’s Will and teachings

The Gospel of the Day calls us to check and examine…
… is my prayer life and devotion truly authentic and credible?
… is my preaching and spreading of God’s Word filled with His Holy Spirit?
… is my reception of the Sacraments helping me to make an honest effort to be a true Christian?

Let our prayers become a true raising of hearts to God…
Let the receiving of the Sacraments become an honest transformation for life…
Let the spreading of God’s Word become a credible witness to God’s Kingdom….

Jesus is our model and example to be true and honest in life!
Jesus is our ideal and standard to be faithful and committed to our mission!

Let the motivation in seeking for perfection in all things, be based not from outside…
… rather let it be based on the conviction that we should be “credible and authentic” in all what we do!

May our spiritual life follows the principle: Only when credibility and authenticity are pursued, we can have true spiritual growth and nourishment!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH

The Church is a cultivated field, the tillage of God. On that land the ancient olive tree grows whose holy roots were the prophets and in which the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles has been brought about and will be brought about again.
That land, like a choice vineyard, has been planted by the heavenly cultivator. Yet the true vine is Christ Who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches – to us – Who through the Church remain in Christ, without whom we can do nothing.
“Often, too, the Church is called the building of God.
The Lord compared himself to the stone which the builders rejected, but which was made into the comer-stone. On this foundation the Church is built by the apostles and from it the Church receives solidity and unity.
This edifice has many names to describe it: the house of God in which His family dwells; the household of God in the Spirit; the dwelling-place of God among men; and, especially, the holy temple.
This temple, symbolized in places of worship built out of stone, is praised by the Fathers and, not without reason, is compared in the liturgy to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. As living stones, we here on earth are built into it.
It is this holy city that is seen by John as it comes down out of heaven from God when the world is made anew, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

“The Church, further, which is called ‘that Jerusalem which is above’ and ‘our mother’, is described as the spotless spouse of the spotless lamb. It is she whom Christ ‘loved and for whom He delivered himself up that He might sanctify her.’ It is she whom He unites to Himself by an unbreakable alliance, and whom He constantly ‘nourishes and cherishes.’ (Cf. CCC # 755-757)

“Remaining persevering and persistent in our life of faith and our life of prayer, and seeking the intercession of our Lady of the Holy Rosary!”

(Based on Mal 3:13-4:2 and Lk 11:5-13 – Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time – Feast of our Lady of the Rosary)

The familiar story of the donkey falling into a deep pit is probably known to most of us.

The animal cried piteously for hours, as its farmer tried to pull out the donkey from the deep pit.

However the depth of the pit, caused all efforts of rescue to go in vain,

Finally giving up all hope, the man decided to bury the donkey.

He even called his neighbours to help him cover the donkey with dirt and mud.

But tough situations are always occasions for one to show one’s mettle!

Perseverance and determination are necessary companions in any endeavour of life!

The donkey initially felt extremely desperate as to what was happening…
… but in a short time – to everyone’s amazement – the donkey managed to come up

What it did was quite astonishing…
… with every shovel of mud that fell on its back, the donkey would shake it off, and step up on the mud!

Shake off and step up… shake off and step up…
… Continuing this process, pretty soon, the donkey was out of the pit!

Life often throws shovels of dirt and mud – in the form of struggles, hardships, rejections, disappointments

But it is left to us, to “shake off and step up!”

We need to remain persevering and persistent in all what we do…
… and this is very true especially in our life of faith, in our life of prayer!

The Gospel of the Day presents before us the theme of Prayer with a special emphasis on perseverance and determination in prayer life.

This aspect of persistence in prayer through a parable: A parable of a friend who knocked at the door of his friend at an odd midnight hour…
… seeking for help.

Prayer invariably points to the notion of Necessity and Dependence in our lives: A necessity for various things…
… and a dependence on God

A necessity of realizing our limitations…
… and a dependence on the power of God

A necessity of moving out of our capabilities..
… and a dependence on the strength of God

A necessity of knowing all things not possible for me…
… and a dependence on the grace of God

For a moment, let us get into the shoes of this friend who faced this need of an unexpected traveller in his house… and thus forced to seek for help…

This man received an unexpected guest…

Probably, it was the end of all the chores of his day…and as he was retiring to bed, this traveller came to his house.

