“Realizing the need to advance spiritually and socially – a holistic growth”

(Based on 1 Kgs 10:1-10 and Mk 7:14-23 – Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II)

An elderly rehabilitation counsellor was sharing his knowledge…
… and inviting his students to learn from some of the experiences he had in life.

He spoke of how, early in his career, he found a young boy with several birth defects.

He arranged financial and medical help.
Skilled surgeons restored the child’s facial appearance.
Trained therapists taught him to speak and walk.
By his teens, the boy was able to take part in all the activities of other young people.

“What do you think has become of this young man?” the counsellor asked the students.

One guessed he was a great athlete;

Another, a skilled surgeon.
Another, that he also went on to became a counsellor

“No, none of these,” the retired counsellor said sadly.

“The young man today is a prisoner, serving a life sentence for murder.”

And he went on to tell: “We were able to restore his physical features and his ability to walk and act…
… but we failed to teach him where to walk, and how to act.

I was successful in helping the boy physically, but I failed to help him spiritually and socially!”

Are we growing only physically and externally?

Or are we also advancing spiritually and socially?

Are we having a holistic growth?

The Gospel of the Day is a strong act of Jesus reminding the Scribes and Pharisees to undergo the process towards holistic growth…
… and to do away with every trace of duplicity and hypocrisy.

The Gospel begins with the statement, “Jesus called to Him the people and said to them…” (Mk 7:14)
Jesus calls together the multitude to Himself to speak something…

Jesus brings aside the people to Himself to address to them something…

The background to this action of Jesus, is the context of the unfair remarks of the Pharisees and Scribes about Jesus and His disciples, in Mk 7: 1-14.

The scribes and the Pharisees had objected that Jesus’ disciples failed to keep up the tradition of the Elders to have the ritual washing before eating.

This exercise of ritual washing was more a ceremonial one.
They attached greater importance to external cleanliness over internal purity.

They accorded higher priority to hygiene outside than to transparency within.

They would not bother, hearts being corrupted, but they would not tolerate dirty hands!

They would despise unwashed hands, but they would bypass filthy hearts!

But Jesus is in prime opposition to all such deceitful and corrupt human practices.

He flays the Scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced priorities.
He slams the Scribes and Pharisees for their misleading interpretation of purity.

And so, Jesus summoned the crowd and explained the meaning of real cleanliness and purity:
“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7: 16)

Indeed, a remarkable statement from Jesus, the Purest and the Holiest One!

It is not just our hands alone that matter; it is our hearts that matter most!

It is not just our medical hygiene that counts; it is our lives that needs consideration the most!

The Pharisees and the Scribes for a long time, had enforced importance only to external purity and outside cleanliness.

Their authority was used to stamp the importance of rituals and traditions, which were meant to…
… only emphasize bodily cleaning, but avoiding transparency in life
… only highlight cleansing of external parts, but overlooking sanctity of heart and mind

But, Jesus comes in great opposition and places things in the right perspective.

He reminds them of the “need for correction!”

Perhaps, we are also in “need of a correction”…
… let us therefore make a self-introspection:

I may be appearing to be clean outside…
… but is my heart pure and holy?

I may be appearing to be an angel to the world…
… but am I a barn of devilish actions within?

I may be appearing to be very good to all…
… but am I full of anger, jealousy and greed inside?

I may be appearing to be successful…
… but am I decaying interiorly with impurity and deceit?

Is it not time to cleanse my heart and life, which is perhaps…
… defiled with sin?
… impure with unhealthy thoughts?
… and sullied with evil intentions?

In the Old Testament, we read of how Queen Sheba travelled from far to behold the richness and the wisdom of King Solomon (1 Kgs 10:1-10)

As long as Solomon co-operated with the Grace of God, the blessings of the Lord filled his life
The greater He depended on the Wisdom of the Lord, the greater was the Lord’s Goodness that he experienced in life.

However, there could be certain times, when we fail to depend on the Lord…
… fail to do things in the right way

We fail to make the journey towards a holistic growth!

Let us realise that it’s not enough to have a physical or external growth…
… rather we need to advance spiritually and socially!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
Christ’s Resurrection and Ours – How do the dead rise?

