“Seeking to win the Christian test of Endurance by throwing ourselves into the Enduring Power of God’s Word!”

(Based on Dan 7:2-14 and Lk 21:29-33 – Friday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

“Endurance” is the name of an American reality television program.

Contestants of Endurance live in a remote location and participate in various mental and physical challenges.

The outcome of the competitions determines which players are eliminated.

The winners receive an all-expenses paid vacation package to an exotic location as the prize.

Christian Life is also a test of Endurance!

Unlike a reality show, it is real life…

There are various mental, spiritual, emotional and physical challenges

Unlike an-all expenses paid vacation package as a prize…
… the Christian test of Endurance rewards Eternal Life.

Are we ready to rise to the challenge of this Christian Life of Endurance?

In this life of bravery and dare, we have the strength of an Enduring Factor – God’s Word!
“Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will endure forever” (Lk 21: 33)

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation to being committed to the Christian Life of Endurance by trusting always in the Enduring Word of God!

Words have immense power and potential.
They can cut
They can hurt
They can heal
They can build
They can make
They can break
They can crush
They can console

God’s Word has ultimate control and infinite power.

God’s Promises through His words are forever.

This is clearly manifested when we travel through the pages of the Bible…

Abraham was called to a distant and unknown land.

He was promised descendants as many as the stars of the sky and the sand on the shore.
But nothing worthwhile seemed to be happening…
… God’s word seemed barren and infertile.

Yet, the enduring faith and the enduring trust of Abraham prevailed at the opportune time…

God’s Word came to fulfilment and great completion

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

Moses was called to become the liberator of a nation.

He was promised complete guidance and absolute direction from God.
But often during the journey of liberation, Moses had to face the ire of the people.
… God’s word seemed empty and betraying.

Yet, the enduring conviction and the enduring confidence of Moses got him through…

God’s Word displayed great glory and a mighty witness.

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

Job was blessed with immense comforts and vast riches.

He was however permitted to be tested by Satan and lost much of his security and wellbeing.
Hopelessness and wrenching despair seemed to be his best companion…
… God’s Word seemed to be abandoning and deserting him.

Yet, the enduring tenacity and the enduring perseverance of Job prevailed to the end…

God’s Word showered him with great and marvellous riches.

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

What is my faith, trust and hope in God’s Word?

In moments of life-crushing events and soul-hurting situations…

Do I endure and trust in the enduring and eternal power of God’s Word?

In times when the asteroids of bad luck crash against the surface of my life…

Do I endure and remain firm in the enduring and everlasting strength of God’s Word?

In times when my family, community and my world gets reduced to total splinters…

Do I endure and be positive in the enduring and emphatic might of God’s Word?

The Lord has promised each one of us, immense blessings and graces through His Word.

At times…
… there are delays in the fulfilment of God’s Word, as in the case of Abraham
… there are frustrations in the following of God’s Word, as in the case of Moses
… there are misunderstandings in the listening of God’s Word, as in the case of Job

But the Lord invites us to remain Faithful, Trusting and Patient!

Let us seek to win the Christian test of Endurance…
… by throwing ourselves into the Enduring Power of God’s Word!

Yes, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His words will endure forever”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Jesus makes charity the new commandment.

By loving his own “to the end,” he makes manifest the Father’s love which he receives. (CCC # 1823)

“Being inspired by St Andrew, the zealous Apostle who “Introduced many to Christ!”

(Based on Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle)

“I command you for the last time….make your sacrifice to our gods” yelled Aegeas, the pagan judge.

“Certainly no!” was the reply back, “I sacrifice daily to The Almighty God, the one and true God.

Not the flesh of oxen and the blood of goats do I offer, but the unspotted Lamb upon the altar.

All the faithful partake of His flesh, yet the Lamb remains unharmed and living!”

Exceedingly angered by that adamant refusal, the judge commanded the rebel to be thrown into prison.

The supporters of the rebel, who stood outside the judging quarters, raised an uproar to free him.

But the one who was punished, personally calmed the mob, and earnestly pleaded with them to desist…
… as he was hastening towards an ardently desired crown of martyrdom.

When he was led to the place of martyrdom, on beholding the cross from far, he cried out:
“O Good Cross… so long desired and now set up for my longing soul, I confidently, with rejoicing come to you!

Exultingly receive me, a disciple of Him who hung on you.”

Within a few moments, he was tied to the cross – an X-shaped Cross!

For two days, he hung there.. alive… unceasingly proclaiming the Teachings of Christ, until he passed on to Him, whose likeness in death, he so ardently desired!

This brave martyr of Christ was St Andrew, the Apostle of Jesus, whose feast we celebrate today.

A few years back, this valiant martyr, St Andrew, had received the call of the Lord, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4: 19)

The name “Andrew” in Greek means “manly” or “a person of valour”.

St Andrew was from Bethsaida, in Galilee.

He was a fisherman, by trade and a former disciple of John the Baptist.

St Andrew is said to have been martyred at Patras in southern Greece on a cross which was in the shape of an “X”.

This type of cross has long been known as “St. Andrew’s cross.”
St Andrew’s Cross, is depicted, on the national flag of Scotland.

