“Being inspired by St Mathew to go to the Lord for His Healing and Life-Saving Prescription!”

(Based on the Feast of St Mathew, the Apostle)

There are a few things which are not understood in life…
(Well, don’t worry…. we are not getting too philosophical here…!)

One among these… which has perhaps, intrigued many, is…
… a physician’s (doctor’s) medicine prescription!

(Are physicians reading this more closely now??)

The physician usually is a busy person, with many patients to be attended to and many in distress seeking his/her advice.

In the midst of this heavy work, the medical prescription is often scribbled down.

Many times their handwriting goes for a toss!
Many times the legibility of this writing is hard to decipher!

This untidily written prescription of medicines is often not much understood by the patient.

This quickly scribbled medicine prescription is often criticized by the patient’s attendants…
… “Why can’t they write neatly?”
… “Who can understood this indecipherable paper?”

But the Physician is quite at ease with the prescription!

The poor writing doesn’t disturb!
The scribbled letters don’t prevent from suggesting the right medicine.

The physician’s prescription in the hands of people who do not understand and grasp, is a cause of irritation and criticism!

The physician’s prescription in the hands of person who understands them well, is a cause of life-giving medicines!

The script is the same, but…
… to the one who fails to understand, it becomes a basis of cribbing and complaining
… to the one who understands it well, it becomes the source of life and vitality

The Gospel of the Day is nice setup – a Physician, a chief patient, other patients & some complaining people! (Mt 9:9-13)

The Physician is the Lord Himself…
The chief patient is Matthew, the tax collector…
The few other patients are the other sinners and tax collectors…
The set of complaining people are the scribes and the Pharisees…

Jesus, the Great Physician is out on His regular rounds…
… of nursing the wounds of people with His soothing bandages
… of strengthening the brokenness in people with His powerful words
… of touching the miseries and sicknesses of people by His healing touches

On one such round, He comes across Matthew, the tax collector (Mt 9:9a)

He sees him busy at his desk, counting the money, exchanging coins…

Jesus sees in Matthew…
… a man who perhaps has indulged in cheating
… a man who has been looked down badly by the local people

The physician Jesus, sees in Matthew, a patient who is sick and in trouble.

And so, He scribbles down a prescription…”Follow Me” (Mt 9:9b)

The patient, with this prescription is happy and relieved…
… because he realises, the Physician has given him a prescription that will bring him life!

Matthew must have not understood much of this prescription…
… but he follows the great Physician!

However, the other people who watch and see this prescription… fail to understand it!

And they begin to complain and groan, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mt 9:11)

Yes, the Physician’s prescription in the hands of people who do not understand & grasp, is a cause of irritation and criticism!

The Physician’s prescription in the hands of people who understands them well, is a cause of life-giving medicines!

Jesus, the Great Physician of Galilee, knows well & is confident of the prescription that He has given to His patient.

And so He boldly proclaims, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mt 9:12)

Is any of us sick among us?

Spiritually sick…
… with crisis with God or difficulties in prayer life or a standstill in faith?

Emotionally sick…
… with hard feelings hitting our life or unable to handle various moods?

Physiologically sick…
… with painful diseases and ailments or troubling aches, hurts and ills?

Financially sick…
… with businesses and jobs going down the drain and no hopes seen ahead?

Socially sick…
… with ill-acceptance by others and painful rejection by those whom we love?

Then the Great Physician is out here… to heal and touch us!
No matter whether the prescription…
… is not understood by us
… is criticized by other people

It makes perfect sense to the One who has prescribed it!

The Great Physician is available…

Come, let us go to Him for His Healing and Life-Saving Prescription!

Happy Feast of St Matthew!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – PASSIONS AND MORAL LIFE

Moral perfection consists in man’s being moved to the good not by his will alone
… but also by his sensitive appetite

… as in the words of the psalm: “My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God!” (CCC # 1770)

“Giving heed to the call of the Lord, and doing away with all hypocritical aspects of our life; instead, having expressions of faith, that are real and genuine!

(Based on 1 Tim 3:14-16 and Lk 7:31-35 – Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

After his victory over Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium, Augustus Caesar came back to Rome in triumph.

Among the huge crowd who greeted him, was a man (a bird seller) who had a bird that was taught to say, “Hail, Caesar, victorious!”

Augustus Caesar, the victorious king was greatly impressed that the bird was able to utter praises in honour of his victory…
… and bought the bird for a large sum.

Then someone got Caesar aside and whispered to him, that the man had another bird that was just as talented.

The man was summoned and Caesar asked for a demonstration of what the other bird could do.

The man selling the birds, however, objected and expressed reluctance…
… but Caesar insisted.

Finally the bird uttered: “Hail, Antony, victorious!”

(The second bird ended up uttering praises to the enemy who had been defeated by Augustus Caesar!)

The birds had been only trained to speak by rote!

Their expression was not something “that was really meant”…
Their expression was laden with tones of duplicity and lack of genuineness

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation on how people are also very often similar…
… failing to have expressions that are real and genuine!
… falling into the trap of duplicity and double-standardness!