His condition was so pitiable that he did not even have some morsels of food to be given.

He had the good will…
… but did not have the resources to help.
He had the good intentions…
… but did not have the supplies to assist.

Very often, we ourselves land up into such situations…

Perhaps someone drops in for a coffee…and lays bare their problems…

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps we get a letter or a message…informing of some serious crisis…

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps our close ones undergo some pain…and life becomes hard…

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps we see many in absolute suffering…and our heart reaches out to them..

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

We ask ourselves: “What can I do?”

There is a strange, sinking sensation… a sense of pressure, almost terror: “What shall I say?”

The best you can do is just hope for a quiet moment when you can rush to God, our Great Neighbour and cry out to him, “A friend has come, and I have nothing to set before him.“

This happens often, doesn’t it?

It is out of such moments of deep necessity that true prayer is born.

It is out of such moments of genuine dependence that true prayer is born.

But that does not mean, that God, our Great neighbour has to be awakened from his slumber or who has to be forced to render us help.

The point of the parable is that as a person who is in necessity and who is dependent…
… one ought to have a great level of patience & perseverance & determination.

In prayer, it often happens that we determine…
… the way
… the time
… the mode
… in which God should answer our requests!

But we often forget, that, the Great Neighbour, God…
… is also our loving Father.
… is also the One who cares deeply for us.
… is also Someone who wishes the best for us.

In Lk 11: 9, Jesus gives us the exciting verse, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

ASK…SEEK…KNOCK…all these three verbs indicate a continual process and a constant action.

“Keep on asking…keep on seeking…keep on knocking”.

The Lord is a Loving Father…

He does not demand perseverance because of any hard-heartedness…

Rather, He expects consistence and perseverance because of His deep and tender Love for us and wanting us to not get bogged down by mere material concerns…
… rather to SEEK HIM above all in prayer and to make HIM the greatest need of our lives!

Pope St John XXIII said: “Prayer is the raising of the mind to God.

We must always remember this. The actual words matter less.”

Yes, life often throws shovels of dirt and mud – in the form of struggles, hardships, rejections, disappointments

But it is left to us, to “shake off and step up!”

Let us remain persevering and persistent in our life of faith and our life of prayer!

Today Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of our Lady of the Rosary.

This Feast of our Lady of the Rosary was instituted by Pope St. Pius V in the year 1570.

It was a sign of thanksgiving for a great naval victory over the Turks at the battle of Lepanto, obtained primarily by the recitation of the Rosary.

The word Rosary means a “Crown of Roses”.

Our Lady has revealed to several people that each time one says a Hail Mary, one is giving her a beautiful rose and that completion of each Rosary makes her a beautiful crown of roses.

The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions.

Like the exhibits in a museum, each mystery of the Rosary reveals much…

Each Mystery that we meditate upon, is a miniature theology of the mysteries of the life of
Jesus and the life of Mary…
… offered with a view to feeding the mind and the heart.

The awesome story of our salvation is encapsulated in the Holy Rosary.

The Rosary is the nutshell of our salvation history.

Let us truly pray the Rosary and live the mysteries of the Rosary in our everyday life.

The saying goes true…”No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary”

Happy Feast of our Lady of the Rosary!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH

In Scripture, we find a host of interrelated images and figures through which Revelation speaks of the inexhaustible mystery of the Church.
The images taken from the Old Testament are variations on a profound theme: the People of God. >> In the New Testament, all these images find a new centre because Christ has become the head of this people, which henceforth is His Body.
Around this centre are grouped images taken “from the life of the shepherd or from cultivation of the land, from the art of building or from family life and marriage.”
“The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ.”

It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ Himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave His Life for His sheep (Cf. CCC # 753-754)

“Seeking God’s Kingdom and doing His Will so that we can ‘love more, hate less and forgive quick!’”

(Based on Jon 4:1-11 and Lk 11:1-4 – Wednesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time)

A teacher in a school was being felicitated at her farewell program after serving for nearly 34 years.