One of the wonderful things that we learn from St Andrew is his wonderful quality of being a “Introducer to Christ,” as seen in the various instances of the Gospel

1. It was St Andrew who “introduced to Christ”, his brother Peter (Jn 1: 40-42)

“We have found the Messiah” (Jn 1:41) were the words with which he introduced Jesus to his brother

2. It was St Andrew who “introduced to Christ”, the little boy with the five loaves and two fish, which would be later, multiplied for five thousand men! (Jn 6: 5-13)

“There is a little boy, who has five barley loaves and two fish…” (Jn 6:9) were the words with which he introduced Jesus to the little boy

3. It was St Andrew who “introduced to Christ” the Greeks who had come up to worship at the feast, at the request of Philip (Jn 12: 20-23)

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (Jn 12: 23) were the words with which Jesus reacted when he was introduced to the Greeks.

Thus, we see that St Andrew became an instrument and an active medium of “Introducing to Christ” many people.

As a Christian, this ought to be one great quality and duty that we ought to follow – “Introducing to Christ” many people…like St Andrew.

How can I take up this task of “Introducing to Christ”?

Many around us long to hear a word of encouragement in their brokenness, receive a word of consolation in their struggles and encounter a smile of hope in their helplessness

Can I “Introduce them to Christ” – to His love, to His message of hope, to His treasury of providence?

Many around us have immersed themselves into the murky waters of sin, immorality, injustice and insensitivity to people and nature

Can I “Introduce them to Christ” – to His ocean of mercy, to His fountain of justice and to His abundance of warmth?

Many around us have separated themselves and live in isolation – from people in relationships, from the Church and Her teachings, from the responsibilities and duties of their works and the society.

Can I “Introduce them to Christ” – to His dimension of wholeness in relations, to His Life-giving Sacraments and to His instruction of being faithful?

St Andrew heard the call of the Lord – “to follow Him”

He was touched by His love and was filled with a passion for His Master
He was zealous to bring many more to the Love of Jesus
He was even willing, to lay down his life, in imitation of his Master, for love of Him

We too, have heard the call of the Lord – “to follow Him”

Are we touched by His love and was filled with a passion for His Master
Are we zealous to bring many more to the Love of Jesus
Are we also, willing, to lay down our life, in imitation of our Master, for love of Him

May St Andrew intercede for us and inspire us, by his tremendous love for the Master…
…. And may we too, like him, become people who “Introduce many to Christ!”

Happy Feast of St Andrew, the zealous Apostle who “Introduced many to Christ!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake…

… and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. (CCC # 1822)

“Holding firm to our Crucified Lord and persevering in faithfulness to our Persecuted Master!”

(Based on Dan 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 and Lk 21:12-19 – Wednesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The Nicene Creed – also called Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed – is a Christian statement of faith
>> The Creed – in general – is accepted as authoritative by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and major Protestant churches.

This Creed was first composed and adapted at the First Council of Nicea in 325 AD.

One of the standout aspects – hardly ever brought to light – is about the participants of this Council of Nicea.

Many of the participants – of the approximately 318 Council participants – had lost an eye or lost a hand or limped on a leg…
… as a result of the torture they suffered for their Christian faith!

These bishops who met at Nicea had just come out of an extremely challenging time of intense persecution by the Romans…
… having lived through the cruelty of the Emperors Diocletian (ruling 284-305) and Maximian (ruling 286-305)

According to one ancient writer Theodoret (393-457), “the Council looked like an assembled army of martyrs!”


The Nicean Council was thus, not merely a gathering of intellectuals – discussing and deliberating; rather was a holy coming together of passionate individuals…
… who lived the Faith
… who suffered for the Faith
… and who wished everyone in the future, grows and lives the Faith, with utmost faithfulness!

These ancient people travelled to Nicea with broken bodies to formulate what was worth living and dying for!


This is the reality of Christianity

Every follower of Christ is reminded to joyfully accept a life of struggle and suffering, in order to discover the true joys of Faith!
>> Every joy in life is accompanied by the companionship of some pain and suffering.

This is the reality of life.


Christian life is an affirmation of this reality.

The joy of being a Christian is accompanied by the cross of pain and suffering.

The Gospel of the Day reminds us of this factor: Experiencing…
… the mighty power of God in the midst of weaknesses of life.
… the splendid joy of God in the thick of persecutions of life.
… the serene peace of God in the middle of terrors of life.


The Lord continues His discourse on the signs of the end times and the forthcoming persecutions that will be the lot of those who believe and follow Him.

Jesus doesn’t tone down in any measure in warning of the future calamities that will befall on His followers:
“They will seize and persecute you… They will hand you over to synagogues and prison…
They will lead you before kings and governors…
>> You will be handed over by your parents, brothers, relatives and friends…
You will be put to death… You will be hated by all…” (Lk 21: 12-18)

The list of persecutions is too long, right?


For those who consider Christianity as an easy stroll in the part, this is a shocker!

For those who consider following Christ as comfort on a bed of roses, this is a stunner!


Sometimes our faith in Christ remains merely a statement on paper.

As Baptized people – whether as infants or as adults – we’ve the duty to grow in the grace bestowed on us.
>> To follow Christ is a privilege granted to us.
>> To become His Disciples is a special opportunity conferred on us.

But we often squander away the blessings that the Lord gives us without realizing its worth.


As a Christian and a follower of Christ…

We love His blessings…
… but get depressed when pains or sufferings come our way.

We crave for joy…
… but get irritated when things don’t go in the way we wish.

We seek for a comfortable life…
… but get wild with Him when we lose some luxuries.


