“Having the last laugh with Jesus, our Risen Saviour and Lord!”

(Based on Acts 2:14, 22-33 and Mt 28:8-15 – Monday in the Octave of Easter)

A commonly-known humorous narration is told about how Jesus and satan were having an argument about Who was better on the computer.

They said to each other: “Let’s set up a test that will run for three hours and then let’s see who does the better job!”

So Jesus and satan sat down at the keyboards and typed away.

They did spreadsheets.
They wrote reports.
They sent faxes.
They sent e-mails
They downloaded.
They did every known job.

But ten minutes before their time was up…
… lightning suddenly flashed across the sky
… thunder rolled
… the rain poured

And, of course, the electricity went off.

Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld.

Jesus just sighed and remained cool!

The electricity finally flickered back on and they restarted their computers.

Satan started searching his files frantically, screaming:
“It’s gone! It’s all gone!
I lost everything when the power went out!”

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out, all of his files that He had worked on from the past three hours.

Satan observed this and became irate.
“Wait! You cheated, how did You do it?”

Jesus just shrugged and replied, “Don’t forget, I am Jesus!

The meaning of the name Jesus is: God Saves!”

Well… the three hours of the agonizing Death of Christ on the Cross, was seen as a sign of victory by Satan

The Kingdom of darkness had been conquered…
… so it was felt!
The world of misery had overcome all goodness…
… so it was felt!

But it was God who had the last laugh!

Jesus rose from the dead, and Life and Salvation became the last words.

God indeed made a fool out of satan!

The Resurrection – Jesus’ rising from the dead – was the most spectacular joke that God had pulled on Satan.

It was a reminder that whatever happens in life…
… when one has entrusted everything to the Lord, then ultimately: God Saves!

Resurrection is a Feast with a call to celebrate and enjoy God’s magnificent victory over Satan and the powers of darkness.

During His life, the Lord encountered many occasions, when He was subject to being in humiliating, mocking and testing situations

At the desert, Satan had sought to make Jesus a fool, by tempting and luring Him through many temptations. (Mt 4: 1-10)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord once again faced a trying time in battling to embrace God’s Will totally and completely (Lk 22: 41-44)
On the Cross, the soldiers and others who persecuted the Lord, mocked and challenged Him to come down from the Cross (Mk 15: 29-32)

At every stage of His Life, our Blessed Lord was put into situations of being the “butt of jokes” and the “laughingstock”…
… and a target for many a trial, tribulations and mockeries.

The Crucifixion was meant to be the greatest of all such “agonizing” mockeries!

But…
… Divine Wisdom always finds a way out to triumph!
… Divine Providence always regains the way to victory!

This is the message of the Resurrection.

The Gospel of the Day is the account of the encounter of Jesus with the women, who had come to the tomb of the Lord.

The women who saw the empty tomb and encountered the Lord, were filled with a holy fear, a tremendous joy and a deep devotion (Mt 28: 8-9)

Divine Wisdom always, has the final laugh in every trial and tribulation!

Are we ready to share in the happiness of this “joyful” act of the Lord?

Life may bite us sharply with ensnaring temptations and evil tendencies…
Life may make a fool of us with mounting tensions and troubles…
Life may put us down badly with uncertainties and doubts…

We may often, find ourselves mocked.
We may often, find ourselves ridiculed.

But in all such situations, let us dare to look to our Crucified Lord…
… who Himself underwent painful mocking and unfair scorning…
Yet, had the final laugh, through the Resurrection from the dead!

The Resurrection gives us…
… every reason to rejoice, even in the midst of deadly trials…
… every cause to be joyful, even in the midst of heavy tribulations…

May the Risen Lord be the reason for us to rejoice and be joyful, thanking Him for the greatest joke ever – the crushing of Satan by the power of the Holy Cross!

Yes, in all moments of our struggles…
… even when the lightening of problems hit our lives
… even when the electricity of encouragement goes off

Let us entrust all our works and deeds to the Safe Hands of Jesus…
… because “God always saves!”

Today April 01, is commonly marked as ‘April Fool’s Day!’