How? Christ is raised with his own body: “See My hands and My feet, that it is I myself”; but He did not return to an earthly life. So, in Him, “all of them will rise again with their own bodies which they now bear,” but Christ “will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body,” into a “spiritual body”
But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”
You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies… and what you sow is not the body which is to be, but a bare kernel…

What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable…. the dead will be raised imperishable…. For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality (CCC # 998-999)

“Having joyful countenances and radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30 and Mk 7:1-13 – Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time)

An elderly lady was known to always have a very pleasant countenance.

Anyone, who came in contact with her, would experience a sense of positivity.

They had never heard her criticizing or finding faults with people.

She was once asked by some of her neighbouring children on the secret of her joy.

She replied:
“I have always believed in avoiding to talk negative about people.

We need to be always good with the good.

But let us never be bad with the bad…

Because…
… we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging and criticising”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focussing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others, without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

The Gospel reading describes a group of Pharisees who criticize the disciples of Jesus for not following the “external traditions” and rituals.

They pinpointed the mistakes of the disciples…
… and exalted themselves

Jesus however reminds the Pharisees on an important aspect: Before judging and criticizing others…
… one ought to first examine one’s own behaviour and actions

Jesus reminded them that “true devotion consists not of mere external purity and rituals…
… rather is a way of life, with consistent and committed focos on the Spirit of laws, rules and regulations.

With this fundamental principle in mind, Jesus teaches us to avoid the tendency to “rashly judge and criticize others”

The Lord reminds us that our judging…
… should not be rash
… should not a final opinion on a person or situation
… should not be a means to putting down other persons
… should not be an unfair ruling on someone’s external behaviours

Maybe a simple list could help us check our areas of “judging”

Do I…
… enlarge the negatives of others – their faults, mistakes and petty ways?
… come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?
… get involved unnecessarily in situations where I should not?
… gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?
… have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?
… be overly harsh and even ruthless, even when speaking the truth?
… add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?
… do away with an unkind comment by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”
… speak something critical and then try to cover it up?
… be unkind and hurtful and then quickly change the subject, to impress the hurtful feeling?
… have pleasure in condemning others?
… recount the truth in order to hurt and not to help?
… put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgement”.

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:
When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

1. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action

itr can be a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc…

2. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action…

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

Many of us may have perhaps have a tendency to find the faults and failures of others.

Let us make a conscious and consistent effort to avoid negative talk about people.

Let us realise that “we need to be always good with the good.

But let us never be bad with the bad…

Because, we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

We also seek the intercession of St Bakhita, whose feast we celebrate today.

This saint from Sudan – canonised in the year 2000 – is a powerful symbol of love and forgiveness.
She rose above the “blaming” characters in her society and displayed the fruits of love and forgiveness.

Concentrating more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations…
… let us also, always have joyful countenances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism*
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION AND OURS – HOW DO THE DEAD RISE?

What is “rising”?
In death, the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays and the soul goes to meet God, while awaiting its reunion with its glorified body. God, in his almighty power, will definitively grant incorruptible life to our bodies by reuniting them with our souls, through the power of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Who will rise? All the dead will rise, “those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” (CCC # 997-998)

“Allowing our lives to truly reflect the Paradise of God’s Reign!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13 and Mk 6:53-56 – Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year II)

A pious religious traveller once found a precious stone…
… a precious jewel.
>> A short time later, this religious person met another traveller, who said he was hungry and asked the monk if he would share some of his provisions.

When the pious man opened his bag, the traveller saw the precious stone and, without much thought asked him if he could have it.
>> To his surprise, the man gave the traveller the expensive stone.

The traveller departed quickly, overjoyed with his new possession.


However, a few days later, he came back, searching for the religious person.
>> He returned the stone to him and made a request:
“I request you to kindly give me something more valuable…
… more precious than this stone.

Please give me THAT which enabled you to give me this precious stone!”


Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.
>> But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

What is needed in life, is not an external show…
… but rather, an internal glow!


The Gospel of the Day presents the importance of humbling oneself…
… in order to discover the true riches of life.


St Mark tells us that Jesus came to a place named Gennesaret…
“And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret… (Mk 6:53)


“Gennesaret” meaning a “Garden of a Prince” or the “Garden of riches”…
… was a fertile crescent-shaped plain on the western shore of the lake of Galilee.

It was an area where the “soil was so fruitful that all sorts of trees could grow upon it. The walnut, the palm, the olive and the fig, which usually require diverse conditions, flourished together here.”

The land was known for its riches and prosperity.