The Lord however, invites us to a life of deeper perseverance and courage: “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives” (Lk 21: 19)

For the one who believes in Christ…
>> Every sickness, can be a moment to experience the Lord as a Healer.
>> Every financial crisis, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Provider.
>> Every spiritual struggle, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Saviour.
>> Every rupture in relationship, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Unifier.
>> Every encounter in failure, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Sovereign Lord
>> Every doubt of the future, can be a moment to experience the Lord as the Supreme Master


All these affirmations will remain peripheral and theoretical, unless we trust in the Lord.

Many might say…
… “I don’t believe in a God who allows calamities and persecutions.”
… “I don’t want a relation with a God who permits suffering and pains.”

But this is where challenge of our Baptismal Consecration comes to fruition…
>> To be with the Lord, in total commitment, when the going gets tough.
>> To remain united with the Lord, in complete faithfulness, when the road gets bumpy.

In the words of Kahlil Gibran, the writer:
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars”


Jesus has shown us the path in the Way of the Cross.
Jesus has broken Himself for us in the Holy Eucharist.
>> In Him is True Life.
>> In Him is Genuine Peace.
>> In Him is Everlasting Happiness.

Let us hold firm to our Crucified Lord and persevere in faithfulness to our Persecuted Master.


With joy and passion, in the words of the Nicene Creed, let us unceasingly proclaim:
“I believe in One God…
… and the life of the world to come, Amen!”


God Bless! Live Jesus!


– Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
📧 reflectioncapsules@gmail.com
Bengaluru, India

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
>> Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour.
>> Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one.
>> Dream that the more you struggle, the more you prove the love that you bear your God…
… and the more you will rejoice one day with your Beloved, in a happiness and rapture that can never end. (CCC # 1821)
——–

“Allowing Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords to adorn the Temple of our lives!”

(Based on Dan 2:31-45 and Lk 21:5-11 – Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

“God himself cannot sink this ship!”

“The captain can, by simply moving an electric switch, instantly close all the doors, practically making the vessel unsinkable”
“We believe that the ship is unsinkable.”

These were some of the comments and claims that were made about Titanic – the largest ship in the first half of the 1900s

But all these proud and arrogant assertions found a watery grave, with the sinking of the Titanic on the morning of 15th April 1912…
… killing over one thousand five hundred people.

It was a massive tragedy of the loss of many lives.

Indeed, a very sad moment!

But it was also a horrific lesson to humankind on the need to be aware of her limitations.

It was also a torrid warning to generations on the need to be on the guard, always.

“Being on the watch” is a necessity and a basic requirement in every sphere of human life!

The Gospel of the Day presents this message of being vigilant and alert in our lives.

Gazing on the glorious Temple of Jerusalem, Jesus makes a prophetic saying:
“As for these things which you see, the days will come when there shall not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” (Lk 21:6)

These words would have come as a big shocker and a tantalizing scandal to His listeners.

Who would have thought that the Titanic would ever sink?

To think of the Jerusalem Temple being totally destroyed was a case next to impossible.

The Jerusalem Temple was the holiest shrine of the Jews.
The Jerusalem Temple was the pulse and the heartbeat of the Jewish Faith.
The Jerusalem Temple was the greatest source of joy and pride for the Jews.

Any attack or any destruction of this Great Edifice of Faith was unimaginable and intolerable.

Yet, Jesus makes this powerful and daring prophecy.

What is the structure and edifice of joy and pride in our lives?

Is it a structure…
… of fat bank-balances and transient fame and popularity
… of remarkable public positions and offices of high ranking
… of enjoying life with temporary pleasures and passing addictions?

All too often we have heard people saying:

“I have enough money and I am happy with my life!

Just enjoy today to the max. Who knows what happens tomorrow?”

“The status that I am in today, is a result of my hard work and labour.

Why should anyone interfere in my private life to prevent me from enjoying it in my own style?”

History teaches us that structures built without the Power and Grace of God is bound to fall.

The Tower of Babel is a classic example from the Bible. (Gen 11: 4-9)

Built on human pride and aspiration, it had a catastrophic collapse

The lives of many people are also a lesson for us – Samson, King Saul, King Solomon, Judas.
They had their moments of great glory and splendour.

But when pride and self-interest crept into their lives, they lost the touch of God’s hand!

We may glory and shine in beauty for some time, by just banking on our capabilities.

But unless we remain in firm obedience and faithful commitment to the Lord, we are bound to fail!

None of us are, and can be unsinkable!

An obstinate stand that I can manage my life by myself is hazardous.
A proud feeling that no power in the world can shake me is dangerous.
An arrogant outlook that I am the sole master of my future and destiny is perilous.

Yes, let God be God in our lives!

Let Him enthrone the highest place and the privileged position in our lives.

May Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords adorn the Temple of our lives.

With Him we can shine forever.
With Him we can stand forever.
With Him we can glory forever.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do His Will.
In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere “to the end”…

… and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ. (CCC # 1821)

“Generously using the ‘shovel of giving’ and thus giving space for the Lord to ‘use His Bigger Shovel’ in our lives!”

(Based on Dan 1:1-6, 8-20 and Lk 21:1-4 – Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An elderly Christian – retired from work – who was well-known for his selfless charitable acts, was once asked by a youngster:
“We all are aware that you are a very generous person…
… reaching out to help anyone in need.

But we have always wondered, how is it, that though you give so much, to so many people…
… you still have so much left!”

