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Year: 2021
REFLECTION CAPSULE – Feb 26, 2021: Friday
“Letting all our actions and thoughts to be directed to God and making our lives to truly become a Good News!”
(Based on Ezek 18:21-28 and Mt 5:20-26 – Friday of the 1st Week in Lent)
It is said that there are two extremely fatal phrases in the English language.
They are
- “What is the use?”
- “Why should I?”
“What is the use?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a purely pragmatic perspective
Such a tendency…
… causes people to lose interest in things and people, if they don’t seem useful and beneficial
… causes people to manipulate people, things and situations in a way that suits their self-interests
“Why should I?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a resigned and indifferent perspective
Such a tendency…
… causes people to rot in lethargy and tepidity and lose the spice of life
… causes people to push the responsibility to other, and themselves slacken in comfort and ease
These two phrases were very much reflected in the “Pharisaic and the Scribal lifestyle” which Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each us to surpass and overcome.
The “What is the use” lifestyle…
… which made them to only flaunt their external piety and lose sight of the unglamorous aspect of devotionThe “Why should I” lifestyle…
… which made them to reject any offer calling them to repentance or amend their ways and instead made them to be stuck to their own prejudices and adamant patterns of thought.
Jesus always keeps challenging us!
The Lord loathes laziness and lukewarmness…
He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!
This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel Reading.
Jesus says, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes & Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20)
The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees would consist…
… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit
… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries
What could be some of the negative aspects of the Righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns…and which perhaps, we need to overcome?
- They liked to preach…but not practise
We live in a world where there are many people who are perhaps good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.
But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.
The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.
- They liked to do things to “show-off”
The tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.
Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses, and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.
The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.
- They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will:
One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.
Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.
The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!
The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.
Am I in any of these category of peoples?
The Lord challenges us today… to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.
We need to be people…
… who walk the talk
… who practice our Faith to Please God and Him alone
… who live a Gospel-oriented life
And in this effort, one of the important areas that we need to conquer is that of “control of anger”
We need to learn to ‘pluck off the weeds of anger from our hearts,’ remembering the powerful exhortation of the Lord: “When you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift!” (Mt 5:23-24)
The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!
Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”
Our modern world strongly advocates the two fatal phrases of…
… “What is the use?”
… “Why should I?”
As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond such a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…
… and live as Jesus would want us to!
Prophet Ezekiel reminds us: “But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not die.” (Ezek 18:21)
We need to counter these two fatal phrases, with inspirational mantras…
“What is the use?” is to be countered by “All to Thy Glory!”
“Why should I?” is to be countered by “To let Thy Will be done!”
Let all our actions and thoughts be directed only to God.
Let our Lives truly be a Good News!
As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always…use words, if necessary!“
God Bless us! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
SACRED SCRIPTURE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
Such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigour…
… and the children of the Church as strength for their faith
… food for the soul
… and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life.
Access to Sacred Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful.
The study of the sacred page should be the very soul of sacred theology.
The ministry of the Word – pastoral preaching, catechetics and all forms of Christian instruction, among which the liturgical homily should hold pride of place – is healthily nourished and thrives in holiness through the Word of Scripture.
The Church “forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful -to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures.”
Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. (CCC # 131-133)
REFLECTION CAPSULE – Feb 25, 2021: Thursday
“Trusting in the Lord and knowing that our Loving God, hearing our cry, will always rush towards us!”
(Based on Esth 14:1, 3-5, 12-14 and Mt 7:7-12 – Thursday of the 1st Week in Lent)
A story is told of a group of tourists who were visiting a large sheep farm.
The guide of the tourists was explaining how the little lambs are taken care by the mother sheep.
In order to demonstrate this, he took one little lamb from the farm…
… and placed it in a large enclosure with thousands of sheep.
The noise of the bleating sheep was deafening.
The little lamb, who seemed lost in the midst of that crowd…
… after a moment of silence, began crying loudly.
As it bleated, the mother lamb, who was at the end of the enclosure, heard the cry…
… and rushed towards her little lamb.
As the tourists were wonder-struck at this sight, the guide – who was a Christian – made a statement:
“This is how it is with God also!
We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!
He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”
The Gospel of the day presents this assurance given by Jesus, of how every cry of prayer is heard and answered by the Lord, in His Holy Will…
… and His teaching on having a proper attitude and disposition in prayer.
The Lord makes a comparison in his teaching on prayer:
The “good” attitude that is displayed by human beings, even though they are imperfect and limited…
… and the “Good” approach that is always exhibited by our God, Who is Perfect and Generous!
Jesus tells: “Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake?” (Mt 7:9-10)
The Lord contrasts something that is good, with something that is quite hard to imagine or even dangerous…
Asking for bread… can a stone be given?
