“Realising that a genuine search for the Truth would always lead to Christianity… and to the Catholic Church!”

(Based on Jer 11:18-20 and Jn 7:40-53 – Saturday of the 4th Week in Lent)

Christianity and the teachings of the Catholic Church have baffled and amazed many people.

Some have even tried – even violently – to find alternatives for the same…
… only to realise, that a genuine search for the Truth would lead them to Christianity and the Catholic Church!

One such person who rejected Christianity for the sake of “finding the truth” was G.K. Chesterton.

Chesterton sought to formulate the one blanket philosophy that could explain everything as everything is…
… because he did not believe Christianity or any other modern worldview to be completely it.

He was after the “master key of philosophies,” for he was certain no one had yet found it.

Eventually he knitted together a philosophy that appeared to be wholly true and sane and sensible…
… only to discover that his ‘discovered philosophy of sanity’ was, in fact, not his – it was the Truth already taught by the Church!

In his own words, “I tried to be some ten minutes in advance of the truth.

And I found that I was eighteen hundred years behind it!”

G.K. Chesterton would later say, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.”

The Christian Ideal indeed demands living with convictions…
… in the midst of opposing views and interpretations.

Jesus, the Master – the Truth Incarnate – lived this life of conviction…
… and in the face of oppositions and worldly thought-patterns, He became a sign of “contradictions and paradox!”

And therefore Christ had to undergo varied responses from those who encountered Him…
… very few understood Him, a little
… many of them failed to understand Him
… many of them even badly misunderstood Him

He remains The Truth – yet, the sign of contradiction.

The Gospel of the Day presents this deep contradiction that was experienced by the people of His time – including the religious leaders.

The passage records two conversations:

The first one among the crowd
The second one among the chief priests and the Pharisees

Both have a similar subject: Jesus.
Both have a similar dilemma: Confusion about Jesus.

The people in the crowd were confused in recognizing who really Jesus was.

The words of the Lord were so authoritative and astonishing that some considered Him as a prophet revisited, and some even seeing Him as the Messiah (Jn 7:41).

However, others were not convinced and they began to debate on the origin of the Messiah.

The second conversation, between the chief priests and Pharisees, was not just about some personal opinions, but involved the proper following of the Law as well.

Nicodemus, the one who had met Jesus, one night, however, began to defend Jesus.

It was to him, that Jesus, on that night, had told, one of the most loved verses, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16)

After his encounter with the Truth-Incarnate, Nicodemus….
… the genuine seeker of truth, had the spark in his heart, kindled by the Lord of Love.
… the honest searcher of reality, had the longing within, nourished by the Lord of Holiness.

And so he stood firm and bold, to defend the One whom he perceived as the Truth!

But here, one also gets to see the deep hatred that was grooming in the minds of the leaders…

Nicodemus told that, in judging Jesus, it was necessary to follow the Law properly: “Does our law condemn a person, before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?” (Jn 7:51)

He did not say that he agreed with Jesus…
He did not say that he denied Jesus could be a criminal…

All he said was to follow the law – to be just and fair!

But that statement provoked the anger of the other blinded-and-obstinate religious leaders!

The forces of confusion and dilemma watered him down, and contradictions reigned galore!

Where there is the proclamation of truth…
… there is the presence of many false screams, seeking to drown it hard!

Where there is the defence of truth…
… there is the defiance of many evil forces, wanting to do away with it!

Jeremiah, the Prophet foretold this “opposition to the Truth” that Jesus would encounter:
“But I was like a gentle lamb, led to the slaughter. I did not know it was against me, they devised schemes, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more!’” (Jer 11:18)

Jesus is a sign of contractions.
He is The Truth.

In His presence, no lie can stand.
In His presence, no evil can withstand.

But it is this confusion, that can lead a person to understand the reality…
… if one is open and honest!

Yes, it’s pretty strange that sometimes contradictions that can actually help us to recognize The Truth!

Georges Bataille, a French intellectual and literary figure writes, “I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction”

The Lord – the Truth Incarnate is ready to reveal Himself to those open at heart and honest in seeking Him.

Are we ready to learn more from Him and to know Him more?
Are we ready to draw the waters of Holiness from the Fountain of Truth?
Are we ready to blaze our lives with the fire of passionate love from the Furnace of Truth?

Let us not be…
… confused by the Lord who was the sign of contradiction.
… puzzled by the Lord who was the sign of paradoxes.

Instead, let us be…
… convinced in the Lord of Truth!
… passionate for the Lord of Truth!

Let us reminded of the fact that a genuine search for the Truth would always lead to Christianity…
… and the Catholic Church!