“Oh!” replied the elderly man, “as I shovel out, He shovels in!”
(Shovel is a tool resembling a spade with a broad blade and typically upturned sides, used for moving mud, coal, snow, or other material)

“And the Lord has a Bigger Shovel than me!”

Do I generously use the “shovel of giving”…
… thus giving space for the Lord to ‘use His Bigger Shovel’ in my life…?

Do we have the joy and the generosity to give ourselves, to the Lord and for His works?

The Gospel of the Day demonstrates the powerful message of True Giving, through the incident of the Offering of the Poor Widow.

The passage begins with the verse, “When Jesus looked up and saw…” (Lk 21: 1)

Jesus has sharp eyes…

He sees what most people miss to see…
He perceives what most people ignore…
He observes what most people pass on as ordinary…

While all others saw only the corrupt mind of Zacchaeus, Jesus saw deeper… (Lk 19:7)

Jesus observed the flame of genuine repentance and earnest desire in him.

While all others saw only the filth in the woman caught in adultery, Jesus saw deeper…(Jn 8:3)

Jesus observed the spark of pleading for mercy and compassion in her.

While all others saw only a disturbance in the blind beggar Bartimaeus, Jesus saw deeper… (Lk 18:39)

Jesus observed the flash of true longing and expectant hope in him…

There are many times in our life, when we think or do little things and we would feel them as insignificant.

But the Lord sees deeper…

A tiny word of thanks and appreciation…The Lord sees our goodness.
A small gesture of timely help and assistance… The Lord sees our nobility.
A genuine smile of encouragement and support… The Lord sees our benevolence.

The palace of goodness is built by the tiny bricks of genuine actions and loving thoughts.

And the Lord sees it all – “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3)

He doesn’t miss a single gift, small or large.
He knows every giver, rich and poor.

This is the significance of being engaged in little and small acts of charity.

None of them go down the drain.

Rather, all of them are recorded by God and translates into a fountain of blessings!

The Lord keenly observed the insignificant action of the Poor Widow dropping in two copper coins into the Temple Treasury.

The Temple Treasury was in the Court of the Women, which was on the easternmost part of the Temple.

Against the walls of this temple area were the thirteen chests, or ‘trumpets,’ for charitable contributions.

These thirteen chests were shaped like trumpets, narrow at the mouth and wide at the bottom.

Each one had a different Hebrew letter designating separate offerings and causes.

Into this Temple Treasury… the poor widow just drops in two small copper coins? (Lk 21:2)

What difference did her two coins make toward meeting the temple budget?
Probably nothing!!

Perhaps the treasurer muttered under his breath as he saw it being dropped:
“Why do people throw such small coins into the treasury? They’re more a nuisance to count than they’re worth!”

But the Lord has a totally different yardstick of measuring and of judging.

People count the worth of money by what is given.

God counts the worth of money by what is left over.

People say “wow” over thicker and fatter amounts given, irrespective of the means and intention.

God says “Wow” over any amount given, but only when given with the proper means and true intention.

While most people would have sidelined this meager act of giving, the Lord lavishes praise on the poor widow who “gave it all”.

The gifts of the rich would have not cost them much…
… But the widow may have gone hungry that night because she gave all what she had.

She gave it all, not for any praise or to show-off, but out of love of God and her religion.

What is our attitude in “giving” to God?

Often we give only “leftovers” to God.

If we have some food left, after we have relished nicely, we give it off to some hungry
If we have anything left after we’ve spent for all our needs, then we drop a bit for charity.
If we have something left, after we have used and its now old, we donate it to the church.
If we have some “time” left, after engaging in all leisure, then we give the time to God.
If we have some goodwill left, after busying with many works, we offer our thanks to the Lord.

The Lord, seriously, is in no need of the offering of our money.

But the Lord, very seriously, is on the lookout for an offering of our hearts!

Let us make not just peripheral contribution of our lives, but rather engage in sacrificial offerings of our self.

As St Mother Teresa would say:
“Give, but give until it hurts…
… It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving”

The Lord has given everything for us.

As His disciples, we too are expected to be similar: to give everything to Him.

An “all-giving” Master deserves “all-giving” disciples…
… Doesn’t He?

Let us generously use the “shovel of giving”…
… thus giving space for the Lord to ‘use His Bigger Shovel’ in my life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Hope affords us joy even under trial: “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation.”
Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father…

… the summary of everything that hope leads us to desire. (CCC # 1820)

“As a true ‘Cristero,’ willing to boldly proclaim – every day and in every situation – the mighty cry: ‘Viva Cristo Rey – Long live Christ the King!’”

(Based on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)

The 1920s saw Mexico undergoing a totalitarian regime.

They tried to suppress the Church.

To overcome this tyranny, the Christians, calling themselves, “Cristeros”…
… took up the faith-cry: “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”)

One of the most famous “Cristero” was a young priest named Padre Miguel Pro.

Caught for the many ‘illegal’ Christian services to the people, the government would arrest him…
… and he would be sentenced to public execution.

The president thought that Padre Miguel Pro would beg for mercy

And so he invited a number of people including the press, to the execution.

Padre Pro however, did not plead for his life

Instead, he knelt, holding a crucifix.

When he finished his prayer – after having forgiven the executioners – he kissed the crucifix and stood up.

Holding the crucifix in his right hand, he extended his arms and shouted: “Viva Cristo Rey!”

At that moment the soldiers fired!

The brave “Cristero” had offered his life for the Master!

What about us?