Asking for fish… can a snake be given?
Using this practical approach, the Lord drives home a very important point:
A human father – with all limitations, weaknesses and struggles – will always strive to give the best for his child
A human father – with all the shortcomings, hardships and labours – will always ensure to provide the finest for his child
… Then how much more is it not understood, that God, Who is all-good and caring, will DO THE BEST ALWAYS for all of us, His Beloved Children!
Therefore, we are asked to cultivate this very vital virtue: Trusting in the Lord!
When we trust in God…
… our prayers become meaningful!
… our struggles become salvific!
… our lives become joyful!
The beautiful prayer of Queen Esther is a wonderful inspiration for all of us, to totally trust in the Lord…
… especially in times of struggles, difficulties and problems of life:
“O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who am alone and have no helper but You…
Save us by Your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but You, O Lord” (Esth 5:3, 14)
In life, we will have moments when we feel lost out… and we keep crying to God in prayer.
But let us always know, that our Loving God, hearing our cry…
… will always rush towards us!
Let us grow in our trust and always keep in mind:
“We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!
He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
TYPOLOGY – Unity of the Old and New Testaments
The Church, has illuminated the unity of the divine plan in the two Testaments through Typology…
… which discerns in God’s works of the Old Covenant prefiguration of what He accomplished in the fullness of time, in the Person of His Incarnate Son.
Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen.
Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of the Old Testament; but it must not make us forget that the Old Testament retains its own intrinsic value as Revelation reaffirmed by our Lord himself.
Besides, the New Testament has to be read in the light of the Old. Early Christian catechesis made constant use of the Old Testament.
As an old saying put it, the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.
Typology indicates the dynamic movement toward the fulfilment of the divine plan when “God [will] be everything to everyone.” (CCC # 128-130)
REFLECTION CAPSULE – Feb 24, 2021: Wednesday
“Having a lively and energetic attitude to nurture ourselves with the blossoming graces and blessings that the Lord constantly showers on us!”
(Based on Jon 3:1-10 and Lk 11:29-32 – Wednesday of the 1st Week in Lent)
Attitudes determine to a great extent what one experiences in life.
Attitudes determine to a great level what one undergoes in life.
There are a couple of birds which can make us aware of two contrasting attitudes in life: the vulture and the hummingbird.
While hunting for food, all that vultures look for is rotting meat…
They thrive on the rotten and the smelly!
But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals.
Instead, they look for the colourful blossoms…looking for nectar from suitable flowers.
They nourish on the beautiful and the fresh!
The vultures live on what was.
They live on the past.
They fill themselves with what is dead and gone.
But humming-birds live on what is.
They live on the present.
They fill themselves with life and freshness.
The Gospel of the day is a display of these two attitudes – an attitude which seeks to feed oneself only on lifeless lowly aspects, similar to the vulture… and an attitude which seeks to nurture oneself on lively higher aspects, similar to the humming bird.
A big crowd had gathered around Jesus and He began to speak and teach them.
“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign…” (Lk 11:29)
This verse has its background in a previous verse… Lk 11:16…where it says, “Others to test Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven”
The motive for asking the sign was to “test” Jesus.
There was clear hypocrisy in this demand.
Jesus had already performed a lot of miracles…..
“..the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead raised up” (Mt 11:3-5)
Yet, a sign was demanded!
True, that God gave signs to people in the Old Testament.
For example…to Gideon… to Abraham… to Moses… to the people of Israel etc
But the difference was that…
… those signs were given in request for a confirmation.
….those signs were given to strengthen the faith and belief.
As it is commented, “Signs were granted to those who desired them for the confirmation of their faith, as to Abraham and Gideon; but were denied to those who demanded them for the excuse of their unbelief.”
Some in the crowds…some of the Pharisees and the Scribes… demanded a sign from Jesus, just to remain obstinate and adamant in their unbelief!
For the Jews, the time of the coming of Messiah was expected to be a time of great warfare upon the Gentiles and great material prosperity.
The pseudographical work – The Apocalypse of Baruch – mentioned that ‘the time of the Messiah would bring in an inexhaustible supply of manna to feed the Jews until the end of time.’
Another pseudographical work – The Psalms of Solomon – says ‘the Messiah will “purge Jerusalem of the heathen . . . break the pride of sinners like so many pots . . . and gather the holy nation and lead it with justice, in peace and equality”‘
Jesus was not showing such “external” signs of being a Messiah
Therefore, the demand for a ‘sign from heaven’’ was a result of the hostility for Jesus’ failure to meet their materialistic expectations.
But Jesus exhorts to look at the higher and heavenly signs and symbols that He was providing!
Jesus derides a “vulture” style attitude….