As Christians, we can indeed rejoice and say, that “on Easter Day, Christ truly made a fool of sin and death!”
And we are reminded: “Life may often make you a fool!
But never be discouraged; with Jesus, we will always have the last laugh!”

Happy Easter to all of you!

“Let Hallelujah be the joyful song that we radiate in all our thoughts, words and deeds!”

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 HUMAN COMMUNITY – SOCIAL JUSTICE

Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature.
These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it.
They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority: by flouting them, or refusing to recognize them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy.
If it does not respect them, authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subjects.

It is the Church’s role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from unwarranted or false claims. (CCC # 1930)

The HOLY WEEK is the holiest week in the Liturgical Year!

And this HOLY WEEK can truly become a HOLY & HEALING WEEK…
… if we make efforts to TOTALLY LIVE FOR GOD!

The HOLY WEEK is a reminder to all of us…
… that God has given HIMSELF TOTALLY FOR US!

And we in turn, are to GIVE OURSELVES TOTALLY TO THE LORD!

Let this week, be a time…
… to grow in greater personal intimacy in His Word
… to ‘fall in love with Him’ in the Holy Eucharist
…. and to dwell with Him, near His Holy Cross.

Let us try to perform THREE TASKS FOR THIS WEEK
a. READ: Read the last 3 chapters of all the four Gospels – in order to meditate deeper on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ

b. REPAIR: Repair our relationships, especially by praying for those with whom we are not very okay, and extending the forgiveness and goodwill of the Lord to them

c. RESOLVE: Resolve to overcome a particular bad habit/sin that has been nagging us for sometime, and/or cultivating a virtue in order to grow in our Christian life

Let we hold the hands of our Blessed Mamma and St Joseph – and imitate them – in seeking the Will of the Lord, always!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

(Based on the Holy Week)

We have entered into the Most Blessed Week in the Liturgical Calendar

The Holy Week commemorates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord.

The Lord came to this world to die.
The shadow of His cross was cast on every event of His life.

And now, we are ready to mingle ourselves with those Sacred Moments of commemorating His Cross.

March 25, 2024
On MONDAY, we have the Gospel wherein Mary anoints the feet of the Lord (Jn 12: 1-11)

We could ponder on some of the aspects…
a. The deep love of Mary
… Least bothered of what others felt.
… Least mindful of her own shame or dignity
All that mattered to her was Jesus and love for Him

Can I grow in my spiritual life, to possess such a unique and undivided love?

b. Danger of piety being covered up under the cloak of materialism, duplicity – Judas.
His focus was moved from “Following the Lord” to “Plotting against the Master”

Is my love for the Lord, losing its sheen and getting corrupted with worldliness?

March 26, 2024
On TUESDAY, we ponder with the Lord in His final discourse to His disciples (Jn 13: 21-33, 36-38)

We could dwell on some of the aspects…
a. The various attitudes towards the Lord, highlighted through the Disciples
… John, the beloved disciple, who could remain close to His heart.
… Simon Peter, the wavering disciple, genuinely wishing to follow the Lord, but failing often due to human limitations.
… Judas, the betraying disciple, in whom darkness had slowly encompassed and the night of sin was being encountered.

Am I growing in my love for the Lord, to be His beloved, or am I still floating on the waters of uncertainty or am I going downhill into spiritual darkness, failing to hold the hand of the Lord?

b. The prime importance needed in preparation to receive the Lord in the Holy Mass.
The Apostles had the privilege to participate in the First Holy Eucharist.
… however one of them, received the Lord with a deliberate and purposeful sin in the heart, which led to bringing death upon himself, at the reception of the Life-giving Bread.

Do I make the necessary preparations to receive the Lord worthily in the Holy Eucharist, growing in awareness of His presence in our hearts throughout the day, and in turn becoming a Eucharist to the needy in the world?

March 27, 2024
On WEDNESDAY, we reflect on the downfall of Judas (Mt 26: 14-25)

We could contemplate over some aspects…
a. Judas falls into the sin of avarice
One of the greatest dangers in life is that of misuse and attraction to money.
The Lord said, “Where thy treasure is, there thy heart too” (Mt 6:21)

Is my life too much attached to worldly pleasures, riches, powers, my own talents and capabilities that I fail to depend on the Lord and make Him the only and ultimate treasure of my life?

b. An insider is the one capable of being the greatest traitor and betrayer.
Among all the people who knew Jesus, The Twelve were chosen to be the closest.
… they shared the inner-most life and secrets of the Lord.

