Month: March 2024

✝️💜 REFLECTION CAPSULE – Mar 10, 2024: Sunday

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

“Embracing the Cross and being enamoured by the Love of our Crucified Lover!”

(Based on 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23, Eph 2:4-10 and Jn 3:14-21 – 4th Sunday in Lent)

A story is told of a lady who was very much zealous in telling about Jesus Christ to the world.

This lady was blind and illiterate…
… and yet found different ways to spread the Gospel.

One day, she went to a missionary priest and asked for a copy of the Bible in French.

When she got it, she asked the missionary to underline John 3:16, in red, and mark the page, so that she could find it.
(Jn 3:16 = “For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Son…that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have Eternal Life!”)

The missionary wanted to see what she would do with this Bible that was marked with red…
… and so he followed her.

The lady went in the late afternoon to a school…
… and made her way to the entrance.

As the school children came out, she would stop one of them and ask if he knew how to read French.

If the boy would say “Yes” she would ask him to read the verse that was marked in red.

Then she would ask, “Do you know what this means?”…
… and then go on to tell him more about Jesus Christ and living a Life in the Lord!

The missionary priest would later testify that this lady led nearly a couple of dozen boys to become missionaries of the Lord!

The tremendous love, in the heart of woman, for Christ, triggered in her a deep desire to reach out God’s Love to many many more people in her life.

As followers of Christ, each of us are bound to tell the world about the Precious Life of “Living in God!”

How well are we doing our Duty of Proclaiming God to the world?

This proclamation of the Lord comes when one has a passionate love for Christ.

The Gospel of the Day presents this love of God that has been gifted to all of us, by the death of Christ on the Cross.

The Cross is indeed, the great, big and beautiful symbol of God’s Love for all of us!

Every religion and every ideology has its own symbol.

But what makes the symbol of Christianity – the Cross – so unique is that…
… Its founder transformed this instrument of shame into the sign of salvation!
… Its founder not just preached about the symbol, but even embraced it, in obedience and love!

The Cross had cast its shadow on the life of Christ all through…

Wood (symbolic of the ‘Wood of the Cross’) was part of the life of Christ all through…
… the Babe Jesus was laid on the ‘wood of the manger’ by his beloved Parents
… the Boy Jesus worked with ‘wood in the workshop’ of His carpenter father, Joseph
… the Brave Jesus would use the ‘wood of the boat’, as His Pulpit to preach the Word of God
The Beloved Jesus would finally be laid on the “wood of the Cross” in total obedience to His Father!

This is what the Lord foretold Nicodemus…
… as we see in today’s Gospel Passage: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” (Jn 3: 14)

Jesus makes a reference to the Old Testament incident as found in the Book of Numbers (Num 21: 4b-9)…

The people grew disinterested and dissipated by their journey and began to grumble
However, God in His mercy, offered a bronze serpent, mounted on a pole…
… for deliverance from the punishments of their sin

This bronze serpent would be a typography of the Cross of Christ!

Just as the bronze serpent came to the rescue of the people of Israel, the Cross of Christ comes to our rescue…
… but with a much greater reward – of salvation!
… with a much greater consolation – of the peace of Christ!

We too, often grow disinterested and dissipated in our journey of life and begin to grumble

Our sin of disobedience and lack of trust in God’s Will, brings us punishments of various kinds.

However, God in His mercy, offers us Christ Crucified, mounted on the Cross…
… for deliverance from the punishments of our sin!

All those who looked at the bronze serpent had lived…
All of us, who will look at Christ Crucified on the Cross, will live forever!

Our modernistic world has notoriously and pragmatically misuses the Cross:

Fashionists have the symbol of Christianity stylishly displayed all over themselves..
… as jewellery hanging round their necks, ears, wrists etc
… as tattoos imprinted on the various body parts
… as drawings on various objects of worldly use

The Cross is often found to be degraded and despised as merely…
… an ornament of show
… a pattern of beautification
… a statement of raging and crazy style

But the Cross of Christ transcends all these…

And, we Christians, today, need to be zealous, to restore the Cross, the Symbol of Christianity to its original sense…
… The Symbol of Hope and Salvation
… The Symbol of Unconditional Love
… The Symbol of Unfathomable Mercy

St Francis de Sales beautifully reminds us:
“If you wish to learn how to love God, come to Calvary.