… of looking only for materialistic signs and wonders
… of feeding only on lower and earthly concerns
Jesus, instead, challenges to adopt a “humming-bird” style attitude…
… of seeking to go beyond in finding the beautiful and higher realities
…of nurturing oneself on symbols that are deeper and much more precious
Is my life reduced to looking only for lowly and materialistic gains and desires?
Or is my life raised up in longing for higher and spiritual treasures and gifts?
The world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations.
Let us have a lively and energetic attitude as that of a humming-bird…
… to nurture ourselves with the blossoming graces and blessings that the Lord constantly showers on us!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPELS
The fourfold Gospel holds a unique place in the Church…
… as is evident both in the veneration which the liturgy accords it
… and in the surpassing attraction it has exercised on the saints at all times
St. Caesaria the Younger says, “there is no doctrine which could be better, more precious and more splendid than the text of the Gospel. Behold and retain what our Lord and Master, Christ, has taught by his words and accomplished by his deeds.
St Therese of Child Jesus says, “But above all it’s the gospels that occupy my mind when I’m at prayer; my poor soul has so many needs, and yet this is the one thing needful. I’m always finding fresh lights there; hidden meanings which had meant nothing to me hitherto” (CCC # 127)
Feb 23, 2021: Tuesday
“By the Grace of God, making every moment of our life an act of prayer, in order to grow in greater closeness and union with the One who loves us the most!”
(Based on Isa 55:10-11 and Mt 6:7-15 – Tuesday of the 1st Week in Lent)
Old Betty worked for several years as a maid, in different houses.
She was once asked the meaning of the Biblical verse “Pray without ceasing” and what it meant for her life.
“Well, it just means what it says,” said Betty.
“When I wash my face in the morning, I pray to God…
… that many sinners may be washed in the blood of Christ during the day.
When I put on my clothes, I pray to God…
… to clothe me with Christ and with His humility.
When I take up the broom to sweep, I think of the woman who swept the house for the lost piece of silver, and I pray God…
… to sweep the world and to save lost sinners.
When I clean the vessels and they begin to shine, I pray to the Lord…
… to brighten my soul.
When I wash clothes, I pray that God…
… may wash away the filth from human hearts and all may remain fresh in His grace
When I wipe the windows and scrape the rust from the front-gates, I pray that God…
… may cleanse the society of the dirt of inhumanness and take off the rust of indifference”
And thus Betty went on mentioning the things that gave her an opportunity of approaching God in prayer.
How beautiful and a practical life of prayer, isn’t it?
The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful exposition by Jesus on Prayer.
The Lord highlights the essential dimensions that constitute real prayer and goes on to give the blueprint of an Ideal Prayer by teaching the “Our Father”.
Jesus says, “And in praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Mt 6:7)
In the context, when we look closely into this verse, we see that Jesus is pointing to the important principle in the pagan religions: the spoken word is most important for effectiveness of any prayer or sacrifice.
Prayer had assumed the nature of being a formula or a procedure that had to be strictly followed for its efficacy.
The pagan understanding was all about “pleasing the god” and “tapping the Divine power” by one’s words and verbal formulae.
Historically it is reported of an occasion when the presiding magistrate at a Roman pagan festival forgot to include the “Roman people” among the list of beneficiaries in his prayer; the festival had to be started all over again!
It is therefore the attitude towards prayer and perception of God that Jesus condemns.
And this is a strong and relevant message that the Lord seeks to drill in our minds: Prayer is not to be reduced to being a formulaic key to unlock the power of the Divine!
It’s not our many words that makes God to grant His grace
.. Rather, it is by His Will and His graciousness that we receive His blessings.
Then what is meant by prayer?
The blueprint of prayer – The Our Father – that Jesus teaches gives us the answer.
Prayer is…
Acknowledging His greatness
(Our Father, who art in heaven)Ascribing glory and honour to Him
(Hallowed be Thy Name)Seeking His Kingdom to come
(Thy Kingdom come)Longing for His Will to be done in our lives
(Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven)Putting forward our needs and offering our aspirations to His Providence
(Give us today our daily bread)Choosing to actively being reconciled to all people to receive His forgiveness
(and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us)Imploring to keep away from sin and all evil inclinations and desires
(and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil)
Our whole life ought to be translated to acts and deeds of prayer.
In this context, it also good to provide the Catholic understanding and logic of some of the prayers, which are perhaps considered as repetitive (eg: The Rosary, Novenas, Litanies.. etc)
Are all these standard prayers mere “heaping up of empty phrases…?”
No!
The Bible teaches us many examples of repetitive prayers…
The angels continually – day and night – sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8)
Psalm 136 repeats the words “for his steadfast love endures forever” nearly 26 times in 26 verses!
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed in the “same words” three times (Mk 14: 32-39)
Jesus, in fact, also commends the fact of continually praying, through the example of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18: 1-14)
Thus, it is seen that the Bible has many examples of repetitive prayer.