Are we ready to be a true “Cristero”…
… willing to boldly proclaim – every day and in every situation – the mighty cry: “Viva Cristo Rey – Long live Christ the King!”

Today is the Feast of Christ the King.

It is the Last Sunday of the Liturgical year

This feast is a relatively new feast.

It was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 through an encyclical letter called “Quas Primas” (In the First) .

In the history of the Church, liturgical feasts have been instituted in answer to particular needs that arise in the life of the world & Church.

This Feast of Christ the King was in response to the grave and disturbing situation of the world:

The world in 1925, was still recovering from the devastation effects of the First World War.

Nations had been devastated.
New weapons and armoury had been introduced.

A wave of terror and danger was still vivid.
Modernity had crept into the human mind.

Human reason was considered to have enough power and capability for unlimited progress.
Human societies were abandoning Christian values and sought to do away with divine and spiritual dimensions of life.

It’s at the height of this secularization of the world, that we are presented with this great Feast of Christ the King.

Human progress gives a feeling that humans have absolute power over all forces in the universe.

But this feast reminds us, that Christ still reigns above all.

The Kingdom of Christ the King is under several threats today…

The forces of materialism and consumerism…
… have clouded the minds of several with riches and pleasures.

The forces of sensualism and sensationalism…
… have corrupted many innocent hearts and destroyed many simple minds.

The forces of authoritarianism and individualism…
… have shattered many families and community lives.

The forces of relativism and practical atheism…
… are strongly raging against the practice of faith and the teachings of the Church.

As Christians, we are soldiers belonging to the Kingdom of God, with Christ as our King.

A soldier ought to be one who is deeply convinced and highly passionate of one’s King and Kingdom

As a Christian…
… am I deeply convinced of my faith and love for Christ and His Kingdom?
… am I passionately enthusiastic to live my Christian virtues in this world?

There are many who say that they are willing to give up their lives and die for Christ.

But today, the Lord also demands, “Are you willing to LIVE for me?”

There is an urgent need to become Christ the King’s living witnesses in this world.

Kings are often identified with a lot of pomp and grandeur and power and triumphalism.

But Christ our King is not bothered about any such external pageantry or vain flashiness.

What is the identification of this Christ the King?

In Mt 2:2, we read a question, “Where is the (new born) King of the Jews?”

The answer to this question will be found at the end of the Gospel, with Jesus hanging on the Cross and a statement which reads in Mt 27:37, “This is the King of the Jews!”

Where the Cross is, there is Christ the King!

Where the lost, the sinful, the abandoned and the lonely are… there is Christ the King.
Where the poor, the suffering, the miserable and the abused are… there is Christ the King.

The Lord in the Gospel of St Matthew, reminds us through the Scene of the Judgment:
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (My 25:40)

The Cross is the identity and symbol of Christ the King!

As this Crucified King’s soldiers, we too are invited to be sharers in the Cross of Christ.

It is said that people who are crucified with Christ will have three distinct marks:

Since they are crucified…

1. They can only look in one direction
2. They can never turn back
3. They no longer have plans of their own.

And these three characteristics ought to reflect in our Christian lives…

Being totally focused on Jesus and His kingdom… (looking in one direction)
Never to turn back from our commitment and get attracted to the ways of the world… (never turning back)
Giving up any of our personal goals and agenda which can deter us from God’s will… (no plans of their own)

Yes, let us Hearken to His voice…Christ, the King – The Great King.

No land to reign, but our hearts…
No majestic throne, but the Cross…
No mighty army, but a few people to spread His word…
No royal treats all the time, but pain and suffering that leads to salvation…
No grand fiesta, but the sacrifice of the Calvary, in the Most Holy Eucharist…

This King – along with His Blessed Mother, the Queen, Who stood at the Foot of the Cross with absolute faith, hope and love – invites us today to renew our commitment to Him

Royalty is less, but faithfulness is assured!
Popularity is rare, but blessings are plenty!

Are we ready to be a true “Cristero”…
… willing to boldly proclaim – every day and in every situation – the mighty cry:
“Viva Cristo Rey – Long live Christ the King!”

Happy Feast to all the “Cristeros” – the Valiant and Faithful Soldiers of Christ, the Awesome King!

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 THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Hope is the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul that enters where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.”
Hope is also a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation:

“Let us put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” (CCC # 1820)

“Growing in our faith in the Resurrection and living in holiness and sanctity in a way to boldly proclaim this belief to all!”

(Based on 1 Macc 6:1-13 and Lk 20:27-40 – Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

There is a story of a man who had been afflicted with a terminal disease.

With much fear of death, he sought counselling and help from one of his Christian doctors.

The doctor, was initially lost for words.

He did not know how to console the dying man.

As he was fumbling for an answer, he heard the noise of scratching on his door.

He got the answer of consolation.

“Do you hear that?” he asked his patient, calling his attention to the scratching noise on the door.

“Well!” continued the doctor, “that’s my dog!
I left him downstairs.

But he has become very impatient and has come up, hearing my voice.
He doesn’t have much idea, of what’s happening in here- beyond the door…
… but he knows one thing: ‘That I am here!’
And so, if I open the door now, he would just jump over me, into this room!”

The doctor continued, looking into the eyes of the patients, “Isn’t it the same with our lives?

We don’t have much idea of what lies beyond the Door, but we know that the Master is there!”

This is the Christian Faith: that beyond the Door of this Life, is the Master!

This is the hope of Resurrection!

