“Shaking off the Pharisaic tendency of duplicity and dishonesty!”

(Based on Eph 1:1-10 and Lk 11:47-12:1 – Thursday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

It is said about a famous writer who would climb a ladder to his attic, where he worked until dark.

His devoted wife was left alone in the room below.

One evening at dinner, the wife asked why he had never expressed appreciation for the food she lovingly prepared for him.
“Woman,” the writer-husband retorted, “must you be paid for everything you do?”
With that, he stamped off to his attic workshop.

Years later, when his wife died, the man found her diary.

On tear-stained pages, he read this recurring refrain:
“Oh, I wish you would say a kind word or give me a compliment now and then…
… about the things I try to do to make you happy!”

So many times it happens thus in life…

We render assistance in many ways to people…
… but they fall short of being grateful to us
We sometimes even hear them being negatively critical about us, and defaming us.

But perhaps, after our death, these people might acclaim how wonderful a person he/she was!

We often become a people who fail to appreciate when a person is alive…
… but shower praises after his/her death!

Jesus, in the Gospel of the Day speaks of a similar attitude and tendency among the Pharisees.

In His continued attacks on the hypocrisy and duplicity of the Pharisees, Jesus condemns them for building memorials of the Prophets who were killed and murdered by their ancestors. (Cf. Lk 11:47-48)

The Prophets of the old, lived as the true men of God and constantly called the people to a life of repentance and being faithful to God.

But these prophets were very often persecuted, attacked and even killed.

The Prophets, who were the voice of God, while living, had their voices were silenced and drowned by the wicked people…

But after their death, they used to be quoted and cited in many scholarly and erudite circles.
An attitude of ungratefulness while living…
… but false appreciation after death!

The Prophets, who called the people to live as per their true conscience, had their lives terminated and ended by the wicked people…

But after their death, they had fine memorials and beautiful tombs built in their name
A tendency of indifference while living…
… but vain glorification after death!

The Prophets, who became the champion of justice and truth, had their efforts ceased and their labours aborted by the wicked people…

But after their death, they had many oratories and exquisite lectures in their name.
An approach of passivity while living…
… but fake interest after death!

Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their deception, as they too become sharers of the blood of the True Prophets and the Men of God!

Jesus’ attacks on this Pharisaic attitude is a strong reminder and warning to each one of us too…

To realize the worth and value of people, while they are alive…
… and not just heap up empty words of praise, after their death!
To realize the importance of recognizing the true spirit and teachings of people around us…
… and not become too late in realizing their significance!

Life is too short to miss appreciating people for their genuine efforts and contributions.

Life is too short to not give people the worth for all what they are in our lives.

A fresh flower given when alive is far worth and appreciable than a bouquet given at the grave!
Appreciate people when they are around…

Enthuse people when situations are favourable…
Encourage people when time and space permit us…

Let us shake off the Pharisaic tendency of duplicity and dishonesty

Instead clothe ourselves in genuineness and truthfulness…
… by appreciating and realizing the value and worth of people in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

“That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that ‘cannot be apprehended by the senses,’ says St. Thomas, ‘but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.’
For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 (‘This is my body which is given for you.’), St. Cyril says: ‘Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Saviour in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'”
“Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;

Truth Himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.” (CCC #1381)

“Rooting out every Pharisaic tendency from our lives!”

(Based on Gal 5:18-25 and Lk 11:42-46 – Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Heard of a slam-book?

A slam book is a notebook which is popular among the school and college students.

This slam-book is also known as a friendship book or a profile book.
It is a book to know the friend better and to also pen some of the thoughts and feelings about a friend.

The book consists of a number of questions which gives various details and information.

Some of the questions include, “What is your favourite food?”, “Which places have you visited”, “Who are your favourite friends?” etc.

Another question, quite common, in most slam-books is, “Which attitude or quality do you hate the most??

If Jesus were to be handed a slam-book, and posed the question:
“Which attitude or quality do you hate the most (about human beings)?”
… probably, the answer that we would have received would be: Hypocrisy!

Hypocrisy in human beings is perhaps the most hated attitudes of Jesus.