The Gospel is an exposition on the attitudes of duplicity and being double-standard that can cram our Christian lives.

Jesus gives an illustration of how the attitudes of duplicity and being double-standard can cram our Christian lives.

He speaks of “children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, ‘We piped to you and you did not dance; we wailed and you did not weep'” (Lk 7: 32)

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.
He 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 “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.” (Lk 7:32)

Both of them refused to compromise on their convictions and principles of life

It was a tragedy of that generation…
… that two of the great leaders – John and Jesus – though came with apparent contrast – found themselves rejected!
… that these two great messengers of the Kingdom, met with a tragic end – one beheaded, the other crucified!

This shows an important philosophy that underlies many lives: an attitude of indifference to the truth and an attitude of rejection of those who challenge our lives!

This tragedy affects our generation too…

We often wrap ourselves often in the garment of hard-heartedness and arrogance…
… and fail to allow the message of the Truth to bring a transformation in our lives

We neatly hide ourselves in the dark shadows of indifference and apathy…
… and remain unconcerned with the workings of God’s Power and Grace in our hearts

But the Lord today renders a wake-up call to shake off the dusts of…
… apathy, hypocrisy and indifference from our lives!

Very often our faith is only a training to speak prayers and express articles of faith merely “by rote”

Very often, our religious expressions are laden with tones of duplicity and lack of genuineness

Let us give heed to the call of the Lord and do away with all hypocritical aspects of our life, and instead…
… have expressions that are real and genuine!
… and thus become an authentic follower of God and an ardent missionary of the Kingdom!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism*
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – PASSIONS AND MORAL LIFE

In the Christian life, the Holy Spirit himself accomplishes his work by mobilizing the whole being…
… with all its sorrows, fears and sadness, as is visible in the Lord’s agony and passion.

In Christ human feelings are able to reach their consummation in charity and divine beatitude (CCC # 1769)

“Making a journey from a ‘dead lifeless existence’ to a ‘dynamically passionate living!’”

(Based on 1 Tim 3:1-13 and Lk 7:11-17 – Tuesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

“Alice in Wonderland” is a popular 1865 novel.

It tells of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world.

One of the conversations, in this book, between Alice and a cat goes thus…

Alice: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here”?
Cat: “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to”

Alice: “I don’t much care where”….”So long as I get somewhere.”
Cat: “Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go!”

Many times, like Alice we are such…
… we don’t really know where are going
… we are not aware of the destination towards which are we moving

As a result, we fail to realise the importance of the “Journey” that we make.

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to examine our “life as a journey”…
… and to come to a greater awareness, of how the Lord, Who is “The Way”, needs to become “our Road, our Direction as well as our Destination!”

Life is a constant journey.

Our lives are filled with all sorts of journeys…

Short and long journeys…
Journeys in our minds and hearts…
Journeys towards God and away from God..
… Journeys that are as trivial as a trip to a shop..
… or as life-changing, as a trip to the hospital to witness the miracle of birth!

Our lives are made up of many such journeys: journeys that shape and mould us into who we are today.

Our earthly life, too, is a journey that begins at birth and ends with death.

With each passing day, one moves a step closer to the eventual-reality of one’s earthly life: death!

The Gospel of the Day – the incident of the raising of the dead son of the widow in the city of Nain – presents several journeys in an atmosphere of death and life:

1. The Journey of Jesus

Jesus the Preacher and Healer was on mission journey.

His words influenced and inspired many people – the sinful, the broken and the hopeless!
His deeds healed and touched many people – the sick, the ailing and the bedridden.

Do I make a journey similar to the Lord in being a messenger of mercy and hope to the suffering world?

Do I make a journey in the ministry of the Lord by reaching out the Gospel of Joy to a depressed humanity?

2. The Journey of the people accompanying Jesus

There were many followers and people (Lk 7:11) who were attracted to the magnetic personality of the Lord…
… and who after seeing the amazing miracle of the dead man raised, begin to glorify God with loud acclaims.

Many people were touched by the charm and miracles of the Lord.
Many people were overwhelmed by the grand deeds and mighty works of the Lord.

They make a journey, with Jesus – From a “Curious Following” to realizing the “Divine Presence” in their midst!

Do I make a journey to move from a ‘peripheral following’ of Jesus to a ‘deeper seeking of His Presence’?

Do I make a journey from mere ‘external praises’ to a ‘heart-involved acclamation’ of the Lord?

3. The Journey of the crowd accompanying the dead man’s bier

It was a time of sadness and grief for the people who accompanied the dead man’s bier. (Lk 7: 11b)

Some of them would have been his relatives, some his friends, some his neighbours and some just unknown people.
But the reality of death, especially of a young man, hit all of them hard.

Death had cast its pale gloom on the minds of them all!

They however, make a journey with Jesus – from a ‘sad mourning’ over a death to ‘joyful applauses’ over a life!

Am I able to make a journey from dead and lifeless situations to lively and enthusiastic moments with the Lord?

Am I able to make a journey from gloom and sadness to splendid joy and happiness in the Lord?

