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

DAY 13: HUMBLING ONESELF, TO HAVE GOD, AS THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF LIFE!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:51) “He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, Mamma Mary proclaims the Magnificat and reminds every human person…
… to make God as the Sole and Solid Strength of life
… to humble oneself before the Awesome Authority of God

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

Rely totally on God as the Strength of life, Who can lift us from any situation of misery, pain and humiliation!
Have the courage to humble oneself totally before the Grace of God, as we are reminded, “the rivers of Grace flow, not on the mountains of pride, but through the valley of humility!”

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Earnestly pray this verse: “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!” (Phil 4:13)
2. Identify an area/situation wherein I need to humble myself; practise it consciously today!

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, give me the Grace to bank on You as the Greatest Strength of my life, and help me to walk in Your Path in humility and dependence, Amen!

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Amending our lives in a way that we not only preach, but much more, practise in life!”

(Based on Zep 3:1-2, 9-13 and Mt 21:28-32 – Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

In a certain village, a parishioner – a Catholic for many years – was having a conversation with his parish priest.

He said: “Father, if I had fifty acres of land, I would have gladly donated half of it – twenty-five acres – to the Lord and His church”

The priest replied: “Ah! That’s so nice and generous of you. And what if you had only 20 acres?”

The man replied: “Oh! Yes, I would have given 10 of it!”

“And”, continued the priest, “what if you had only 10 acres?” Will you spare five for the Lord?”

“Sure, I would”, said the man.

Finally, the priest said, “And what if you had only two acres? Would you give one to the Lord?”

“Oh!”, snapped the man, “Now don’t ask me that!

You know, that I have only two acres!”

Well…
… that’s how it is often in our lives as well, isn’t it?

We promise many big things to the Lord…
… but when it comes to “actually doing something for the Lord”, we tend to back out!

Are we just preachers?
… or can we also be people who practise?

Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practising co-ordinate & complement each other.

Life presents different moments when there seems to be a dichotomy between one’s words and deeds…
Life challenges us to bridge the gap between the two essentials of life – one’s talking and one’s walking the talk!

The Gospel of the Day presents to us an interesting parable of two Sons who are asked to work by their Father.

One SAYS YES…but DOES NOT! The other SAYS NO…BUT DOES!

One preaches… but does not practise!
The other does not preach… but practises!

One consents initially… but refuses finally!

The other refuses initially… but consents finally!

How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…

We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…
… but we fail to help

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!

We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…
… but we fail in some genuine needs

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are present with their full force to render help!

We make many resolutions on new year days or birthdays…
… but fail to materialize them

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are able to make many amendments and changes!

We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…
… but fail to live up

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but render much love to the Lord through the year!

We all experience this “I will do”…
… but “I did not do” experiences in life.

On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…

People claim themselves to be Catholics…
… but appear in church only on grand feast days!

People appreciate the Catholic teaching…
… but support moral laws and practise morality which go directly against!

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

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

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

Like the second son, who said Yes…
… very often, we too become people who nod our heads in consent for anything and everything…
… but fail to live up to that YES!

The Lord says in Mt 7:21, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he does the Will of My Father”

Therefore, the proposition is clear:

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

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

Yes, let us examine…
… and if needed, amend our lives:

Are we the one who only preaches?
…or can we also be the one who practises?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT – Satisfaction

The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ.
We who can do nothing ourselves, as if just by ourselves, can do all things with the cooperation of “him who strengthens” us. >> Thus man has nothing of which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ . . . in whom we make satisfaction by bringing forth “fruits that befit repentance.”

These fruits have their efficacy from him, by him they are offered to the Father, and through him they are accepted by the Father. (CCC #1460)

“Rooting out all pessimistic mind-sets, and focussing instead on growth in holiness and humility!”

(Based on Num 24:2-7, 15-17 and Mt 21:23-27 – Monday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation…
… rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.

He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said:
“By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.
My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.

But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.