And therefore, the greatest danger was from one among them; and Judas Iscariot proved this right, by agreeing to betray his Master.

As an insider in the Church, am I betraying the Lord, by leading a lukewarm life, a scandalous life or a disinterested life?

March 28, 2024
On THURSDAY, we celebrate the intimate and passionate Love of Jesus!

The word ‘Maundy’ comes the Latin word “Maundatum” which means Command.

Three commands were expressed by the Lord …
a. The Command of Love
b. The Command of Commemorating the God of Love in the Holy Eucharist
c. The Command of continuity of sharing in the Priesthood of Jesus, the Priest and Victim

Can I grow in this consciousness and conviction to carry out the commands of the Lord?

March 29, 2024
On FRIDAY, we live through the Passion, Agony and Death of the Lord.

He who was sinless made Himself sin, for you and me!
… He who was blameless took upon the whole blame, for you and me!

Shall we make and mould our lives for holiness, abandoning our sinful ways…
… to be in greater communion with the One who died so that we may have life, and life in its abundance?

March 30, 2024
On SATURDAY, we pray at the tomb of the Lord, contemplating…
…. His deep, immense and unconditional for each of us, personally
… His Divine Wisdom to redeem the world back to Himself, scripting the greatest story ever

Yes the days are here…
… with another chance to review our lives, and renew our love-life with the Lord.

St Francis de Sales says, “Calvary is the Mount of lovers”
… and, “The love which is not the fruit of the Passion, is feeble”.

Our Greatest Lover is crucified there…
… as an expression of His love for us!

Come, let us also tread to path towards Him on Calvary, with our Blessed Mamma
… purging our sins, growing in His love
… and thus seek to rise with Him, and sing our eternal song – “Alleluia! He is Risen”

Wish you a Blessed Holy Week!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN PERSON

Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature.
These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it.
They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority: by flouting them, or refusing to recognize them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy.
If it does not respect them, authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subjects.

It is the Church’s role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from unwarranted or false claims. (CCC # 1930)

“Being intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experiencing His tremendous Love as we enter, with Faith and Hope, into the ‘Holy Week’”

(Based on the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion)

The cute story of little Johnny who was sick on one particular Palm Sunday is worth recounting.

His sickness had prevented him from going to Church that day and he had to stay home with his mother.

His father returned from church, that Sunday, holding a palm branch.

The little boy was curious and asked, “Why do you have that palm branch, Dad?”

With joy, Daddy replied, “You see, Johny… When Jesus came into town, everyone waved palm branches to welcome and honour Him; so we got palm branches today”

“Aww, Good Lord!” grumbled little Johnny, “The one Sunday I can’t go to church, and Jesus shows up!”

The innocence of Li’l Johny made him feel that He had missed the Lord when He came to town.

But when we think a little deeper, we also realise, that sometimes we are similar…
We fail to take notice of the Presence of the Lord very many times!

And it’s only when we “feel His absence” that we recognize the depth of “missing His Presence!”

Yes, “absence sometimes, can be a great reminder of the value of presence!”
(Just like it’s only when we lose something, we realise its value and significance! )

These are days when we are invited and challenged to revive the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love…
… which “give us a disposition to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church – CCC #1812)

We are invited to check how much we value “His Presence”…

At every Holy Mass, the Lord, really, substantially and truly comes to us in the Holy Eucharist.

Have we failed to see Him and thus to experience the true effects of His Nourishment?

Every moment, we have His Holy Word in the Bible, through which the Lord reveals and teaches more about Himself.

Do we miss the chance to read and experience Him?

Every now and then, we encounter the Lord through different situations and in many people in need who are in despair and in trouble.

Do we miss the opportunity to serve Him and to learn from Him?

Today we are entering into one of the most important weeks of the Liturgical year – The Holy Week!

And we commemorate the start of this Holy Week, with the Passion Sunday, also known as the Palm Sunday.

