(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)
DAY 09: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD
BIBLE VERSE (Lk 1:36) “This is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. Nothing will be impossible with God.”
CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE Angel Gabriel highlights the omnipotence of God, to Mother Mary as she is gloriously announced that… … with God, everything is possible and we need to grow in our trust in the Lord! … when things are entrusted to God, He turns out everything for our greater good!
WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?
Trust in the Authority of the Lord – the great I AM – Who declares that “With the Lord, every Impossible is I’M possible!”
Recognise the need to entrust ourselves to the Power of Goodness, and to hold on to Him in faith and hope!
HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?
Is there anything you feel impossible in your life at this moment? Offer to the Power of the Lord! Think of any event/incident that doesn’t seem so nice. Believe and know, that God will turn it for the good!
LET’S PRAY Lord Jesus, increase my faith to know that You are in perfect control of my life, and that you turn everything – all our struggles and strife – to good, Amen!
Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!
“Energetically preparing for His coming into our lives!”
(Based on Isa 41:13-20 and Mt 11:11-15 – Thursday of the 2nd Week in Advent)
There is an interesting legend of how a mother was cleaning the house in preparation for Christmas. Not a speck of dust was left and even all the spiders were banished from their cozy homes in the ceiling.
It was Christmas eve and the Christmas Tree and the Crib was also decorated.
But, at the farthest end of the attic, the spiders, after having been chased away and taken refuge in that corner, were feeling miserable.
They too wished to see the Christmas Tree and especially have an encounter with Baby Jesus. But they were afraid, since the mother of the house would chase them away.
The oldest spider among them, however came up with a proposal, that they could perhaps peep across the side door and have a glimpse of Baby Jesus.
So, the spiders, silently crept out of the attic, down the stairs, across the floor and waited in the crack in the side door.
But suddenly the door opened was opened by someone, and the spiders, in fear, ran to the room.
But all them still desired to see the Christmas Tree from close.
So they decided to make a bold attempt… … They quietly crept over the whole Christmas tree… over every branch and twig, till their desire to see its beauty was fulfilled.
But to their dismay, each of them had left their webs behind.
When Child Jesus saw the Christmas Tree marred by the spider webs, He was in a dilemma.
On one side, he was impressed by the simple desire of the spiders… … on the other side, he did not want the mother of the house to be offended. So He touched the spider webs, and they all turned to sparkling and shimmering, silver and gold!
(This is probably the origin of hanging colourful tinsels on our Christmas Trees, and sometimes even including a spider!)
One of the important dimension seen in this legendary story is the intense desire of the spiders and their willingness to take the chance… … to be bold in their attempts and even be ready to risk their lives to have their Divine longing fulfilled.
Such is to be the readiness of every Christian… Having an intense desire Being willing to take chances Being bold Ready to even risk their lives … in defence of faith and in growing to be a Disciple – in the likeness of Christ.
This is reflected in the words that Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent are taking it by force” (Mt 11: 12)
This verse is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking in the entire Bible
What was this violence that Jesus was referring to?
The Greek word for the word “violence” is “biazo”.
This word “biazo” is described as “using power to forcibly seize” i.e. “laying hold of something with a POSITIVE aggressiveness”.
In the context of the Kingdom of God, it refers to the fact that “the share in the heavenly Kingdom is to be sought for, with the most ardent zeal and the most intent exertion”.
Historically, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the Kingdom was rejected by the Jews – the chosen race, and the Gentiles gained access.
In our own times, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the entry to the Kingdom causes the people to suffer, undergo hardships and even bear hostility.
That’s why Jesus would say in the Sermon of the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mt 5: 10)
St Ambrose beautifully describes the meaning of this violence: “We do violence to the Lord… not by compelling Him but by weeping before Him not by provoking by injuries, but by entreating with tears not by blaspheming through pride, but by sorrowing through humility.
We attack him, not with swords, nor staves, nor stones… … but with meekness, good works, chastity.
These are the weapons of our faith, by which we strive in our contest.