Jesus Christ on His Cross will teach you!

Mount Calvary is the Mount of lovers!

All love which does not take its origin from the Passion of the Saviour, is foolish and dangerous!
Love and death are eternally blended together in the Passion of the Saviour!”

The Cross is indeed the great reminder of the tremendous and faithful Love of the Lord for all of us:
“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)

It is this tremendous love, in our hearts, that can trigger a deep desire to reach out God’s Love to many many more people in our lives.

As followers of Christ, each of us are bound to tell the world about the Precious Life of “Living in God!”

Are we ready to proclaim God’s Word to the world?

Come, let us embrace the Cross and be enamoured by the Love of our Crucified Lover!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – THE COMMON GOOD

It is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests…
… but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life:

… food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on. (CCC # 1908)

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love, and be faithful to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

17 EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE: A PATH TO HOLINESS

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE is a profound spiritual practice in the Catholic tradition, involving a sincere and reflective assessment of one’s thoughts, words, and actions.

It serves as a crucial step toward holiness, aiding the faithful in recognizing and repenting of their sins.

🌀 HISTORY & IMPORTANCE

💡 Scriptural Basis: The concept of examining one’s conscience finds support in Scripture.

Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

💡 Sacramental Preparation: Examination of conscience is particularly relevant before receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), allowing individuals to confess their sins with contrition and sincerity.

💡 Holiness and Conversion: Regular examination of conscience facilitates continuous conversion, helping individuals grow in holiness by identifying areas in need of improvement.

💡 Spiritual Awareness: It fosters spiritual self-awareness, prompting the faithful to evaluate their alignment with Christian virtues and the teachings of the Church.

💡 Special emphasis on examination before Holy Communion: Before receiving Holy Communion, engage in a focused examination of conscience
🔹 Prepare Your Heart: Ensure your heart is free from grave sin and approach the Eucharist with a contrite spirit.
🔹 Acknowledge Faults: Acknowledge venial sins and imperfections, expressing sorrow for offenses against God and neighbour.
🔹 Seek God’s Mercy: Plead for God’s mercy and grace, asking for the strength to overcome weaknesses and grow in holiness.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & CHURCH TEACHINGS

🔶 St. Ignatius of Loyola: The founder of the Jesuits developed the “Examen,” a structured form of examination of conscience to discern God’s presence in daily life.

🔶 St. John Vianney: “The saints did not all begin well, but they all ended well. We must have patience with ourselves and strive to become saints.”

🔶 Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): “The moral life is spiritual worship. We ‘present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,’ within the Body of Christ that we form and in communion with the offering of his Eucharist” (CCC 2099).

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Self-Reflection: Examination of conscience involves honest self-reflection, allowing us to evaluate our actions and intentions.

🔷 Repentance and Contrition: It leads to genuine repentance and contrition, fostering a humble acknowledgment of our faults and a desire for God’s Mercy.

🔷 Sacramental Reconciliation: Essential for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, examination of conscience prepares us to confess our sins with sincerity and humility.

🔷 Spiritual Growth: Regular practice contributes to spiritual growth, helping us to overcome sinful tendencies and cultivate virtues.

🔷 Holistic Transformation: By identifying areas for improvement, examination of conscience becomes a catalyst for holistic transformation, to live aligning individuals more closely with Christ.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Daily Reflection: Incorporate a brief daily examination of conscience, reflecting on actions, thoughts, and interactions with others.

This can be done, at the end of the day – going over all the events of the day…
… thanking God for all the good
… asking pardon for all the wrongs

💠 Gratitude and Repentance: Combine gratitude for God’s blessings with sincere repentance for shortcomings during the examination of conscience.

💠 Share with Spiritual Advisor: Discussing your examination of conscience with a spiritual advisor can provide guidance and insights for spiritual growth.

