“Giving ourselves entirely to God and His people, by doing His Will at all times!”

(Based on 1 Kings 17:10-16, Heb 9:24-28 and Mk 12:38-44 – 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B)

A money-collection drive was being been conducted in a particular Church for a particular intention.

The people were free to put in as much contribution as they wanted for the noble cause.

One gentleman stood up and announced a rather large contribution, and the people applauded greatly.

A few moments later, an old lady stood up and announced her donation.

But it was greeted with silence.

The priest, however, in reply to the cold response of the people, stood up and said emphatically, “Ladies and gentleman, I believe I hear the applause of the nail-scarred Hands!”

The people understood what the priest meant, and slowly but surely applauded the old lady’s generosity.

The Gospel of the Day presents such a similar act of appreciation by Jesus over the apparently “tiny” yet really “great” contribution by a widow to the Temple Treasury.

The passage of the day is the culmination of the 12th Chapter of the Gospel of St Mark.

This has been a volatile passage…

1. Jesus tells the parable of the Tenants (Mk 12: 1-12)
   … thereby giving out a sharp message to the Jews to accept the Messiah and not forfeit the many graces and blessings that they had been blessed with.
2. Jesus gives a fitting response to the question of paying taxes (Mk 12: 13-17)
   … thereby exhorting the concerned people to not get stuck to earthly obligations and instead gear one’s life in total allegiance to the Lord Creator
3. Jesus corrects the false notion regarding the teaching on Resurrection (Mk 12: 18-27)
   … thereby challenging to live a life in worthiness of eternity and to have the correct and deeper faith in the Living God and His Teachings
4. Jesus makes clear the greatest commandments (Mk 12: 28-34)
   … thereby inviting all to understand that there is only one true God and He deserves all the love and affection of our being and this love ought to be expressed in love of neighbour.
5. Jesus points out from Scripture that He is the Messiah, the Lord (Mk 12: 35-37)
   … thereby opening the eyes of the people to read Scripture with greater openness to the Spirit and an invitation to accept Him as the Lord of their lives.

These five pronouncements finally concludes with Jesus denouncing the action of the scribes especially in devouring the lives of the poor widows.

Jesus says, “The scribes devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers” (Mk 12: 40)

Widows were an easy trap to be cheated…

Widows were easy pickings to be exploited…

However, the chapter ends with a beautiful counteract…
A widow – symbol of all the other widows, who have been cheated, or oppressed or facing humiliations – comes in to the Temple and drops in her ‘everything’ in the treasure!

This is indeed a powerful symbol of faithfulness and duty…

She is a symbol of being oppressed – yet she is heartily generous
She is an object of being condemned – yet she is mightily liberal
And she becomes a symbol of self-giving and total-emptiness.

This poor widow becomes a great challenge for us in our lives…

Life may bite us hard with cruel luck and bad destiny…
Life may oppress us through various elements in the society…
Life may cheat us in the form of many people or circumstances…

Yet, through all this…
Like this poor widow,

Can I be firm to give to God, in gratitude?
Can I be faithful to do my responsibilities even if unrewarded?

May the Blessed Mother Mary, who Herself was a poor widow, and gave Herself entirely to the Lord…
And Jesus, who like the poor widow, gave Himself entirely to His people and in doing God’s Will…
… be our inspiration, our strength and our hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRED MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH’S UNITY

What are the bonds of unity? Above all, charity “binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
But the unity of the pilgrim Church is also assured by visible bonds of communion:

• profession of one faith received from the Apostles;
• common celebration of divine worship, especially of the sacraments;
• apostolic succession through the sacrament of Holy Orders, maintaining the fraternal concord of God’s family.
  “The sole Church of Christ [is that] which our Saviour, after his Resurrection, entrusted to Peter’s pastoral care, commissioning him and the other apostles to extend and rule it.
  This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him.”
  The Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism explains: “For it is through Christ’s Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained…

… it was to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, that we believe that our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one Body of Christ into which all those should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the People of God” *(CCC # 815-816)

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God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Choosing to be with God and to obey His laws and commandments!”

(Based on Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27 :14-21 and Lk 16:9-15 – Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

It’s a blazing hot noon-time…

The sun is fiercely casting its rays upon the earth…

The situation appears to be very tense and the emotions are running high.

The people of Israel have greatly offended the Lord by erecting a golden calf as their god!

Moses is right at the gate of the camp, emotionally charged and full of zeal and rage!

In a loud voice, with passion engulfing his entire self and bubbling with deep righteous anger, Moses, the man of God roars, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!” (Ex 32: 26)

“Whoever is for the Lord, come to me….”

It is a time of making a decision.

The Israelites are to make a choice:

Choose to be with God or to follow other idols.
Choose to obey His laws and commandments or to stray away from His paths.

This choice will lead them to either life or death….

A similar question is presented before us too…

“Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!”

This choice will lead us to either life or death!

The Gospel of the Day presents this Call of the Lord to make a clear-cut and distinct choice in life: Choose between God and Mammon!

“No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or, be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Lk 16: 13)

More than any time before, the world faces this deep-rooted problem of a “divided heart”

We say we obey God…
… but we fail to abide by His commandments and teachings in the Church!

Am I serving both…?
… God in His Church and the ways of the world…

We say we love God…but we fail to express this love in a faithful lifestyle of prayers and devotions.

Am I serving both…?
… God in devotion and the pleasures of our interests…

We say we serve God…but we fail to extend His love and compassion to our people in need.