She was a teacher who was much loved and much respected…
… all because of her gentle yet firm conduct with all
… all because of her kind-heartedness and amiable approach with all

As she was asked on what was the motto that helped her to be such a lovable and respected teacher, she replied:
“Well, I have just tried to follow my Master is an epitome of altruism on the Cross. I have also been greatly helped by the care of Mamma Mary as every day I make it a point to recite the Rosary.

And all, I tried to do was: ‘To love more, hate less and forgive quick!’”

That’s a nice dictum for life, isn’t it?

Love more!

Hate less!
Forgive quick!

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful transcription by the author of the ‘Gospel of Prayer’ – St Luke – on a beautiful teaching on Prayer.

St Luke narrates this incident by stating that “Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” (Lk 11:1)

This query presents the beautiful inherent thirst and desire in every human person – to seek to connect with the Divine.

And Jesus, the Master lays before His Disciples, the blueprint for every prayer – the Our Father!

In just a few words, the Lord taught His disciples that the thrust of every prayer is “to seek God’s Kingdom and do His Will in life”…
… so that one can “love more, hate less and forgive quick!”

In the light of this teaching, let’s examine our prayer life…
… Does my prayer help me to orient myself more in doing the Will of the Father in my life?
… Does my prayer help me to love God more and to reach out His love to my fellow beings?
… Does my prayer help me to reduce hatred or other vices that have taken root in my heart?
… Does my prayer help me to reflect God’s Mercy to the people, especially those who hurt me?

The “Our Father” is also a beautiful reminder that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!
But…

To receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

It means that…

If we continue to nurture hatred against other…
If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…
… then we are telling God to not forgive either!
…then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!

It is this aspect of “forgiveness” that becomes highly essential and conditional…
… in our desire to do the Will of the Father, at all times, and living a faithful Christian life.

May the teaching of Jesus on prayer, narrated by St Luke in His ‘Gospel of Prayer,’ help us “to seek God’s Kingdom and do His Will in life”…
… so that we can “love more, hate less and forgive quick!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
NAMES AND IMAGES OF THE CHURCH

The word “Church” (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to “call out of”) means a convocation or an assembly.
It designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a religious purpose.
Ekklesia is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was established by God as his holy people.
By calling itself “Church,” the first community of Christian believers recognized itself as heir to that assembly.
In the Church, God is “calling together” his people from all the ends of the earth.
The equivalent Greek term ‘Kyriake,’ from which the English word Church and the German Kirche are derived, means “what belongs to the Lord.”
In Christian usage, the word “church” designates the liturgical assembly, but also the local community or the whole universal community of believers. These three meanings are inseparable.
“The Church” is the People that God gathers in the whole world. She exists in local communities and is made real as a liturgical, above all a Eucharistic, assembly.

She draws her life from the word and the Body of Christ and so herself becomes Christ’s Body. (Cf. CCC # 751-752)

“Choosing the ‘one thing that is needed” – the one ‘chair’ – of being committed to the Lord and His Kingdom, so that we can enjoy true peace and joy in life!”

(Based on Jon 3:1-10 and Lk 10:38-42 – Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time)

Luciano Pavarotti was an Italian operatic Tenor.
(A tenor is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range is one of the highest of the male voice types)

He made numerous recordings of complete operas and individual arias, gaining worldwide fame for the brilliance and beauty of his tone…
… and eventually established himself as one of the finest tenors of the 20th century.

Luciano relates:
“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of singing.

He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice.

Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil.

I also enrolled in a teachers college.

On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’

“Luciano,” my father replied, ‘if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them.
For life, you must choose one chair.’

“I chose one.

It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance.

It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera.

And now I think whether it’s laying bricks, writing a book – whatever we choose – we should give ourselves to it.

Commitment, that’s the key.
CHOOSE ONE CHAIR!”

Often we try to find joy and satisfaction in life, by trying to adjust and fit into many “chairs”.

We end up in frustrations and irritation and bitterness.

Our life gets entangled into a lot of annoyance and resentment

The Result: We feel life is totally unfair to us… We complain… We argue!