💠 Encourage Others: Encourage fellow Catholics to embrace the practice of regular examination of conscience, emphasizing its role in spiritual development.

May the Examination of Conscience be a transformative journey, guiding us toward holiness and a deeper communion with God.

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

✝️💜 REFLECTION CAPSULE – Mar 09, 2024: Saturday

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

“Casting away pride and embracing humility and dependence on God!”

(Based on Hos 6:1-6 and Lk 18:9-14 – Saturday of the 3rd Week in Lent)

In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia.

Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below.

This news of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the real cause of the accident.
… it wasn’t a technology problem like radar malfunction
… it wasn’t a climate-related issue like thick fog.

The real cause was human stubbornness and pride!

Each captain was well aware of the other ship’s presence nearby.

Both could have steered clear…
… but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other.

Each was too proud to yield first.

By the time they came to their senses, it was too late!

This is what stubbornness and pride can do…
… harm lives
… break hearts
… destroy reputations

The Gospel of the Day exhorts a strong message on this deadly vice of “being full of ourselves”
… in a single word – “Pride”.

Chapter 18 of the Gospel of St Luke begins with two parables, that teach on the aspect of Prayer.

The parable of the Widow who was persistent (Lk 18: 1-8)
The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18: 9-14)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector have interesting comparisons…
… with respect to the various gestures and actions that they take:

Both go up to the Temple area to pray…

The Pharisee took up his position…
… the tax collector stood off at a distance
The Pharisee spoke the prayer to himself…
… the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven
The Pharisee spoke of his personal glories…
… the tax collector acknowledged being a sinner, in need of mercy.

Though the Gospel doesn’t speak of it, it seems that both, the Pharisee and the tax collector…
… had taken a mirror with themselves, when they went to pray!

A mirror… yeah!

But, the strange fact is that, both of them used the mirror in contrasting manners!

The Pharisee used the mirror and saw his many achievements and accomplishments…
… being unlike the rest of the sinful humanity like the greedy, dishonest or adulterous
… fasting twice a week
… pay tithes on his whole income

The tax collector, also used a mirror, but saw in it, his many failures and shortcomings…
… the moments when he had cheated others to have greater financial gains
… the times he had subjected himself to be a traitor by working against his own people
… the need to seek for God’s mercy acknowledging his sinfulness

Prayer is like a mirror…
… but it depends on one’s attitude and disposition what one sees

If one is filled with pride and self-conceit, one sees only one’s accomplishments…
… and thus pushes out God and replaces oneself as the source of all good works!

If one is truly humble and modest, one sees one’s weaknesses and limitations…
… and thus acknowledge the dependence on God and on His grace in life!

Prayer could be made into a time of reciting the litany of one’s great achievements…
…or prayer could be made into a moment of seeking God’s mercy and compassion.

Prayer could be made into an occasion to boast of oneself and put down others…
… or prayer could be made into a moment to see the glittering light of God guiding us.

What is our attitude and disposition?

Am I afflicted with the sickness of pride…
… which makes me to flaunt myself, at the expense of the other?
… which makes me to see myself as the greatest person in the world, casting aside all people and even God?

There is something of “this” Pharisee, perhaps, in all of us which needs to be shun…

There is something of “this” tax collector, which needs to be cultivated…

This “this”…
… is the need to cast away pride and the need to embrace humility and dependence on God!

Let us be willing to “give way to the other”
… so that we can avoid collision of lives
… and thus prevent harming lives, breaking hearts and destroying reputations!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – THE COMMON GOOD

The common good requires the social well-being and development of the group itself.

Development is the epitome of all social duties. (CCC # 1908)

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful… to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS1 Comment

16 THE EUCHARISTIC FAST: A SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

THE EUCHARISTIC FAST is a period of abstaining from food and drink before receiving Holy Communion during the Holy Mass.

It is a spiritual discipline aiming to foster reverence for the Eucharist – the true Body and Blood of Christ.

🌀 HISTORY

💡 Early Christian Practice: The roots of the Eucharistic Fast trace back to the early Christian Church.