Am I serving both…?
… God in His people and the comforts of our own self…

We say we honour God…but we fail to witness to His Gospel values and dilute them to serve our petty interests.

Am I serving both…?
… God in His values and the welfare of our own selfishness…

Let’s not be afraid to look at the naked face of reality staring at us today…

Many people today serve something besides God.
Many people serve sin instead of God.

Many people serve music, serve sports, serve money, serve themselves, serve power and positions, serve the cravings of their bodies…
.. instead of God!

Am I also serving something else instead of God?

In the Old Testament, one of the greatest accusations made against the people of Israel was the
“Sin of Idolatry”…
… abandoning the Living and True God and rendering worship and honour to some non-living thing as a god.

Though, as Christians, we may not be explicitly worshipping some idol or running after some gods or crazy over some tantras-mantras…
… it is not a bad idea to examine our conscience and check whether we really have formed some gods in our lives and thus entering into “practical” idolatry.

Maybe I am too much attached to my electronic gadgets like the phones, TV, music players, cams…and use them way beyond my “need”!?

The idol of gadgets?

Maybe I am too much obsessed with my looks, my styles, my clothing and food habits, my make-up styles…and “over-conscious” than the minimal requirements!

The Idol of the Self?

Maybe I am crazy about gaining over-popularity through an “n” number of picture displays and posts on many social networking sites…and “get totally upset” when I fail to receive the expected appreciations and “likes”!

The Idol of Attention-seeking?

Maybe I am too much occupied with my work, business and other undertakings, that I fail to give attention to my family, my community, the needs of my own spiritual self etc…and lose out on the little joys and happiness of life!

The Idol of Money and Work?

There could be many more idols in our life…

The Idol of Laziness…
The Idol of Immoral Lifestyles…
The Idol of Bad Habits…
The Idol of losing a Sense of Sin…
The Idol of Power-obsession…
The Idol of Criticizing and Judging…etc…

The Gospel of the day places a great choice before us…

Choose to be with God or to follow other idols…
… Or choose to obey His laws and commandments or to stray away from His paths?

We cannot serve both God and other things…

One leads to life… the other to death.

Which side are we on?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
“THE SACRED MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH’S UNITY”

From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God’s gifts and the diversity of those who receive them.
Within the unity of the People of God, a multiplicity of peoples and cultures is gathered together.

Among the Church’s members, there are different gifts, offices, conditions, and ways of life (CCC # 814)

“Seeking to live our Christian Faith with greater enthusiasm and gusto!”

(Based on Rom 15:14-21 and Lk 16:1-8 – Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

It was a Bible study class.

The group was doing a study on the Book of Prophet Daniel.

As was the custom, one of the members would start the Bible study by reading the passage of the day, to the group, aloud.

The selected passage for the day was Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel.

An elderly person, stood up to read.

He, however had some struggle with his sight and was finding it a bit difficult to read.

When he came to verse 3… (which actually says: “… an excellent spirit was in Daniel”)…
… adjusting his thick glasses, the man read: “… an excellent spine was in Daniel!”

(The word ‘spirit’ was mistakenly read as ‘spine’!)

Well…that was bad reading…
… but nevertheless, it was wonderful theology, because Prophet Daniel was indeed a man of excellent spine – a backbone that made him strong and courageous!

Are we Christians with an “excellent spine?”

The Gospel of the Day, with a worldly example placed before us – the Parable of the Unjust Steward – is a mighty challenge to us to examine whether we as Christians, are people…
… who really are bold and courageous to stand for the Gospel principles
… who really are zealous and prudent to preserve our holiness and sanctity!

The story of the Unjust Parable is an interesting as well as an eye-opener for us, in our spiritual and Christian life

This is also a parable that could be classified under the “controversial” or “what-was-He-really-meaning” category!

The summary of the parable goes thus…

A steward has been reported to the Master for squandering the property (Lk 16:1)

Dismissal is on the cards for the steward (Lk 16:2)

Taking stock of the possibilities for the future, he decides and acts on the principle: Manipulation is the best policy for a safer future (Lk 16:3-7)

The Master commends this unjust, yet prudent and craft act of the steward! (Lk 16: 8a)

The parable could cause some strange questions to crop up…

Why is Jesus – the Honest-Man-par-excellence – presenting this strangely negative example to His followers?

Well…

Without going deep into the theological debates of such questions…
… we shall look into the answer that Jesus Himself proposed for saying this parable:
“For the children of the world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation, than are the children of light” (Lk 16: 8b)

The purpose of Jesus to say this parable is put forth:

Children of this world are often more shrewd to make sure a good future…
… whereas, the children of the light, tend to be extremely relaxed concerning their salvation!

People of this worldly kingdom are willing to go to any extend to secure themselves…
… whereas those who supposedly wish to belong to God’s Kingdom, leisure themselves in lethargy!

This is a technique of “comparative imperative” that is proposed by Jesus…
… by emphasizing on the opposite, a challenge is put forth!
… by highlighting a negative dimension, the positive aspect is enforced!

Such “comparative imperatives” can easily be observed in our lives…

We would make every effort to be in time to catch a bus/train/flight, so as not to miss it…
… but don’t mind, being late for our prayers or spiritual activities, including the Holy Mass!

We would ensure every day we have our food and get a good rest, so that our bodies don’t get weak…
… but give no regard to feed and give rest to our souls, by spending time with the Lord in personal prayer and growing in relationship with Him!