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to reinforce our faith and hope in the Resurrection.

The Sadducees who did not believe in the Resurrection, put forth a question of “after-life” to Jesus. (Lk 20: 27-33)

Jesus, Who knows the intentions of all hearts and the craftiness of every mind, spoke…
… of the difference in the nature of life – in this world and in the next
… of His sovereignty over those who have died and those who are alive

Referring to the passage of the Burning Jesus, Jesus proclaims, “… He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive!” (Lk 20: 38)

This verse of the Lord is one of the direct and easy-to-understand basis…
… for the Catholic teaching and practice of “praying for the dead”.

Many are the times when this noble piety of the Catholics is put into question…

“It is unbiblical to pray for the dead”
“Our prayers have no effect on those who are dead, since it is not our works, but their faith, which saves”
… These are some of the statements said against the Catholic practice of “praying for the dead”

But the Lord very clearly shows, through today’s Gospel…
… that God is the God of all – the living and the dead
… that all are living for Him – even though for us, apparently those who are gone from us, are dead

It is our human experience, that while living on this earth…
… we do seek the help of one another – especially through prayers

We ask one another’s help and prayers…
… when we are going through a crisis or problem
… when we are struggling through sufferings

Then can’t the same logic be applied to those who have died (who are actually alive in the eyes of God!)

Can’t those who are away from this world – the faithful departed – seek for our help and assistance, in their moments of suffering and struggles?

[For those of us… who may have doubts as to “what kind of suffering do the dead have…”

The Church teaches us …
…. Nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27)
While we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us…
….especially venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.

Therefore, it is needed to have “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven… “

This is called as “purgatory”.

This purification causes suffering… as a purification that takes place in fire!
The dead – the faithful departed – seek our prayers, for a deliverance from this struggle of sufferings!]

November is a month especially dedicated to pray for the Faithful Departed.

The Church invites her children in this world…
To remember and pray
To offer sacrifices and penances
To lead a life away from sin, in holiness
… for the faithful departed!

Yes, it is our faith and hope in the Resurrection, that spurs us…
… to live a life of holiness
… to be zealous in reaching out the message of salvation to all
… to be fervent in our prayers for the suffering who have passed away from us

Let us cease to be a “practical Sadducee”: professing belief in the Resurrection only in lips…
… but failing to display this belief by a life of holiness!

It is true that we don’t have much awareness of how the “next life” would be…
… We do fall short of words to explain the nature of the life-to-come or rationally describing “how heaven would be!”
… We may even have our own fears and anxieties in thinking of death or in the parting moments of our loved ones!

But we do know for certain one thing: that we would be one with our Lord- the lover of our soul…
… the fullness of joy
… the supremacy of holiness
… the culmination of every desire

Yes, we don’t have much idea of what lies beyond the Door, but we know that the Master is there!

Let us grow in our faith in the Resurrection…
… and let us live a life of holiness and sanctity – that would boldly proclaim this belief to all!

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 THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Christian hope unfolds from the beginning of Jesus’ preaching in the proclamation of the beatitudes.
The beatitudes raise our hope toward heaven as the new Promised Land; they trace the path that leads through the trials that await the disciples of Jesus.

But through the merits of Jesus Christ and of his Passion, God keeps us in the “hope that does not disappoint.” (CCC # 1820)

“Carrying the white bag of holiness and sacredness in our spiritual journey!”

(Based on 1 Macc 4:36-37, 52-59 and Lk 19:45-48 – Friday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A family of four were on a holiday trip – a ten day cruise.

They had a good number of bags with them – thirteen in all.

As they were set to enter the ship, loading in all their stuffed baggage, the absent-minded husband remarked, “Oh, I wish I had also taken the white-coloured bag that was kept on our main table!”

The wife, who was pretty exasperated with the large number of bags exclaimed, “What? We already have more than a dozen bags, and you wanted another one?”

The man, sheepishly replied: “Well… our tickets are in that white bag!”

This humorous incident reflects an important dimension of our lives: We often miss out of picking up the right priorities of life!

In our spiritual journey, do we sometimes neglect in carrying the ‘white bag?’ – the bag of holiness and sacredness?

Do we sometimes end up missing out “the sense of the Sacred” in our lives?

The Gospel of the day presents a classic case of this loss of the Sacred Sense.

The Temple of Jerusalem is desecrated by a loss of the Sacred Sense and Jesus seeks to restore it by cleansing the temple.
“Then Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things” (Lk 19:45)

One of the basic characteristics of religion is the aspect of Sacredness.

God is Holy.

And all matters pertaining to our holy God, has a Sense of the Sacred.

Worship becomes meaningful, when one becomes aware of this Sense of the Sacred.

Preaching becomes powerful, when one is convinced of this Sense of the Sacred.
Liturgy becomes heart-touching, when one acknowledges this Sense of the Sacred.

The Gospel of the Day – the incident of the cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple invites us to make a deep examination…

Is my Worship of God becoming merely external and losing its inner values?
Is my Preaching of God reduced to great talks but devoid of conviction and passion?
Is my Liturgy more a ritualistic and obligatory exercise than truly an experiential one?

If the answer to any of the above questions is a ‘Yes’…
… then we are perhaps losing the Sense of the Sacred.
… then perhaps, the “bag of holiness” is missing in our journey of life.

The Jerusalem Temple was very dear to the faith of the people of Israel.

Worshipping in this temple was the ultimate for the Israelites, in their honouring of God.