Therefore, the repetitive Catholic Prayers like the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, Litanies etc… are scripturally well-supported
When prayed with honesty and devotion, they become means to allow the heart…
… to praise God and understand His mighty works
… to grow in His love and come to a deeper awareness of His Providence
… and pray with Mother Mary and the Saints and intercede to them for our intentions
When we understand prayer as being a “relationship” and being in “His loving presence”, prayer becomes a joyful, a continual and a meaningful devotion.
May His grace help us to make every moment of our life an act of prayer, in order to grow in greater closeness and union with the One who loves us the most!
Let prayer become a joyful action
Let prayer become a continual devotion
Let prayer become a powerful commitment
Yes, in our day-to-day life, let us “pray without ceasing!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
THE THREE STAGES IN THE FORMATION OF THE GOSPELS
- The Life and Teaching of Jesus: The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, “whose historicity she unhesitatingly affirms…
… faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while He lived among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation, until the day when He was taken up.” - The Oral Tradition: For, after the Ascension of the Lord, the apostles handed on to their hearers what He had said and done…
…. but with that fuller understanding which they, instructed by the glorious events of Christ and enlightened by the Spirit of truth, now enjoyed. - The Written Gospels: The sacred authors, in writing the four Gospels, selected certain of the many elements which had been handed on, either orally or already in written form…
… others they synthesized or explained with an eye to the situation of the churches, the while sustaining the form of preaching
… but always in such a fashion that they have told us the honest truth about Jesus! (CCC # 126)
Feb 22, 2021: Monday
“Drawing closer to Jesus, the Great Rock Who will help us to stand firm and become passionate in service of the Church!”
(Based on the Feast of the See of St Peter [Chair of St Peter] )
A soldier working in the army – who was known for his bravery and never-give-up attitude – was asked by a journalist:
“What is the motivation for you to be so valiant and strong in your service?”
To that, the soldier replied: “Well, we have a saying in our army…
… and I try to follow that.
The saying is this: ‘If someone says, he is not afraid of death…
… then he is either lying
… or he is in the army!’
I have lived in this way of life… living this truth!”
As Christians, we are all soldiers of Christ!
Are we ready to have the courage to face any situation of difficulty, including death…
… and seek to be ever faithful to the Lord and His Church?
Today, we are invited to renew our love and commitment to the Church as we celebrate the Feast of the “See of St Peter” (Chair of St Peter).
This Feast celebrates Christ choosing St Peter to “sit” in authority as the visible leader of the Church on earth.
The “See of St Peter” or the “Chair of St Peter” in the words of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is “a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors…
… to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity!”
This feast brings to mind the mission conferred by Christ on St Peter, the First Pope, and continued in an unbroken line down to the present Pope.
We celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle, and renew our assent to the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff!
The Gospel of the Day presents to us the Faith Statement of Peter, the leader of the band of the Apostles and Jesus declaring to him:
“…on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!” (Mt 16:18)
Jesus – the Great Rock entrusts to Peter, the rock and assures Him that the Church will always stay rock-grounded!
The Lord had…
… and still has great Faith and Trust in His Church
But, personally, we need to ask: Am I sometimes doubtful, uncertain and hesitant with respect to the Church?
This Feast is a good opportunity for us to get to some of the Basics of the Church.
The word “Church”….in Greek… is Ekklesia.
Ekklesia can be split to two words… “ek” = out of + “kaleo” = to call
This gives us an important meaning of EKKLESIA – THE CHURCH…. TO BE CALLED OUT OF….
The Church is a body
…to be called out of the world
… into being a Family and Fellowship in God!
The Church is a body…to be called out of materialistic and worldly gains…
… and be a sign of hope and salvation!
This gives us a clue to many aspects of the Church
…and which will help our own understanding
The Church is not a mere building…
… the Church is the People of God.
We often reduce the Church – especially in our everyday vocabulary – to a mere building made of stones and cement…
But, we need to realise and remember that the Church is made of living stones (1 Pet 2:5)
… and all of us need to contribute our mite in keeping alive this Church of God.
Do I give my share of talents and gifts to the Church is keeping it effective and relevant for our modern times?
Do I make sacrifices and offer prayers for the Church so that she may stand strong in the midst of struggles?
Do I promote and encourage the teachings of the Church and find beauty and wisdom in them?
Perhaps one reason we find ourselves in a cribbing position, with respect to the Church is because of our failure to understand its nature…
… and also have our own misunderstandings and prejudices.
When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who am I” (Mt 16: 13) he got varied answers…
… some surprising
… some unexpected
The Mystery of Jesus was so great…
… people failed to grasp who actually He was…
The Mystery of the Church is also great…
… that people fail to understand her and even form opposing opinions!