Believers abstained from food and drink before receiving Communion, emphasizing the sacredness of the act.

💡 Liturgical Development: Over centuries, the Church formalized the practice, establishing guidelines for the Eucharistic Fast to underscore the importance of spiritual preparation.

💡 Biblical Basis: The general idea of spiritual readiness before partaking in the Lord’s Supper finds Biblical basis in St. Paul’s teachings (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

💡 Ecclesiastical Legislation: Church councils, including the Council of Trent, contributed to the formulation of ecclesiastical laws regarding the Eucharistic fast, ensuring a common discipline across the faithful.

📜 CHURCH’S TEACHING ON THE EUCHARISTIC FAST

♦️ Duration: The Church prescribes a one-hour fast before receiving Holy Communion.

This period of abstinence includes all food and beverages, with the exception of water and medicine.

♦️ Ecclesiastical Law: The one-hour Eucharistic fast is a binding ecclesiastical law, emphasizing the importance of having a heart prepared and focused on Divine encounter.

♦️ Detachment and Temperance: The practice encourages the virtues of detachment and temperance, reminding the faithful of the sacredness of the Eucharist and the need for a state of grace.

♦️ Unity in Practice: The universal observance of the Eucharistic fast among the faithful underscores a shared discipline and unity in the approach to the reception of Holy Communion.

♦️ Exceptions: Certain situations may exempt individuals from the strict observance of the Eucharistic fast, such as those who are ill or elderly, as well as those who care for them.

Pastoral sensitivity is applied to accommodate various circumstances.

✴️ LEARN FROM SAINTS & TEACHINGS

🔶 St. Thomas Aquinas: “The purpose of the Eucharistic fast is to prepare the Christian to receive Communion with fitting reverence and devotion.” (Summa Theologica, III, Q. 80, Art. 6)

🔶 Pope St. Paul VI: “The Eucharistic fast is not only a precept of the Church but is also a reflection of the virtue of temperance, while nourishing and expressing faith, hope, charity, and religion.”

🔶 St. Padre Pio: “To be pure in body and soul is a requisite to receive Holy Communion.”

🔶 Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Eucharistic fast is an important practice to foster a spirit of detachment, self-mastery, and openness to the Lord’s presence.” (CCC 1387)

🔶 Pope St. John Paul II: “Fasting before Communion is a form of self-discipline which encourages a sober, more prayerful preparation for receiving the body and blood of Christ.”

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Reverence for the Eucharist: The Eucharistic Fast instills a sense of reverence, underscoring the exceptional nature of receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion.

🔷 Spiritual Discipline: It serves as a spiritual discipline, fostering self-control and detachment from worldly distractions, creating a focused mindset for encountering Christ.

🔷 Mystical Union: The period of fasting is a time of spiritual longing and anticipation, enhancing the sense of mystical union with Christ during the reception of the Eucharist.

🔷 Preparation for Encounter: Abstaining from food and drink allows the faithful to approach the Eucharist with greater mindfulness and intentionality, recognizing the sacredness of the moment.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Adherence to Guidelines: Observe and adhere to the current ecclesiastical guidelines regarding the duration of the Eucharistic Fast, recognizing it as a form of obedience and unity.

💠 Spiritual Preparation: Use the time of fasting as an opportunity for spiritual preparation, engaging in prayer and reflection to cultivate a disposition of reverence.

💠 Intentional Reflection: Reflect on the significance of the Eucharistic Fast, understanding that it is not merely a rule but an opportunity to deepen your connection with the Sacrament.

💠 Educate Others: Share the spiritual importance of the Eucharistic Fast with fellow Catholics, fostering a collective commitment to this practice for a more profound experience of the Eucharist.

💠 Receive with Awe: Approach Holy Communion with a sense of awe and gratitude, recognizing the Eucharistic fast as a means to enhance the sacredness of this divine encounter.