At the Passover, Jews from around the world came to the temple to sacrifice to the Lord (Ex. 12:1-28; Lev. 23:4-8).

It was highly impractical to bring sacrificial animals long distances.

So they were made available in the Jerusalem Temple.

Most Jews also paid the temple tax during the Passover.

Since, they came from various places and bore pagan Roman seals, money-changers were there in the temple, to convert the Roman coinage into appropriate currency.
Pagan symbols on Roman money made it unacceptable for Yahweh’s house.

Where there is money, corruption slowly creeps in…!

Pilgrims had to pay exorbitant rates to change money, and sellers exploited those in poverty, overcharging for the poor man’s offering of pigeons and doves (Lev. 5:7).

To make things worse, these merchants set up shop in the Court of the Gentiles, making it useless as a place of prayer due to the hustle and bustle of the buying and the selling of goods..

Though not inherently evil, these practices became occasions for sin.

What started for a noble cause, led to immense corruption!

There began the loss of the “Sense of the Sacred”…

And this is so true in our own lives…

The beginning of the loss of the Sense of the Sacred begins with trivial things.

We allow a little delays and some relaxations in our prayer life…

And suddenly, we find no excitement in spending time in prayer.

We allow laxity and silence and indifference in our relationships…

And suddenly, we find no meaning in many of our relations…

We allow unpreparedness and disinterest to walk into our celebration and participation of Mass…

And suddenly, we find no meaning in the Holy Eucharist.

The loss of the Sense of the Sacred happens in a very subtle and quiet way.

And unless, we remain vigilant and careful, we can lose our way in the spiritual warfare.

It is this reminder and warning that the Lord delivers today, by cleansing the Jerusalem Temple.
“It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it into a den of robbers'” (Lk 19: 46)

The cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple is a strong reminder for us, to check, how and where have we lost the Sense of the Sacred…

We complain…
… that the world is becoming more materialistic and less spiritual.
… that the Church is becoming more “worldly” and less inspiring.

One of the root problems lies in the fact, that we perhaps losing the “Sense of the Sacred”

Unless we are in awe of the God who has created this beautiful and majestic world…
… we will continue to abuse and misuse the world.

Unless we are in wonder of the God who has gifted the Church with life-saving sacraments…
… we will continue to blame the Church and lose precious graces that we can obtain through her.

Let us revive the “Sense of the Sacred”…

In our spiritual journey, may we never neglect or forget to carry the ‘white bag’ – the bag of holiness and sacredness…
… ‘cos in them contain the tickets to heaven!

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 THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Christian hope takes up and fulfills the hope of the chosen people…
… which has its origin and model in the hope of Abraham
… who was blessed abundantly by the promises of God fulfilled in Isaac
… and who was purified by the test of the sacrifice.

“Hoping against hope, he believed, and thus became the father of many nations. (CCC # 1819)

“Realising that living away from God – the Fire of Life – will always cause tepidity and apathy to sneak in!”

(Based on 1 Macc 2:15-29 and Lk 19:41-44 – Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A priest was once persuading a church member to be more active and enthusiastic in his Christian life…
… and to give a little more priority to his spiritual life.

They were sitting inside the man’s parlour

It was winter time, and the coal was burning in the fireplace.

The man objected saying, “I can be a good person, even without doing all the spiritual activities and the requirements of the Church.”

The priest kept silent.

But stepped to the fireplace

Took the tongs, and picked a blazing coal from the fire…
… and kept it away from the fire.

In silence, both of them watched the blazing coal – which was far from the fire – lose its heat…
… and going off.

“I see” said the man…
… as he realised the importance of staying near God.

Living a life away from God – the Fire of Life…
… will always cause tepidity and apathy to sneak in…
… leading to a slow but sure loss of life.

The Gospel of the Day is the dramatic incident of Jesus crying over the City of Jerusalem…
… who had failed to understand the coming of the Messiah

And thus lost opportunity to truly be the “Jerusalem – the City of Peace!”

The heart of a parent is broken, when the child strays away from the ways of truth and honesty.

If this is the experience of our earthly parents, how much more will be the pain and suffering of our God…
… if we stray away from Him, who loves each one of us deeply with a tender affection?

It is this sorrow and grief that is strongly expressed by Jesus in the Gospel of the day.

Jesus laments over the City of Jerusalem.

St Luke records this lamentation of the Lord with a powerfully sentimental verse:
“As Jesus drew near, he saw the city and wept over it” (Lk 19: 41)

Jesus is usually an epitome of great joy and rejoicing.

Jesus, therefore, being made to shed tears shows the gravity of situation.

What made Jesus to shed tears?

The pain and the hurt He experienced because of the ill-response and harsh reaction of His chosen people, Israel, represented by the city of Jerusalem.

God had chosen Israel as His people.

Out of all the civilizations on the earth, He chose them as His beloved.

Through them He promised that the Saviour of the human race would come.

This promise ignited the hearts of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God wiped out their enemies even in the most extreme of circumstances!

Time and again, God blessed them with judges, kings and prophets. He even provided them a place to worship.

But as the quote goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt!”

Israel, God’s own people no longer delighted in being His distinctive people.

For them, He became routine.
They began to consider Him of little value.

They allowed their hearts to grow hard, over and over, again and again.

Finally, Jesus, the long-promised Messiah came, the One whom God the Father had sent.