Yet, with all its riches and glory, Gennesaret, had also many struggles and sufferings

Though the people of Gennesaret had many riches, there were still many who were “in need” and “suffering and struggling”


And so, as soon as Jesus reached their land, the people of Gennesaret “scurried about the surrounding and country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was” (Mk 6:55)


The people of Gennesaret
… rich in many aspects – financially, talent wise, relationally
… fertile in many aspects – having great visions and plans for future, systematic, disciplined
… fruitful in many aspects – popular, acceptable, having name and fame
Yet, recognised their “lack of many things”

And sought the help and touch of Jesus – the One Who alone could bring true contentment and joy.


Each of us need to look into our own lives and examine…

There are times when apparently things may be going on well
There are times when externally we engage in many happy and frolic moments

But…
… deep within, perhaps, there is a void and vacuum that we feel
… deep within, perhaps, we don’t feel much peace of mind and joy at heart


The people of Gennesaret teach us today on the need to “humble ourselves and replenish ourselves” in the Presence of the Lord – Who alone can bring us true joy and lasting peace!

Let us make our life a true “Gennesaret”…
… a Garden of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Joy and salvation!
… a Garden of Riches of holiness, sanctity and grace!


Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.
>> But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

May our lives…
… truly reflect the Paradise of God’s Reign!


God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION AND OURS – THE PROGRESSIVE REVELATION OF THE RESURRECTION
>> Jesus links faith in the resurrection to His own Person: “I am the Resurrection and the life.”
>> It is Jesus himself Who on the last day will raise up those who have believed in Him, who have eaten His Body and drunk His Blood.
>> Already now in this present life He gives a sign and pledge of this by restoring some of the dead to life, announcing thereby His own Resurrection, though it was to be of another order.
>> He speaks of this unique event as the “sign of Jonah,” The sign of the temple: he announces that He will be put to death but rise thereafter on the third day.
>> To be a witness to Christ is to be a “witness to His Resurrection,” to “[have eaten and drunk] with Him after He rose from the dead.”
>> Encounters with the Risen Christ characterize the Christian hope of resurrection. We shall rise like Christ, with Him, and through Him.
>> From the beginning, Christian Faith in the Resurrection has met with incomprehension and opposition.
>> “On no point does the Christian faith encounter more opposition than on the resurrection of the body.”
>> It is very commonly accepted that the life of the human person continues in a spiritual fashion after death. But how can we believe that this body, so clearly mortal, could rise to everlasting life? (CCC # 994-996)
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“Letting go of our fears, apprehensions, preconceptions and pride, in order to ‘fully trust’ in the Mighty Power of God’s Providence and experiencing His Awesome and Amazing Care for us!”

(Based on Isa 6:1-8, 1 Cor 15:1-11 and Lk 5:1-11 – 5th Sunday of the Year, Year C)

The town of Feldkirch, Austria in 1799 was faced with the prospects of being attacked by the armies of Napoleon.

It was an Easter Day and the sun shone brightly, letting the soldiers of the enemy being spotted.

The Town Council was called together, in haste, to consult what had to be done.

It was a situation of tension.
It was a time of immense distress.

After a long period of discussion, the dean of the Church made a proclamation:
“My brothers it is Easter Day!

We have been reckoning our own strength, and that fails.

Let us turn to God.

Ring the bells and have service as usual, and leave the matter in God’s hands?

It was a hard and (humanly speaking) a risky decision, but they agreed to do as he said.

Thus from the Church towers of Feldkirch, rang the boisterous and joyous peals of the bells, in honour of the Resurrection of the Lord.

The streets began to be filled with worshippers, hastening to the Church.

The enemy army, on hearing the sudden ringing of the bells, were taken aback with surprise and shock.

They came to a conclusion that the Austrian Army had arrived in order to relieve the place.
So they fled hastily!

The town of Feldkirch were saved from the possibilities of destruction and ruin!

Divine Providence had rescued a tiny town, who placed their trust in Him, from the deathly clutches of a mighty army!

Is my life of faith, characterized by a “Deep Trust in Divine Providence?”

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of the marvels that can be witnessed when one place’s one’s complete trust in the Lord and surrenders one’s life – in action and deeds – to the Providence of the Lord.

Our Blessed Lord is fully into His ministry of preaching and proclaiming God’s Word (Lk 5:1)

The Word was transforming people…
… and in sometime, a wonderful transformation was to happen to a person, who would become a close follower of the Transforming Lord!

The crowds were thronging together, to hear the words of Jesus.