May the Eucharistic Fast be a source of spiritual enrichment, deepening our reverence for the true presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

“It pleased the Holy Spirit to appoint, for the honour of so great a sacrament, that the body of the Lord should take the precedence of all other food entering the mouth of a Christian; and it is for this reason that the custom referred to is universally observed.“

– St Augustine

✝️💜 REFLECTION CAPSULE – Mar 08, 2024: Friday

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

‘Choosing to respond in ‘holiness and faithfulness’ – with much love of God and neighbour – even in ‘harsh and fiery’ situations of life!”

(Based on Hos 14:2-10 and Mk 12:28-34 – Friday of the 3rd Week in Lent)

A missionary in a particular place came across a man who had bandaged and scarred hands.

When asked what had happened, he said, “My neighbour’s straw roof was on fire.

I helped him to put it out and that’s how my hands were burned.”

It was only later that the whole story was known.

The neighbour hated him and had in anger, set his roof on fire…
… while his wife and children were asleep in the hut.

They were in great danger.

Providentially, the Christian was able to put out the fire in his house on time.

But sparks flew over to the roof of the man who had set the house on fire…
… and his house started to burn.

There was no hate in the heart of this Christian!

There was only love for his enemy
And so, he did everything he could to put out the fire in his neighbour’s house.

That is how his own hands were burned!

Life was being pretty ‘harsh and fiery’ to him…
… but he chose to respond in ‘holiness and faithfulness!’

Am I ready to live a “life of love?”
… love that reaches out to the other in selflessness
… love that stems forth from a passionate love for God

The Gospel of the Day, is a challenging invitation to reflect on this fundamental aspect of our Christian Life.

The incident mentions a scribe, who had been watching his fellow-scribes in an argument with the Lord…
… and feeling impressed with Jesus, comes up to Him with a question:
“Which commandment is the first of all” (Mk 12:28)

We are not too sure of the motive of this scribe.

As per the versions of the same incident, in St Matthew (Mt 22:35) and St Luke (Lk 10:25), the person posed this question to Jesus, in order to “test him.”

The Markan version is however, silent on this aspect.

Whatever be the intention, the scribe most certainly was reflecting a common query that was widespread among the teachers and scholars of the Law:
Which is the first of all the commandments?

God had issued the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel.

These laws were intended for the people of Israel to be “distinguished” as the chosen nation of the Lord – chosen from among all others in the world.
These laws – simple and direct in nature – were aimed towards demanding a total loyalty from the people, to the Lord.

However, over time, these uncomplicated laws by which the people of Israel were to live…
… began to be expanded and extended and expounded.

It resulted in 613 commandments or stipulations:

365 of them (corresponding to the number of days in a year) were negative commandments, as in ” You shall not…”
And 248 of them (corresponding to the number of bones and major organs in the body, as per the Jewish understanding) were positive commandments, as in “You shall…”

When the Lord was asked to mention the First of all these Commandments…
… He puts forward the basis and the foundation of all these various laws, stipulations and commandments:
“You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk 12: 30)

And “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)

Note the insistence on the word “all”….
… “all” your heart… feelings, emotions, desires
… “all” your soul… will, choices, decisions
… “all” your mind… reason, knowledge, memory
… “all” your strength… talents, abilities, capacities

The Lord commands a “total” and “complete” loving!

He does not permit compromises to let our wishes to slide through…
He demands an “absolute” and “unadulterated” love!

As Christians, we often…
… seek to find “loopholes” in laws of loving the Lord and our neighbour

Our selfishness often creeps in…
Our personal desires often spoil it…
Our sinful tendencies often gain an upper hand…
But the insistence of the Lord is clear:
“Love Fully”
“Love Totally”
“Love Completely”

This is the ideal to which we, as Christians are called!

If not for this loftiest ideal, our life as a Christian would fail to be different from others!

Each of us as Christians are called…
… “to be holy”
… “to be set apart”
… “to be different”

This holiness comes when we seek for the highest ideal…
… loving God totally and expressing this love wholly to our neighbour.

Life will often be ‘harsh and fiery’…

Let us choose to respond in ‘holiness and faithfulness!’