How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how the fussy gentleman reacted to this bold and true reply of the preacher.
(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart…
… rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?” (Mt 21: 23)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 21 of St Mathew’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…

The entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21: 1-11)
The ‘re-storation’ in the Temple at Jerusalem and indignant behaviour of authorities(Mt 21:12-16)
The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21: 17-22)
The ‘re-entry’ to the Temple at Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus by the authorities (Mt 21: 23-27)

The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…
… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…
… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

In Jesus, they perceived a threat.
… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke than to service of God

In Jesus, they sensed a danger.
… a danger to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

In Jesus, they identified a menace.
… a menace to their comfort-rendering style of spirituality and way of life.

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord

Their hearts had become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience
Their lives were rendered blocked to be willing to make necessary changes for the good.

Instead…
… they only found fault with the Lord
… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also?

A mentality of harshly criticising…
A tendency to inhumanly condemn…
… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

Let us root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead on growth in holiness and humility!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT – Satisfaction

The penance the confessor imposes must take into account the penitent’s personal situation and must seek his spiritual good.
It must correspond as far as possible with the gravity and nature of the sins committed.

It can consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear. Such penances help configure us to Christ, who alone expiated our sins once for all. They allow us to become co-heirs with the risen Christ, “provided we suffer with him.” (CCC #1459)

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

DAY 11: GIVING GOD’S PRESENCE TO OTHERS!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:41) “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth [was] filled with the Holy Spirit…”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Carrying the Fullness of Grace in Her Womb, Mother Mary reaches out in humble service to Elizabeth, who, on hearing the voice of her Blessed Cousin…
… is filled with the Joyful Presence of the Holy Spirit
… and experiences her child – John, who is to be the Baptist – leaping for delight, just as the Ark of the Covenant made King David to leap for joy (Cf. 2 Sam 6:14-22)

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

Be an instrument of the Holy Spirit, so that your presence brings joy and hope to the people around you
Mother Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant – having Jesus the Word, Jesus the Manna (Bread) and Jesus, the Priest in her womb

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Pray daily to the Holy Spirit, and say: “Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your love and joy!”
2. Learn by heart, any 3 verses of the Bible

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, fill my heart with the joy of Your Holy Spirit, and may I radiate joy and hope to everyone in my life, Amen!

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Tapping the ‘river of graces’ in this Season of Advent, and preparing our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the ‘major blessings’ of Christmas!”

(Based on Is 35:1-6a, 10, Jas 5:7-10 and Mt 11:2-11 – 3rd Sunday in Advent, Cycle A)

In a particular village, a river was going to be used to generate electricity and to supply water for the people and their crops.

But near the source of the river, was a place called “Valley of the Blind.”
People who lived around this valley had trouble with their eyes – most of them were either blind or had some eye defect.

This trouble was caused by a particular species of flies, which lived in the shrubs along the river source.
… When a fly bit someone, it would inject a certain parasite into the blood, which would render the eyesight of the person to be severely affected.

On hearing that the people of the village had decided to tap the river for several uses, including electricity and supply of water, an elderly village man – who had lived his entire life in this village…
… called together the concerned authorities and developers.

He told them: “I am happy to hear that you are wanting to make progress, by using the river effectively.

But my children, remember…
… before you undertake any works of development, please make sure that you do something to get rid of the fly in the ‘Valley of the Blind!’

If not, your minor oversight may cause a major disaster!”

The wisdom of the old man reminded the people: Minor oversights can cause major disasters!

The Gospel of the Day is a bold reminder to make a thorough examination of our conscience…
… and check, if I am allowing “minor oversights” to cause “major disasters” in my lives!

We are on the third Sunday of the Season of Advent.

This is called the “Gaudete Sunday” – the Sunday of Joy
(‘Gaudete’ in Latin is joy!)

We are nearly halfway through the season in preparation for Christ. Sometimes, like runners, in a marathon…
… we may feel fatigued and drained
… or we may think, when are we going to reach the destination

And so we may get lethargic… listless… or feel exhausted.

But the Church – our caring Mother – knows Her children, and tells: “Just a few more days… and it will be Christmas!

Do not give up hope.
Instead, continue to prepare – with joy and expectancy”

Thus, on this Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday.

The Gospel reading on this Gaudete Sunday begins with John the Baptist – who is in prison –
… sending his disciples to Jesus and asking: “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Mt 11:3)

Last Sunday, we saw John the Baptist, “in a preaching mode” – in the wilderness (Cf. Mt 3:1-12)

Today, he is in the “prison zone” – in captivity!