The Gospel of the Day reflects this common trend of our lives through the incident of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary.

During his journey of ministry, Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary. Martha demonstrates great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home.

She gets busy with the tasks of serving their honoured Guest.

Mary, on the other side, displays great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus

She gets immersed into spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

This incident invites us to appreciate the courage and devotion of Mary

The role adopted by Mary was something contrary to the fixed norms for a Jewish woman.

She sat the feet of Jesus, just as a student would, while learning at the feet of a Rabbi.

This was, however, a role reserved for men.

Yet, Mary “chose the better part” (Lk 10: 42)

This incident also invites us to reflect on the words of Christ to Martha.

Jesus tells Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her?” (10:41-42).

The Lord extends an invitation to Martha to examine her approach…

Jesus is not against her actions of service and of providing a comfortable hospitality.

But he is concerned that Martha is too” worried and distracted”

Very often…
… our best intentions in life can get spoilt due to our tendency to over-worry or be over-anxious.
… our noblest deeds of works can be marred due to our unnecessary outbursts of irritation and distractions

The Greek word used for “distracted” is “periespato”

“Periespato” means to be pulled or dragged in different directions

As a result of this high degree of distraction….

Martha fails to maintain an important and basic dimension of hospitality – giving due attention to the guest

Martha also seeks to cause a humiliation for her sister, Mary, in public
Martha even goes on to accuse Jesus of “not caring about her”

We live in a world where we are prone to get easily “distracted” – to be pulled or dragged in different directions – like Martha.

But can we seek to overcome this crippling tendency by “choosing the better part” of giving whole attention to the Lord and to His Kingdom.

Life offers us many “chairs” – choices – which can distract us, cause us irritation and take away our focus from what is most basic and most important.

Let us ask the grace to choose the “one thing that is needed” – the one “chair” – of being committed to the Lord and His Kingdom…
… so that we can enjoy true peace and joy in life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
“I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH”

“Christ is the light of humanity; and by proclaiming His Gospel to every creature, it may bring to all men that light of Christ which shines out visibly from the Church.”
These words open the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.
The Church has no other light than Christ’s; according to a favourite image of the Church Fathers, the Church is like the moon, all its light reflected from the sun.
The Church is, in a phrase used by the Fathers, the place “where the Spirit flourishes.”

To believe that the Church is “holy” and “catholic,” and that she is “one” and “apostolic” (as the Nicene Creed adds), is inseparable from belief in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Cf. CCC # 748-750)

“Having compassionate hearts and being a true ‘missionary of Mercy!’”

(Based on Jon 1:1-17, 2:10 and Lk 10:25-37 – Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time)

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, who was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, was an American author and poet.

She has written a beautiful poem, which goes thus:

It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.

The tender word forgotten, the letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts tonight.

The stone you might have lifted, out of a brother’s way,
The bit of heartsome counsel, you were harried too much to say.

The little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind;
Those chances to be helpful, which everyone may find.

No, it’s not the things you do,
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you the bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.

Our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

The Gospel of the Day is a stark reminder for us, to consider our level of love for the Lord…
… especially through the perspective of the many chances we miss in doing good and serving Him!

A scholar of the law went up to Jesus with a motive to test Him. (Lk 10: 25)

Despite being given a clarification by the Lord, the Gospel says, that the scholar of the law went on to ask another question, “to justify himself” (Lk 10: 29)

This attitude to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… is a tendency, whose presence we ought to examine in ourselves

And if present, need to root out…

“Justifying oneself, even without any just cause,” could be pointing to the fact…
… that we are too proud to accept the view of the other, even when we know the truth
… that we are unwilling to let go of our ego, with a fear of being defeated

To this trap of the scholar of the Law, who sought to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

One of the vivid observations that we can have from this parable is the “sin of omission” from the part of the first two possible helpers – the Priest and the Levite.

The man who was attacked, and lay in pain and anguish along the road from “Jerusalem to Jericho”…
… was in need of immediate attention
… was in need of aid and assistance

But the parable says that both – the Priest and Levite – responsible and supposedly God-serving people – refused to extend help.