But in order that we may be able to make use of these arms in doing violence… … let us first use a certain violence to our own bodies … let us carry by storm the vices of our members … that we may obtain the rewards of valour. For to seize the Saviour’s Kingdom we must first reign in ourselves!”
St Francis de Sales speaks of a similar “violence” when, filled with a deep zeal to conquer back Geneva from the clutches of Protestantism, he says: “We will breach the walls of Geneva with our ardent prayers and storm the city with mutual charity”
This then is the zeal and the passion – the fire – that we need to carry in our hearts…
A powerful zeal that makes no compromise in the values of the Kingdom… … and makes it willing to suffer any hardship or difficulty for the sake of the Lord!
An aggressive passion that is willing to let go of any attachment or sinful desire… … that comes in the way of being worthy of the Kingdom!
A blazing fire that rages across every wicked and evil action.. … and seeks to restore holiness and sanctity of life!
Yes, Christian Life is a warfare… … against the forces of evil … against our own worldly desires!
That is why the Church on earth who are living – who struggle against sin and devil and “the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12) is called as the “Church Militant” (“Ecclesia Militans”)
The Lord will surely bless our every attempt and every desire to seek Him
This will cause us to leave behind… … our webs of vain desires … our webs of sinful pleasures … our webs of undue attachments But our Master will touch all those webs and turn them to sparkling and shimmering blessings and graces!
May our Blessed Lord ignite our “often tired, dreary and weary” lives with a blazing passion and a fiery enthusiasm… … so that we may energetically prepare for His coming into our lives!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism CHRIST’S FAITHFUL – HIERARCHY, LAITY, CONSECRATED LIFE
The very differences which the Lord has willed to put between the members of his body serve its unity and mission. For in the Church, there is diversity of ministry but unity of mission. To the apostles and their successors Christ has entrusted the office of teaching, sanctifying and governing in his name and by his power. But the laity are made to share in the priestly, prophetical, and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole People of God.
Finally, “from both groups [hierarchy and laity] there exist Christian faithful who are consecrated to God in their own special manner and serve the salvific mission of the Church through the profession of the evangelical counsels (CCC # 864-865)
(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)
DAY 08: REACH OUT GOD’S PRESENCE IN HUMBLE SERVICE!
BIBLE VERSE (Lk 1:39) “Mary set out and went with haste!”
CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE Having humbly received the Glorious Announcement of Angel Gabriel, and after having given Her consent to be the Mother of the Saviour, Mother Mary sets out ‘in haste’… … in haste: to serve others … in haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God … in haste: to ensure Jesus to be the centre of Her life
WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?
Seek to always say Yes to God’s Will and Christ to be the centre of your life
Reach out – in enthusiasm and love – to serve and help the ones in need
HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?
Spend 10 minutes in the presence of the Lord – and renew your commitment by praying, “Lord, thank You for loving me as I am, and I accept Your Will in all the situations of my life!” Identify a person who needs to a spark of inspiration in life, and reach out God’s care to the person
LET’S PRAY Lord Jesus, may the experience of Your Grace and Blessing, help me to give highest priority to you in my life, and may I reach out Your Love and Care to all those in need, Amen!
Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!
“Giving heed to the loving call of our Blessed Mother and being fervent and zealous to lead a holier and immaculate life, pleasing to God!”
(Based on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother)
The Immaculate Conception, by Guido Reni, 1627, The Metropolitan Museum, New York City
A priest went to visit a violent criminal who was condemned to death… … hoping to prepare his soul to die well.
But the man wouldn’t even talk to him.
The priest pleaded and begged him to get reconciled with God… … but the man’s heart was highly closed!
Finally, as a last resort, the priest entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary and then said to the criminal, “Before I leave, will you grant me one little favor?”
The man, with an intention to get rid of the bothersome priest, said he would. “Let us then,” the priest responded, “Say one Hail Mary.”
So, together they began to pray that simple prayer… … “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with You…”
They hadn’t even got through the first sentence when the criminal turned pale… … and his voice started to shake.
The priest to continued the Hail Mary… … and as he finished tears started to flow from the man’s face, and he fell on his knees at the priest’s feet.
As soon as the prayer was done, the man asked to make confession.