Here is an important lesson that John the Baptist teaches us:
… There will be times when you are in the limelight – preaching powerfully and being acknowledged with great power and might
… But there would also come times when you are banished to isolation – with only the four walls of loneliness for company!

In all such moments – in the ‘glory of the wilderness’ and the ‘isolation of the prison’…
… Can we still remain faithful and loyal to God’s Will?
… Can we still realise that God is pleased with my fidelity more than my performances?
… Can we still be zealous for the ways of God, knowing that He will turn everything for our good?

At the same time, the Gospel reading (Mt 11:2-11) powerfully reminds us: Do we have an “oversight – missing the point” of the ways of God, and do we thus remain stuck in our own attitudes and thought patterns?

Speaking of Himself, Jesus says: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their
sight, and the lame walk… “(Cf. Mt 11:4-5)
Speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus says: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed
shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? “(Cf. Mt 11:7-10)

Here were two cases of “oversights – missing the point”

1. John the Baptist had the understanding…
   … that Jesus would be coming with fiery judgements and would be the Messiah Who would deal with the people, with blazing power and scorching verdicts

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as Jesus showed Himself as the Messiah Who would heal, teach and bring the Mercy of God!

2. The people had the understanding…
   … that John the Baptist would be finely dressed and a people- friendly prophet – one who would be willing to “adjust” the norms of God to their lifestyle

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as John the Baptist turned out to be a prophet “who disturbed the comfortable and comforted the disturbed.”

In both cases, there was an “oversight – missing the point”…
Jesus was unwilling to let John the Baptist and the people remain under the cloud of these “oversights”…

And so He presents the facts before them…
… to avoid any future “major disasters!”

The same examination is put forth before us, by the Lord: to check minor oversights. Do we allow…
… “minor sins” – in the form of evil tendencies – to grow in us?
… “minor negligence” to develop into habitual practices?
… “minor indifferences” to take root in our relationships?

This Gaudete Sunday is an invitation to help us experience the joy of the Lord, by making us realise…

If these “minor oversights” are not corrected…
… then they would soon turn into “major disasters!”
And we would get afflicted by the “Valley of the Blind!”

Let us give heed to the strong reminder given by the Gospel, and amend our “minor oversights”…
… so that we can tap the “river of graces” in this Season of Advent, and prepare our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the “major blessings” of Christmas!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT – Satisfaction

Many sins wrong our neighbour.
One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries).
Simple justice requires as much.
But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbour.
Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused.
Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must “make satisfaction for” or “expiate” his sins.

This satisfaction is also called “penance.” (CCC #1459)

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

DAY 10: SEEKING GOD’S WILL ALWAYS & LIVING IN HUMILITY

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:38) “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your Word!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Receiving the Word of God, Mamma Mary bows Her head in humble submission to the Will of God, as She teaches all humanity…
… to give highest priority in doing the Will of God
… to clothe oneself with the virtue of humility to allow God to work wonders in life

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

Seek the Will of God in everything that you do in life
Be daring to practise the virtue of humility, as St Augustine reminds us: “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Before entering into any venture/work, make it a habit to ask: “What is God’s Will for me?”
2. Practise 3 simple acts of humility today

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of Mamma Mary, who is an example to always seek Your Will in our lives, and is an inspiration to live in humility, Amen!

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Preparing our hearts to receive His Word as He wishes, in our life and seeking to live, in total accord with Him!”

(Based on Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 and Mt 17:9a, 10-13 – Saturday of the 2nd Week in Advent)

It was December in the year 1903.

After several attempts, the Wright brothers – achieved success in getting their “flying machine” off the land.

They were very much thrilled!

They telegraphed this message Katherine, their sister, informing her of the great invention:
“We have actually flown 120 feet! Will be home for Christmas”

The sister was also super-excited.

She rushed to the editor of the local newspaper, to share the great news and showed him the telegraph message.

The editor glanced at the message and said:
“How nice! So the boys will be home for Christmas!”

Oh! The Editor had completely missed the big news – that man had flown for the first time in history!!

How often is this our experience too in life – Missing the Important Points and settling for lower ones!