Today’s Gospel has the condemnation of the hated-vice of Hypocrisy of the Pharisees: “Woe to you, Pharisees…” (Lk 11: 42, 43 46)

Religion ought to be a bridge that helps the people to have an easier access to God.

But the Pharisees fractured this bridge with an inconsistent insistence on rules on traditions!

Religion ought to be the network that makes the people to come closer to God.

But the Pharisees broke this network by an inhuman insistence on various practices!

Religion ought to be a link that makes the life of the people more free in God’s presence.

But the Pharisees ruptured this link by burdening the people with wrongly prioritized customs!

People had to pay a tithe – a share of one’s produces or earnings, usually one tenth. (Lk 11: 42)

This tithe was extracted on all objects and things including the tiny and the minutest ones like mint, rue (a garden herb used for medicinal and cooking purposes) and every garden herb.

But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Love of God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to a fulfilling of doing certain practices and customs with the finest details and the minutest perfection, but completely overlooked the most basic aspect of Loving God!

The offering was much more important than the One to whom it was offered!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees loved the good places of seating in the synagogue and being greeted in the marketplaces.

They loved to been seen in places of prominence and to be publicly acknowledged and appreciated. (Lk 11: 43)

But there was no insistence or obligation placed on giving the rightful place to God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to enjoying places of honour and relishing the public acclaim of the common people, but completely overlooked humbling oneself and giving the glory and honour to God!

The seat and the acclaim was much more important than the One to whom it all was fully due!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees are compared to an unseen grave over which people walk unknowingly. (Lk 11: 44).

It was a ritual impurity for the Jews to touch the graves, and Jesus compares the lives of the Pharisees as a source of causing impurity and defilement to the people who came in contact with them.

There was an insistence and an obligation on fulfilling their various inhuman customs.

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to many practices which was sharp in its display of duplicity and unjust weightage given to external fulfilling of the Law, at the cost of the inner dimensions.

The law was much more important than the One gave the Law!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Scholars of the Law imposed many commands on the people and burdened their lives but failed to show any compassion to help them by their lives. (Lk 11: 46)

But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Compassion and Mercy of God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to merely carrying out some routines in the name of following God and was highly imposed though they were highly burdensome and impractical.

The practise of the commands was much more important than the One who commanded utmost honour!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

These various dimensions of the Pharisaic attitude is very much possible to creep into our own lives.

We could be people…
… for whom the offering is much more important than the One to whom it is offered!
… for whom the places of honour seat and the acclaim is much more important than the One to whom it all is fully due!
… for whom the law is much more important than the One gives the Law!
… for whom the practise of the commands is much more important than the One who commands utmost respect and honour!

Let us seek to root out any of these Pharisaic tendencies from our lives!

The Lord loves to fill the slam-book of our lives.

May He not be made to write his most-hated virtue of Hypocrisy in this book…
… instead proudly fill the slam-book of our lives, with his choicest words of love and affection!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

It is highly fitting that Christ should have wanted to remain present to his Church in this unique way. >> Since Christ was about to take His departure from His own in His visible form, He wanted to give us His Sacramental Presence…
… since He was about to offer Himself on the cross to save us, He wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which He loved us “to the end,” even to the giving of his life.
In His Eucharistic Presence, He remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave Himself up for us, and He remains under signs that express and communicate this love
The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship.
Jesus awaits us in this Sacrament of love!
Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in Adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world.

Let our Adoration never cease! (CCC #1380)

“Being ready to wipe away stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives!”

(Based on Gal 5:1-6 and Lk 11:37-41 – Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A young couple moved into a new neighbourhood.

The next morning while they were having their breakfast, the woman saw her neighbour hanging some clothes to dry.

“That laundry is not very clean,” she said. “She doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbour hung clothes to dry, the young woman repeated her observations about the dirty laundry.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”

The husband said:
“I got up early this morning…
… and cleaned our windows!”

All the while, the woman had been making critical and disparaging remarks…
… while her own windows had “the stains of hypocrisy and corruption!”

So often we too are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful lesson to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…
… and to live in genuineness.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal in his house.