There could be several reasons proposed as to why they did not stop by, to help the one in need.

Maybe…
… they risked ritual and social impurity – since they were at the Temple of the Lord and touching the man had a risk of defilement.
… they were short of time – wanting to make sure they would reach in time for their Temple duties
… they were afraid of the robbers – since this 17 mile stretch from Jerusalem to Jericho was robber-infested
… they were indifferent to the cause of the needy – only being concerned with cultic service of the Lord and not translating them into acts of mercy
… they had a past experience of having faced danger – and were unwilling to put themselves into risk once again
… they were unable to set their priorities in order – unable to distinguish and discern that, not just Temple service, but even helping a needy person forms part of a true spirituality

The reasons….
… could be varied
… could be speculated
… could be argued upon

But one thing is certain: They failed to help a person in need…
… and thus had a missed a chances in doing good and serving Him!

This “missing the chance in doing good” constitutes the “sin of omission”

Yes, our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

Am in languishing with many “sins of omission”….?

Young persons who stray away from the honest and right paths of life – knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or purposely…
… demand our attention to pray for them and to find creative ways of bringing them back to the right path

Broken families which face crisis – either due to spousal misunderstandings or children’s worries or financial constraints or any other problems…
… cry out to us, to intervene in their lives by interceding for them and to become channels of peace, reconciliation and harmony.

Lethargic Christians and persons with lapsed faith – either due to ignorance or indifference or deception…
… plead to us, to bring their cause before the Throne of God’s Mercy and to be cheerful instruments who “fan their faith into flames”

In all such causes and similar cases, we are challenged to be the “Good Samaritan”…
… being humble enough to get down to our knees
… being daring and courageous to face humiliations in extending help
… being compassionate and caring to do follow-ups on our acts of mercy

It is only thus that we would be marching forward in our goodwill to firmly follow the commandments to inherit eternal life (Lk 10:25):
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength and with all your mind…
… and your neighbour as yourself!” (Lk 10: 27)

May our daily examination of the conscience, always remind us of the fact, that…
“It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.”

And thus spur us, to have compassionate hearts and be a true “Missionary of Mercy!”

Today we celebrate the Feast day of a peaceful and powerful saint – St Francis of Assisi…
… who is a beautiful example of a person with a compassionate heart and a missionary of mercy!

St Francis of Assisi probably is one of the most popular saints in the entire world.

The name of this saint invokes so many pictures and words to our minds – nature, animals, poverty, renunciation, cross, stigmata, surrender, trust, another Christ, etc.

Let us seek the Intercession of this Wonderful Saint in being an instrument of joy and peace, praying:
“Make me, Lord, a channel of your peace…”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH

Because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Christ, it is Christ who, as the Head of the Body, pours out the Spirit among his members to nourish, heal, and organize them in their mutual functions, to give them life, send them to bear witness…
… and associate them to his self-offering to the Father and to his intercession for the whole world. >> Through the Church’s sacraments, Christ communicates his Holy and sanctifying Spirit to the members of his Body.
These “mighty works of God,” offered to believers in the sacraments of the Church, bear their fruit in the new life in Christ, according to the Spirit.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”

The Holy Spirit, the artisan of God’s works, is the master of prayer. (Cf. CCC # 739-741)

“Having compassionate hearts and being a true ‘missionary of Mercy!’”

(Based on Jon 1:1-17, 2:10 and Lk 10:25-37 – Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time)

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, who was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, was an American author and poet.

She has written a beautiful poem, which goes thus:

It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.

The tender word forgotten, the letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts tonight.

The stone you might have lifted, out of a brother’s way,
The bit of heartsome counsel, you were harried too much to say.

The little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind;
Those chances to be helpful, which everyone may find.

No, it’s not the things you do,
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you the bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.

Our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

The Gospel of the Day is a stark reminder for us, to consider our level of love for the Lord…
… especially through the perspective of the many chances we miss in doing good and serving Him!

