“Cycling our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission!”

(Based on Isa 30:19-21, 23-26 and Mt 9:35-10:1,5-8 – Saturday of the 1st Week in Advent)

One of the exciting things in life, which many of us have gone through, is learning a bicycle.

These days, bicycles come with a special set of training wheels that are attached to the back wheels.

The two little wheels attached to the back wheel are there to help provide balance and confidence to the rider.

But many of us, would have also learnt the bicycle in the old-fashioned way…
… the parent or a friend who ran alongside the one learning, until the rider got under way.

This person, who would be accompanying, would most often say three things, while learning this art of cycling…

1. Always keep the eye on the road…
   …to keep the focus
2. Don’t lean to the left or the right side…
   … to have proper balance
3. Remember, I am always there with you…
   … to feel the confidence and trust

These three principles would help the person to learn quick this art of cycling.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve…to learn the Art of Mission…

Like the art of cycling…the Apostles are also given some basic principles…
…the principle to keep focus
… the principle to have a proper balance
… the principle of confidence and trust

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

There were crowds of people following Him…
There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

The Heart of the Lord is moved in empathy for these people.

The Gospel says, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus
Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus
Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

But as the saying goes… “Challenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…
… He remained courageous and determined.

And so, He chose the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The Twelve were to be His extension – of His Teachings, of His Works

And so, He not only chooses the Twelve, but He also sends them on a mission
A mission…
…with an authority over unclean spirits
…to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace

In this art of mission, the Lord gives a few instructions and principles…
… and “also gave authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness” (Mt 10:1)

The Twelve were to learn…
… to keep focus on the preaching of repentance and bringing healing to people
… to have a proper balance by not getting discouraged in the face of any sort of rejection
… to have confidence and trust in the Lord Who was with them to provide what they needed

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…

Am I focussing on preaching only His Gospel and living only His life….
… or do I get distracted with other agenda and motives?

Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…
… or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…
… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

The art of missions is exciting

We may feel a little afraid at times…
We may sometimes even fall…

But we only need to follow some of the basic principles, coupled with His Grace…
… to be focussed on the Lord alone
… to be balanced in prayer and faithfulness
… to be trusting and being confident in His awesome power
And when we embark on this art of mission…
… Just like a caring parent, who is happy to see one’s child cycling confidently…
… our Heavenly Father will also look at us with much happiness and joy and be proud of us!

Are we ready to cycle our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE APOSTLES’ MISSION

Jesus is the Father’s Emissary!
From the beginning of his ministry, He “called to Him those whom He desired; and He appointed twelve, whom also He named apostles, to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach.”
From then on, they would also be his “emissaries” (Greek apostoloi).
In them, Christ continues His own mission
The apostles’ ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: “He who receives you receives me.”
Jesus unites them to the mission He received from the Father.
Those whom Jesus sends can do nothing apart from Him, from whom they received both the mandate for their mission and the power to carry it out.
Christ’s apostles knew that they were called by God as “ministers of a new covenant,” “servants of God,” “ambassadors for Christ,” “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
In the office of the apostles there is one aspect that cannot be transmitted: to be the chosen witnesses of the Lord’s Resurrection and so the foundation stones of the Church.
But their office also has a permanent aspect. Christ promised to remain with them always.

The Divine Mission entrusted by Jesus to them “will continue to the end of time, since the Gospel they handed on is the lasting source of all life for the Church. Therefore… the apostles took care to appoint successors. (CCC # 858-860)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 03: BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:26-27) “Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children…”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Zechariah and Elizabeth – faithful and sincere in every aspect – are faced with the ‘societal humiliation” since they are barren. Yet…
… they remain faithful to the Lord, performing all their duties with utmost sincerity
… they waited in hope before the Lord, knowing that God has His beautiful plan and time!

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Am I faithful to my life of prayer, even though there are various setbacks that I face?
Can I trust in the plans of God, even in moments of darkness, doubts and disappointments?

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Spend ten minutes in the Presence of God, offering all the struggles to the Heart of the Lord
2. Renew your hope in the Lord, by saying, “Jesus, I trust in You!”

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, help me to remain faithful to you, even in my moments of struggles, knowing that Your Divine Providence, will always help me encounter the ‘ray of joy, beyond the clouds of disappointments,’ Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being inspired by St Francis Xavier and experiencing ‘the Divine tug of the string’ for strength in life!”

(Based on Solemnity of St Francis Xavier – Patron Saint of Missions)

A story is told of a blind boy who was flying a kite.

He enjoyed this pastime along with others of his own age.

A passer-by, knowing him and wanting to mildly tease the blind-fellow, said:
“Hey, boy! Do you know where is your kite?
You don’t know whether it is on the ground or up in the sky, do you?”

“Oh yes,” said the blind lad, “I do know! It is now quite a fair height up in the air.”