We are unsure of the motives or the reason for this Pharisee to invite Jesus for the table sharing…

Maybe he just wanted to grow in his friendship with Jesus…
Maybe he wanted to check how this great preacher would conduct himself in his house…
Maybe he wanted to show off to his friends of having invited a great Rabbi to his house…
Maybe he wanted to break the ministry of Jesus and trap Him in doing some aberrations…

In any case, the Pharisee certainly expected Jesus to follow the rules and customs of the traditional Jewish meal.

But he notices that Jesus has failed to wash his hands before dinner.

This washing of the hands was a ritual purification process.

The insistence on this act was not for the sake of hygiene, but for ritual purity!

This omission of the sacred tradition came as a big shocker for the host Pharisee.
He would have thought about Jesus: “This Rabbi is doing it all wrong!

Why can’t He follow our age-old customs?
He is insulting me before my other guests!
How dare He behaves so, in my own house!?”

But this is where Jesus, in His unique style of courage & conviction comes into confrontation with the attitude of the Pharisee…

The Pharisee was surely His host…
… yet Jesus dares ‘to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…’

Standing up for convictions and principles was a value that Jesus always upheld.

Being bold to always promote and defend goodness was a virtue that Jesus always supported.

Jesus lashes out with a righteous anger, “So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside yourselves, you are full of greed and evil. Fools…!” (Lk 11: 39)

The Pharisee got offended because Jesus failed to wash his hands before meal.

But Jesus got offended because they failed to have a true cleansing of their hearts.

The Pharisee got upset because Jesus failed to uphold the sacred tradition.

But Jesus got upset because they failed to uphold the values of inner purity and holiness.

The Pharisee felt insulted because Jesus failed to honour their customs and practices.

But Jesus felt insulted because the table-meal failed to reflect true love and sharing.

Jesus was not afraid to encounter the Pharisee in his wrong thinking.

And today He encounters us and challenges us to ‘live in genuineness’

Maybe we are bold in being relaxed in some of our comfort and pleasure zones..
But Jesus exhorts us to renew our lives with a life of holiness and purity.

Maybe we are quite okay with aspiring for many gadgets and objects of passing joys and desires
But Jesus urges us to focus on the real necessities of a good life.

Maybe we are satisfied to beautify our external life, even if it means being greedy and selfish
But Jesus spurs us to repent by living a self-sacrificing and a self-controlling life.

The ‘lion of Pharisaism’ is deep rooted in many of our personal lives, our family lives and in our community lives…

Having the focus only on external factors… but neglecting the inner dimensions…
Giving importance to only outer shows… but totally forgetting the internal aspects…
Being obsessed with doing many things… but totally ignoring the necessity of being holy…

The Lord today reminds us that often we are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass.
As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species.
It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way…

… that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. (CCC #1379)

“Opening our eyes to see the many wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives!”

(Based on Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 and Lk 11:29-32 – Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Thriller Movies have a great audience….
Reality Shows have a wide range of popularity…
Programmes with sensational appeal have a massive demand…

Our age loves to be tingled with breath-taking visuals and magnificent signs.
>> Check out the number of videos and movies and songs we have on our gadgets…
>> Look at the wide range of photos that we shoot and the selfies we click (which perhaps never we may see again!)

The demand of our external senses is very high in our generation…


A fallout of this excess is also reflected in our Spirituality and our Religious Outlook….
“We seek for greater external signs and wondrous miracles, even to believe in God!”

And the Lord thunders in today’s Gospel Reading, “This is a wicked generation… it is asking for a sign…” (Lk 11:29)


Signs are not bad.
Symbols are not without meaning.
External expressions are not unwarranted.
>> They certainly do have their proper place and a meaningful nature.

In fact, the Bible is not alien to signs and wonders…
>> Moses’ rod became a serpent;
>> The Red Sea parted so that God’s people could cross.
>> Water flowed from a rock when Moses struck it.
>> Manna fell from the sky to feed God’s people.
>> Baalam’s ass spoke.
>> Aaron’s rod blossomed.
>> The sun stood still at Joshua’s command.
>> Gideon’s fleece became wet and dry according to his request to the Lord.
>> Elijah pronounced a drought upon the land… And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain…

The examples are many more…


But…
… when outward signs fail to generate any positive emotions, they divorce from their intention!
… when symbols cease to be a passage for inner understanding, they fail in their purpose!
… when signs stop being an aid to increase in faith, they lose their meaning!