A scholar of the law went up to Jesus with a motive to test Him. (Lk 10: 25)

Despite being given a clarification by the Lord, the Gospel says, that the scholar of the law went on to ask another question, “to justify himself” (Lk 10: 29)

This attitude to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… is a tendency, whose presence we ought to examine in ourselves

And if present, need to root out…

“Justifying oneself, even without any just cause,” could be pointing to the fact…
… that we are too proud to accept the view of the other, even when we know the truth
… that we are unwilling to let go of our ego, with a fear of being defeated

To this trap of the scholar of the Law, who sought to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

One of the vivid observations that we can have from this parable is the “sin of omission” from the part of the first two possible helpers – the Priest and the Levite.

The man who was attacked, and lay in pain and anguish along the road from “Jerusalem to Jericho”…
… was in need of immediate attention
… was in need of aid and assistance

But the parable says that both – the Priest and Levite – responsible and supposedly God-serving people – refused to extend help.

There could be several reasons proposed as to why they did not stop by, to help the one in need.

Maybe…
… they risked ritual and social impurity – since they were at the Temple of the Lord and touching the man had a risk of defilement.
… they were short of time – wanting to make sure they would reach in time for their Temple duties
… they were afraid of the robbers – since this 17 mile stretch from Jerusalem to Jericho was robber-infested
… they were indifferent to the cause of the needy – only being concerned with cultic service of the Lord and not translating them into acts of mercy
… they had a past experience of having faced danger – and were unwilling to put themselves into risk once again
… they were unable to set their priorities in order – unable to distinguish and discern that, not just Temple service, but even helping a needy person forms part of a true spirituality

The reasons….
… could be varied
… could be speculated
… could be argued upon

But one thing is certain: They failed to help a person in need…
… and thus had a missed a chances in doing good and serving Him!

This “missing the chance in doing good” constitutes the “sin of omission”

Yes, our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

Am in languishing with many “sins of omission”….?

Young persons who stray away from the honest and right paths of life – knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or purposely…
… demand our attention to pray for them and to find creative ways of bringing them back to the right path

Broken families which face crisis – either due to spousal misunderstandings or children’s worries or financial constraints or any other problems…
… cry out to us, to intervene in their lives by interceding for them and to become channels of peace, reconciliation and harmony.

Lethargic Christians and persons with lapsed faith – either due to ignorance or indifference or deception…
… plead to us, to bring their cause before the Throne of God’s Mercy and to be cheerful instruments who “fan their faith into flames”

In all such causes and similar cases, we are challenged to be the “Good Samaritan”…
… being humble enough to get down to our knees
… being daring and courageous to face humiliations in extending help
… being compassionate and caring to do follow-ups on our acts of mercy

It is only thus that we would be marching forward in our goodwill to firmly follow the commandments to inherit eternal life (Lk 10:25):
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength and with all your mind…
… and your neighbour as yourself!” (Lk 10: 27)

May our daily examination of the conscience, always remind us of the fact, that…
“It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.”

And thus spur us, to have compassionate hearts and be a true “Missionary of Mercy!”

Today we celebrate the Feast day of a peaceful and powerful saint – St Francis of Assisi…
… who is a beautiful example of a person with a compassionate heart and a missionary of mercy!

St Francis of Assisi probably is one of the most popular saints in the entire world.

The name of this saint invokes so many pictures and words to our minds – nature, animals, poverty, renunciation, cross, stigmata, surrender, trust, another Christ, etc.

Let us seek the Intercession of this Wonderful Saint in being an instrument of joy and peace, praying:
“Make me, Lord, a channel of your peace…”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CHURCH

Because the Holy Spirit is the anointing of Christ, it is Christ who, as the Head of the Body, pours out the Spirit among his members to nourish, heal, and organize them in their mutual functions, to give them life, send them to bear witness…
… and associate them to his self-offering to the Father and to his intercession for the whole world. >> Through the Church’s sacraments, Christ communicates his Holy and sanctifying Spirit to the members of his Body.
These “mighty works of God,” offered to believers in the sacraments of the Church, bear their fruit in the new life in Christ, according to the Spirit.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”

The Holy Spirit, the artisan of God’s works, is the master of prayer. (Cf. CCC # 739-741)