4. The Journey of the Widow

The grieving mother is a widow (Lk 7: 12a)…
… and since it is her only son who has died, she finds herself in dire straits: She has no male to protect or provide for her.

To add injury to sorrow, she is faced with the reality that her family line has ended with the death of her son.

She too makes a journey with Jesus: From absolute hopelessness and despondency to a fresh lease of hope and life!

Do I journey with Jesus to have my situations of total despair be changed to thrilling moments?

Do I journey with Jesus to allow my life-threatening instants to be converted to blessed occasions?

5. The Journey of the Dead Man
   Death is no respecter of persons – their status or age.

The dead man had to undergo this tragic reality at a younger stage of his life.

He would have been the only strong support of his family, after the death of his father.

And now, the bread winner was reduced to absolute starvation!

He too, however makes a journey with Jesus: From the dungeons of death to the glorious castles of life!

Can I make a journey from a “quit-easily” style of life to a “committed” style of life?

Can I make a journey from “luck-dependant” lifestyle to a “God’s Providence-aware” lifestyle?

Life itself is a journey where each day is a step closer to the eventual-reality of one’s earthly life: death!

Let us beautify this journey by constantly travelling with Jesus and undergoing many transformations!

In this life, we have the Church which supports and replenishes us…
… with her life-enriching and life-giving Sacraments – especially the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Let us adorn this journey with the jewels of the Holy Sacraments that our Church provides us with!

Let us not remain ignorant regarding the purpose or destination of our life journey…
… Let us come to a greater realisation that “The Lord is our Road, Our Direction and Our Destination!”

Let us make the journey from a “dead lifeless existence” to a “dynamically passionate living!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – PASSIONS AND MORAL LIFE

Strong feelings are not decisive for the morality or the holiness of persons.
They are simply the inexhaustible reservoir of images and affections in which the moral life is expressed.

Passions are morally good when they contribute to a good action, evil in the opposite case. (CCC # 1768)

“Making our faith and our Christian living, worthy of an ovation from the King of kings!”

(Based on 1 Tim 2:1-8 and Lk 7:1-10 – Monday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding…
… after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim.

Ovation comes from the Latin word “ovo”, which means “I rejoice”.

When a certain accomplishment causes great rejoicing and happiness, it is often, responded with an ovation

Sport superstars receive this ovation after a stupendous performance of sporting skills…
Musicians are accorded this ovation after a special rendition of their musical piece…
Orators and speakers are given this ovation after a marvellous speech or a talk…

The Gospel of the Day is an account of Jesus expressing His ovation for a person who showed tremendous faith.

When the faith and trust becomes so intense, even Jesus gives a special sign of appreciation!

We have today the incident of the healing of the Centurion’s servant.

Jesus lavishes His appreciations and admirations for a wonderful display of faith.

Here is the story an unusual faith found in an unusual man who displayed his faith in an unusual way.

1. The Centurion was an unusual person…
   A Centurion was a person who worked for the Roman Empire and were Gentiles.

This Centurion however, was unusual, because of the fact, that he was very much concerned of his slave.

This was rare indeed!

In the Roman Empire, slaves had no rights.
They could be mistreated and even put to death.

It was said that “when your animals are old, you throw them out to die. You do the same with your slaves.”

So this is the unusual thing about this unusual Centurion – he cared very much about his slave!

2. The centurion showed an unusual faith…
   The Centurion came to Jesus asking and pleading for help.

But when Jesus said that He would come to his house and heal him, the centurion was quick to answer him, “I am not worthy to have you under my roof” ( Mt 8:8)

The spirit of a military man is clearly exhibited by the centurion…

A soldier’s way of thinking is extremely logical and to the point: When an order is given, instant obedience is expected.
“My commanding power goes beyond the realms of space…
… my presence or absence is no excuse for my soldiers to disobey”

The Centurion fully believed that Jesus was a mighty commander with all powers subjected to Him.

And so a word was enough for the healing to take place…
An expression of approval was good enough for the miracle to happen…

3. The Centurion received an unusual response

This tremendous expression of faith was enough for Jesus to admire and appreciate Him.

Jesus was astonished by this wonderful demonstration of confidence and belief: “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel, have I found such faith” (Mt 8: 10)

We have seen many instances of people praising and appreciating the works and wonders of Jesus.

But, this is one of those rare occasions, when Jesus publicly acknowledges and asserts the glorious faith of the one seeking for help.

The Lord gives a wonderful ovation and applause for this wonderful presentation of faith.

This Gospel is a wonderful challenge for each of us to examine our life of faith…

In a situation when we are surrounded by sicknesses of negativity and discouragement,

Can we also boldly say, “Only say a word, Lord… and I will be healed!”

In a situation when life-threatening moments of crushing-failures and despair encircle us,

Can we also boldly say, “Only say a word, Lord… and I will be healed!”

In a situation when we get depressed by the various day to day problems of life,

Can we also boldly say, “Only say a word, Lord… and I will be healed!”

As a famous saying goes, “It is easy to praise the Lord…
… but it really is a challenge to receive praises from the Lord!”

When we stand firm in our faith in God, we receive ovations and appreciations from Him

When we have confidence in our love for God, we receive ovations and admiration from Him.