But most of the Jews by then, had grown stubborn and complacent in their ways.
They had no room for One who came to fulfil their Law and the Prophets.

They maltreated the Saviour of the World.
They rejected the Chosen One of God.
They abused the Anointed One of the Lord.
And this led, Jesus to shed tears.

This story of Jerusalem could well be our own life-story.

We have been specially chosen and loved by the Lord.

He has taken us through many dangers, sicknesses and accidents.

In times when everything seem lost, He has been our refuge.

In moments when all seemed totally blank and dark, He has been the glowing light.

On occasions we felt like quitting life and escaping from realities, He held us in good stead.

But we tend to easily forget all these good deeds and wonders of the Lord.

Yes, it’s a sad thing, but a sure reality: “For many of us, God is often, just a routine!”

We fail to be grateful and thankful to the Lord….
… by living a holy and virtuous life.
… by deepening our bond of love and affection with Him
… by translating His graces into deeds of charity and concern for our people.

We instead persecute and torture Him…
… by living a lethargic or unholy or even scandalous life
… by abandoning many of His commandments and the teachings of the Church
… by harming our brothers and sisters and being highly indifferent in situations.

God’s Heart – like that of a broken parent weeping for the child – is crying out for us…

He is telling us, “I am wounded!”

We have strayed much…
… it’s time to come back to Him
He calls us.
He longs to have us with Him always.
He wants us back in His loving embrace.

As little children, let us run, in sincere repentance and honest contrition, to the welcoming Heart of our Beloved God.

Let us not boast or brag saying that, “I can be a good person, even without doing all the spiritual activities and the requirements of the Church.”

Rather, let’s realize that “away from the fire”…
… even a blazing coal will slowly but surely lose its heat and go off!

May we be reminded that living away from God – the Fire of Life…
… will always cause tepidity and apathy to sneak in…
… leading to a slow but sure loss of life.

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 THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man…
… it takes up the hopes that inspire men’s activities and purifies them so as to order them to the Kingdom of heaven
… it keeps man from discouragement
… it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude.

Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity. (CCC # 1818)

“Being prepared to take risks in order to make progress in life!”

(Based on 2 Macc 7:1, 20-31 and Lk 19:11-28 – Wednesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A little tortoise was constantly facing a complex of feeling too low in life.

Seeing the various other animals, moving swiftly and speedily…
… the tortoise would very often hide itself in its shell.

It felt that it could never progress in life!

One day, it came across a wise person and sought an advice of how to get the best from life.

The sage – a wise person – replied:
“My little tortoise, always remember that you have been created specifically.
So never feel low or bad about yourself.

And as far as progressing is concerned…
… Always remember: ‘Unless you stick your neck out, you can never progress!”

That was a simple, yet effective piece of advice, isn’t it

Unless the tortoise “stuck its neck out, it could never progress!”

Sticking the neck out of course, meant “taking a risk”…
… but unless that was done, progress was not going to happen.

The same is true for us in our life as well:

Unless we take risks… Unless we “stick out our necks”
… we can never progress!

The Gospel of the Day is a parable of a person who refused “to stick out his neck”…
… and thus not only failed to progress, but ended up on the losing side!

Jesus presents the very-practical “Parable of the Productive Servants”

A nobleman who, before going to a faraway country, entrusts money to his servants with an instruction, “Engage in trade with these, until I return” (Lk 19: 13)

The money given was a “mina”

A mina was a Greek coin.

The lowest level of the Greek Coinage System was the drachma…
…. equal to one day’s wages. (1 Drachma = 1 day’s wages)

One hundred drachmas equalled one Mina (100 Drachmas = 1 Mina).

Therefore, One Mina equalled nearly 100 days of wages (1 Mina = 100 days wages; i.e. nearly 3 months)

With this (fairly huge) amount of money, the Master instructs the servants to “invest”

Investment always means a “sense of risk!”

The parable goes on to say that…
… one of them made another ten (Lk 19: 16)
… the other made another five (Lk 19:18)

These two are greatly rewarded.

The one “who is willing to take risks” always finds life more rewarding and satisfying!

But, its over here, the parable presents the third servant, who decided to be “Mr. Keep it Safe!”

He came back to his master, with an excuse: “Sir, here is your coin” (Lk 19: 20)

He failed to make any investment
He failed to take “any risk”

He refused to “stick out his neck!”

Sticking the neck out of course, meant “taking a risk”…
… but unless that was done, progress was not going to happen.

And that would make him to end up on the losing side!

The Bible is replete with personalities, who would take “risks”…
… and thus emerge successful!

Noah would “take the risk” of listening to God and build the Ark for rescue from the deluge
Abraham would “take the risk” by obeying God and leaving His country and people
Moses would “take the risk” and trust in God to lead the people out of slavery
Jeremiah would “take the risk” of being a prophet despite of several oppositions to his life
Peter would “take the risk” of leaving his fishing profession to be ‘fishers of men’
… and many many more!

They “risked their life” for God – His Will and His Kingdom!

They would “stick out their neck” in progressing in the ways of God!

How about us?

Do we “take risks?”
… the “risk” to trust in God, in spite of the uncertainties of life
… the “risk” to know God has the best plan for us, despite the many hardships we face in life
… the “risk” to believe that God always walks with us, even though we go through the ‘deserts of life’

Let us always realize: Unless we take risks…

Unless we “stick out our necks”
… we can never progress!

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 THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES

Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness…
… placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength

… but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. (CCC # 1817)