He then confessed his sins with a great sense of repentance!
The words, “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you…” … had ignited the spark of repentance in him!
Yes, that’s the power of the intercession of Mother Mary!
She is the refuge of sinners
Her life of Faithfulness to God’s Grace, is an inspiration to all of us… … to live an Immaculate and Holy Life!
Today, we celebrate the Solemn Feast of the beginning of the faithful life of the Most Beautiful and Loved Creation of God: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother.
Sin is part of every human life.
St Paul testifies to this fact when he says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)
By themselves, human beings are incapable of freeing themselves from sin. Therefore… … Everyone needs a Saviour … Everyone needs a Redeemer
But God, in His infinite wisdom had thought of the most excellent way of redeeming humanity.
Salvation was to be accomplished not through any magical power Salvation was to be brought about not through some superhuman force
Rather, the salvation of humanity was to be won by a Human Himself – the most perfect Human.
This perfect Human deserved and required the most sinless of all wombs for being born This perfect Human demanded and necessitated the most immaculate of all lives to be nurtured
Thus, God in His perfect wisdom, applied the Grace of Redemption and Salvation to the One He had chosen – Mary of Nazareth.
Therefore…
Mary is the first recipient of the Redemption of Christ! Mary is the first fruit of the Salvation, won by Christ!
This is the story of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary.
The Holy Scripture testifies to this Immaculate nature of our Blessed Mother through the words of Angel Gabriel to Her, “Hail, FULL of Grace!” (Lk 1:28)
The Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother points to Her sinlessness, Her being full of Grace, Her perfection in holiness and Her absolute adherence to the Will of God.
“Yes, Lord… Thy Will be done” (Lk 1:38) was a chorus that She sang in all the moments of life!
Today, on this Feast day, this our Blessed Mother invites and exhorts us, also… … to make a choice for God, always, and lead a sinless life … to always opt for God alone, at all times, and being immaculate in life … to unswervingly be faithful to God’s Will, and thus seek to be perfect in life
The challenge is great… the efforts required are radical.
But we are not left alone in this “pursuit of holiness” (1 Cor 9:24)
Our Blessed Mamma – the Beautiful Lady in blue and white – grace in holiness and immaculate in love – holds our hands and tells us: “My Little Child, I am with you! I love you, and together, we shall walk in this exciting path of Holiness… … towards My Son and Your Brother… … towards Our Saviour Jesus!”
Yes, let us give heed to the loving call of our Blessed Mother
And be fervent and zealous to lead a holier and immaculate life, pleasing to God… … as we pray, “Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with You…!”
Today, December 08, 2021, we also conclude the Year of St Joseph.
Through this year, we have been very much reminded of the Patronage of this Great “silent worker” in the awesome work of Salvation
St Joseph, was honoured to be sharing the most intimate physical presence with the two Holiest Persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother.
Let us continue to seek his intercession, be inspired by his holiness and learn from him especially… … the love for Jesus and Mary … the virtue of humility and chastity
Happy Feast of our Immaculate Mamma! Greetings of the conclusion of the Year of St Joseph! ALL GLORY AND HONOUR TO THEIR ETERNAL SON AND OUR SAVIOUR, JESUS!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism CHRIST’S FAITHFUL – HIERARCHY, LAITY, CONSECRATED LIFE
“The Christian faithful are those who, inasmuch as they have been incorporated in Christ through Baptism, have been constituted as the people of God… … for this reason, since they have become sharers in Christ’s priestly, prophetic, and royal office in their own manner, they are called to exercise the mission which God has entrusted to the Church to fulfill in the world, in accord with the condition proper to each one.”
“In virtue of their rebirth in Christ there exists among all the Christian faithful a true equality with regard to dignity and the activity whereby all cooperate in the building up of the Body of Christ in accord with each one’s own condition and function (CCC # 871-872)
(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)
DAY 07: BE A LIGHT TO OTHERS!
BIBLE VERSE (Lk 1:79) “To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE At the Birth of John (the Baptist), Zechariah exclaims the song of joy – BENEDICTUS – praising God for His Marvellous Mercy, prophetically revealing the Mind of God about the child, and calling all people… … to become a Light that shines brightly in situations of darkness … to experience the Peace of the Lord, and become a messenger of Peace to the world around
WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?