“How do you know that?” asked the passer-by, “you surely can’t see it.”

The boy replied, “I can’t see it, it is true, but I can feel the tug of the string!”

The ‘tug’ of the string help the boy to realise the presence of the kite and to sense its height in the air!

The awareness of the presence of the Divine power in our lives, is such…

One may not be able to always see the presence of the Divine, but the believer can surely experience its power and strength!

This experience of “the Divine tug of the string” keeps the life of the believer moving forward and helps to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life.

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by Jesus to grow deeper in this “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in our life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

After having summoned and authorized the disciples, Jesus sends them ahead of Him, to the places of mission.

The act of preaching and proclamation of the Kingdom of God is to be reflected in our every action and movement…
… Whatever we do, we need to make it as an act of proclaiming God’s abundant blessings!
… Whatever work we take up, we need to make it a preaching of God’s amazing providence!

Such an act of Preaching and Proclamation makes it mandatory that one grows deeper in the “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in the life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

The act of proclamation needs the “awareness” that I am continuing the Great Mission work that has Jesus as the “Initiator”, the “Sustainer” and the “Finale!”
The act of preaching needs the “dependency” on the Lord to realise that the Lord alone can provide all the graces, strength and courage for the mission!

This is what was epitomized by St Francis Xavier, whose feast we celebrate today.

This Patron of the Missions was filled with a tremendous zeal for salvation of souls and contained in him a contagious enthusiasm of giving Christ to all.

One of his testimonial statement, while undertaking missionary activity in Japan, goes thus: “Sometimes I have lost my voice and strength altogether with repeating again and again the Credo and the other forms.”

The following quotes of this Dynamic Missionary Saint is also an inspiration for all of us…

“It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards a one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken”

“It is impossible to find a saint who did not take the two P’s seriously: prayer and penance”
… and seek to grow deeper in our missionary commitment!

Yes, one needs to feel the “tug and the pull of the Divine Lord”…when one goes through
… hardships and difficulties in being a missionary of the Kingdom, in hostile situations
… problems and challenges as we seek to live a true Christian life in the modern world
… meaninglessness or emptiness as we go through the ‘deserts’ and ‘darkness’ in life

And it is this experience of “the Divine tug of the string” that keeps the life of the believer moving forward and to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life!

Happy Feast of St Francis Xavier!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH IS APOSTOLIC

The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:

• she was and remains built on “the foundation of the Apostles – the witnesses chosen and sent on mission by Christ himself”
• with the help of the Spirit dwelling in her, the Church keeps and hands on the teaching – the “good deposit,” the salutary words she has heard from the apostles

– she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ’s return, through their successors in pastoral office: the college of bishops, “assisted by priests, in union with the successor of Peter, the Church’s supreme pastor” (CCC # 857)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 02: GOD IS PERSONALLY CARING FOR YOU!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:28) “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
This is the greeting of Angel Gabriel to Mary, reminding humanity…
… of the immense of love of God for every individual person!
… of the continual Presence of God in every situation of life!
… of the Divine Invitation of the Lord, to a life of holiness and purity

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Am I growing in the conviction that God loves me just as I am and am I aware of His Faithful Presence with me?
Do I respond affirmatively to the invitation of the Lord to be Holy and Pure?

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Identify three incidents in life wherein I have experienced God’s Love and Presence, and thank the Lord
2. Be inspired by Mamma Mary, and ask for the gift of purity – in thoughts, words and deeds

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, as I thank You for Your Personal Care for me and Your constant presence in all the situations of my life, help me to deepen my life of holiness and purity, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:26) “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
The Angel Gabriel comes to Mary – seeking Her consent – to allow Heaven to dwell in Her Womb, and to become the instrument of giving birth to the Salvation of the World!

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?
>> Am I ready to say Yes to the call of Jesus and “give a place for Heaven to dwell” in me?
>> Am I ready to be an instrument of “giving birth to Christ” in the situations of my life?

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?
>> Listen to the voice of Jesus, calling you to live in holiness – and say Yes to Him!
>> Pick one virtue you need to grow in – and “give birth to this Virtue” in the real life situation

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus – like Mamma Mary – help me to listen to Your Voice and to respond to Your call with a firm and joyful Yes, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The month of December is here. The last month of the year, with its good news of festivities and joys.
>> At the same time, December 2021 seems to be clouded with uncertainties and fears of the onslaught of the pandemic – along with probably, many other struggles that we may be going through, in our personal, family and societal life.

It’s in this context, that we enter into a journey – of 25 days – 25 Days of preparation for Christmas!
>> This journey is an invitation…
… to experience God’s continual Presence in our life – despite the struggles we face
… to see the Hand of God at every stage of our life – including our apparent failures and setbacks
… to renew our commitment to the Lord and His Kingdom – to imitate Christ in our life!