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 – RESPONSIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

“Participation” is the voluntary and generous engagement of a person in social interchange.
It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good.

This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. (CCC # 1913)

“Always living and standinh firmly for ‘Christian Convictions!'”

(Based on Wis 2:1a, 12-22 and Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 – Friday of the 4th Week in Lent)

An incident is told about a great Christian missionary who had pioneered the Christian work in a far-off island.

A group of well-wishers – some of them who wished to join this Missionary in his work – wrote a letter to him, asking:
“Have you found a good road to where you are?

If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you.”

The Christian Missionary however replied back:
“If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them.

I want men who will come if there is no road at all!”

The beauty of life is enhanced, when people are willing to take the “road less travelled!”

And this can happen, only “when one’s life is guided by convictions!”

It is convictions in life…
… that will help to experience true serenity and happiness.
… that will help to tide across the various storms encountered.

• Am I living a life of deep convictions in faith, which makes people to take notice of the Lord and help them come closer to Him?
• Am I filled with a deep passion for the Lord, which makes others to be attracted and fascinated to the Kingdom of the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, boldly facing and withstanding the various storms of difficulties…
… and thus emerging as an Epitome of passion and conviction.

Jesus is progressing in His ministry.

• On one side, there has been a increase in His popularity ratings…
  … many sick being healed, many oppressed finding solace, many rejected finding consolation.
• On the other side, however, there has also been an augmentation in opposition to Him…
  … many being offended by His radical call of transformation, many finding Him blaspheming, many snubbed at His uncompromising authority.

But Jesus remains unperturbed!

• He continues to preach the Word of God…
• He continues to openly declare His relation with the Father…
• He continues to publicly affirm His mission and purpose on the earth…

Jesus is the Epitome of convictions and passion!

Nothing could make Him to compromise His convictions…
Nothing could make Him to lay down His principles of life…

Neither threats, nor adulations… neither opposition, nor exaltation!

• Can I also seek to grow in my life of conviction in my faith?
• Can I also try to deepen my passion for the Lord and His Kingdom?

One of the very popular and yet, good-to-remind quote is:
“My life may be the only Gospel…
… that people may encounter
… that people may rea
… that people may experience”

Let our lives radiate powerfully and convincingly the message of the Gospel!

The beauty of Christian life is enhanced, only when we are willing to take the “road less travelled!”

And this can happen, only “when one’s life is guided by convictions!”

May our Blessed Lord grant us the Grace to always live and stand firmly for “Christian Convictions!”

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 – THE COMMON GOOD

The common good is always oriented towards the progress of persons:
“The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around.”

This order is founded on truth, built up in justice, and animated by love. (CCC # 1912)

“Seeking to be true and faithful, rather than just be popular!”

(Based on Ex 32:7-14 and Jn 5:31-47 – Thursday of the 4th Week in Lent)

Written on the stone pavements of a street in a remote village are the following words:
“One of the evils of this modern day, is the scarcity of men and women in places of leadership who are willing to speak their convictions…
… at the risk of popularity!”

Christian life is a constant challenge between two aspects: Being Popular or being Right!

There is a constant challenge to stand against prospects of gaining false fame and phony popularity…
… by compromising on one’s Christian ideologies and values.

Can we be Christians…
… who value one’s integrity for Christ’s sake…

than to compromise one’s principles and turn popular?
… who give priority to being honest for the Lord’s honour…
than to dilute one’s ethics and gain cheap fame?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment…
… even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

The context of today’s Gospel Passage – Jn 5:31-47 – is the aftermath of the Healing of the Crippled Man by the pool of Bethesda, on the Sabbath Day (Jn 5:1-18)

This incident had sparked a rage of opposition against Jesus…

He was persecuted because the act of healing was done on the Sabbath (Jn 5: 16)
His defense caused the Jews to kill Him, because Jesus equated Himself with God (Jn 5:18)

There was a strong wave of antagonism and hostility, against Jesus…
… that was pressurizing Him to compromise His teachings
…. that was coercing Him to dilute His principles

But Jesus stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment, even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

He therefore presents before the Jews, witnesses which would testify to Him, to His Divinity.

He uses the language of a courtroom – “witnesses” – to prove His credibility as the Divine Person

The Jews considered that two witnesses were needed for the veracity of a testimony or person.