We would feel a dreadful sense of disgust if we do not have our daily bath (shower) and cleanse our bodies…
… but have sometimes no awareness to realise our souls are dirty and we need to cleanse them through a daily examination of conscience, and regularly through the Sacramental Confession.

We don’t mind wagging our tongues to say a bad word or a dirty joke or nasty words of criticism and condemnation..
… but think often, when we need to say something positive or appreciate someone or to say an occasional prayer to recall the presence of the Lord!

This “comparative imperative” proposed by the Lord in this parable makes us to reflect deeper:

Am I more enthusiastic about the affairs of this world, which gives only transient joy…
… at the cost of avoiding my spiritual life, which alone can ensure me eternal happiness?

Am I only concerned more about my materialistic concerns and my temporal duties…
… and end up neglecting the solemn duties of our Christian life and being more spiritually rooted?

Our Blessed Lord is extremely serious…
… that we take our Christian lives and faith, on a more serious note!

Salvation is at stake…

Eternal Life is at question!

The Lord is addressing us, and telling:
“For those who are working…
… you would try to make any sincere efforts to make sure you get a better salary, isn’t it?

For those who are studying…
… you would try to put in extra hard work to ensure you get the extra marks, isn’t it?

For those who are at home…
… you would spare no efforts, to ensure peace and harmony and a happy time, isn’t it?

For those in institutes or companies or in-charge of some establishment…
… you would take the extra mile to be the best and co-ordinate to the maximum, to give better performances, isn’t it?

Then why…
… Why sometimes, lethargy only for spiritual life?
… Why sometimes, indifference, only with respect to a life of faith?”

On this First Friday of the month, let us renew our consecration and commitment to the Sacred Heart of our Blessed Lord…
… and basking in His Love, let us seek to live our Christian Faith with greater enthusiasm and gusto!

Are we ready to be Christians with an “excellent spine”?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
“THE SACRED MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH’S UNITY”

The Church is one because of Her source: “the highest exemplar and source of this mystery is the unity, in the Trinity of Persons, of one God, the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit.”
The Church is one because of Her founder: for “the Word made flesh, the prince of peace, reconciled all men to God by the cross,… restoring the unity of all in one people and one body.”
The Church is one because of her “soul”: “It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in those who believe and pervading and ruling over the entire Church, who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful and joins them together so intimately in Christ that he is the principle of the Church’s unity.”

Unity is of the essence of the Church (CCC # 813)

Experiencing the saving Power and Presence of the Lord, by realizing our state of being lost, and allowing the Lord, to find us!”

(Based on 14:7-12 and Lk 15:1-10 – Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

The Festival of Diwali is on, in India

This celebration of lights – Diwali – is characteristically marked by the bursting of a variety of crackers.

[NB: this reflection is not to discuss the pros and cons of bursting of crackers! :-)]

Crackers signify a mood of celebration and joy.

They are symbolic of a spirit of festivity and merriment.

The bursting and the sound of crackers surely spark off a message that some celebration is on & there is a mood of rejoicing and good cheer.

Today, we are in for some bursting of crackers….

But, Guess where?

Not in India… not anywhere on the earth…

But in Heaven!

Yes, we have crackers being burst in heaven!

Why?

There is much to celebrate and be glad!

The reason?

“There is much rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7)

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to a life of discovering God’s love and living a life in repentance.

The Fifteenth Chapter of St Luke is an amazing revelation of God’s tremendous love, mercy and longing for each one of us.

We have the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son.

In all the three parables…
… lost ones are found
… there is great celebration at the end.
… an emphasis is laid on hope for the lost.

This chapter is a contradiction of many human thought-patterns and an affirmation of many Divine thought-patterns…

There is a contradiction of the human thought-pattern of thinking of things in terms of monetary rate and financial gain.

There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of acknowledging the deeper value and worth of objects and people!

There is a contradiction of the human thought-pattern of giving up on things that are lost and not being bothered about it.

There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of desperately going after the lost and being in painful agony until found!

We are invited to shed the selfish Human thought-pattern and embrace the selfless Divine thought-pattern.

We shall consider the first two parables in this Chapter 15 – The Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin – for our reflection.

A shepherd had a hundred sheep.

During the count as he gathers the sheep at day’s end, the shepherd notices that one is missing.

The sheep needs to be found; otherwise it may be permanently lost or attacked by hungry predators.

The Shepherd takes the risk of leaving the rest behind, and goes out in search of the lost one.

The second parable parallels the first….
Here a silver coin has been lost.

It’s probably a drachma, which equals a denarius–a day’s wage for the average worker.

The coin needs to be found; else a day’s wage would be lost and would to the already existing financial burden.

The woman takes the hard trouble and effort, to sweep the house, in search of the lost coin.

In both the cases…

The search yields successful results… the lost sheep and the lost coin is found.
The success leads to a great celebration… the shepherd and the woman rejoice and party
The cost of the celebration far exceeds the actual price of the thing lost!

Why such a sentimentality? Why so much of economic waste?

The only logic behind it is: the Experience of Joy.

The Shepherd feels tremendously happy in getting back his lost sheep.
The woman feels tremendously happy in getting back her lost coin.

And this spurs them to forget all economics, and mathematics and tally and calculations…

Joy surpasses them all.

Joy overcomes them all.
Joy overtakes them all!

Jesus compares this same joy in heaven at the repentance of a sinner!

Am I similar to a Lost Sheep?

Lost…
… in the thickets of materialistic living
… lost in the valleys of doubts and rejections and failures
… lost in the bushes of excessive pride, prestige and power
… lost in the wilderness of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life

Am I similar to a Lost Coin?