And this is the reason that Jesus condemns the Pharisaic mentality of Seeking for a Sign…
>> They sought a sign – in order to test, but not to believe!
>> They asked a sign – in order to satisfy curiosity, but not to trust!
>> They demanded a sign – in order to scheme evil talks, but not to have faith!

Signs become mere external fancies.
>> Miracles become mere magic shows

The Gospels are not alien to such false and untrue demands either…
>> At the Birth of Jesus, King Herod sought to see Baby Jesus…
… not to worship, but to kill Him!

>> At the Temptations, Satan tempted to change stones to bread…
… not to believe, but to lure Him!

>> At the Trial, King Herod Antipas hoped Jesus to perform a sign…
… not to save Him, but to mock Him!


Jesus condemns all such unnecessary demands for a sign and external phenomenon.
“… but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah the Prophet!”
>> The Prophets of Old, performed many miracles.
… Jesus also did.
>> The Prophets of Old, even performed the great miracles of raising the Dead.
… Jesus also did.
>> The Prophets of Old, were never able to raise themselves from the dead.
… But Jesus rose!

Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the fish, so was Jesus in the belly of the earth!
>> But Jesus rose….and that has become indeed, the Greatest Sign of all times!

The Pharisees demanded a sign…
>> Jesus answered with a sign – the greatest of them all – His Resurrection!

And yet…
… DID THEY BELIEVE?

The answers can be speculated.

But the question is…
>> Am I believing?
>> Am I believing and living, the Power of the Resurrection in my life?
>> Have I reduced the reality of Jesus being alive, to a mere expression of the lips?
>> Do I display this Sign that Jesus is Risen, by my words, in all my activities and by a joyful life?


Let us not be carried away by mere External Glitz and Glamour…
>> Let us open our eyes to see the many wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives!
>> Let us become aware to see that He is Risen, and Alive and Working… in amazing ways… in our Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!
—————————————————-
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit – Worship of the Eucharist.
>> In the liturgy of the Mass, we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord.
>> “The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it…
… reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care
… exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession.” (CCC #1378)
—————————————————-

“Responding positively and with gratitude to God – acknowledging His Mercy – and raising our hearts to say, ‘Thank you, Lord!’”

(Based on 2 Kings 5:14-17, 2 Tim 2:8-13 and Lk 17:11-19 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A catechism teacher conducted a small exercise in her 5th standard class on the Gospel Passage found in Lk 17:11-19 – the healing of the ten lepers.

She asked the students to tell what could be some of the reasons as to why the lepers did not return to thank Jesus.

The following were some of the reasons that emerged:

One waited to see if the cure was real
One waited to see if the healing would last
One said that actually, I was already fairly okay and it was just a matter of a few days, to be fine
One said that he would see Jesus later as he wanted to meet his family first
One began to contend that he never really had leprosy and it was only a minor patch
One was so excited that he began to tell to everyone on the way about the miracle, but forgot Jesus!

Well, we really do not know what the actual reasons were…

But the question is placed before all of us: “Are we going to be like the nine who found some excuses
and failed to thank the Lord?
… or can we be like the one who came back to thank the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day presents this interesting incident before us…
… reminding us to become persons of gratitude, to our Grateful and Generous God!

The healing of the ten lepers is a unique incident found only in the Gospel of St Luke.

This healing incident once again shows the Power of God’s Word – which goes beyond space and touch

When the lepers cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us,” the Lord just says to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (Cf. Lk 17:13-14)

There is no stretching of the hand, no touch, no discussion about faith.

This teaches us an important lesson that God Heals in the way, He Wills!

Therefore, when we come to Him with our prayer of petitions, let us allow His Will to be done!

The Greek word, “Eleison” meaning “Have Mercy” is a cry of anguish beseeching for God’s Help!