But, “standing by the lake, Jesus saw two boats by the lake” (Lk 5: 2)

The Gospel says that, “the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets” (Lk 5: 2b)

This verse, though little and appears insignificant carries a mighty message: the message of the Power of God’s Providence.

The fishermen, as we would later read, were Simon and James and John and others.

They had toiled the whole night… caught no fish, and were now, dejectedly, washing their nets.

The boat was empty – bereft of any fish!

But Divine Providence had a mighty plan in this “barrenness”

The emptiness of the boat allowed our Blessed Lord to enter it, and make it His Pulpit for preaching God’s Word!
The vacancy in the boat prompted our Blessed Lord to enthrone it, and make it His platform for calling His First Disciples!

Had there been fish in the boat…
… in all probability, the fishermen would be in it, sorting and cleaning the fish..
… and would have left no space for the Blessed Lord to preach from it

Had there been a mighty catch that night…
… in all probability, the boat, filled with the fish, would not have been there
… and the vehicle of “catching fish” would have missed the chance to be a “podium for proclaiming God’s Word”

Is my life, at this point, empty and barren… like this boat?

Maybe its been a long time I have been watching and expecting, patiently and faithfully, for my boat to be filled.
Maybe its being a horrible wait, sometimes even leading to frustration and hopelessness, for my boat to be filled

But can I trust Divine Providence, in having a purposive plan for this “emptiness and barrenness”?

Later on, Simon would be asked by our Lord to “put out into the deep and let the nets down for a catch” (Lk 5: 4)

It seemed illogical, pointless and hardly reasonable to Simon.

It seemed as a confronting questioning of Simon’s skills and abilities in his field of expertise

But Simon “let go” of his own prejudices, tiredness and (possible) humiliation…
… and trusted in the Mighty Providence of the One, who would be His Life and Master!

And this Trust did not fail him!

The net was filled with fish…

His mind was filled with feelings of awe…

His eyes were filled with tears of repentance…

His heart was filled with the joy of surrendering…

Here is a beautiful story of how…
A competent fisherman failed utterly in his field of competence…
… but is initiated into being a competent fisher of people, for the Kingdom of God!

As Christians, we do claim to be people of faith and belief.

But does this “faith” translate itself into real “trust”?

When hardships come in life, I may proclaim my faith with my lips
… But do I “trust” Him to take me through?

When emptiness fills my life, I may perform external works of faith
… But do I “trust” Him to utilize my barrenness, in the way He wants?

When toils of life yield no results… I may persist in saying that I have faith… But do I “trust” Him to grant me the fruits of labour, in His own time and in His own measure?

And if I really “trust” in the Lord…
… I would be a person of joy, going about my works without anxieties and radiating serenity and calm…

even when walking through the valleys of sufferings
even when sinking in the deluge of pain
even when surrounded by the clouds of uncertainty!

Yes, let us “let go” of our fears, apprehensions, preconceptions and pride in order to “fully trust” in the mighty power of God’s Providence…
… and experience His Awesome and Amazing Care for us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION AND OURS – THE PROGRESSIVE REVELATION OF THE RESURRECTION

The Pharisees and many of the Lord’s contemporaries hoped for the resurrection.
Jesus teaches it firmly.
To the Sadducees who deny it, He answers, “Is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God?”

Faith in the resurrection rests on faith in God who “is not God of the dead, but of the living!” (CCC # 993)

“Being filled with Wisdom, let us be a true shepherd according to the Heart of the Good Shepherd!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 3:4-13 and Mk 6:30-34 – Saturday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time)

The French have a proverb, which states: “A good meal ought to begin with hunger.”

It is usually pretty hard to to enjoy a meal when one is not yet hungry.

But, when one is hungry…
… anything tastes good.

This hunger is of course, not only about physical hunger.

There are many other areas of life where we experience hunger…

Hunger for love…
Hunger for being wanted…
Hunger on emotional counts…
Hunger of the spiritual order…

These aspects of hunger…
… may never have a scientific statistic
… may never have flowcharts and pie diagrams to measure them

But these areas of hunger are a great reality and challenge, especially in our world today!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who addresses not just “statistical” hunger but also such hunger of human needs which “may never get numerically counted”…
… with an invitation to always “hunger for God and to serve His people!”
“When He disembarked and saw the vast crowd, His Heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things” (Mk 6:34)

The Apostles, who were sent on the mission (Mk 6: 7-13) had returned back and reported all that they had done (Mk 6:30)

They had driven out many demons…
They had anointed many with oil who were sick and cured them… (Mk 6:13)

They would have rejoiced greatly, but they were also physically tired.