On this Palm Sunday, we recollect the entry of the Lord into the town, riding on a donkey (Cf. Mk 11:7)

The donkey has a specific symbolism…

In the olden days, military officers engaged in war and battles would ride on the most efficient animals: the fast and furious warhorses.

But after the victory in the war, the victorious officers would parade into the city riding on… yes, a donkey.

That was the reason why the people shouted out when they saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

In the First book of the Kings 1: 38-4, we read of how Prince Solomon used the royal donkey of his father David, for the ceremonial procession on the day of his coronation.

The new Solomon, Jesus, the True Prince of Peace and the King of Kings today enters His city, Jerusalem on a donkey as well!

A new reign of peace was being signalled.
A new kingdom of love was being ushered.

Are we ready to welcome the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace into our lives?

He is not the glorious King of might and wealth…

But He is the Spectacular King who will reign on His throne of the Cross.

He is not the proud Emperor who parades much show and pomp…

But He is the Wonderful Lord who displays His compassion and love by His wounds!

Are we ready to welcome this King into…
Our lives?
Our homes?
Our hearts?

The Passion of the Lord is about to begin…

Are we going to be part of the people who crucify Him?
… or are we going to be people who repent of sins and seek to live a life worthy of the King?

Many of us would have read the following, with a picture of Jesus Christ crucified…
“I asked Jesus, how much do you love me?”
And Jesus answered, “This much”
And He extended His arms on the cross…

But there’s a sequel to this, which perhaps is not known much, but is worth reflecting on…
Jesus then asked me, “How much do you love me”
I picked up the hammer and the nails….
saying, “This is how much I love You!”
… and began to crucify Him!

The Passion of the Lord is a result of our sins…
The Crucifixion of the Lord is a consequence of our disobedience…

As Isaiah would say, “It was our infirmities that He bore and it was our sufferings that He endured” (Is 53:4)

He died for love of us.
He suffered to save each of us.

Are we going to remain stubborn and adamant and continue to be a people who shout, “Crucify Him”…
… Or shall we repent, fall on our knees, seek a transformation, and, with palm branches in our hands
… truly exclaim and acclaim Jesus as the Lord, shouting, “Hosanna to the King of Kings! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Many of us are just happy to be part of the “city crowd”…
… remain there and once in a way, shout Hosanna, and be happy!

But the Lord says: Leave the city and climb Calvary

“He who wishes to follow me, must deny, take up the cross daily and follow!” (Mt 16:24)

We must realise that Christianity without the Cross is impossible…

No Cross, no crown!
No wounds, No blessings!
No offering, no happiness!

We have the palms with us now – they are fresh and green.

But in a few days, they will turn dry.

Singing and shouting Hosanna is easy, when everything is fresh and green.

But can we keep the same spirit, even when things dry up…
… or will we end up saying, Crucify Him!

Let us truly make this week, a “holy week”…
… by making a confession of our sins, and making suitable amendments
… be deciding to read the Bible every day, without fail
… by spending time with Jesus, in personal prayer, every day
… by repairing some ‘toxic’ relationships – asking the “gift of forgiveness and healing of these relationships” from the Lord

Wish you a Blessed Palm Sunday…
… and a Glorious Holy Week!

Let us be intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experience His tremendous love…
… so that we too may worthily and honestly shout, on Easter Sunday, “Alleluia! He is risen!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN PERSON

What is at stake is the dignity of the human person…
… whose defense and promotion have been entrusted to us by the Creator

… and to whom the men and women at every moment of history are strictly and responsibly in debt. (CCC # 1929)

29 RESPONDING TO MORAL DILEMMAS IN DAILY LIFE

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

Responding to moral dilemmas is a crucial aspect of living out our Catholic faith in today’s complex world.

It involves navigating ethical challenges while upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church and maintaining moral integrity.

🌀 HISTORY & IMPORTANCE

💡 Catholic Moral Foundation: Our moral principles are rooted in Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium, guiding us in making virtuous choices aligned with God’s will.