Lost…
… in the corners of abuses and misunderstandings and false judgments
… in the darkness of bad luck and unfair treatment by life
… in the dust of corruption and malicious situations
… in the shadows of addictions and bad habits

The Lord doesn’t abandon us…. The Lord comes in search of us.

We ought to…
… hear His voice and respond.
… allow ourselves to be found.
… let Him take us on His shoulders.
… permit Him to take us in His hands.

God comes looking for us.

We are the ones that God spends hours and hours, walking miles and probing all areas, in search.
We are the ones that God spends hours and hours on hands and knees sweeping and searching for.

And when God finds us… He calls together all the saints in heaven, saying to them:
“Rejoice with me, for I have found my beloved sheep, my precious coin that was once lost.”

Are we – You & I – ready to give heaven a reason to celebrate, by repenting of our sins & living a life, in accord with God’s Holy Will?

Yes, the crackers in heaven are waiting to be burst…

Let us experience the saving power and presence of the Lord, by realizing our state of being lost…
… and allowing the Lord, to find us.

Let us seek the intercession and give heed to the words of St Charles Borromeo, the saint of the Day:
“If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you…
… do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH IS ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC

“This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic.”
These four characteristics, inseparably linked with each other, indicate essential features of the Church and her mission.
The Church does not possess them of herself; it is Christ who, through the Holy Spirit, makes His Church one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, and it is He who calls her to realize each of these qualities.
Only faith can recognize that the Church possesses these properties from Her Divine Source.

But their historical manifestations are signs that also speak clearly to human reason. As the First Vatican Council noted, the “Church herself, with her marvellous propagation, eminent holiness, and inexhaustible fruitfulness in everything good, her catholic unity and invincible stability, is a great and perpetual motive of credibility and an irrefutable witness of her Divine mission.” (CCC # 811-812)

“Living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Rom 13:8-10 and Lk 14:25-33 – Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

Filtration is a process by which any material is passed through a certain device to remove unwanted elements in it.

Filtration happens every day around the world.

It occurs both in nature and in engineered systems.

For example…
… in many living bodies (including humans), renal filtration removes wastes from the blood
… in water treatment and sewage treatment, undesirable elements are removed by absorption into a filter medium

Every filtration has three basic components:

1. The Feed: The original material with the presence of unwanted elements
2. The Filter: The mechanism/device that does the cleansing
3. The Filtrate: The matter that comes after the process

Our Life as a Christian is also a “process of filtration”

And has three components as well

1. The Feed: Our lives – with our own weaknesses and sinful tendencies
2. The Filter: Jesus, the Crucified Lord – Who Cleanses us
3. The Filtrate: Our life as a Disciple of Christ – lived in holiness and with a sense of mission

Are we willing to allow the “FEED” of our lives to encounter the “FILTER”…
… so that we can emerge as pure and holy “FILTRATE?”

The Gospel of the Day is this exhortation of the Lord to all who seek to follow Him:
“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…
… yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple!

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple!” (Lk 14: 26-27)

The Gospel begins with the statement that “Great multitudes accompanied Jesus…” (Lk 14:25)

The multitude – crowds of people – probably had various intentions of following Jesus

Some to receive healing and be touched by Him (Lk 6:19)
Some to hear the Good News and to follow Him (Lk 5:11)
Some to simply eat the bread (food) that the Lord provided (Lk 9:17)
Some to satisfy their curiosity and fascination (Lk 4:22)
Some to question Who He was and What was His motive (Lk 7:18-19)

Whatever be the intention of the crowds, the Lord was clear in whom He wanted as His followers:

1. Those who give the highest priority in life to the Lord
2. Those who would take up their cross
3. Those who are willing to give up everything, for the sake of the Lord

Towards this end, Jesus cites two parables which would make every disciple of Jesus question their authenticity of following Him
a. The Parable of the one desiring to build the tower (Lk 14:28-30)

Are you willing to count how much it will cost you, to follow Jesus?

b. The Parable of the king who wanted to wage war (Lk 14:31-32)

Are you willing to calculate the risks that are involved, to follow Jesus?

This is a serious challenge that is placed before all Christians, who profess to follow Christ…
… and also to all those, who in ministry, seek to attract disciples for Christ!

Have I “counted the cost” and “calculated the risks” to know, that following Jesus means…
… not to simply run behind miracles and wonders; rather also involves living as Jesus did – in poverty, obedience and purity of heart!

… not just having a Christian name and fulfiling basic duties; but also implies to give the highest priority to the Lord and His Kingdom values, in all what we do!

… not merely reciting prayers and raising hymns of praise; but also infers at reaching out to the poor and needy in self-giving and doing everything for the Glory of God!

A Filtration Process is a must for every follower of Christ.

All of us, surely have our weaknesses and tendencies to be attracted to worldly ways

We very often, even have the goodwill to truly follow Jesus…

However, because of…
… lack of strong motivation
… ignorance and lack of people who can guide us
… various discouraging and deterring incidents and scandals
We fail to truly Follow Jesus.

We, the FEED, need to offer our lives to Jesus…
… and allow ourselves to pass through Our Crucified Lord – Who is our FILTER!

He will cleanse us to make us pure
He will strengthen us with proper motivation
He will nourish us with courage and passion to be bold and faithful

And thus, we will be able to live as the proper FILTRATE – a disciple of Christ…
… living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ.