They would have been satisfied with their works, but they did not have even the time to eat (Mk 6:31)

The Apostles had done many works, but Jesus sensed that they were tired

The Apostles were happy with their ministry, but Jesus sensed that they were hungry.

And so the Good Shepherd invites them to come away to a deserted place and rest (Mk 6:31)

Like these Apostles, many times, this can be our case too…

We may be doing a lot of things…
… but are we still feeling spiritually tired?

We may be happy with what we are doing…
… but are we still hungry deep within?

The Good Shepherd invites us…
… to take some rest in Him
… to relax in His Holy Heart

As in the case of the Apostles, so is the case of the people…
The people had seen many miracles, but Jesus sensed that they were still not truly filled
The people had witnessed many wonders, but Jesus sensed that they were still lost and unguided.

And so the Good Shepherd, with a moved Heart, feels compassion on them (Mk 6:34)

Like these people, many times this can be our case too…

We may have witnessed God’s wonders…
… but are we still spiritually found wanting?

We may be glad to doing the minimum in our spiritual life…
… but are we still missing something?

The Good Shepherd encourages us…
… with His Divine Word
… by His Compassionate Love

There is indeed a great hunger in the world.

Saint Mother Teresa said: “Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty, than the person who has nothing to eat”

We may be people who hunger for love and acceptance…

Let us go to Jesus, the Supreme Lover of our lives

We may be people dejected and depressed in life…

Let us go to Jesus, the Ultimate Happiness of our lives

We may be people feeling unlucky and ill-fated in life…

Let us go to Jesus, the Absolute Destiny of our lives

In turn, we also meet people who go through such “hunger”…
…for love, for acceptance, for encouragement, for hope, for basics of life etc…

Do I recognise, in the first place, such requirements of needy people?

Does my heart move in loving compassion for them?

Can I be a Good Shepherd, like Jesus, to them?

Let’s pray like Solomon, who asked the Lord, not for “long life, or riches or the life of enemies” (Cf. 1 Kgs 3:11)…
… But for Wisdom

We also seek the intercession of St Agatha, a brave girl who suffered martyrdom in the 3rd century Roman persecution, on her feast day

This fragile girl was able to challenge the domination of the might Roman Empire, only because, she made her little heart, “a rich garden of virtues” and Jesus could reign there as King!

Let us be filled with His Wisdom…
… and making our hearts “a rich garden of virtues,” let us be a true shepherd according to the Heart of the Good Shepherd!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism*
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION AND OURS – The progressive revelation of the Resurrection

God revealed the Resurrection of the dead to His people progressively.
Hope in the bodily resurrection of the dead established itself as a consequence intrinsic to faith in God as creator of the whole man, soul and body.
The creator of heaven and earth is also the one who faithfully maintains His covenant with Abraham and his posterity.
It was in this double perspective that faith in the resurrection came to be expressed.

In their trials, the Maccabean martyrs confessed: The King of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because we have died for his laws. One cannot but choose to die at the hands of men and to cherish the hope that God gives of being raised again by him (CCC # 992)

“Being ready to shape our destiny as per God’s Holy and Perfect Will!”

(Based on 1 Cor 9:19-27 and Jn 12:20-32 – Feast of St John de Britto)

Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!

It was the year 1673 in Portugal.

A young man of 26 was on the verge of taking a strong and serious decision.
He was just a little over a decade, as member, in the Congregation of the Society of Jesus.

His superiors deemed it right to send this vibrant and dynamic person to the missions in India
It was a dangerous mission…
… It was a difficult mission

A destiny was to be shaped
A decision had to be made

The mother of this young and fervent person, feared the life of her beloved son.

Years back, she had experienced the mighty healing touch of the Lord, in the recovery of her son, from the point of death.

She had then, vested her son for a year, in a dress worn by the Jesuit fathers.

But now, she was afraid of losing her son again…
She knew mission to India meant death…
She knew mission away from the native was fatal…

She tried her best to persuade and influence to prevent him from going to the land of death…

But her son was determined….
He had decided to give up His life entirely for the Lord – body, mind and spirit

With deep courage and conviction, he answered:
“God, who called me from the world into religious life, now calls me from Portugal to India”

He had set His eyes on the Kingdom of heaven…
… and not limited by earthly life…

He had set His heart on the designs of God’s Will…
… and not restricted by human desires…

He had made a decision…
…a decision to shape destiny…according to God’s Will!