The Torah says, “One witness shall not arise against a man for any sin or guilt that he may commit; according to two witnesses or according to three witnesses a matter shall stand.” (Dt 19:15)

Jesus, however brings in 4 witnesses…

1. The Witness of John the Baptist (Jn 5: 33-34)
2. The Witness of His Works (Jn 5: 36)
3. The Witness of God the Father (Jn 5: 37-38)
4. The Witness of God’s Word – the Scriptures (Jn 5: 39-40)

Our Christian Life is a constant challenge..
… to let go of our values and principles
… to compromise on our efforts and mission works

But we need to be inspired and imitate our Blessed Lord…
… Who was unwilling to let go of His Commitment and Dedication to the Mission

And like Jesus, we too have the help of “Divine Witnesses” to accord veracity to our testimony.

There will be moments when…
… we get into situations of being asked to be dishonest, lethargic and be untruthful

We need to seek the Witness of John the Baptist…
… who remained uncompromising in living a life of truth, dare and boldness!

There will be moments when…
… life surrounds us doubts in the form of sicknesses and tragedies

We need to seek the Witness of the Works of Jesus…
… which brought new life and healing to the hopeless, the lost and the dying!

There will be moments when…
… our life will be caught in a turmoil of confusions and uncertainties

We need to seek the Witness of God the Father…
… Whose unconditional love and compassion, strengthens us and lifts us without fail!

There will be moments when…
… our convictions get challenged by the straying and deceitful philosophies of the world

We need to seek the Witness of God’s Word – the Scriptures …
… Which can bring clarity and passion in our Christian life.

Let this Gospel Passage challenge and inspire us…
… to remain ever uncompromising in our Christian Life.

To stand for God and His Kingdom
To live to share His Love and Mercy

Yes…
…. “one of the evils of this modern day, is the scarcity of men and women in places of leadership who are willing to speak their convictions…
… at the risk of popularity!”

Let us dare to show this “spirit of leadership” like Jesus our Master…
… by seeking to be true and faithful, rather than just be popular!

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 – THE COMMON GOOD

This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to “provide for the different needs of men
… this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education
… and certain situations arising here and there, as for example

… alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout the world, and assisting migrants and their families. (CCC # 1911)

“Imitating Christ and confidently facing the questions of the Kingdom of God!”

(Based on Is 49:8-15 and Jn 5:17-30 – Wednesday of the 4th Week in Lent)

This unconfirmed incident is told about Albert Einstein.

He was frequently asked to deliver lectures on physics to the leading universities…
… and did so obligingly

Harry, his dedicated driver would faithfully attend each lecture of Einstein’s, while seated in the back row.

One day, after Einstein had finished a lecture, Harry requested him, ‘Professor Einstein, I’ve heard your lecture so many times now, that if you ever needed me to…
… I would be able to deliver it to perfection myself!’

And so, a few weeks later as they approached Brown University for a lecture, Einstein began to feel ill and asked, ‘Harry, I’m not feeling too well today. Since no one knows me at Brown…
… perhaps you could deliver the lecture as Einstein
.. and I could sit in the back row as Harry,’

‘Certainly, Professor,’ Harry eagerly replied.

Later that afternoon, Harry delivered the lecture to perfection…
… not a single word out of place,
… while Einstein sat in the back row playing the ‘driver’

At the conclusion of the lecture, a graduate student, however, intercepted him and began to ask a question…
… one that involved plenty of complex calculations and equations.

Ever quick on his feet, Harry replied:
‘The answer to that question is actually quite simple!

In fact, it’s so simple…
… that I am going to let my driver answer it!’

Truly… In the company of greatness, one can get influenced and imitiate greatness!

As a follower of Christ, we are expected to learn from our Master…
… be influenced by Him
… and imitiate His Life and Love

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful message of Jesus Who reflects the life and works of His Father…
… as each one of us are also called to do the same.

In this profound passage, Jesus sends across a powerful message about His close union with the Father.

He boldly asserts, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work” (John 5:17)

The amazing union of the Son with the Father highlighting the depth of their connection…
… prompts us to reflect on the nature of our own union with God in our daily lives.

Elsewhere, Jesus says, “The Father and I are one!” (Jn 10:30)

We are called to assess if our deeds are in unison…
… with the mission of bringing life, healing, and redemption to others
… just like Jesus, our Master

How can we deepen our bond with the Lord…
… making it the guiding force and strengthening factor in our actions and decisions?

Jesus very categorically makes His claim as the Son of God…
… drawing a parallel with the continuous work of the Father.

Our attitudes and actions need to authentically reflect our Divine heritage.

As followers of Christ, how do we assert our identity as children of God in our daily lives?

Jesus also challenges the conventional views on the Sabbath…
… asserting the Father’s ongoing work.

The Sabbath is a memorial of Israel’s liberation from Egypt.

It’s a reminder of our own liberation from sin.
It’s a reminder to pursue holiness

The Sabbath is to be a day of genuine rest and engaging in life-giving activities.