Are we willing to be “Filtered?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
CHARISMS

Whether extraordinary or simple and humble, Charisms are graces of the Holy Spirit which directly or indirectly benefit the Church, ordered as they are to her building up, to the good of men, and to the needs of the world.
Charisms are to be accepted with gratitude by the person who receives them and by all members of the Church as well.
They are a wonderfully rich grace for the apostolic vitality and for the holiness of the entire Body of Christ, provided they really are genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit and are used in full conformity with authentic promptings of this same Spirit, that is, in keeping with charity, the true measure of all Charisms.

It is in this sense that discernment of Charisms is always necessary. No Charism is exempt from being referred and submitted to the Church’s shepherds. “Their office (is) not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold fast to what is good,” so that all the diverse and complementary Charisms work together “for the common good. (CCC # 799-801)

“Look on to the Lord – the Crucified Saviour – and finding greater meaning and hope in life!”

(Based on All Soul’s Day)

A story is told of a King who had a lovely flower garden.

His gardener, who tended it, took great pains to make the garden an exotic paradise.

One morning the gardener went into the garden to visit his favourite flowers.

To his dismay he discovered that one of his choicest flowers had been cut from its stem.
Soon he saw that the most beautiful flower from each plot of the garden were missing.

Filled with anxiety and anger, he hurried to his fellow workers and demanded: “Who stole my priceless treasures?”

One of his helpers replied, “The King came into his garden this morning, picked those flowers himself, and took them into his house.
I guess he wanted to give the flowers the rightful place of beauty in his palace.”

The gardener, though sad, then realized that he had no reason to be concerned…
… because it was perfectly right for his master to pick some of his own prized blossoms.

Though he missed his lovely flowers…
… he also realized, he was only a caretaker

The flowers, in the true sense, belonged to the King, and to him alone!

Our lives are such…
In the garden of the world, as gardeners, we feel sad when we lose our loved ones – the prized blossoms of our life.

But when we realize, that it is the King Himself – God – Who has picked these blossoms…
… “to give the flowers the rightful place of beauty in His Palace.”

We are consoled and get a better realization that there is no reason to be concerned.
The flowers in the garden of our lives – our loved ones – in the true sense, belong to the King, and to Him alone!

Today is the All Souls Day – when we commemorate and pray for all the Faithful Departed…
… those flowers, who have gone away from the garden of our lives; yet whom we believe, are safe in the Mercy of God!

In the Apostles Creed, we recite, “I believe… in the Communion of Saints”.

The term “communion of saints” has two closely-linked meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.

The Communion of Saints is the three states of the Church: The Church Militant (the pilgrim Church on earth), The Church Suffering (the faithful departed), the Church Triumphant (the saints in glory)
“… at the present time, some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as He is'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #954)

On this day, we (the Church Militant), in union with the prayers of the saints in glory (the Church Triumphant)…
… reach out our prayers, intercessions and love in a very special manner for our suffering brothers and sisters (the Church Suffering).

What makes us to pray for the dead… the faithful departed?

It is necessarily in the co-relationship that all human beings share with each other.

We do pray for the people who are in need, when they live on this earth.
We do seek intercessions on their behalf to God, when they are with us.

But when a person dies, his/her existence ceases only in our sight.

They still continue to live in God’s sight.
The dead are not dead for God.

This is what Jesus says in Luke 20:38, “… he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive”

Therefore, it is logical and reasonable that we pray for the faithful departed.
“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Therefore, it is a duty on our part that we pray for the purification of these Faithful Departed.

This Commemoration of the All Souls Day, is also a reminder of our own Death and the death of our close ones.

True, that as frail humans, we may have a natural fear and even a sort of phobia of death.
… but our Christian Love, Faith and Hope must gain the upper-hand in us.

Death is a reality.

No amount of reflection or sermons can substitute the pain of this reality.
Sometimes, in such situations, silence is the only answer that we can provide.

But this silence ought to be a silence of hope, a silence of trust and a silence of faith.

When we love God deeper, the fear of death decreases.
When we have an unshakeable hope in God, the anguish of death subsides

Let us also keep in mind, that this day of the “All Souls Day” as well as the Month of November is a time to gain Indulgences, that the Church offers.

This year, with the situation of the pandemic, the Church has issued an Apostolic Penitentiary decree giving special guidelines.
(1) A plenary indulgence for the faithful departed in purgatory can be gained, each day between for the whole month of November, by visiting a cemetery, and praying for the departed – even if the prayer is only mental.
(2) A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on All Souls’ Day (or on any day in the month of November) devoutly visits a church and recites an Our Father and the Creed.
(3) A partial indulgence – applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory – can be obtained when the prayer:
“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
…is recited

[For those who are sick, the elderly or those who are unable to visit a cemetery or church for any other serious reason – such as coronavirus restrictions – it is possible to obtain any of these plenary indulgences by doing the following.

Spiritually uniting themselves with the faithful and doing one of the following before an image of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary:
a. Praying devout pious prayers for the deceased (e.g. Rosary, Office of the Dead, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc.)
b. Reading and reflecting on the Gospel passages prescribed for Masses of the Dead
c. Performing a work of mercy by offering to God the sorrow and hardships of their own lives]

(Let’s also keep in mind the conditions to be fulfilled for the reception of the Plenary Indulgence:
a. Do the act of the Indulgence (prayer/act) while in a state of grace
b. Receive Sacramental confession within 20 days
c. Receive Holy Communion
d. Pray for the Pope’s intentions (Our Father and Hail Mary, and/or other appropriate prayer)
e. Have no attachment to sin (even venial) – the person needs to make ‘an act of the will’ to love God and despise sin.