Share the Light of the Gospel – with virtues of Faith, Hope and Love – to everyone
Allow the Peace of Christ to flood your heart, even if externally situations are discouraging; and with this experience, to become a Messenger of Peace in the world
HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?
Light a Candle of Hope today, in the life of any one person, today, who is drowning in the darkness of disappointment Make efforts to repair a broken relationship, by starting to pray for the Peace of Christ for that person
LET’S PRAY Lord Jesus, may the Light of Your Gospel shine brightly in my life, so that experience the Peace that flows from Your Heart, I may become a messenger of Peace, Amen!
Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!
“Being be willing to ‘go out of the way’ and doing things that are very beautiful!”
(Based on Isa 40:1-11 and Mt 18:12-14 – Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Advent)
A mother took her three children to a fine restaurant for a dinner.
It was a crowded Sunday and they could only get separate seats.
As food was served, the youngest daughter – 6 year old Mary – who was seated at the far corner of the restaurant… … loudly enquired from her mother: “Mother, don’t people say grace before meals in this place?”
A wave of silence wrapped the entire restaurant!
The mother did not know how to react.
But soon enough, the manager of the hotel, who was at the counter, said in an assuring voice to the child: “Yes we do. You may start!”
All the people bowed their head in silence
Little Mary closed her eyes, joined her hands and bowing her head… … in a loud and crystal voice prayed: “Bless us O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are going to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord… Amen!”
The child found it strange to observe that none of the elders were praying… … So she went “out of the way”
And did something that was very beautiful And taught others an action to be imitated
A child “goes out of the way”… … in expressing love and affection by trying to imitate the kind acts of the elders … in trying to help others – giving a hand at the household chores, or doing little works
The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by the Lord to re-discover this “forgotten” child-like dimension of our lives: “To go out of the way”!
Jesus, speaking of this worthwhile quality… … presents to us the image of a Shepherd who goes “out of the way”, in search of the lost sheep.
Jesus says: “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray… … will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills, and go in search of the stray?” (Mt 18: 12)
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 does not give up on the strayed.
He doesn’t desert the lost. He doesn’t abandon the one, gone from his circle.
This attitude of going “out of the way”…
“taking an extra pain” “dripping an extra sweat” … would seem weird and strange to the calculative, pragmatic and business-minded head of ours, in this modern period!
We might question:
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 “lost sheep” … … “goes out of the way”
The Good Shepherd makes an extra effort in getting them back!
This Good Shepherd today invites us to be partakers in restoring the lost ones.
A critical danger in the process of “growing- up” is the tendency to lose our “natural child-like” qualities.
As a child, we were free to express our emotions… … but when we “grow up”, we tend to hold them up all within (only to burst out one day!)
As a child, we were easily dependant on those who cared for us… … but when we “grow up”, we become arrogant towards them and seek ‘independence’
As a child, we were able to enjoy and relax in the present moment… … but when we “grow up”, we get caught up in the snare of the past and shrink with fear of the future.
The Lord invites us to get back the “lost” child-like faith and trust.
We need to realise that we are always little children to our Heavenly Father! He loves to care for us… He longs that we depend on Him entirely!
Yes, children sometimes teach elders great lessons, isn’t it?
Let us be willing to “go out of the way”…
And do things that are very beautiful And teach others actions, that can be imitated!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
Christ, sent by the Father, is the source of the Church’s whole apostolate”; thus the fruitfulness of apostolate for ordained ministers as well as for lay people clearly depends on their vital union with Christ. In keeping with their vocations, the demands of the times and the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostolate assumes the most varied forms. But charity, drawn from the Eucharist above all, is always “as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate.” The Church is ultimately one, holy, catholic, and apostolic in her deepest and ultimate identity, because it is in her that “the Kingdom of heaven,” the “Reign of God,” already exists and will be fulfilled at the end of time. The kingdom has come in the person of Christ and grows mysteriously in the hearts of those incorporated into him, until its full eschatological manifestation. Then all those he has redeemed and made “holy and blameless before him in love, “will be gathered together as the one People of God, the “Bride of the Lamb,” “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.”