I welcome all of you to this exciting journey titled, “THIS CHRISTMAS, LET’S CELEBRATE CHRIST – THE WORD WHO BECAME FLESH!” – a journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!

Venerable Fulton Sheen beautifully reminds us: “There are two births of Christ…
… one unto the world in Bethlehem
… the other in the soul, when it is spiritually reborn.
>> People think of the former much more than the later, and celebrate it every year…
… but the spiritual Bethlehem is equally momentous!
THIS… SECOND BETHLEHEM…[IS]… THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE INDIVIDUAL HEART TO THE LORD CHRIST!”

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christ, and live like Him!


God Bless! Live Jesus!

Having the courage to walk the teachings of Christ in our day to day life!”

(Based on Isa 26:1-6 and Mt 7:21, 24-27 – Thursday of the 1st Week in Advent)

A Christian who was converted from Judaism was sharing his testimony.

As he shared his views on various preachers whom he had met during the course of conversion, he made a comment:
“The sermons of some preachers used to be magnificent…
… but their life would be so inconsistent and incompatible to what they spoke from the pulpit!

This would make me think about these preachers in my mind in the following way:
‘When they were at the pulpit, I wished they would never leave it!
>> But when they were out of the pulpit, I wished they would never enter it again!”

That’s why, when I decided to become a Christian, I took a resolution:
‘My Halakah (Jewish term to describe one’s way of “walking”) should always follow my Haggadah (Jewish term to describe ‘the teaching”)!


What about us?
>> “Does our Halakah follow our Haggadah?”


Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practicing co-ordinate & complement each other.
>> Life challenges us to bridge the gap between the two essentials of life – one’s talking and one’s walking the talk!


The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to reflect on the words of Jesus:
“Not everyone who calls me Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father, Who is in heaven” (Mt 7:21)


Our Christian Life is often an experience…
… where we find many professing the faith, but failing to practise!


How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…
We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…but we fail to help…
>> Many other people remain quite unnoticed…but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!

We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…but we fail in some genuine needs..
>> Many other people remain quite unnoticed…but are present with their full force to render help!

We make many resolutions on new year days or birthdays…but fail to materialize them…
>> Many other people remain quite unnoticed…but are able to make many amendments and changes!

We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…but fail to live up…
>> Many other people remain quite unnoticed…but render much love to the Lord through the year!


We all experience this “I will do”…but “I did not do” experiences in life.
>> Am I also part of this category of “Nominal” Christians?


On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…
>> People claim themselves to be Catholics…
… but appear in church only on grand feast days!

>> People appreciate the Catholic teaching…
… but support moral laws which go directly against!

>> People assert having dedicated their lives to God…
… but fail to find time for God and prayer!

>> People declare loving God above all…
… but fail to reject pleasures which hurts and pains Him!

>> People profess and make vows to God…
… but neglect to even try to keep up those promises!


But the Lord clearly declares, on Who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven: “he does the Will of my Father“

Therefore, the proposition is clear:
>> It is not pompous words that will grant life, but carrying out the Will of the Father!
>> It is not fancy talk that will confer true happiness, but practising the Will of the Father!
>> It is not flowery language that will accord blessings, but fulfilling the Will of the Father!


How are we to observe the Will of the Father?
St. Paul explains how we should set about trying to do the Father’s will:
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5)

Like Christ…
… when we dare to be merciful and compassionate, we can do the Father’s Will
… when we prioritize other’s interests over selfish ones, we can do the Father’s Will
… when we empty ourselves and became obedient, we can do the Father’s Will

It is not only good news “proclaimed” but good news “practiced”…
… that will win others to the glorious freedom of forgiveness of sins!


Let us examine sincerely in this Season of Advent…
… and wherever needed, amend our lives


Let us have the courage to take and practise the resolution:
‘My Halakah (one’s way of “walking”) should always follow my Haggadah (“the teaching”)


God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MISSION – A REQUIREMENT OF THE CHURCH’S CATHOLICITY
>> The Church’s mission stimulates efforts towards Christian unity.
>> Indeed, “divisions among Christians prevent the Church from realizing in practice the fullness of catholicity proper to her in those of her sons who, though joined to her by Baptism, are yet separated from full communion with her.
>> Furthermore, the Church herself finds it more difficult to express in actual life her full catholicity in all its aspects.”
>> The missionary task implies a respectful dialogue with those who do not yet accept the Gospel.
>> Believers can profit from this dialogue by learning to appreciate better “those elements of truth and grace which are found among peoples, and which are, as it were, a secret presence of God.”
>> They proclaim the Good News to those who do not know it, in order to consolidate, complete, and raise up the truth and the goodness that God has distributed among men and nations, and to purify them from error and evil “for the glory of God, the confusion of the demon, and the happiness of man!” (CCC # 855-856)
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