Death is hard.

But, the Lord has conquered this death!

Let us look on to Him, on the Cross, and find greater meaning and hope in life.

In the Lord…
… the faithful departed are “faithful returned!”

In the Lord…
… our loved ones do not leave home, “they go Home!”

May our Blessed Mother Mary who bore the pain of the death of Her Beloved Child be our refuge and strength.

May the prayers and example of the Church Triumphant be our inspiration and courage

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism

The Holy Spirit is “the principle of every vital and truly saving action in each part of the Body.”
He works in many ways to build up the whole Body in charity…
… by God’s Word “which is able to build you up”
… by Baptism, through which he forms Christ’s Body
… by the sacraments, which give growth and healing to Christ’s members
… by “the grace of the apostles, which holds first place among his gifts”
… by the virtues, which make us act according to what is good

… finally, by the many special graces (called “charisms”), by which he makes the faithful “fit and ready to undertake various tasks and offices for the renewal and building up of the Church. (CCC # 797)

“Making a choice to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life, and persevering in our faith, to live as a Saint!”

(Based on the Solemnity of All Saints)

The forests of northern Europe and Asia are home to a little animal called the Ermine.

It is characterized by its snow-white fur

Some countries have the state robes of the judges lined with this fur…
… the white fur being a symbol of honour and purity.

The Ermine would do anything to protect and safeguard its fur.

Fur hunters however, take undue advantage of this weakness of the Ermine.

They don’t keep a snare to catch the ermine

Instead the smear filth on the entrance and the interior of its house – usually in a cleft of a rock, or the hollow of a tree.

The dogs are then left behind the ermine…
… Frightened, the ermine runs towards its home, the only place of refuge.

However, it finds the entrance dirty and unclean.

It is unwilling to spoil the pure white fur coat.
And so, the ermine makes a choice…

To give in to the hungry and fierce dogs…
… than to spoil the purity of the white fur!

A choice is made – to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

Every Christian is expected to do the same…
… preserve the purity of one’s holiness, even at the cost of one’s life.

Today – on the Solemnity of the All-Saints – the Church invites us today to lift our gaze to heaven…
… and thank and praise God for the innumerable people who preserved purity, at the cost of their life!

On this Solemnity of All Saints, we celebrate and thank the Lord, for the perseverance in their faith…
… and the manner in which all Holy Men and Women of God, built up Christ’s Kingdom in the world.

Saints are not superheroes in the worldly sense…

What sets them apart…
… is not their miraculous power
… is not their popularity and fame.

Rather, what makes them saints, is their faith and their discipleship and their service to others.

The word – SAINT – sometimes strikes an odd chord in our minds…

Saints are often considered to be people…
… beyond our reach and too holy for our lives
… for whom the path to sanctity was made easy and cosy
… who are given a special boon from God to live a holy life

But the truth perhaps, is quite contrary…
Saints are people…
… who are truly very close to us and lived in simple and ordinary life situations like us.
… who had to struggle through many hardships and trials in the path to holiness.

… who co-operated with the grace of God and remained faithful to their commitment and call

Every Christian is called to a life of Holiness and to be a Saint…

How is this possible in our lives…?

The Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus, in today’s Gospel shows us the path… (Mt 5: 1-10)
Being a saint…
… by depending on God in all dimensions of our life and seeking His Kingdom above all
… by mourning over our sins and seeking to live a life in repentance.
… by living a life of firm gentleness and trusting patience in the midst of injustice and pain
… by becoming agents of justice and seekers of establishing truth
… by offering mercy to the needy and even to those who we feel, don’t deserve
… by preserving purity in our thoughts, words and deeds
… by striving for establishing peace and harmony even in conflicting situations
… by accepting suffering and becoming stronger in our struggle to establish God’s Kingdom

This Feast day is a chance for us to sneak into the personal diary of the saints…
… and to “steal” some tips for us to admire and imitate them…

The Saints’ Favourite Food: The Holy Eucharist
The Saints’ Favourite Dress: The Armour of Faith
The Saints’ Favourite Pastime: Doing anything with immense Love of God
The Saints’ Favourite Symbol: The Holy Cross
The Saints’ Favourite Moments: Every time they discovered more the depth of God’s Love

The Church has a marvellous number of saints who are canonized.

On this special day, we also take our time, to raise our hearts in gratitude, for the many other holy men and women, who sparkle with sanctity, but have not been officially declared so.

A few may be known to us, in our family or friends circle…

Most of them, will remain unknown and unfamiliar and unheard.

But in the Lord’s presence, they dazzle and shine, in holiness and purity.

This galaxy of Saints beckon and encourage each one of us today to tread this path of holiness.

As St Augustine says:
“Do you aspire to do great things?

Begin with the little ones”
… Doing our simple works with much love of God.
… Living our Christian life with much faithfulness
… Seeing the deep presence of God in all areas of our life.

Let us live a life…
… of self-sacrifice, renunciation and trust in God
… seeking to do God’s will at all times
… laced with the tender Love of God in all our activities.

Like the ermine, in the world, we are faced to make a choice…

To die to the hungry and fierce world…
… than to spoil the purity of holiness!

Yes, we need to make a choice – constantly, at every moment…

A choice to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

Today, all the saints in heaven, with a loud chorus invite each one of us:
“Come, dear Child… Be a Saint!
Do not be afraid! We are with you!”