The trust and confidence of the Centurion was blessed with a verbal ovation by the Saviour of the World!

Shall we also make our faith and our Christian living…
… worthy of an ovation from the King of kings?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – PASSIONS AND MORAL LIFE

In themselves, passions are neither good nor evil.
They are morally qualified only to the extent that they effectively engage reason and will.
Passions are said to be voluntary, “either because they are commanded by the will or because the will does not place obstacles in their way.”

It belongs to the perfection of the moral or human good that the passions be governed by reason. (CCC # 1767)

“Casting away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extending the mercy of the Lord to others!”

(Based on Sir 27:30-28:7, Rom 14:7-9 and Mt 18:21-35 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An incident is said of a worker named Richard Weaver (He would later on become a popular preacher of the Word) who was working in a mine.

During the course of the work, unintentionally, he hit a fellow-miner.
The fellow-miner, however lost his cool and retorted: “I feel like giving you a hard smack on your face!”

“Very well”, said Weaver, “If that will do any good, you may do it.”
The man struck him.

Weaver turned to him the other cheek.
The man struck again.

This was repeated five times; and when Weaver presented his cheek for the sixth time, the man turned away, cursing.
Weaver cried after him: “The Lord forgive you, for I do; and the Lord save you!”

The following morning, as work started, this man was the first person that Richard Weaver met.
As Weaver approached him, he burst into tears.
“Oh Richard” he cried as he knelt before him, “do you really forgive me?”

Richard Weaver helped him get up…

As he rose… a changed and transformed man!

That’s the Power of Forgiveness!

The Gospel of the Day presents this Mighty and Power Message of Forgiveness…
… Forgiveness that goes beyond the rules of mathematics!

A common observation that is noticed among many children, is the fear and apprehensions of some subjects in the school or college.

Among these subjects, one which would top the list of subjects which causes tension and undue worry, is certainly, Mathematics!

Many have a fear of this subject which deals with figures and numbers.
Many have an aversion to this subject which deals with digits and numerals.

Well, it’s not known or certain whether Our Lord had any such aversion or fear or apprehension or even dislike for this subject, Mathematics!

But one thing is for certain…
… that the Lord sure loved to keep out Mathematics when dealing with important spiritual dimensions.
… that the Lord indeed would transgress the norms of Mathematics when engaged in vital spiritual aspects.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of this aspect of the Lord going beyond mathematical boundaries in dealing with the beautiful virtue of forgiveness.

The passage begins with the Lord’s chief and one-of-the-first apostles Peter, raising a query to his Master, ” Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (Mt 18: 21)

It was probably a genuine doubt of Peter, which arose from his own personal experiences.

He must have had some difficulties in forgiving, out of his wavering temperament, perhaps!

But he now puts forward to Jesus a doubt as to what should be the limit of one’s forgiveness.

Peter sought to know the exact boundaries that one must limit oneself, while forgiving.

He wanted clear-cut rules to define the maximum threshold and frontiers of generosity in pardoning.

But the Lord replies firmly, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy seven times” (Mt 18:22)

The Lord does away with the mathematical rules in forgiveness!
The Lord does not confine to the mathematical stipulations in forgiveness!

“Seventy seven times” would refer a number, unlimited and uncountable!

The frontiers for how many times to forgive are done away with…
The boundaries for how many times to forgive do not hold good…

As the Lord spoke these words to Peter, the apostle would himself have recalled…
“Once beside the sea of Galilee, when I encountered the Holy Master, I realized that I was drowning in the waters of sin… and I had asked pardon from the Lord.
Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man (Lk 5:8)”

These words of the Lord would have again echoed in the ears of Peter, later on, after the resurrection of Jesus….

Once again, beside a Sea… this time, the Sea of Tiberius, Peter experienced the forgiving power of the Lord in accepting back, though he had betrayed Him three times (Jn 21: 15-18)

Many times he had sinned against the Lord…
Many times he had caused pain and ache to the Lord…
Many times he had abandoned and betrayed the Lord…

But every time, the Lord forgave, wholeheartedly!

The Lord was truly the Master, “who practised what He preached”

The Lord was truly the Master, “who forgave unconditionally and without any limits”

This Lord, today seeks to impress on us too, this same attitude of forgiveness.

The teaching on forgiveness, is most certainly easy said than done!

To forgive….especially to forgive repeatedly, is certainly no easy task…

But it would require a deeper experience of the Unconditional Love of the Lord and our own determination, along with His grace…
… to reach out in forgiveness and pardon to our constantly erring brothers and sisters!

Are we ready to cast away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extend the mercy of the Lord to others?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE MORALITY OF THE PASSIONS

“To love is to will the good of another.”
All other affections have their source in this first movement of the human heart toward the good. Only the good can be loved.

Passions “are evil if love is evil and good if it is good.” (CCC # 1766)

“Being secure and stable with ‘Jesus, the Firm Foundation!'”

(Based on 1 Tim 1:15-17 and Lk 6:43-49 – Saturday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

In 1174, an Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on a bell tower for the Cathedral of the city of Pisa.