It’s a word we use at the start of the Holy Mass – pointing to our cry and longing for God’s Mercy!

The question of the Lord, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”(Lk 17:17) is not just a question to know the physical presence of those who were healed…
… It is a cry of the Heart of God Who longs for human beings

In the book of Genesis, we read God asking, “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9)
From the Cross, our Blessed Lord cried out, “I thirst!” (Jn 19:28)
In the last book of the Bible, the Lord, tells, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (Rev 3:20)

Yes…
… the Lord longs to have our presence with Him!
… the Lord misses us much, when we fail to go to Him!

God, in His Benevolence, blesses us with so many good things in our life… so many Graces!
We have a duty to respond by offering our heart filled with gratitude and a life of thankful service

As the beautiful hymn goes, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise what the Lord has done!”

In the Old Testament, we read about Naaman, the Syrian (Cf. 2 Kings 5:14-17), who marvellously experienced the power of God in his life…
… and who returns back in gratitude to Elisha, through whom God had worked mightily!

Yes… in life, we often face many “leprous situations” of sicknesses, tragedies, tensions etc

Amidst all these uncertainties of life, can we still “raise our hearts to God in gratitude” and tell Him, “Thank you Lord for everything!”

It is beautifully said, “It is not too difficult to praise the Lord when all goes on well. But amid hardships and difficulties, can we still raise our hands and say, ‘Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!’”

St Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Love, teaches us: “If it is God’s Will that the remedies overcome the sickness, return to God with thanks and humility; if it be God’s Will that the sickness overcome the remedies, bless God with patience!”

Let us respond positively and with gratitude to God …
… Acknowledging His Mercy, let us raise our hearts and say,
“Thank you, Lord!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist.

Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ. (CCC #1377)

Reflection Capsules will not be sent this week from Oct 03-Oct 07, 2022 as I am making my personal Retreat.

Request your prayers for me and my co-priests, in Retreat.

I assure my prayers.

Let us continually grow in the Love of the Lord and share His Love to one another!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“As Christians, being ready to unconditionally shine forth – making a difference in the world around!”

(Based on Gal 1:6-12 and Lk 10:25-37 – Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An important program was to be held in the Church Auditorium – the felicitation of all the members who had served for more than 10 years, on the occasion of the Decennial Jubilee Celebrations of the Parish.

The parish priest called for the auditorium in-charge to make a real-time check of the maintenance in the auditorium:
“Since this is a major event, and it has been a long time that we have not had a program, I would like oversee the arrangements by myself”
(The auditorium had been unused for many months, due to the pandemic situation)

When they reached the auditorium, the priest asked all the lights to be put on, to make a check of the light system.

As the lights were put on…
… some of the lights were totally not working – blacked out completely
… a good number of them were blinking – on and off, on and off
… only a few were shining brightly – sparkling and dazzling

Seeing this, the priest made a comment: “Perhaps, this is how many Christians are today

Some don’t radiate Christ’s light at all – living selfish lives, thinking of themselves alone!
Some emit some light, occasionally – looking more to their comforts and situations!
And only a few brightly shine forth – doing selfless acts of making Christ’s Presence radiant!”

How about us?

Which category of light do we belong to?
… fully blacked out – in selfishness?
… occasionally glowing – as per situations and comfort levels?
… unconditionally shining forth – making a difference in the world around?

The Gospel of the Day is the narration of a very popular parable – the Parable of the Good Samaritan – that helps us reflect on these aspects of life.

The parables of Jesus leave a deep impression on the mind of its readers.

One such parable that makes a strong impact on the listeners and provides much food for thought is the one in the Gospel of the Day – the “Parable of the Good Samaritan”.

This is a parable familiar to most of us…
This is a parable, probably enacted by many of us…
This is a parable easily widely reflected by all of us…

We shall consider this parable of the Good Samaritan from the perspective of 3 life-philosophies that are reflected through 3 characters in the story…

1. The Philosophy of the Robber: “What you have is mine, and I will take it!”
   In the story, we find that the man who was “going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among the robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead” (Lk 10: 30)

The robbers had been probably waiting, in hiding, for an innocent traveller – for a potential booty of money and treasure.