What is our response?

Happy Feast to all the Saints in Heaven… the Church Triumphant!

Happy Feast to all the faithful departed, being purged to be saints… the Church Suffering!
Happy Feast to all of us, striving to be saints, here on earth… the Church Militant!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ, which is the Church.”
“To this Spirit of Christ, as an invisible principle, is to be ascribed the fact that all the parts of the body are joined one with the other and with their exalted head; for the whole Spirit of Christ is in the head, the whole Spirit is in the body, and the whole Spirit is in each of the members.”

The Holy Spirit makes the Church “the temple of the living God” (CCC # 797)

“Living under the banner of the two fundamental commands of Christian life – Love of God and Love of neighbour!”

(Based on Deut 6:2-6, Heb 7:23-28 and Mk 12:28-34 – 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B)

“Papa, do you love Jesus?” asked a little child to her father.

The father was an extremely irreligious man – even hating and condemning all religious practices.

So, with a sense of irritation, the father replied, “Jesus is dead, my dear, long, long ago. He was crucified, and that was the end of Him.”

“But Jesus rose again, and did what no other man could do”, continued the innocent child, “and if Jesus was not living now, we could not be living either, as He gives us life and everything else, Papa.”

But the father questioned back, “But how can I love whom I have never seen, my child? Tell me that, my dear!”

The child, at first didn’t know what to reply.

The father was extremely happy that his question had puzzled the daughter and hoped that now she would stop the topic.

But the little girl put forth another question, “Papa, how old was I when Mamma died?”

“Hmm…six months, my child”, replied the father.

“Then I can say”, said the child, “that I never saw her, for I don’t remember her at all.

But you have always tried to make me love Mummy, by telling me how good and kind she was; and I do love her!”

And then with a deeper sense of affection, she continued, “Even though I don’t remember having seen her, I still do love her, Papa!”

By this time the tears were running down the father’s cheeks.

He kissed his beloved child and said:
“God has spoken to me by you, my dear!
I realize I do need to love God, even though I have not seen Him!

And now you must pray for me, and ask God to give me a new heart, with which I shall love Jesus.”

(Undoubtedly, the prayer of the innocent child was soon answered!)

What about me….
Do I love God?

Do I really love God?

Even though sometimes I am not able to experience His presence…
Even though at times, I go through the hardships and grinds of life…

DO I LOVE GOD?

The Gospel of the Day is a mighty invitation and reminder by the Lord, to Love God with our “ALL”…
… All our heart
… All our soul
… All our mind
… All our strength

The passage begins with a member of the scribe, approaching Jesus with a question:
“Which is the greatest of all commandments?”(Mk 12: 28)

This man, who questioned Jesus was no ordinary man or any ignorant person.

He was a scribe

Some translations would put it as “a Lawyer”
The Gospel of St Matthew describes him as a “Scholar of the Law” (Mt 22: 35)

He was an expert in the Mosaic Law.
… someone who studied the law, interpreted the law and taught the law!

Just prior to the questioning by this scribe, Jesus had silenced six groups of people…

1. The Chief Priests 2. The Scribes 3. The Elders
   “As Jesus was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders approached Him, and said….” (Mk 11:27)
2. The Pharisees 5. The Herodians
   “They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech” (Mk 12:13)
3. The Sadducees
   “Some Sadducees who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus….” (Mk 12: 18)

Most of them had approached and questioned Jesus…
… not to know or learn more about the Law, but to question Him and trap Him!
… not with genuineness in their heart, but with malice and viciousness!

However, Jesus, aware of all this background…

the wicked conspiracy that was brewing against Him
the plot of testing that was hanging in the air
… responds with something immensely marvellous and spectacular:
“The Lord our God, is Lord alone. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength”(Mk 12:29- 30) and
“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)

Here was a classic answer…

The background in which the question was put forth quite “hateful” and “repulsive”
… but Jesus dares to answer with the sublime answer of “Love!”

The Lord was being targeted badly with stones of “hatred, jealousy, aversion and hostility”
… but He gently, but firmly showers back the flowers of “Love, Tenderness and Commitment!”

Love, as Jesus defines, is not simply about feelings and emotions, as is the popular and the ‘commercial’ understanding.

Undoubtedly, Love has the dimension of being a tender feeling and an expressive emotion.
But beyond that, Love is…

A Commitment
A Dedication
A Decision
…. that one makes to be faithful – to a person or a duty or a situation!

“Agape” is the Love to which we are called…
… a self-giving love
… a self-sacrificing love
… an other-centered love

Life sometimes can be quite harsh to us – making us feel totally lost out, abandoned even by God and even causing us to question the presence and existence of a Just and Loving God…
… But, can we still dare to “love God?”

Life sometimes hits very hard at us – in the form of others not accepting us, others ridiculing, criticizing us and we finding ourselves as the subject of hatred and injustice.
… But, can we still dare to “love our neighbours”?

Life sometimes is very unfair to us, we feel – by not rewarding us with rewards, that we consider, we deserve, in answer to the hard-work we put in… or by not allowing us to enjoy the joys of life and instead bombards us with tensions and worries
… Can we still go out of the way and live a life “In Love and For Love?”

When one’s life is truly centred on love for God, one also begins to express this love to one’s neighbours, in concrete and certain acts of love

When one’s life is drawn into real service for humankind, one slowly but surely has to realise that the source of these charitable deeds is God and thereby one is to draw closer to the Lord.

May our life be a constant check to see if we are living under the banner of these two fundamental commands of Christian life – Love of God and Love of neighbour!