We are made to reconsider the importance of the Sabbath in our life…
… and our approach to it.

As we go through these reflections, the call is clear: Imitate Christ as He reflects the life and works of His Father.

Let us embark on a journey of faith that mirrors the Divine love and redemption exemplified by Jesus!

Let us give our time to our God!

Let us spend time with the Eucharistic Lord
Let us spend time with the Divine Word of God

Yes… in the company of greatness, one can get influenced and imitiate greatness!

As a follower of Christ, we are expected to learn from our Master…
… be influenced by Him
… and imitiate His Life and Love

When the Kingdom of God faces questions, let our Master look at us confidently, and tell:
“The answer to that question is actually quite simple!

In fact, it’s so simple…
… that I am going to let my follower answer it!”

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 – THE COMMON GOOD

Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout the world.

The unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal natural dignity, implies a universal common good. (CCC # 1911)

“Realising that it is only by ‘the Power of the Master that we can create the beautiful paintings’ of God’s Love and Mercy in this world”

(Based on Ezek 47:1-9, 12 and Jn 5:1-16 – Tuesday of the 4th Week in Lent)

After the death of a great painter a young Italian boy went to the painting studio and asked for the great artist’s brush.

The boy tried the brush…
… but found he could not paint any better with it than with his own.

It was then he realized…
… the power of painting, was not in the brush

It was in the Master!

The boy lacked the master’s power.

It was the power of the Master that created the beautiful paintings.

Jesus, displayed immense strength and courage…
… as a result of His Powerful Union with His Father!

This Power led Him to create “beautiful paintings” of Mercy and Love in the world.

The Gospel of the Day is an amazing revelation by Jesus on His relationship with the Father.

This passage has its background in the healing that Jesus performed on a Sabbath day, of a man who had been ill for a very long time – thirty-eight years (Jn 5: 1-16).

When the Jews found out from the healed person, that it was Jesus who had done this work, they were extremely furious.

Their objection was that…
… Jesus had done this miracle on a Sabbath
… Jesus had made the person to perform a work – of carrying the mat – on the Sabbath day.

They, therefore, began to persecute Jesus (Jn 5: 16).

But Jesus brought out a fair logic in defending Himself, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work” (Jn 5:17)

Jesus equates Himself to the Father….
Jesus establishes Himself as the Son of God…

And He draws the point, that just as, on the Sabbath Day, His Father….
… creates and sustains, so is He renewing and bringing life to the world!
… supplies life and maintains, so is He nourishing and refreshing the world!

Jesus, as the Son has every right and privilege to engage in life-saving works, just as His Father

Jesus, as the Son has every justification and claim to do life-redeeming works, just as His Father

As followers of Jesus, we are to be the extension of His life-saving and redeeming works in the world…
… Am I willing to become a person, filled the power of the Lord, in order to bring healing to the world, by my deeds of kindness and goodness?
… Am I willing to become an extension of the Lord, imbued with His spirit, in order to spread His love and mercy to our broken and struggling world?

As followers of Jesus, we need to have the proper and true understanding of the Sabbath…

The Sabbath is a day of solemn rest, holy to the Lord…
… Do I give it to the Lord, entirely, engaging only in deeds that help me come closer to Him?

The Sabbath is a memorial of Israel’s liberation from bondage in Egypt
… Do I remind myself of being a person to be liberated from the bondage of sin, and seeking to grow in holiness?

The Sabbath is sign of the irrevocable covenant between God and human beings…
… Do I renew the spirit of this pledge and promise to the Lord with salvific deeds of love?

Let us deepen our relationship and grow in our efforts to be more in union with the Lord…
… the One who guides the world, the One who sustains each of us and the One who fills life in all!

Jesus, displayed immense strength and courage…
… as a result of His Powerful Union with His Father!

This Power led Him to create “beautiful paintings” of Mercy and Love in the world.

Let us also realize that it is only by “the Power of the Master that we can create the ‘beautiful paintings’ of God’s Love and Mercy in this world”

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 – THE COMMON GOOD

Each human community possesses a common good which permits it to be recognized as such…
… it is in the political community that its most complete realization is found.
It is the role of the state to defend and promote…

… the common good of civil society, its citizens, and intermediate bodies. (CCC # 1910)

“Leaping over the walls of discouragement, and in faith and hope, experiencing the thrilling Love of the Lord!”

(Based on Is 65:17-21 and Jn 4:43-54 – Monday of the 4th Week in Lent)

Heard of Impalas?

Impalas are medium-sized antelopes (animals like deer, with smooth hair and upward pointing horns)…
… that roam the African Savannas (large plains with hills and forests).