We fail to give attention to the most important things of life!
Instead, we get carried away by some other less priorities of life!

This is so true, especially with respect to the Word of God!

The Lord promises so many wonderful things in His Holy Word..
… but often, we miss the point.

Something similar had happened to the people of Israel as well…

God had promised them of the coming of the Messiah…
… but they missed the point..
… and thus, failed to recognise the Saviour He came!

God had promised that Prophet Elijah of old would return…
… but they missed the point…
… and thus, failed to recognize the Prophet when he came!

This is what Jesus points out to His disciples in today’s Gospel, when He says: “I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognise him; but did to him, whatever they pleased” (Mt 17: 12)

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, had come, preaching the message of repentance and conversion of heart (Mt 3:1)

The Gospel says that John the Baptist…
… wore a clothing made of camel’s hair
… had a leather belt around his waist
… had food of locusts and wild honey (Mt 4: 4)

This appearance was very similar to that of Elijah, the Prophet (2 Kings 1:8)

But in their encounter with John the Baptist, the people failed to recognise him as the “Elijah who was to come”

And thus John the Baptist came to be…
… rejected
… derided
… finally killed!

Many times in our life, we too “miss the point” in our encounter with the Lord…

He gives His Beautiful Word to us…
… but we fail to be encouraged by It and live by It

He makes many wonderful promises of assurance and guidance…
… but we fail to live a life of trust and confidence

He offers Himself wonderfully in the Sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Eucharist…
… but we fail to derive the necessary fruits from Them

Today, the Gospel invites us, to look at God’s Promises, God’s Word’s and God’s Will…
… and discover the true purpose of it in our lives.

This is truer as we prepare for Christmas…

Jesus is the BIG POINT of the Christmas

Let us dare not “miss Him!”

Let us prepare our hearts to receive His Word as He wishes, in our life…
… and seek to live, in total accord with Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION

Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.
Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit.
By receiving more frequently through this sacrament, the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:
Whoever confesses his sins… is already working with God.
God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God.
Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear “man” – this is what God has made; when you hear “sinner” – this is what man himself has made.
Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made!
When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works.
The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works.

You do the truth and come to the light. (CCC # 1458)

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

DAY 09: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:36) “This is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. Nothing will be impossible with God.”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Angel Gabriel highlights the omnipotence of God, to Mother Mary as she is gloriously announced that…
… with God, everything is possible and we need to grow in our trust in the Lord!
… when things are entrusted to God, He turns out everything for our greater good!

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

Trust in the Authority of the Lord – the great I AM – Who declares that “With the Lord, every Impossible is I’M possible!”
Recognise the need to entrust ourselves to the Power of Goodness, and to hold on to Him in faith and hope!

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Is there anything you feel impossible in your life at this moment? Offer to the Power of the Lord!
2. Think of any event/incident that doesn’t seem so nice. Believe and know, that God will turn it for the good!

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, increase my faith to know that You are in perfect control of my life, and that you turn everything – all our struggles and strife – to good, Amen!

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Seeking the grace of God to make efforts to be CHILD-LIKE in the Presence of God!”

(Based on Isa 48:17-19 and Mt 11:16-19 – Friday of the 2nd Week in Advent)

Children are an interesting lot!

They love to play, to quarrel, to engage in arguments, to tease, to show love and affection etc…

Children indeed amaze us…with their simplicity, innocence, curiosity and their power of wonder.

Jesus in the Gospels time and again invites us to grow in our spirit and spirituality of being like a Child!

The famous artist, Picasso, once said:
“All children are artists.
The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up..”

Many of us, as we age in years, tend to lose many of the good qualities and merits of a child.

Many of us, as we mature, tend to fritter away the precious pearls of simplicity and openness of a child

Many of us, as we advance in life, tend to paint our inner innocence with many external shades of duplicity.

But the Gospel of the Day shows us another dimension or rather, warns of a distortion in this striving to be a child…

One can easily stray away from the path of being child-like and transgress into the danger of being Childish!

Child-likeness is a beautiful virtue which is to be cultivated and nurtured to grow in our love of God!

Childishness is an ugly vice which is to be weeded and cast away to grow in our relationship with God!

What is child-likeness?