The tower was to be around 185 feet tall.

There was just one “little” problem:

The builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated…

And soon the whole structure had begun to tilt … and it continued to tilt … until finally the realized that nothing could be done to make the Leaning Tower of Pisa straight again!

The tower has stood for over 800 years but there are still problems!

What was the problem?

Was it bad design? Poor workmanship? An inferior grade of materials? No!!
The problem was what was underneath.

The sandy soil on which the city of Pisa was built was must not stable enough to support a monument of this size.

The problems all stem from a faulty foundation.

And the same holds good for our lives too…

Many problems in life emerge because of a very poor and shaky foundation…

One fails to do well in academic studies if one has a poor foundation in the fundamentals of the subject.

One fails to be emotionally stable if one has a poor foundation of not having received affection in the early years.

One fails to achieve expertise in a skill or an art if one has a poor foundation in the essentials and the basics.

The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid!

This is a message and an exhortation that is delivered by Jesus in today’s Gospel reading.

Jesus speaks of the Parable of the Two Foundations: One on sand; the other on the rock.

The one who has built one’s life on a sandy foundation fails to stand firm in the storms of life
The one who has built one’s life on a rock foundation remains strong and stable in the storms of life.

The laying of every foundation requires a process of Excavation… a Digging!

Do we want to build a strong foundation?

Then we need to undergo the Procedure of Digging…

Can we dig deeper…

… into our lives and see what are the areas in which I need a healing and a touch of the Lord?

… into our minds and see what really are my motivations in life and what I really want in life?

… into our hearts and examine what are my desires and to what things I get attracted?

… into our relationships and check whether there is authenticity or are they just hollow?

… into our faith-lives and inspect whether my faith is based on a real experience or is it merely a peripheral occurrence?

This process of digging into the various areas of our life can be an experience of varied sorts…

We could have pain to dig out some of our evil tendencies and abandon them.

We could have uneasiness to dig out some of our luxurious likings and let go off them.

We could have agitation to dig out some of our unhealthy tendencies and discard them.

We could have discomfort to dig out some of our lazy inclinations in spiritual life and dispose them.

Perhaps some of us may we feel that we have already built up fine structures and can be proud to have a good career, a stable family life, a flourishing bank balance, an enjoyable lifestyle etc…

But the Lord invites us to check the Strength of each of these structures…
Is my Family Life able to withstand the storms of misunderstandings, constant quarrels and breakdowns?

Is my Spiritual Life able to withstand the storms of doubts, fears, discouragements and persecutions?

Is my Professional Life able to withstand the storms of failures, disappointments and collapses?

Is my Social Life able to withstand the storms of rejection, humiliation and indifferences?

We need the Lord Himself as the Firm Foundation of all the structures in our life!

With Him, all storms can be withstood and all winds and gales can be endured!

Let Jesus alone be the Firm Rock of our lives!

Let Jesus alone be the Grand Forte of our lives!

The Tower of Pisa continues to lean due to a faulty foundation!

Let our lives not “lean” like this tower with a “Faulty Foundation”…

Rather, let it be secure and stable with “Jesus, the Firm Foundation!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE MORALITY OF THE PASSIONS

There are many passions.
The most fundamental passion is love, aroused by the attraction of the good.

Love causes a desire for the absent good and the hope of obtaining it; this movement finds completion in the pleasure and joy of the good possessed. (CCC # 1764)

“Being inspired by the Compassionate Mother, who is ever with us in our every sorrow, as she helps us, to follow Her Crucified Son and Our Strengthening Saviour, Jesus!”

(Based on the Memorial of our Lady of Sorrows)

A prayer meeting was on.

The participants were reciting the Rosary of the Seven Dolours (the seven sorrows of our Blessed Mother Mary).

It came to the fifth sorrow, which is “Jesus dies on the Cross”.

However, the one who was leading the prayer, by mistake said, “Mary dies on the Cross”.

A few participants, who heard this mistake, burst out into laughter, at the mistake!

But in hindsight, if we consider that statement, there is so much of truth and meaning in it – “Mary dies on the Cross!”

While on earth, there was no one who was closer to our Blessed Lord than His Own Beloved Mother.
He received His body from Her.

With Him, She rejoiced!
With Him, She suffered!
And finally, in those deepest agonizing moments on the Cross…
… there was none who suffered more than Her!

Every pain of Her Little Child, was experienced by the Blessed Mother

Mary was the Woman Who was most happy at the birth of the Lord
Mary was also the Woman Who was most sorrowful at the death of the Lord!

Today, Holy Mother the Church keeps the memorial of Mary, the Sorrowful Mother of Jesus.

This feast is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of our Blessed Mother.

The title “Our Lady of Sorrows” focuses on Mother Mary’s intense suffering during the Passion and Death of Jesus…
… and invites us to meditate especially through the Seven Sorrowful and Dolorous Moments in the life of our Blessed Mother.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon
2. The flight into Egypt
3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
4. Mary meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
5. Jesus dies on the Cross
6. Mary receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her arms
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in the Tomb

Suffering is an immense and an intense reality of our lives.