We may feel that the Church is too traditional and too conservative and too authoritarian…
But we fail to see that she has preserved much morals…
… kept safe human values
… and promoted holiness
We may feel that the Church is all too mistaken in many areas and has committed many blunders…
But we ought to know that the Church has a human dimension and despite it, the Spirit of the Lord leads
We may feel that the Church is just too bad with scandals and has lost all credibility…
But we need to realize that the evil one attacks those who strive for sanctity and tries to disrupt God’s plans
The Church undergoes the pain of many a misunderstandings…
… Christ too underwent the same.
The Church suffers the bad name of being called by many names….
… Christ too underwent the same.
From a negative aspect, What is a Hospital?
Diseases, Blood, Pus, Screaming, Pains, Twisted bodies, Suffering..
But from a Positive Aspect, What is a Hospital?
Care, Healing, Love, Solace, Relief, Aid, Selfless Service….
Our Church can be understood in similar tones…
Weaknesses are plenty…
… yet, when seen from a Divine perspective, she is Holy!
All of us are concerned about the growing rejection of Church and Christian values in our society…
But we who are Baptized, and who seek the good of the Church…
… ought to join our hands and seek to revive the relevance and importance of the Church.
The Church has its weaknesses…
… but the Church needs Powerful Persons… in You and Me!
The Church has its negatives…
… but the Church needs Passionate Lovers of God… in You and Me!
The Church has its flaws…
… but the Church needs Committed Preachers of the Word… in You and Me!
The Body of Christ while hanging on the Cross was weak
… but “No bone of His, was broken” (Jn 19:36)
The Church of Christ while living in the world maybe weak
… but No bone shall be broken!
“…on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!”
St Peter, after having personally experienced the Presence and Power of Jesus in his life, could write with deep conviction:
“When the Chief Shepherd is manifested, you will obtain the unfading crown of glory!” (1 Pet 5:4)
Let us draw closer to Jesus, the Great Rock Who will help us to stand firm and become passionate in service of the Church…
And being ready to face any challenge or problem, let it be said of us:
“If someone says, he is not afraid of death or problems in life…
… then he is either lying
… or he is a Christian!”
Happy Feast Day!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Word of God, which is the Power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, is set forth and displays its power in a most wonderful way in the writings of the New Testament
They hand on the ultimate truth of God’s Revelation.
Their central object is Jesus Christ, God’s Incarnate Son: His Acts, Teachings, Passion and Glorification…
… and His Church’s beginnings under the Spirit’s guidance.
The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures “because they are our principal source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Saviour” (CCC 124-125)
Feb 21, 2021: Sunday
“Overcoming our ‘pet sins’ that have perhaps, become ‘beasts’ today, by having recourse to the power of the Holy Spirit!”
(Based on Gen 9:8-15, 1 Pet 3:18-22 and Mk 1:12-15 – 1st Sunday of Lent)
A Christian counsellor, who was also a poet, was visiting the home of a family.
He was there to speak to the couple – who had strained their relationships – primarily because they had misplaced their priorities of family life…
… and both of them, were engaging in “trifles that were outside their spousal life”
The child in the family – all of 3 years – was however, quite excited to show the guest his toys.
In doing so, the child started arranging all his toys…
… placing them one beside the other.
As the poet, was amusingly observing, he noticed that the child had placed…
… a cute white teddy bear and a rather-fierce looking black bear next to each other.
Seeing these two (the white teddy and the dark bear) side-by-side, the counsellor, a poet, looked at the couple and said:
“Stop making sin your pet!
Else the pet will, give it a bet
One day turn to be a beast
A beast that will devour you and have a feast!”
(The couple was being reminded to take their spousal life more seriously…
… being told that the “unholy trifles that they both were engaging in” like a pet teddy bear
… would soon resemble a “fierce looking black bear” devouring their family life!)
Have we been playing with sin as a “pet”…
… but perhaps, today, grappling with it as a “beast?”
On this First Sunday of the Season of Lent, we are made aware of the “beastly power” of sin…
… and the need to, remain in the Holy Spirit, so as to overcome sin
… and become a powerful witness to the Kingdom of God
St Mark states in His Gospel recounting the incident of the temptations of Jesus, as: “He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on Him.” (Mk 1:13)
St Mark beautifully in one line… illustrates the reality of the Person of Jesus Christ: Fully Man and Fully God
Jesus “was with the wild beasts”…
… to tell that He was fully Man!
Jesus had, “the angels [who] waited on him”
… to tell that He was fully God!
(In order to understand why Jesus had to undergo a temptation, a simple analogy will help:
A newly formed bridge is tested, by having made to bear a load, that is much more than the average/normal load
This is done, not to see if the bridge will break…
… rather, to prove, that the bridge will not break!