💡 Relevance Today: In a world with evolving ethical norms, understanding and applying Catholic moral teachings are essential for personal growth, societal harmony, and spiritual fulfillment.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & CHURCH TEACHINGS

🔶 Saintly Wisdom: Learn from saints like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II, who exemplified ethical living and moral courage.

🔶 Catholic Social Teaching: Explore the principles of human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good, guiding us in addressing social and ethical dilemmas.

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Holiness in Action: Responding to moral dilemmas is an opportunity to grow in holiness, in line with God’s commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

🔷 Witness to Faith: Our ethical choices and responses to challenges are a testimony to our faith, drawing others closer to the truth and beauty of Catholic morality.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Prayerful Discernment: Seek God’s guidance through prayer and reflection when faced with moral decisions, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate the right path.

💠 Educate Yourself: Deepen your understanding of Catholic moral principles through the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), papal encyclicals, and pastoral letters.

💠 Seek Spiritual Direction: Consult with a knowledgeable priest or spiritual advisor for counsel and direction in navigating complex moral dilemmas.

💠 Act with Charity: Approach moral dilemmas with love and compassion, considering the well-being of others and striving for solutions that promote justice and mercy.

💠 Community Engagement: Engage in dialogue and collaboration within the Catholic community to address ethical challenges collectively and support one another in living virtuously.

💠 Be a Witness: Live out your Catholic values authentically in all aspects of life, inspiring others by your example and contributing positively to the world.

💠 Respond to moral dilemmas in a Catholic way

♦️ ABORTION: Uphold the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, advocate for alternatives to abortion, and support organizations promoting life-affirming solutions.
📖 Biblical Reference: Ps 139:13-14 – “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2270 – “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.”

♦️ EUTHANASIA: Affirm the dignity of human life, advocate for palliative care and compassionate end-of-life support, and oppose practices that devalue life.
📖 Biblical Reference: Exod 20:13 – “You shall not murder.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2276 – “Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect.”

♦️ CONTRACEPTION: Embrace natural family planning methods in line with Church teachings, promote responsible parenthood, and educate others on the beauty of marital love and openness to life.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 1:28 – “Be fruitful and multiply.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2370 – “Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality.”

♦️ SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Advocate for the traditional understanding of marriage between a man and a woman, while respecting the dignity and rights of all individuals.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2357 – “Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.'”

♦️ GENDER IDEOLOGY: Affirm the complementarity of male and female, reject ideologies that deny biological realities, and promote understanding and compassion for individuals struggling with gender identity issues.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2333 – “Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity.”

♦️ CONSUMERISM: Cultivate a mindset of simplicity and stewardship, prioritize needs over wants, and support ethical consumer practices that respect human dignity and the environment.
📖 Biblical Reference: Lk 12:15 – “And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2407 – “In economic matters, respect for human dignity requires the practice of the virtue of temperance.”

♦️ SOCIAL JUSTICE: Engage in works of mercy and justice, advocate for the marginalized and vulnerable, and promote solidarity and inclusivity in society.
📖 Biblical Reference: Mic 6:8 – “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2447 – “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.”

♦️ RACISM, CASTEISM AND DISCRIMINATION: Stand against all forms of racism, casteism and discrimination, promote equality and respect for diversity, and work towards building a just and inclusive community.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gal 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 1935 – “The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it.”

♦️ CORRUPTION: Reject corrupt practices in all spheres of life, uphold honesty, transparency, and integrity, and support efforts for good governance and accountability.
📖 Biblical Reference: Prov 11:3 – “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2409 – “Even if it does not contradict the provisions of civil law, any form of unjustly taking and keeping the property of others is against the seventh commandment.”

♦️ ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: Embrace a stewardship mindset towards creation, support eco-friendly initiatives, and promote sustainable living practices.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 2:15 – “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2415 – “The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation.”

Responding to moral dilemmas is not just a task but a call to holiness and integrity. By embracing Catholic teachings, seeking spiritual guidance, and acting with love and wisdom…
… we uphold the dignity of every person and contribute to building a society rooted in truth, justice, and compassion.

❇️ Keep the faith!
✅ Live in love!
✳️ Deepen your hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

“Seeking the Lord wholeheartedly in all situations, knowing that everything in life happens for good, for those who love God!”