To be like a child is to possess a kitty of trust, faith, innocence and straightforwardness.

To be like a child is living in the present moment with a deep sense of wonder and admiration over life.

To be like a child is to have a faith which is matchless and a great amount of dependence on the One who cares!

But what is childishness?

Childishness is a child-like behaviour which has grown sore and strays away from honest qualities of life.

Childishness is having selfishness at its core: a vice that wants the world around to always dance to its tune!

Childishness is sticking on to ignorance and unwillingness to learn from people and situations!

Childishness is being glued to being stubborn and adamant at all aspects to suit one’s desires and comforts!

Childishness is being unmindful of the value and preciousness of people, things, feelings and situations.

This danger of Childishness can sometimes creep into our spiritual life and can hamper and cause havoc in many areas of our Christian life.

How can childishness in spirituality become a dangerous ploy?

Childishness in spirituality…
… can make people to suit teachings for one’s own desire, at the cost of the Truth.
… can prevent people from being open to receive new insights from the Divine.
… can cause people to remain obstinate and block the moving of the Spirit.
… can prohibit people from recognizing the providential care of God.

And this is what we come across in today’s Gospel Passage: the exposition of the Childishness of the people!

Our Blessed Lord says:
“To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children…” (Mt 11:16)

Two persons who had committed themselves totally to the cause of the Kingdom are under the scanner today – John the Baptist and Jesus.

John the Baptist lived in the wilderness and in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah.

John did not drink wine, and he and his followers fasted regularly. He baptized people in the Jordan River.

But John also preached repentance and gave a clarion call to turn away from one sins!

And this irked the people…

The elders of the Jewish community dreaded him because he recognized the corruption of the priests, and publicly called them to repent and be baptized.

They refused, because they wanted to keep their power, their wealth, their full stomachs and their fine clothing!

Jesus went around the cities and towns healing the sick and curing the lepers and doing many mighty works.

Jesus shared in the table-fellowship of many people regularly. Jesus preached the Kingdom of God.

But Jesus also challenged people to let go off their sinful and corrupt lives and turn to God in penitence!

And this annoyed the leaders…

The Pharisees hated him because he preached with much authority and his new understanding of the law was highly challenging!

They rejected Him, because they wanted to stick to their traditions, empty hearts and their inhuman practices!

Jesus and John both would have hit high on the popularity charts if they had “lightened up” or “played nice” or “would have allowed things to be little more easy”!

But both of Them did not budge…

This is what Jesus says:
“We played the flute for you, you did not dance;
We mourned to you, you did not weep.” (Mt 11: 17)

This reaction by the people to Them was a song of derision… a tune of mockery…a melody of ridicule!

John the Baptist and Jesus, both, failed to let this Spiritual Childishness to overpower Them and to give in to silly demands!

We all can fall victims to spiritual childishness or we ourselves can fall into the trap of being spiritually childish!

Let us beware of the dangers of this ‘subtle and sly’ vice – CHILDISHNESS …
… and seek the grace of God to make efforts to be CHILD-LIKE in the Presence of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CONFESSION OF SINS

According to the Church’s command, “after having attained the age of discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to confess serious sins at least once a year.”
Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession.

Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion for the first time. (CCC # 1457)

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

DAY 08: REACH OUT GOD’S PRESENCE IN HUMBLE SERVICE!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:39) “Mary set out and went with haste!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Having humbly received the Glorious Announcement of Angel Gabriel, and after having given Her consent to be the Mother of the Saviour, Mother Mary sets out ‘in haste’…
… in haste: to serve others
… in haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God
… in haste: to ensure Jesus to be the centre of Her life

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

Seek to always say Yes to God’s Will and Christ to be the centre of your life
Reach out – in enthusiasm and love – to serve and help the ones in need

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Spend 10 minutes in the presence of the Lord (If possible, in a Church/ or at home) – and renew your commitment by praying, “Lord, thank You for loving me as I am, and I accept Your Will in all the situations of my life!”
2. Identify a person who needs to a spark of inspiration in life, and reach out God’s care to the person

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, may the experience of Your Grace and Blessing, help me to give highest priority to you in my life, and may I reach out Your Love and Care to all those in need, Amen!

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!