Similarly, the temptations of Jesus were not to see if He would sin…
… but to prove, He couldn’t!
He is indeed the Sinless One, Who underwent temptations in order to identify Himself with all sinners!)
Yes… in Jesus, we have God…
… Who understands all our struggles and sufferings, because He Himself went through hardships!
… Who empathizes with us in all our temptations and trials, because He Himself was tempted!
And so we are given this great news…
… that even though I am tempted, and struggle to overcome my sinful habits
… that even though I go through much agony, in order to rectify my faults and bad actions
… that even though, I am sometimes, lukewarm and tepid about my spiritual life
I have a God Who is greatly with me – strengthening me, with His Grace to empower me to overcome every sin, and live a life of enthusiastic holiness!
This verse about the temptations of Jesus, also gives us another hopeful message:
When you are surrounded by the “beasts of temptations…”
… have recourse to the angels of holiness to overcome them
When you are pounced upon by the “beasts of enticements and allurements…”
… seek the intercession and help of the angels to conquer and overpower them!
The Season of Lent is given to all of us as a time to seriously consider in overcoming our sins, our faults, our bad actions, our wrong relationships…
… and cooperate with the Grace of God
… in order to grow in holiness!
The presence of sin is serious…
… and our Blessed Lord is strongly exhorting all of us to say…
… a “FIRM NO TO SIN”
… and a “FAITHFUL YES TO JESUS!”
For those of us, who are living lukewarm and tepid lives…
… it’s high time that we take our spiritual life seriously
For those of us, who are struggling to overcome some of our habitual sins and wrong actions…
… it’s a good news given to us, that the Lord is encouraging us to take one step at a time, to rectify our faults!
For those of us, who are wanting much to grow in our spiritual life…
… it’s a reminder to choose virtues that are suiting and best needed for our way of life, and to daily cultivate and practise them!
Yes, very often it can be that unholy trifles find amusement in our life with the innocent resemblance of a “cute teddy bear”
But if we continue to play with it as a pet, we could be in for a torrid time with the fierce reality of sin!
Let us gravely give heed to the words:
“Stop making sin your pet!
Else the pet will, give it a bet
One day turn to be a beast
A beast that will devour you and have a feast!”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
THE IMPORTANCE AND RELEVANCE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament is an indispensable part of Sacred Scripture.
Its books are Divinely inspired and retain a permanent value…
… for the Old Covenant has never been revoked.
Indeed, “the economy of the Old Testament was deliberately so oriented, that it should prepare for and declare in prophecy the coming of Christ, redeemer of all men.
Even though they contain matters imperfect and provisional, the books of the Old Testament bear witness to the whole divine pedagogy of God’s saving love
These writings are…
… a storehouse of sublime teaching on God and of sound wisdom on human life
… as well as a wonderful treasury of prayers;
… in them, too, the mystery of our salvation is present in a hidden way.
Christians venerate the Old Testament as the true Word of God.
The Church has always vigorously opposed the idea of rejecting the Old Testament under the pretext that the New has rendered it void (Marcionism) (CCC 121-123)
Feb 20, 2021: Saturday
“Encountering Jesus so that the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!”
(Based on Isa 58:9b-14 and Lk 5:27-32 – Saturday after Ash Wednesday)
One of the fruits that is growing in popularity is the “miracle fruit!”
Native to Africa’s Gold Coast, this miracle berry (scientific name: Synsepalum dulcificum) has been an integral part of the daily menu of the tribes in Ghana and Nigeria
This fruit is now getting available in many parts of the world.
What is the speciality of this fruit?
Why is it called as Miracle Fruit?
When this fruit is eaten…
… it causes sour foods that are consumed consequently to taste sweet
(The fruit consists of a taste modifier called miraculin, which binds to the taste buds, causing sour foods to taste sweet)
So…
… a juicy, tangy lime will taste sweet!
… a succulent, sour gooseberry will be felt as sweetened!
Interesting, isn’t it?
Well…
When we encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!
The Gospel of the Day presents an encounter…
Of Levi… who was willing to have an experience of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit” and thus experience sweetness in life
Of Pharisees and Scribes… who refused to partake of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit and thus remain sour in their attitudes
As Jesus went out, He met a person named Levi, who was sitting at the tax booth.
Levi, a tax collector – collected taxes for customs or tolls on imports, exports, and merchants who came to buy or sell in Israel.
These Jewish tax collectors were disdained by the Jews. They were considered traitors because they worked for the despised Roman rulers.
It is this “despised” person that Jesus calls: “Follow me.” (Lk 5:27)
The name “Levi” means “joined”
True to his name, Levi “joined” the ministry of Jesus… and became His disciple
True to his name, Levi “joined” Himself to following Christ… leaving his former ways!