Many times, sufferings hit our lives when…
… we least expect it
… we are least prepared for it

Such moments of pain and agony…when encountered without any faith….
… can cause us to lose any meaning in life and renders our life to be shorn of hope
… can cause us to question God and His goodness and strips our faith of its strength
… can cause us to have recourse to “unbecoming” means to relieve ourselves from pain

However, such moments of suffering and difficulties…. when faced with deep faith and trust…
… will become occasions of God’s overflowing grace filling our lives and making us stronger
… will become occasions for us to depend deeper on our Creator and to feel His power more strongly
… will become occasions for us to realise the value of life, and become more compassionate towards others

In the midst of the pains and struggles that surround us, we need to ask ourselves…
… have we been able to increase our faith and trust in the Lord, and know the God is very much with us, even in this unexplained time of suffering?
… or has our faith wavered, and is our life cluttered with many uncertainties and questions of hopelessness?

Our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother of Sorrows and the Mother of Compassion – teaches us many important and vital lessons for life

She had every reason to complain and fight against God…
She had every reason to protest and abandon God and His Will…
She had every reason to murmur and let go of the plan of God for Her…

But, the “Yes” that She pronounced at the Annunciation was echoed all through Her life… at every step
… be it in times of joy and calmness
… be it in times of sadness and calamity

The “Yes” She said was the Final Profession She made…
… just as the Religious make on the Day of their Profession
… just as the Priests make on the Day of their Ordination
… just as the Married make to each other and to God, on their Day of Wedding
… just as the Baptised make to the Lord and seek to live, from the time of Baptism

It was a binding for life…
It was a commitment to, with conviction…
It was to be lived in sincerity, with dedication…

The Feast of the Mother of Sorrows is a beautiful reminder and reflection on “Two Hearts that were united to each other, burning with love” – the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mother Mary!

These two Hearts underwent immense pain and suffering…
… yet, rejoiced in Love!

We are invited to live a life…
free from sin
filled with love
firm in conviction
fashioned in grace
… like our Beloved and Blessed Mother Mary!

Mamma Mary invites all of us to live a life of joy, even when the clouds of sorrow paint the skies of our lives.

Her Seven Special Moments of Joy…

1. The Annunciation
2. The Nativity of Jesus
3. The Adoration of the Magi
4. The Resurrection of Christ
5. The Ascension of Christ to Heaven
6. The Pentecost or Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
7. The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven
   … are a reminder to know that God reigns over every situation in life, and we need to “wave the Flag of Joy in our lives always!”

May we be filled with the courage and grace to truly make it our prayer:
“Holy Mother, pierce me through
In my heart, each wound renew
Of my Saviour Crucified!”

Wish you a Happy Feast of our Compassionate Mother, who is ever with us in our every sorrow…
… as she helps us, to follow Her Crucified Son and Our Strengthening Saviour, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE MORALITY OF THE PASSIONS

The passions are natural components of the human psyche…
… they form the passageway and ensure the connection between the life of the senses and the life of the mind.

Our Lord called man’s heart, the source from which the passions spring. (CCC # 1763)

“Reflecting deeper on the Cross of our Blessed Lord, and beautifying our lives – which is truly a ‘treasure in clay’ – in holiness and love!”

(Based on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

Venerable Fulton J Sheen is undoubtedly one of the greatest proponents of Catholicism of the 20th century.

In his autobiography titled, “Treasure in Clay,” Bishop Sheen gives a beautiful and heart-rending illustration of the Cross – the Crucifix:
“In the Crown of Thorns, I see my pride…
… my grasping for earthly toys, in the Pierced Hands,
… my flight from shepherding care, in the Pierced Feet
… my wasted love, in the Wounded Heart
… and my prurient desires, in the Flesh hanging from Him like Purple Rags!”

Yes…
… on the Most Holy Cross, we have the autobiography of all our lives!

On this Great and Blessed Feast of the Exaltation of the Most Holy Cross, we turn our gaze towards the Cross on which our Blessed Lord redeemed us…
… as we gratefully thank Him for His Awesome Sacrificial Love
… and pledge to live a life in expectation of this Great Sacrifice of our Crucified Lord!

In the Gospel (Jn 3: 13-17), Jesus tells to Nicodemus, “… as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (Jn 3: 14)

Centuries before Jesus was crucified, Divinity in its Immense Wisdom was already preparing for the plan of salvation!

Having been powerfully freed from the slavery in Egypt, the people of Israel were travelling to the Promised Land through the wilderness.

This difficult journey caused the people to lose their patience, and they murmured against God and His servant, Moses on the lack of comforts!

The result of this sin was the plague of poisonous serpents that caused suffering and death to them. (Num 21: 4-9)

However at the intercession of Moses, God had him lift up a bronze serpent on a pole, so that all who looked it would be healed!

This was the foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ!

(This method of Interpreting the Bible is also called “Biblical Typology”

“Biblical Typology” refers to a person, place or event in the Old Testament that has its own proper significance…
… but also prefigures a person, place or event, later in the New Testament

In the words of St Augustine: “The New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is made manifest in the New!”)