For “the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (CCC # 864-865)
(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)
DAY 06: REJOICE IN GOODNESS!
BIBLE VERSE (Lk 1:58) “Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.”
CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE When the time came for the birth of the child – a miracle after many years of barrenness – the neighbours and relatives of Elizabeth and Zechariah… … rejoiced in the Goodness of the Lord as they thanked His amazing Providence and Protection … recognised the Mercy of God which always accompanies and strengthens
WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?
Recognise goodness in people and situations; rejoice in them and appreciate them – for this is a Divine Attribute as we see God, in the Book of Genesis exclaiming by seeing the Good Creation, “It is good!”
Realise that God’s Mercy is always there to strengthen and protect, even in the weariest situations of life; hold fast to the Heart of God, and be optimistic in the Ways of the Lord!
HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?
Offer a situation of trouble/concern that you have, to the Heart of God, and seek for His Mercy Appreciate 5 people today for their Goodness and Love in your life.
LET’S PRAY Lord Jesus, may I always recognise Goodness in others, live a life of joy, and offer all my concerns to Your Heart, knowing that Your Mercy will always protect and heal me, Amen!
Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!
“Being ready to ‘break through the roof’ of all adversities, to experience the God of blessings pouring down Graces!”
(Based on Isa 35:1-10 and Lk 5:17-26 – Monday of the 2nd Week in Advent)
There is a popular quote in Hindi, which goes so: “Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain”
The meaning of the words are given below:
Bhagwaan (God) jab (when) deta hain (gives), chappar (roof) phaad (tear open) kar deta hain (gives)!
Therefore, literally, in English, this quotation would get translated as: “When God gives, He tear opens the roofs and gives!”
The Gospel of the Day gives a similar scene of “The roof being torn open!”
Our Blessed Lord is engaged in His ministry of teaching (Lk 5: 17)
This is something that we can all learn from!
The Lord… … though quite popular as a miracle worker … though very admired for his mighty deeds of healing
Always gave a great priority to the “ministry of teaching”
He would always make it a point to “teach” the people
Very often, in our lives (especially those engaged in various Church ministries)… … we neglect the aspect of teaching
We tend to run after works and ministries that are more sensational, popular and “glamorous”!
This verse of the Gospel is a challenge for us to renew our commitment to the “ministry of teaching”… … about the Kingdom of God … about ways to lead a Holy Life by prioritizing God above all … about understanding the true meaning of God’s commandments
As Jesus is engaged in this “ministry of teaching”… … a great number of Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem (Lk 5:17)
The house was fully packed, with people cramming to hear the Lord.. The house was, brimming with persons seeking the healing of the Lord..,
It was then that a group of people brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed (Lk 5: 18)
They came with much expectation to see the paralysed man, whole and well again.
They sought with an eager and earnest desire for the Lord of power and healings.
But as they approached the house… their hopes would have gone down!
The thick crowd of people would have slimmed their hopes! The massive gathering at the door would have thinned their anticipations!
But it is when the chips are down, that one is given a chance to find strength one never knew one had… … and put it toward the greater good.
The people came seeking for blessings… They came seeking for the God of blessings…
But it seemed, that the firmament was closed to shower down blessings!
But then they had a hope…similar to the words…” Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain!”
Yes …”When God gives, He tears opens the roofs and gives!”
And so they decided to take on this same principle that God uses to shower His blessings: “To tear open the roof!”
“But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus” (Lk 5: 19)
“Opened up the roof” has other translations… … “dug a hole through the roof” …“removed part of the roof” … “uncovered the roof”
We would perhaps think the roof was some primitive, thatched roof.
But most likely, that was not the case…
As per the architecture then, this roof was more than likely a mud clay roof with tiles
To lower the paralyzed man through the roof, they literally had to do a major demolition of the roof.
Well… picture this…
You’re in this packed house – people crammed to the max…trying to listen to Jesus.
All of a sudden you start to hear some banging on the roof.