(Based on Ez 37:21-28 and Jn 11:45-56 – Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent)

There is an ancient story, familiar to many of us, in many forms…

A poor farmer in a village, owned a horse, which he used for ploughing and transportation.
One day, this horse escaped into the hills.

The neighbours sympathised with the farmer over his bad luck.
But the farmer replied, “Bad Luck? Good luck? Who knows!”

A couple of days later, the horse returned to the farm, with a herd of wild horses, following its trail.
The farmer locked these horses in the stable.

When the neighbours heard of it, they congratulated the farmer on his good luck.
But the farmer said “Good Luck? Bad luck? Who knows!”

The following day, the farmer’s son mounted one of these wild horses, but was thrown off, fracturing his legs.

Once again the neighbours called on the farmer to express their sorrow at his bad luck.
But the farmer replied, “Bad Luck? Good luck? Who knows!”

The following week, army officers arrived at the village to recruit all the able-bodied young men, because of a war that had started.

But, they of course, had to leave behind the famer’s young son, because of his fractured leg.

The neighbours once told the farmer, how much in luck he was.
But the farmer said “Good Luck? Bad luck? Who knows!”

The farmer maintained a position of neutrality and balance in the midst of all pleasant and unpleasant events of life.

However, very often, we are like the neighbours, who rejoice greatly when good things happen and curse immensely when things go wrong.

We fail to see that everything in life has a purpose.

As a result, negative experiences in life often crush us and cause immense disappointments.

When things don’t shape as we plan, we get greatly frustrated.
When people don’t behave in the way we expect, we get totally devastated.

But through today’s Gospel reading, the Lord invites us…
… to not get shattered or disappointed with life’s bad-turns or evil-leanings…

Rather, to gather strength and courage to fight the evil, arm oneself in faith and hope and seek to live a life of holiness and conviction…
… even in the midst of any setback or failure!

The Gospel of the day, on this eve of the Holy Week, introduces us to culmination of the sharp antagonism and hatred that was building up against Jesus.

Jesus had raised up the dead Lazarus (Jn 11: 1-43)

This event garnered a lot of attention…

Many people began to believe in the person of Jesus, as the Messiah and Lord.

But many others, also began to have a greater bitterness towards this Man who was working wonders!

Many people grew in their following of Jesus and placed a greater trust and confidence in Him

But many others, had their flames of jealousy intensified and began to have greater plotting to finish off the “law-breaker” and “blasphemer”

The good that the Lord had done, was apparently turning out to be an evil for the Lord!

The “life-giving” action of the Lord would immediately result in a “life-taking” act on Him!

The event of blessing to Lazarus would apparently turned out to result in an occasion of curse on Him (since dying on the cross was considered to be a curse (Deut 21: 23)!

In the ensuing planning and plotting by the chief priests and the Pharisees, the High Priest said, “… it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11: 50)

Jesus had grown to be a big threat for them
Jesus had gathered up much popularity and had become a menace for the leaders.

Therefore, the High Priest suggested a “quick-solution”… to kill Jesus!

But, everything in life has a purpose…
… Because God is the ultimate ruler, preserver and nurturer of this universe!

They plotted death but God planned life

They were selfish but God made Him the Saviour
They sought for political gain, but God ensured spiritual gain.
They hoped to spare one nation, but God saved the whole world.
They intended the worst evil for Jesus but God turned it into the greatest good.
They wished to scatter all His followers, but God brought them together as one holy nation.

Our life also follows this same pattern…

The events we think are bad, also have a purpose in God’s mind.

The moments that we consider as cursed, also can be turned to a blessing by God.

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to accept this teaching…
… too difficult to understand this concept..

But we have a beautiful answer in this our painful moments: the Cross.

Look to the Cross and find strength from Him…
… who was abused though He was pure
… who suffered immensely, thought He was faultless.
… who underwent tremendous agony, thought He was sinless.

The Cross is the way of God…
… mysterious to us, but life saving for the world.
… baffling for us, but redemptive for the world.

What is most important is not to get discouraged or disheartened, rather…
… to seek the Lord wholeheartedly in all those situations
… to be faithful to the Lord in steadfastness and patience.
.. to be strong and joyful, finding strength in the love of the Lord.