Like the people of Israel, our life is a journey through the wilderness.

Sometimes there is lack of comfort.
Sometimes there is an inflation of hardships
Sometimes there is an increase in uncertainty.
… And we begin to complain, grumble… falling into many sinful ways and habits!

But Divine Love, wanting to have us back to Him, provides us the means to be rescued from the deadly effects of such sins…
… The Holy Cross is the Symbol of this redemption and salvation that is won for us, by Christ!

Are we ready to take refuge in the shadows of this Holy Cross…
… and affirming our sincere acceptance of Christ in our lives, do we live a holy life, worthy of our salvation?

St John of the Cross would say, “The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily, must cast off all things…
… and use the Cross as his cane.

In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.”

Usually the heart is considered to be the great symbol of Love…

But, from a Christian perspective, probably, the Holy Cross is a greater and a more meaningful symbol of the Immense Love of God for each one of us.

The Cross demands sacrifice…
The Cross demands a self-emptying nature…
The Cross demands a complete commitment…
… And this is indeed the true nature of Love – sacrificial, self-emptying and committed! (Phil 2: 6-11)

As we honour and venerate the Holy Cross, may we hear the words of our Crucified Lord, tenderly whispering to us, with deep love and affection:
“You are mine, forever…
… and you belong to Me and to Me alone!

Hold on to My Cross, always!”

Two thieves on either sides, died with Christ on the Cross

One mocked Jesus…
… the other sought Jesus
One took pride in himself…
… the other humbled himself
One lost a golden opportunity…
… the other, won the Prized Paradise!

The Cross – with Jesus hanging – beckons to each one of one of us today

We have a choice…
… like both the thieves

What choice are we going to make?

Let us reflect deeper on the autobiography of our lives, written on the Cross of our Blessed Lord…
… and thus preserve, nurture and beautify our lives – which is truly a “treasure in clay” – in holiness and love!

In the words of Ven. Fulton Sheen:
“The ideal is to reach a point in practice, where, like Our Lord on the Cross…
… we witness to God even amidst abandonment and the agony of a crucifixion!”

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Cross!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE MORALITY OF THE PASSIONS

The term “passions” belongs to the Christian patrimony.
Feelings or passions are emotions or movements of the sensitive appetite that incline us to act or not to act…

… in regard to something felt or imagined to be good or evil. (CCC # 1763)

“Realising that our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by our offering to the Lord!”

(Based on Col 3:1-11 and Lk 6:20-26 – Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A highly rich and influential person was privileged to be one of the special guests to undertake a 21-day cruise on a Majestic Battleship.

This ship had been modernized with immense facilities and luxurious features.

The man was highly impressed with the comforts that were provided on board.

Among the many things that made a pleasant impact on him…
… was also the Sunday Morning Mass that was attended by all the sailors and attendants, who were not on duty.

It was more so, since the man himself was not so particular about the practise of faith.

At the conclusion of the celebration of the Mass, the man asked one of the sailors:
“Are you obliged to attend these Sunday Morning services?”

“It’s not exactly about obligation, Sir!” replied the sailor, “but our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by this our offering to the Lord!”

Those sailors and attendants had made a conscious and deliberate choice to practise their faith and to surrender themselves to the Higher Power for safety and protection.

Our lives are also similar to such cruises…
… sometimes going through calm and quiet waters
… sometimes struggling in disturbed and turbulent waters
… sometimes encountering dangerous storms and violent gales

Do we make a constant choice for the Lord and live ourselves in surrender to Him?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful teaching of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke.

The beatitudes are assurances of blessing and joy to all those who make a conscious choice for the Lord and His Kingdom!

Jesus says, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God” (Lk 6: 20)

One of the great messages in this verse is the Message of Hope!

The Greek word used for “poor” is “ptochos”

Ptochos means…
… reduced to beggary or asking for alms
… destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour
… helpless, powerless to accomplish an end

It’s interesting to note that this word “Ptochos” has its origin in the word “ptosso” which means “to crouch”

Therefore, the “poor” literally means, “one who is crouching” – a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down

It’s a position that is very often defied and despised, in the worldly standards.which emphasizes on being proud and haughty!

It’s a position that is very often made fun of and fooled, in the eyes of the world which glorifies pomp and external show!

Thus, when the Lord says, “Blessed are the poor,” it is a tremendous message of Hope…
… to those who find themselves at the peripheries of life
.. to those lost in the miseries of life and find no hope – materially, spiritually, mentally, socially

Of course, the word “poor” does not mean…
… that one simply becomes timid and passive or be simply submissive to any social evils without any resistance
… that one adopts an attitude of being “always hands folded” in surrender or “faces cast down” in defeat

“Poor” instead refers to the fact that one has God has one’s greatest strength and treasure

Being “poor in the Lord”, contradictory as it may sound, is the greatest richness that one can have.
Being “poor in the Lord” gives the greatest confidence to a person, who realises that being in God, one can never fail!

How true is the saying, “One who kneels before God, can stand before anyone!”