We do not know their background… who they were, why were they engaged in this sort of dishonesty…

But one thing is known…. They had an understanding that “What you have is mine, and I will take it!”

Are we sometimes like these robbers…?

Stealing from the fruits of other’s labours and trampling upon their rights, in order to have a comfortable life
Subtly discriminating others – especially the poor, the helpless, the voiceless – and furnishing our life with luxuries
Passively or actively ignoring the rights that are due to others – and making our lives more easy and relaxed and fun

2. The Philosophy of the Priest and the Levite: “What is mine is mine, and I will keep it”
   In the story, we find that the Priest and the Levite “passed by on the opposite side” (Lk 10: 31-32)
   These religious leaders were probably more occupied with the requirements and duties of their office.

We do not know what exactly these preoccupations were…
… why they couldn’t translate the stipulations of the law into actual practise of mercy and compassion.

But one thing is known… They had an understanding that “What is mine is mine, and I will keep it”

Are we sometimes like these Priests and Levites…?

Overly busy with our own works and duties that leaves us too occupied to even make an attempt to extend an extra helping hand
Falsely understood notions of religion and piety which limits itself to the safe zones of worship but does not dare to step out into the challenging waters of service and compassionate actions.
Fearful of going against set-patterns and rigid-systems and being indifferent and casual in being a doer of God’s Word

3. The Philosophy of the Samaritan: “What is mine is also yours, and I will share it”
   In the story, we find that the Samaritan goes out of his way – “approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged him. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him” (Lk 10: 34)

This Samaritan was probably aware that he was greatly risking his life and also that he was engaging in helping his enemy (Since Jews considered Samaritans as enemies)

We do not know the way in which he calmed all his basic instincts of wanting to see his enemy in pain or the natural tendency of “running away” from a situation of risk and “unwanted troubles”

But one thing is known… He had an understanding that “What is mine is also yours, and I will share it”

Can I always try to be like this Samaritan…?

Taking upon the risk of one’s own life and one’s comforts and be willing to help and reach out persons in distress – be it physically, mentally or spiritually.
Going against my natural instincts of harming enemies or being indifferent, and instead displaying a tender heart of mercy and compassion to those who have none to care for.
Being willing to make a sacrifice of what belongs to me – my time, my possessions, my plans – in order to help another experience that there is still a “lot of goodness” in the good world that the Good God has created

Jesus endorsed the Philosophy of the Samaritan and said, “Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

The onus is now on each one of us…

Do we have a destructive philosophy of “What you have is mine, and I will take it!”…
… and remain in the shadows of wickedness, corruption and cheating?

Do we have the indifferent philosophy of “What is mine is mine, and I will keep it”…
… and get decayed in the stagnant waters of ritualism, being over-busy and woefully uncharitable?

Or can we have the Divine Philosophy of “What is mine is also yours, and I will share it”…
… and be radiant in the brightness of love, compassion and mercy…
… and thus imitate the life of the Ultimate Good Samaritan – Jesus, our Saviour and Master!

St Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians: “And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men…” (Gal 6:9-10)

Let us honestly examine how is our Christian life…
… fully blacked out – in selfishness?
… occasionally glowing – as per situations and comfort levels?
… unconditionally shining forth – making a difference in the world around?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The sacrificial memorial of Christ and of his Body, the Church

The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring:
“Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God…
… and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood.

This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.” (CCC #1376)

“Being willing to have our ‘faces to the coal’ in accomplishing the mission of the Kingdom of God!”

(Based on Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4, 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14 and Lk 17:5-10 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

It was the time of World War II.

There was an urgency for England to increase its coal production.

The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill exhorted the labour leaders to extend their support towards this requirement.
At the end of his exhortation, he asked them to visualize (picture in their mind)…
… a victory parade that would be held at the end of the war.

He said that, first in the parade would come…

The sailors…who had managed the tensions at sea, with great courage.
Next would come the soldiers… who had proven their mettle by their bravery.
Then would come the pilots… who had displayed immense aerial skills.
All of these would be welcomed and acknowledged with great cheer and applause.