Everything… yes… everything in life, happens for good!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN PERSON

Social justice can be obtained only in respecting the transcendent dignity of man. >> The person represents the ultimate end of society, which is ordered to him. (CCC # 1929)

“Not being stone-hearted; rather having tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

(Based on Jer 20:10-13 and Jn 10:31-42 – Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent)

“We are strewn all over the ground.

Some of us are considered useless….
Some of us are just stamped upon…
Some are made use in some hard labour…

Some of us…
… well, some of us, however, are made use for some inhuman practices.

This includes making use of some of us, to hurt others
… to cause pains and wounds to others
… and some even to cause fatal deaths!

Our life is often long…
… but sometimes, such kind of painful moments and incidents, ooze out any bit of feelings we may have (though we are considered not to be having any sentiments!)

Are you wondering who we are?

Well…
… we are the family of stones!

Yep… Stones!

Strewn all over…
Sometimes useless, right?
Sometimes just stamped upon, right?
Sometimes just made use for hard labour, right?

But sometimes, some of us, the stones
… also become objects of injuring and causing pain to others

One such occasion was when, as you read in the Gospel of St John 8
… some of us were picked up by a gang of highly malicious, judgmental and selfish people, to cause death to a woman who was caught in an act of immorality.

We were ready to thrown on that woman.
We were set to become objects of brutality and terror.

However, that day, we encountered the most amazing personality.
He had glorious eyes.
He had a breath-taking voice.
He had a tremendous authority.

His name was JESUS!

And His one sentence, “He who is without sin, let him be the first to stone” dropped the jaws of all those blood-thirsty and cruel people.

We were all released from their hands.

We saw them all turning their backs and going home, in shame.
We also saw, the wonderful triumph of Mercy and Love and Compassion.

However, a few days later, some of us were soon back to find ourselves in the hands of those blood-thirsty men.

This time, the target was none other than that same charismatic person named Jesus.

You read about that in John 10:31, “The Jews took up stones again to stone Jesus”

We were left wondering why this innocent man was being targeted so badly.

He was after all preaching the Kingdom of God.

He was bringing the message of God’s Love and salvation to the world.
By His works, He was also proving Himself to be the Son of God.

But none of these “clear-cut” evidences were able to convince those people.

They still believed that Jesus was a blasphemer.

And so they picked us up – yes, we the stones
… to indulge themselves in a blood-bath of the Blessed Man of claimed Himself to be the Lord and Saviour of the World!

Prophet Jeremiah also had a similar experience of being denounced by the people…
… and centuries ago, recounting his own struggle, had written these prophetic words about the Saviour: “For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side!
‘Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.
‘Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him!’” (Jer 20:10)

Our thoughts go out to those people who have such ruthless and stony intentions….

God had blessed them with such beautiful hearts.
God had showered them with so much of wisdom to discern and understand.

Yet, they failed to make use of these divine gifts and instead, had hardened their hearts!

What a pity, that those human beings had become like us
… stones!

Yes, just how could they become stone-hearted?

Stone-hearted
… that they failed to be open to the possibility of God’s hand at work.

Stone hearted
… that they were adamant to be closed to any explanation of the Lord.

Stone-hearted
… that they were stubborn to listen to the voice of God’s Spirit in their lives.

We, the stones, now appeal to you, dear readers, to be wary and examine your lives:
Are you also sometimes acquiring a nature like us, the stones…
… hard to the feelings of other people and failing to understand them?
… rigid to the inspirations of the Spirit of God and not letting Him work in your lives?
… inflexible to have changes and transformations in life, to attune oneself to God’s Will?

There are already many of us in the world…

On your streets, on your roads
… we are all, indeed strewn all over the place
… we, the stones.

But we sincerely beg you…
… not to let your hearts to become like us
… not to let your lives to be similar to our nature.

Let the world have more of, not stone-hearts…
… but tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

Let the world have more of, not hardened souls…
… but docile, open, submissive and humble lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – SOCIAL JUSTICE

Society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions…
… that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due
.. according to their nature and their vocation.

Social justice is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority. (CCC # 1928)