One who is dependant on God and His Grace…
One who is aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses and yet offers oneself entirely to the power of God…
.. such a one, in the eyes of the world may be “poor” but is “blessed” in the sight of God!

It takes courage to be a Christian who is committed!

It requires a conviction to be a follower of Christ who is passionate!

Let us be ever faithful to all our duties as a follower of Christ, not just in fulfilment as an obligation…
… but knowing that “our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by our offering to the Lord!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE MORALITY OF THE PASSIONS

The human person is ordered to beatitude by his deliberate acts: the passions or feelings he experiences can dispose him to it and contribute to it. (CCC # 1762)

“Responding to the Call of the Lord, Who trusts, invites and calls all of us!”

(Based on Col 2:6-15 and Lk 6:12-19 – Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

There is “trial by jury” in the British legal system.

The jury consists of 12 individuals chosen at random from an appropriate panel.

Anyone who is on the electoral register aged between 18 and 70, and who has been ordinarily resident in the UK for five years since the age of 13…
… is qualified to serve on the jury.

In his essay “The Twelve Men”, dealing with this British jury system, G. K. Chesterton wrote:
“Whenever our civilization wants a library to be catalogued, or a solar system discovered, or any other trifle of this kind, it uses up its specialists.

But when it wishes anything done which is really serious, it collects twelve of the ordinary men standing around…

The same thing was done, if I remember right, by the Founder of Christianity!”

And it’s true, right?

Jesus did choose twelve people of ordinary standing and average repute as His Chosen Apostles.

The Gospel of the Day presents this account of this choosing of the Twelve by Jesus, the Master.

Twelve persons of varied character…
… invited to be part of the ‘One Kingdom Mission’.
Twelve persons of different backgrounds…
… invited to be part of the ‘One Jesus Culture’.
Twelve persons of dissimilar emotions…
… invited to be part of the ‘One Love Civilization’.

Let these twelve persons today teach us something simple yet profound for our Spiritual Lives:

1. Simon, called as Peter: The one known for his wavering temperaments yet faithful and simple in his attitude.

Assets that can be learnt: To be humble enough to accept our mistakes and correct them

2. Andrew: The one who left fishing and at the multiplication of loaves, brought the five loaves and two fish to Jesus

Assets that can be learnt: To bring simple things before God who can work great wonders

3. James: The one who was zealous and who accompanied the Lord at many crucial events of His life

Assets that can be learnt: To be zealous for the Kingdom of God and be ready to be in close company with Jesus

4. John: The one who was loyal and displayed tremendous love and faithfulness to His Master

Assets that can be learnt: To be faithful and loyal to the Crucified One even in the midst of all uncertainties.

5. Philip: The one, with a Greek name, who told another disciple about Jesus & als helped the Greeks to come to Jesus

Assets that can be learnt: To be a person who brings other people to the saving presence of Jesus

6. Bartholomew: The one who was shocked that Jesus was from the lowly Nazareth but was quick to trounce this feeling

Assets that can be learnt: To let go of prejudices and preconception about persons and situations

7. Matthew: The one who was given an opportunity to reform his way of life and was generous to let go of his possessions

Assets that can be learnt: To be free from material attachments in order to follow Christ freely and fully

8. Thomas: The one who was highly daring and also frank and straightforward in his Faith and his attitude

Assets that can be learnt: To be bold about one’s faith even if it means to seek a clarification from God

9. James, son of Alpheus: The one who gets hardly any mention except being called by Jesus and being with the others in the Upper Room after the Ascension of Jesus

Assets that can be learnt: To remain in the backdrop, in serving the Lord and being unfazed even if not popular

10. Simon, the Zealot: The one who is also hardly mentioned but is identified with having a great religious zeal

Assets that can be learnt: To curb one’s personal instincts and likings in order to suit the style and spirit of Jesus

11. Judas Thaddeus: The one who wrote the Beautiful letter of Jude and exhorts to be faithful to Christ even in hardships

Assets that can be learnt: To learn to be faithful and strong even when persecuted for being a Christian

12. Judas Iscariot: The one who gave up his love of Jesus for the sake of the love of money

Assets that can be learnt: To avoid the subtle trap of materialism and instead remain focused on Jesus always

Twelve persons of simple nature…
… teach us many secrets and virtues to be powerful witnesses of the Kingdom

Twelve persons of ordinary calibre…
… teach us to become the extension of the love and mission of Christ Jesus

The Jury or the Panel of Twelve Ordinary Persons, chosen by Jesus, have contributed their mite in spreading the Gospel and making this world to experience and recognize God’s tremendous love!

The Master now seeks the same of us too…

Though ordinary or simple or little or weak we are – just like the Apostles…
… He still trusts, invites and calls all of us…

Shall we say, Yes?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – GOOD ACTS AND EVIL ACTS

It is an error to judge the morality of human acts by considering only the intention that inspires them or the circumstances (environment, social pressure, duress or emergency, etc.) which supply their context.
There are acts which, in and of themselves, independently of circumstances and intentions, are always gravely illicit by reason of their object; such as blasphemy and perjury, murder and adultery.

One may not do evil so that good may result from it. (CCC # 1756)