These people would have literally tore the tiles off the roof, made a hole & lowered the paralyzed man by a rope into the house.
Then the roof materials begins to fall in on you!
Well… imagine also the people’s responses…
They would have been astonished, amazed and some even angered! They were there to listen to Jesus….they had come early…they had won their spot…
They were perhaps hearing their life-transforming sermon!
It’s at this point, that the “roof starts tearing down!”
But Jesus, the God of blessings, is immensely pleased and edified by their faith and trust!
Their “tearing of the roof” was blessed by “pouring down of blessings”. Their “tearing of the roof” was rewarded with a “cleansing of sins”.
Many times, we too face similar barriers and blockages in our experience for the Lord.
Are we willing to “break through the roof”… … of discouragements, disappointments and distresses?
Are we willing to “break through the roof”… … of ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and ‘hopeless situations’?
Are we willing to “break through the roof”… … of problems which seem impossible and unsolvable?
Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life…
Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face…
But let us have the grit and the guts to be ready to “break through the roof” of all such adversities!
Then, we will experience the God of blessings also pouring down Graces on us… “Chappar phaad ke!!” (breaking the roof)
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism THE APOSTOLATE
The whole Church is apostolic, in that she remains, through the successors of St. Peter and the other apostles, in communion of faith and life with her origin, and in that she is “sent out” into the whole world. All members of the Church share in this mission, though in various ways. “The Christian vocation is, of its nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well.” Indeed, we call an apostolate “every activity of the Mystical Body” that aims “to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth
(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)
DAY 05: GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS!
BIBLE VERSE (Lk 1:25) “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”
CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE Elizabeth exclaims these words of gratitude, as she and Zechariah – who went through much humiliation and ignominy – are blessed with a child. Elizabeth exudes immense joy and reminds us… … of the need to remain faithful to the God Who is always very near us – even though, sometimes we pass through moments of agonizing silence and abject isolation … of the aspect of the being hopeful, knowing that God will strengthen us in every situation of apparent disgrace and disappointment
WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?
Have faith that none of our prayers will go in vain before the Almighty Presence of God; the Lord in His Beautiful Time, will give us what’s most needed for our Salvation. Thus, every prayer ought to be “a prayer to allow His Eternal Plan to be fulfilled!”
We are never left alone in our moments of struggle; God’s Grace moulds us and shapes us, if we remain open to His Will.
HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?
Think of at least one incident of the past wherein we experienced God’s Grace and Presence in tough moments; offer a prayer of Gratitude and renew our hope for the present moments of struggle.
Sing/Say with faith: “God will make a Way, where there seems to be no way!”
LET’S PRAY Lord Jesus, increase my faith to know that you are with me in every prayer that I make, and that Your Presence is constantly moulding me in every situation of my life, Amen!
Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!
(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)
DAY 04: ‘GOD’S WILL’ WILL PROTECT YOU!
BIBLE VERSE (Lk 1:13) “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard!”
CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE Zechariah – whose wife Elizabeth is barren – and going through much rejection and humiliation, receives the Good News of the Presence of the Lord.
The Angel of the Lord assures… … their prayers, though delayed, in accordance with God’s Beautiful Plans, will never be denied – they will always be blessed in abundance, when God’s Will is prioritised … their tears, though many, will be transformed to “rivers of joy and blessings” – as beautifully described in Psalm 56:8 about the preciousness of our tears: “You have…put my tears in your bottle…”
WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?
Can I continue to hold on to the Lord, even though, some of my prayers seem totally unheard – trusting that God’s Will, when prioritized, will always give us the best? Am I ready to invite the Lord to touch my heart, so that all my tears may be Graced, and I may in turn, become a ‘healed healer’ to others?
HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?
Ensuring that every prayer of mine, has the final declaration: “Lord, let Your Will be done in my life!”
Reaching out, today, to at least one person, who needs the assurance of God’s Love and Healing.
LET’S PRAY Lord Jesus, may all my intentions be wrapped with a joyful acceptance of Your Will, and may I become an instrument of your Love and Healing to the world, Amen!
Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!
Reflection Capsules 