Just two decades later, on 4th February, 1693, this brave and committed person was executed for the sake of Christ.

The name of the person is St John de Britto, whose feast we celebrate today.

He followed the footsteps of his Beloved Master who had echoed the words:
“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it only remains a seed; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (Jn 12:24)

To be a witness for the Kingdom of God is the call and duty of every Christian.
It is a decision to be made
It is a decision to be lived
It is a decision to be nurtured

Christ made this decision of being entirely and wholly dedicated to His mission

And He invites His disciples – His followers – to also commit themselves to the mission

Jesus had many occasions and chances to escape from this dedication…

He could have chosen to enjoy popularity and fame arising out of His mighty deeds…

But He made a “decision” to not compromise on the truths and convictions

He could have chosen to dilute some of His teachings and make life more “cosier”…

But He made a “decision” to remain firm and grounded on the fundamentals of eternity

He could have chosen to forego some of His values and have some “adjustments”…

But He made a “decision” to be faithful and loyal to the mission and duties entrusted to Him

Our life as a witness for Christ and His Kingdom is sometimes greatly influenced and prejudiced…

We sometimes don’t mind…
… being a little relaxing on some Church teachings…
… making some adjustments to remain popular and not have a bad name…
… diluting some values in order to appear as secular and sociable…

The Church is often under tremendous pressure to change some of Her moral teachings
The Church is often under blatant attacks to alter some of Her time-and-tested values

Most often, the motive behind all such attacks are a ‘life of ease’, a ‘life of comfort’, a ‘life of personal satisfaction’ etc…

Christ today, however, needs witnesses who are willing to undergo pains and persecutions…

The Martyr St John de Britto gave up…
… His native land
… His personal desires
… His family ties
… His very life itself…

All for the sake of Christ and His Love
All for the sake of the Kingdom and its values
All for the sake of His Church and Her teachings

In his words, “Not to answer the vocation as I ought, would be to provoke the justice of God”

Let us be true and faithful to the vocation we have received and the way of life we have chosen…
Christ needs martyrs who are willing to…
… live His teachings
… teach His teachings

Christ needs martyrs who are willing to give up their…
… physical life in the face of being persecuted for Him
… economic life and depend on Him as the true treasure
… social life to bear insults and humiliations to live His values

Yes, Destiny is shaped by moments of decision!

Are we – you and I – ready to shape our destiny as per God’s Holy and Perfect Will?

What is our decision?

Happy Feast of St John de Britto!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
The term “flesh” refers to man in his state of weakness and mortality.

The “resurrection of the flesh” (the literal formulation of the Apostles’ Creed) means not only that the immortal soul will live on after death, but that even our “mortal body” will come to life again
Belief in the resurrection of the dead has been an essential element of the Christian faith from its beginnings. “The confidence of Christians is the resurrection of the dead; believing this we live.”

How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (CCC # 990-991)

“Proclaiming the wonders and marvels of God in our lives and being a zealous missionary of the Lord!”

(Based on 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 and Mk 6:7-13 – Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time)

A common story is told of a water bearer who had two large pots…
… each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it.

While the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house…
… the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer:

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you”.

The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”

The pot replied: “For these past two years I am able to deliver only half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house.

Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.

The water bearer without being disturbed said plainly:

“Today as we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the path along your side.”

As they went up the hill, the cracked pot took notice of the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path.

At the end of the trail, the bearer said to the pot:

“Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?

That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.

I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.

Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house!”

As a Christian, each of us are expected to perform our role in mission

This requires that we be just the way we are…
… but totally offered to the Hands of the Master, knowing for sure that He will supplement all our flaws with His Grace!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve on a mission…
… with the tender invitation to depend on Him totally.

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

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

But of all these, Jesus had chosen the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

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

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

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

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…

He remained courageous and determined.
He not only chooses the Twelve…
… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…
… with an authority over unclean spirits
… to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace

In this mission journey, the Lord gave a few instructions and principles…
“… to take nothing for the journey…
… whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place…” (Mk 6: 8-10)

The Twelve were to learn…
… to totally depend on the Lord
… to not get discouraged even in the face of apparent flaws and failures

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…
… we have a duty entrusted to us – a duty for the Kingdom of God

Do I totally depend on the Lord and have the Lord as my Courage and Strength…
…or do I tend to get self-reliant and too proud on my own talents and potentials, with no room for the Lord?