And thus, in the depths of our hearts…

even with all the troubles, problems and uncertainties clouding our lives
even if we are unable to see the power of God leading us
… we can still whisper and even shout: “I REALLY LOVE YOU, MY GOD!

On this last day of the month of October – the month of the Rosary – let us thank the Lord for the gift of our Blessed Mother!

Let us regularly pray the Rosary – which is a journey through the Life of Jesus, holding the Hands of our Mamma…
… and be inspired by our Blessed Mother to Love God above all, and reach out in service to His people!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

The unity of Christ and the Church, head and members of one Body, also implies the distinction of the two within a personal relationship.
This aspect is often expressed by the image of bridegroom and bride.
The theme of Christ as Bridegroom of the Church was prepared for by the prophets and announced by John the Baptist.
The Lord referred to Himself as the “bridegroom.”
The Apostles speaks of the whole Church and of each of the faithful, members of his Body, as a bride “betrothed” to Christ the Lord so as to become but one spirit with him.
The Church is the spotless bride of the spotless Lamb.
“Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, that he might sanctify her.”

He has joined her with Himself in an everlasting covenant and never stops caring for her as for His own body (CCC # 796)

“Single-mindedly living for God and reach out in service to His people, without seeking for any appreciation or applauds!”

(Based on Rom 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29 and Lk 14:1, 7-11 – Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time)

Sir Isaac Newton is considered to be one of the greatest scientists of all time.

It was Newton who had discovered the Laws of Gravity which caused great advancements in the field of astronomical studies.

But there was another person, who had greatly helped Newton to climb this ladder of success…
… and of fame and popularity.

But he mostly remains unknown!

His name is Edmund Halley.

It was Halley…
… who corrected some of the mathematical errors committed by Newton.
… who prepared geometrical figures to support his discoveries.
… who edited and supervised the publication of his great work, “Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy”

It was also Halley who financed its printing even though Newton was wealthier and easily could have afforded the printing costs

These acts are considered to be among the most selfless ones in the history of science.

But, Halley hardly received any prominence or recognition.

He is, of course, known for the discovering a comet named the “Halley’s Comet”
… which (paradoxically) appears briefly once every 76 years!

And even that recognition was accorded only after his death!

Halley is stated to have said that he didn’t care who received credit for discoveries…

His single mission in life was to advance the cause of science…
… and he did it!

To do an act of goodness and charity, without…
Wanting appreciation…
Seeking recognition…
Desiring applauds…
… though, a mighty challenge, is at the same time, a Christian demand!

The Gospel of the Day is a call from Jesus to examine our attitude towards others…
… and grow in this tremendous dimension of the Virtue of Humility!

We are in the 14th Chapter of St Luke.

Jesus has been invited for a dinner to the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath Day.

He has just cured a person with dropsy…
… a disease wherein water gets retained in the body

He also tried to cure persons with hypocrisy…
… a disease wherein duplicity gets retained in the mind!

And now He seeks to cure the attitude of the people who have a false understanding of giving.

Jesus says:
“When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours. For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid” (Lk 14:12)

Much of our giving is based purely on the (hidden) aspect of receiving back…

Much of our sharing is based purely on an (unconscious) agenda of getting back…

We share our time with friends…
… often expecting that they too will accompany us in our times of hardships and difficulties!

We work hard for our families…
… often expecting that they too will be with us in our moments of struggle & not leave us lonely!

We render service to many people who are in need…
… often expecting that they too will render us assistance in our difficulties!

We pray to God & make a lot of sacrifices…
… often expecting that He’ll meet all our expectations, in the way & time, we want!

We love many saints…
… often expecting that they’ll make faster intercession on our behalf and get our works done quickly.

We have, perhaps, become very business oriented:
I give, and expect returns…
I share, and expect a bonus…

But the Lord, in today’s Gospel comes down heavily on such an attitude.
“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

We are exhorted to give to those…
… who may never be able to repay back.

We are challenged to help those…
… who may never have a chance to return back the favour.

The Lord who said these words, shows us an example in the highest manner possible….
In the Holy Eucharist!

The Holy Eucharist is the best example and model…of such kind of a giving..

A giving without expecting back!
A sharing without seeking back!

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the poor…
… we who are poor – in our morals and purity, in our commitment and dedication

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Crippled…
… crippled – with our many sins and faults, with the guilt of many past failures

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Lame…
… lame – in our longing and thirst for the Divine, in our acts of self-giving and self-sacrifice

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Blind…
… blind – to the cries of those around us, to see our habits which needs repentance & improvement

Yes, as Christians, we have to grow in humility…

Our single mission in life ought to be, the advancement of the Kingdom of God…
… and we ought to pray and work for this virtue!
St Paul gloriously tells to join in his chorus: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!” (Phil 1:21)

The onus is on us…

May we seek the grace and make the efforts…
… to do acts of goodness and charity, without…
Wanting appreciation…
Seeking recognition…
Desiring applauds…
… which, though, a mighty challenge, is at the same time, a Christian demand!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
Christ provides for our growth: to make us grow toward him, our Head, He provides in His Body, the Church, the gifts and assistance by which we help one another along the way of salvation.

Christ and his Church thus together make up the “whole Christ” (Christus totus).
The Church is one with Christ.

A reply of St. Joan of Arc to her judges sums up the faith of the holy doctors and the good sense of the believer: “About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing, and we shouldn’t complicate the matter!” (CCC # 794-795)