They have a great speciality:
Impalas are fleet runners, able to leap distances of up to 33 feet (10 meters)!

They use this technique to escape predators and sometimes, apparently, simply to amuse themselves.

The impala can also clear bushes and other obstacles by soaring some 10 feet (3 meters) in the air.
Typically, a running impala will simply jump over anything in its path!

But there’s a catch…

These extremely versatile animals can, however, be kept in a zoo with only a 3-foot tall wall surrounding them!

How is that possible?

How is just a 3-foot wall enough, to enclosure an animal that can leap upto 33 feet and soar around 10 feet in the air?

It’s easy to explain…..

The impala will not jump if they are unable to see the spot where their feet will land!

So, even though they can jump several feet higher than the wall surrounding them in a zoo, they do not jump…
… because the 3-foot wall obstructs their sight of the outside, where they would land!

Since they cannot see where they land, they do not jump…
… even though they could.

They can, but they remain limited!
They are able to, but they remain restricted!

How often are we too caught up with this mentality in life?

Small enclosures block our view…and therefore we fail to jump…
… even though we can!

The Gospel of the Day presents an incident of a “leap in faith”…
… of a person who fails to get bogged down by enclosures surrounding him, and instead trusting in the power of Lord, “jumps”…
… and is blessed!

Jesus is in the land of Galilee…away from his hometown. (Jn 4:43)

His own people in the hometown have rejected Him.
The known persons of His native place have failed to give heed to His mighty deeds.

And so He arrives, yet again, at a Gentile place…
… where they welcome Him wholeheartedly!

How true is this of many a human situation…

Those familiar to oneself, fail to understand…
… but those outside, are able to give better respect!
Those known to a person, fail to see the value of the person…
… but those who are unknown, recognise the speciality of the person!

Familiarity, very often, breeds contempt!

In this gentile land, a royal official whose son was ill – nearing death -approached Jesus, seeking for a healing.

He travels a far distance – nearly 25 miles, from Capernaum to Galilee – and coming to Jesus, he asks:
“Sir, come down, before my child dies” (Jn 4: 49)

The request of this official would perhaps, remind some of us of another person, who came with a similar problem….
… The centurion – in Mt 8: 5-13 – whose servant was at home, paralyzed.

This centurion had showed tremendous faith and was even greatly praised by Jesus.

But the royal official, in today’s Gospel, had a mixed bag of faith…

He had faith in Jesus, which made him to come a long distance to meet Jesus.
… his faith was however, prompted mainly only because of a need for a healing.

He had faith in Jesus, which made him to request the Lord for a healing.
… his faith, was however, limited by physical distance (since he asked the Lord to come to his house, unlike the Centurion (Mt 8:8)

Often our faith resembles this royal official…
… turning to the Lord only in times of afflictions and troubles
… having our own doubts on whether the Lord can really work miracle in the way I want

But we must also remember…
… hard and difficult situations, are willed by God, to allow for miracles and healings, which ought to become the springboard for a deeper and committed life of faith!
… the Lord has His own ways and means of working powerfully in our lives, and we need to have the openness and humility to receive them in His way and in His time!

When the Lord gives His word, ” You may go; your son will live” (Jn 4:50), this royal official, with a mixed bag of faith…
… makes a tremendous “leap and jump” in faith.

The Gospel says, “… the man believed what Jesus said to him and left” (Jn 4: 50b)

There were many enclosures – of pain, doubt, uncertainty – surrounding the royal official…
… but he makes a giant “leap” trusting in the Lord.

Perhaps, he was not sure, where he would land, but he still “jumped” in faith!

Our lives, very often necessitate this “jumping” in faith, trusting in the mighty power of the Lord.

Unlike the Impalas which do not jump, when they can’t see where they are landing…
… this royal official, trusted in the Lord, and takes the “leap” of faith.

We too are called to do the same…
… not be afraid, where we will be landing, but trusting in the goodness of the Lord, we make a “leap” of faith.

Barriers of immense difficulties and crisis often surround us.
Walls of tremendous hardships and pains often block our lives.

But, the Lord has empowered us with graces to jump and leap over them all!

It’s His grace that strengthens us.
It’s His mercy that empowers us.

It is this Grace and Mercy of the Lord that gives us the hope that the Lord is working in our lives…
… even in the midst of crisis and problems, including the present one that the entire world is encountering.

Through Prophet Isaiah, God assures us:
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy!” (Is 65:7-8)

Are we going to get enclosed by the walls of discouragements, despair and depression?
… or shall we, with faith, “leap” over these walls and experience the joy and thrill in the Lord?

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 – THE COMMON GOOD

The common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order.
It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its members.

It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defense. (CCC # 1909)