Do I get easily discouraged and disheartened when things don’t go as I plan or when I feel that I am not being “successful” in what I am doing…
… or do I know for sure that even with all my flaws and weaknesses, the Lord will employ me for His Glory, if I trust in Him?

Christian missionary life is a journey

There may be times when we feel we are not doing enough
There will be situations when we feel that I am not living up to my expectations

But the Lord, Who is holding us, over His shoulders assures us:
“I have always known about your flaws…
… and I take advantage of that.

Just be the way you are – but offer yourself to me totally and trust in me – and you will participate in my plan of bringing Beauty to the House of God!”

Yes, the Lord plants flower seeds of joy, peace and love on the way

And if we entrust ourselves totally to Him…
… even our flaws, can become occasions to have these seeds to bloom and bless others!

Shall we – in the words of St Francis de Sales – “Be what we are, and be at its best”…
… offering our lives to the Lord wholly?

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Blaise, a saint who is invoked for throat ailments.

In some churches, a blessing of the throats take place (which can also be – in these pandemic times – be done in our homes, by the head of the family)…

Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said: “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

Let us use our throats to proclaim the wonders and marvels of God in our lives…
… and be a zealous missionary of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
“I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY”

The Christian Creed – the profession of our faith in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and in God’s creative, saving, and sanctifying action…

… in the proclamation of the resurrection of the dead on the last day and in life everlasting (CCC # 988)

“Proclaiming the wonders and marvels of God in our lives and being a zealous missionary of the Lord!”

(Based on 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 and Mk 6:7-13 – Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time)

A common story is told of a water bearer who had two large pots…
… each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it.
>> While the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house…
… the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments
>> But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.


After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer:
>> “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you”.

The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”

The pot replied: “For these past two years I am able to deliver only half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house.
>> Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.

The water bearer without being disturbed said plainly:
>> “Today as we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the path along your side.”

As they went up the hill, the cracked pot took notice of the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path.

At the end of the trail, the bearer said to the pot:
>> “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?

That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.
>> I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.
>> Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house!”


As a Christian, each of us are expected to perform our role in mission
>> This requires that we be just the way we are…
… but totally offered to the Hands of the Master, knowing for sure that He will supplement all our flaws with His Grace!


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve on a mission…
… with the tender invitation to depend on Him totally.


The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.
>> There were crowds of people following Him…
>> There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

But of all these, Jesus had chosen the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.
>> Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus
>> Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus
>> Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus


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

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…
>> He remained courageous and determined.
>> He not only chooses the Twelve…
… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…
… with an authority over unclean spirits
… to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace


In this mission journey, the Lord gave a few instructions and principles…
“… to take nothing for the journey…
… whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place…” (Mk 6: 8-10)

The Twelve were to learn…
… to totally depend on the Lord
… to not get discouraged even in the face of apparent flaws and failures


Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…
… we have a duty entrusted to us – a duty for the Kingdom of God

Do I totally depend on the Lord and have the Lord as my Courage and Strength…
…or do I tend to get self-reliant and too proud on my own talents and potentials, with no room for the Lord?

Do I get easily discouraged and disheartened when things don’t go as I plan or when I feel that I am not being “successful” in what I am doing…
… or do I know for sure that even with all my flaws and weaknesses, the Lord will employ me for His Glory, if I trust in Him?


Christian missionary life is a journey
>> There may be times when we feel we are not doing enough
>> There will be situations when we feel that I am not living up to my expectations

But the Lord, Who is holding us, over His shoulders assures us:
“I have always known about your flaws…
… and I take advantage of that.
>> Just be the way you are – but offer yourself to me totally and trust in me – and you will participate in my plan of bringing Beauty to the House of God!”


Yes, the Lord plants flower seeds of joy, peace and love on the way
>> And if we entrust ourselves totally to Him…
… even our flaws, can become occasions to have these seeds to bloom and bless others!


Shall we – in the words of St Francis de Sales – “Be what we are, and be at its best”…
… offering our lives to the Lord wholly?


Today we celebrate the Feast of St Blaise, a saint who is invoked for throat ailments.

In some churches, a blessing of the throats take place (which can also be – in these pandemic times – be done in our homes, by the head of the family)…

Two candles are blessed, held slightly open, and pressed against the throat as the blessing is said: “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil.
>> In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”


Let us use our throats to proclaim the wonders and marvels of God in our lives…
… and be a zealous missionary of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!