Subsequently, in the great banquet hosted at his house, Jesus was joined by a “large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table” (Lk 5:29)
The sight of Jesus – supposedly a Teacher and Prophet – irked the Pharisees and their Scribes, making them to ask: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Lk 5:30)
The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to accept the “welcoming and merciful” embrace of the Lord
They chose to close themselves to the “saving and redeeming” works of the Lord
As a result, they failed to experience the “Sweetness of the Lord!”
Levi, was willing to have a taste of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, his life was filled with sweetness and pleasantness!
The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to experience “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, they continued to remain sour and tangy – as expressed in their words and actions!
There are many times…
… when we remain sour in our words – hurting people by our unjust criticism and judgmental comments
We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives gives forth the sweetness of acceptance and appreciation!
There are often occasions …
… when we remain tangy in our actions and deeds – refusing to reach out in help and being stagnant in our selfishness
We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives gives forth the pleasantness of charity and care!
The effect of the miracle fruit lasts only for an hour
The effect of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” however is much lasting
… and in fact, can be everlasting, if we remain faithful and sincere in following the Lord!
Let us encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… so that, like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!
Like Levi, let us “join” ourselves to the Will of the Lord, by following Him, faithfully!
Ready to taste the “Miracle Fruit?”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included…
… in the list of the sacred books.
This complete list is called the canon of Scripture.
It includes 46 books for the Old Testament (45 if we count Jeremiah and Lamentations as one)…
… and 27 for the New(CCC 118-119)
Feb 20, 2021: Saturday
“Encountering Jesus so that the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!”
(Based on Isa 58:9b-14 and Lk 5:27-32 – Saturday after Ash Wednesday)
One of the fruits that is growing in popularity is the “miracle fruit!”
>> Native to Africa’s Gold Coast, this miracle berry (scientific name: Synsepalum dulcificum) has been an integral part of the daily menu of the tribes in Ghana and Nigeria
>> This fruit is now getting available in many parts of the world.
What is the speciality of this fruit?
>> Why is it called as Miracle Fruit?
When this fruit is eaten…
… it causes sour foods that are consumed consequently to taste sweet
(The fruit consists of a taste modifier called miraculin, which binds to the taste buds, causing sour foods to taste sweet)
So…
… a juicy, tangy lime will taste sweet!
… a succulent, sour gooseberry will be felt as sweetened!
Interesting, isn’t it?
Well…
>> When we encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!
The Gospel of the Day presents an encounter…
>> Of Levi… who was willing to have an experience of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit” and thus experience sweetness in life
>> Of Pharisees and Scribes… who refused to partake of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit and thus remain sour in their attitudes
As Jesus went out, He met a person named Levi, who was sitting at the tax booth.
Levi, a tax collector – collected taxes for customs or tolls on imports, exports, and merchants who came to buy or sell in Israel.
>> These Jewish tax collectors were disdained by the Jews. They were considered traitors because they worked for the despised Roman rulers.
It is this “despised” person that Jesus calls: “Follow me.” (Lk 5:27)
The name “Levi” means “joined”
>> True to his name, Levi “joined” the ministry of Jesus… and became His disciple
>> True to his name, Levi “joined” Himself to following Christ… leaving his former ways!
Subsequently, in the great banquet hosted at his house, Jesus was joined by a “large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table” (Lk 5:29)
The sight of Jesus – supposedly a Teacher and Prophet – irked the Pharisees and their Scribes, making them to ask: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Lk 5:30)
The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to accept the “welcoming and merciful” embrace of the Lord
>> They chose to close themselves to the “saving and redeeming” works of the Lord
As a result, they failed to experience the “Sweetness of the Lord!”
Levi, was willing to have a taste of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, his life was filled with sweetness and pleasantness!
>> The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to experience “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, they continued to remain sour and tangy – as expressed in their words and actions!
There are many times…
… when we remain sour in our words – hurting people by our unjust criticism and judgmental comments
>> We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives gives forth the sweetness of acceptance and appreciation!
There are often occasions …
… when we remain tangy in our actions and deeds – refusing to reach out in help and being stagnant in our selfishness
>> We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives gives forth the pleasantness of charity and care!
The effect of the miracle fruit lasts only for an hour
>> The effect of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” however is much lasting
… and in fact, can be everlasting, if we remain faithful and sincere in following the Lord!
Let us encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… so that, like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!
>> Like Levi, let us “join” ourselves to the Will of the Lord, by following Him, faithfully!
Ready to taste the “Miracle Fruit?”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
——————————–
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
>> It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included…
… in the list of the sacred books.
>> This complete list is called the canon of Scripture.