Last of all, would come along, the long line of…
… sweat-soaked and soot-smeared men in their miner’s caps.

Seeing them, someone from the crowd would ask:
“Hey! Where were all of you, during the tense days of our struggle?”

And from the hoarse ten thousands of throats would come the answer:
“We were deep in the earth, with our faces to the coal!”

The sailors, the soldiers and the pilots had glamour and glory attached to their work…
… but the miners, working deep in the coal mines, were always hidden and away from the limelight.

But very often, it is the work of such people who have their “faces to the coal”…
… which become the foundation and support in accomplishments of mission!

As Christians, are we willing to be the people who have our “faces to the coal”…
… in accomplishing the mission of the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel of the day, is this invitation to have our “faces to the coal”…
… by becoming “servants” in the service of the Kingdom!

Servanthood is an important dimension in being a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Lord narrates the Parable of the Unprofitable Servant. In this parable, Jesus tells about a servant who works all day long out in the field, or out taking care of the flock.

And after he works all day long, he comes into the house…

Is he expected to sit down and rest and eat his own meal? No

Rather, he is required to serve his master by providing him the meal first.

And after doing all that work – all day long – there’s no word of thanks, no gratitude.
Jesus closes out this parable by saying that the servant was unprofitable because he only did what he was told to do.

Is it something practical?

Is it something easy?

The Gospel of the Day seems to be demanding much from a servant…
A servant…
… who works whole day long ploughing in the field or tending the sheep…
… who delays his needs and instead prepares and serves meals for his master…
… who after all his works, doesn’t expect words of gratitude…

The Parable is surely a tough one!

But, the One who preached this Parable is not a mere preacher, but is the One Who practised!

Jesus, the one who preached this Parable, practised perfectly, this life of being a servant.

He is the Servant, Who works in the field ploughing…
…sowing the seed of the Word of God, ploughing the Gospel in the hearts of people and toiling in the hot sun of oppositions and mockery

He is the Servant, Who tends the sheep in the field…
…providing pasture for His people, protecting them from the wolves of the evil and going after any of the sheep which are lost in the wilderness

He is the Servant, who prepares a meal and serves at table…
…nourishing those at table with His own body, strengthening them with His own blood and constantly reinforcing in the journey of life

How are we to be such a servant of the Lord?

1. Having a mind of being a servant of God:
   The world of a servant centres not around himself, but around the Master.

Whatever pleases the Master, the servant does.

If we truly acknowledge God as our Master, then we too…
…will do the works which please Him
…will think and seek to do His Will
…will speak the words which are worthy of His grace

2. Being committed in this task of being His servant
   The world of a servant centres on total availability and openness to the needs of the Master.

Whatever is the Will of the Master, the servant is docile and alert.

If we truly accept God as our Master, then we too…
…will give ourselves to Him totally at all times
…will place His priorities over ours
…will avoid anything that blocks my complete service of Him

The call is to be a servant…who is dedicated and selfless.

Jesus is our model and example in being a Servant.

It’s a demand placed on us.

In working for the Kingdom of God, there are different roles which have glamour and glory attached to their work…
… but we always need to be willing to be like the ‘miners’ – working deep in the mines – hidden and away from the limelight.

It is the work of such people who have their “faces to the coal”…
… which become the foundation and support in accomplishments of mission!

As Christians, let us be willing to have our “faces to the coal”…
… in accomplishing the mission of the Kingdom of God.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament.
The Church Fathers strongly affirmed the faith of the Church in the efficacy of the Word of Christ and of the action of the Holy Spirit to bring about this conversion.
Thus St. John Chrysostom declares: It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but He who was crucified for us, Christ himself. The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God’s. This is my body, he says. This word transforms the things offered.
St. Ambrose says: “Be convinced that this is not what nature has formed, but what the blessing has consecrated. The power of the blessing prevails over that of nature, because by the blessing nature itself is changed.

Could not Christ’s word, which can make from nothing what did not exist, change existing things into what they were not before? It is no less a feat to give things their original nature than to change their nature!” (CCC #1375)