——————————–
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
“I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY”
>> The Christian Creed – the profession of our faith in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and in God’s creative, saving, and sanctifying action…
… in the proclamation of the resurrection of the dead on the last day and in life everlasting (CCC # 988)
——————————–

“Growing in our conviction of ‘belongingness’ to the Lord and being fearless and courageous in giving ‘external expression to our Faith!’”

(Based on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

In a session, for a gathering of priests and religious – as part of the Day of Consecrated Life – the speaker asked: “Can anyone please tell me in a word, what your idea of consecration is?”

An elderly sister, sitting right on the first row, stood up…

The speaker motioned to her… to answer

The sister – who had much experience in life working in mission areas – held out a blank sheet of paper…

And replied: “Consecration is nothing but to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet of paper…
… and let God fill it in, as He will
… and be joyful and at peace!”

That is indeed a beautiful way of understanding Consecration, isn’t it?

A total surrender to God’s Will and being joyful

A complete submission to God’s Ways and remaining at peace!

Today on this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord…

As Christians, we are reminded to grow in our “conviction of belonging to the Lord”…
… and to be fearless and courageous in allowing God to take complete control of our lives!

Today is also a day when we celebrate the ‘Consecrated Way of Life.’

Consecration is giving oneself to the Lord wholly.

Consecration is seeking to be pure – completely – in heart and mind.

The Gospel of the Day presents St Joseph and Mother Mary presenting Jesus in the Temple.
“When the days were completed for their purification, according to the Law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22)

We are on the 40th Day after Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus.

The Book of Exodus spoke of the need of this presentation and consecration of the first-born child…
“Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb…
If your son ask you later on, ‘What does this mean’, you shall tell him, ‘ With a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the land of slavery….'” (Ex 12: 2, 14)

The act of presentation in the Temple…
… represented fulfilling of God’s command..
… recalled God’s deed of deliverance from slavery…
… reminded the deep love of God for His people…

The presentation of the Lord in the Temple, is also another reminder of the “ordinariness” of the Lord, in His incarnation…

Jesus was known as the child of “ordinary” human parents!
Jesus took birth and grew up in “ordinary” conditions and circumstances!
Jesus lived His life in an “ordinary” family situation!

By Baptism, all of us are also consecrated to the Lord…

Some of us, have also made a deeper consecration by the profession of vows…

The meaning of this consecration, also, derives from the consecration of the Lord…

We are “ordinary” by our sinful nature…
… yet the Lord exalts us to live a pure and holy life.

We are “ordinary” by our human nature…
… yet the Lord wishes to join with His Divine nature

We are “ordinary” in our deeds and works…
… yet the Lord wants to be His Kingdom partners

Our consecration…
… is a deep call and invitation to live a Holy Life
… is a loving obligation and sacred duty to be fully committed to Him

Each of us – whether single or in family life, whether a priest or a religious –
… ought to BELONG TO THE LORD AND TO HIM ALONE!

We are all consecrated and offered to the Lord.

Let us hold the hands of St Joseph and Mamma Mary, and renew our consecration to the Lord.

This is a day…
… to renew our commitment and zeal for the Lord
… to rekindle the fire of our love and faith in the Lord
… to restore our initial enthusiasm and interest for the Lord
… to revitalize our knowledge and comprehension of the Lord

Life will constantly take us to situations where we will face tough and hard moments.

Can we allow the Lord to fill the “papers of our life” – the canvas of our life – the way He wishes…
… and bowing before His Holy Will – say Yes to Him – and live in joy and peace?

May we grow in our conviction of our “belongingness” to the Lord…
… and be fearless and courageous in giving “external expression to our Faith!”

Yes, let us pray: “Lord, I belong to You and to You alone, Amen!”

Happy Feast to all us, who are consecrated to the Lord, by our Baptism…
… specially to the Consecrated, by virtue of the evangelical vows!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE POWER OF THE KEYS

The Creed links “the forgiveness of sins” with its profession of faith in the Holy Spirit, for the risen Christ entrusted to the apostles the power to forgive sins when he gave them the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins: it unites us to Christ, who died and rose, and gives us the Holy Spirit.
By Christ’s will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized and exercises it through bishops and priests normally in the sacrament of Penance.

“In the forgiveness of sins, both priests and sacraments are instruments which our Lord Jesus Christ, the only author and liberal giver of salvation, wills to use in order to efface our sins and give us the grace of justification” (CCC # 984-987)