>> It includes 46 books for the Old Testament (45 if we count Jeremiah and Lamentations as one)…
… and 27 for the New(CCC 118-119)
——————————–
Feb 19, 2021: Friday
“Overcoming stagnancy and, instead, opening our eyes to the real purpose and meaning of our fasting and our acts of penance!”
(Based on Isa 58:1-9a, Mt 9:14-15 – Friday after Ash Wednesday)
Dengue and malaria are fatal sicknesses that have affected a large number of people, all over the world.
These dreaded sicknesses, are mosquito-borne infections that can cause severe-flu like illness.
One of the causes of steep rise of mosquitoes is the accumulation of stagnant water.
Stagnant water is a favourite breeding-ground for mosquito larvae, which leads to the spread of dengue.
When there is stagnancy, there is a greater chance of sicknesses to spread!
This simple aspect can be very well applied to human minds and human actions as well…
A stagnant mind becomes the breeding ground for laziness, obstinacy and lethargy!
A stagnant action becomes the breeding ground for lukewarmness and listlessness!
There is no vitality in stagnancy…
There is no vivacity in sluggishness…
There is no exuberance in dormancy…
The Gospel of the Day presents this attitude of lifelessness and inertness due to the stagnant practice of an important devotion, namely fasting!
The Gospel passage begins with a note of complaint…
… the disciples of John raising the voice of complaint
“Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (Mt 9:14)
The Law of Moses declared only one day of fasting – the day of Atonement.
The Book of Leviticus prescribes this fast: “On the tenth day of the seventh month…
… you are to enter into a solemn fast and refrain from all work, because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you.
In the presence of God you will be made clean of all your sins.
It is a Sabbath of all Sabbaths. You must fast. It is a perpetual ordinance” (Lev 16:29-31)
But it is to be noted that the Pharisees and, the disciples of John also practised another tradition: fasting two days a week.
This was considered to be a very pious act among this group.
And so they raised question: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
Here is an important human tendency that is highlighted:
Comparison with others to justify one’s actions
Self-righteous feelings to put down others
This group was probably comparing their actions with the disciples…
… in order to show themselves as being superior
This group was probably having “an air of self-righteousness”…
… in order to show the disciples of Jesus to be inferior and lower
But the Lord draws attention…
… to the stagnancy in their practise
… to the fact of the real purpose of fasting
The practice of fasting was…
… for atonement of one’s sins.
… a time of mourning in seeking for the restoration of Israel.
… a period of waiting for the Messiah who would redeem their nation.
But all these fundamental dimensions of fasting were quite neglected!
Their practise of fasting had grown stagnant.
Their mindset in skipping meals had become sluggish.
They failed to realise the reason and meaning for their fasting.
This same danger is very much possible for us too…
As we engage ourselves – especially in this season of Lent – in the pious practices of fasting and penance, we need to ask…
Is my fasting helping me to realise the need to offer my life more and more to Jesus, my Messiah?
Are my acts of penances nurturing me to grow in my relationship and care for one another?
Is my fasting helping me to “give” – give my love, care, time, money etc- rather than just “give up”
Are my acts of penances nurturing me to cultivate a greater concern and sensitivity to others?
Jesus intends that our fasting and our acts of penance…
… help us to grow, and deepen our love for Him and to realise His Greater Presence in our life
… nurture in us good actions, to reach out in humble service to one another!
Prophet Isaiah strongly presents to us the intention of God in our acts of fasting and penance: Isaiah 58: 6-7…
… to loose the bonds of injustice
… to undo the thongs of the yoke
… to let the oppressed go free
… to break every yoke
… to share your bread with the hungry
… to bring the homeless poor into your house
… to cover the naked
Our fasting, penances and sacrifices are to help us become more joyful…
… because we have Jesus, the bridegroom with us.
… because we have Jesus, the One for Whom we are fasting, is with us!
His presence with us, is a matter of joy…
… yet we fast and do penance, to share joyfully in His suffering and pain.
His presence with us, is an occasion of rejoicing…
… yet we make sacrifices and discipline ourselves, to find deeper meaning in His Cross.
His presence with us, is a period of celebration…
…. yet we have self-control and abstain oneself, to be united closer to His redeeming action.
Let us not get stagnant.
Let us, instead, open our eyes to the real purpose and meaning of our fasting and our acts of penance.
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism:
UNDERSTANDING, INTERPRETING AND EXPLAINING THE SCRIPTURES
A medieval couplet summarizes the significance of the four senses of the Scripture:
The Letter speaks of deeds; Allegory to faith;
The Moral how to act; Anagogy our destiny.
It is the task of exegetes to work, according to these rules, towards a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture…
… in order that their research may help the Church to form a firmer judgement.
The interpreting of Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgement of the Church…
… which exercises the divinely conferred commission and ministry of watching over and interpreting the Word of God (CCC 118-119)
Reflection Capsules 