The call is indeed great and very lofty…

The Lord is knocking at the door of our hearts.
Let us, at this moment, place our hands on our heart, and answer Him:
“I LOVE YOU, LORD!”…
… and reach out this passionate love in service to one another!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – THE COMMON GOOD

Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation.
In particular, the common good resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural freedoms indispensable for the development of the human vocation…

… such as “the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard… privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion. (CCC # 1907)

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful…to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

15 THE CONFESSIONALS: RECONCILIATION AND SPIRITUAL HEALING

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

THE CONFESSIONALS are sacred spaces within the Catholic Church where the faithful participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance.

It is a transformative and healing encounter with God’s mercy, offering forgiveness for sins and restoring the soul to a state of grace.

As Pope Francis expressed, “Do not be afraid of Confession,” for it is the place where one experiences God’s unconditional love and mercy.

🌀 HISTORY

💡 Scriptural Foundation: The Sacrament of Reconciliation has its roots in Scripture.

Jesus, after His resurrection, breathed on the apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven” (John 20:22-23).

💡 Early Christian Practices: In the early Church, public penance was common for serious sins. Over time, the practice evolved, with private confession becoming more prevalent.

💡 Development of the Confessional: The modern confessional, with a screen for anonymity, emerged in the medieval period, allowing penitents to confess their sins without public exposure.

This evolution demonstrates the Church’s responsiveness to the pastoral needs of the faithful while preserving the essential elements of the sacrament.

💡 Council of Trent: The Council of Trent (1545-1563) affirmed the importance of private confession and defined the essential elements of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & TEACHINGS

🔶 St. Augustine: “When you confess your sins, do not seek to excuse yourself or to justify yourself, but rather accuse yourself, and open the depths of your heart.”

🔶 St. Padre Pio: “Go to the confessional, that is where one receives healing. The confessional is a clinic, where spiritual wounds are healed.”

🔶 St. John Vianney: “Without the Sacrament of Confession, a soul remains a captive of its sins, it cannot be free.”

🔶 St. Faustina Kowalska: “When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the Priest, but I myself act in your soul.”

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Forgiveness and Healing: Confession is a sacrament of forgiveness and healing, where sins are absolved, grace is supplied, and the soul is reconciled with God.

🔷 Encounter with Mercy: In the confessional, the penitent encounters the Mercy of God, experiencing the boundless love that forgives and transforms.

🔷 Restoration of Grace: Confession restores the state of grace in the soul, enabling the individual to participate fully in the life of the Church.

🔷 Spiritual Guidance: The Priest, acting in Persona Christi, provides spiritual guidance and counsel, aiding the penitent in their journey of faith.

🔷 Act of Humility: Confession is an act of humility, acknowledging one’s sins and weaknesses and seeking God’s grace for spiritual growth.

🔷 The Sacrament of Reconciliation involves three main elements:

  1. Contrition: A sincere sorrow for having offended God, along with the intention to sin no more.
  2. Confession: The disclosure of sins to the Priest, who acts as a representative of both God and the Church.
  3. Satisfaction (Penance): The carrying out of the penance assigned by the Priest, expressing sorrow and a willingness to make amends.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Regular Confession: Make regular confession a spiritual discipline, recognizing its transformative power and the grace it brings to your life.

Try to confess, atleast once in a month (or maximum, once in three months)

💠 Openness and Honesty: Approach the Confessional with openness and honesty, trusting in God’s mercy and the Priest’s guidance for spiritual growth.

💠 Spiritual Guidance: Seek spiritual guidance from the Priest for ongoing struggles and challenges, fostering a relationship of trust and support.

💠 Encourage Others: Encourage fellow Catholics to embrace the Sacrament of Reconciliation, highlighting its role in spiritual renewal and closeness to God.

💠 Understand the Process: Familiarize yourself with the steps of the Sacrament, understanding that the priest is a compassionate guide on the journey of repentance.

💠 Identify vices, practice virtues: Confession should be an opportunity to identify our vices and practice it’s opposite virtues, on a daily basis. This will deepen our spiritual life, and foster mercy in the world.

May The Confessionals continue to be sanctuaries of mercy, reconciliation, and spiritual healing, drawing the faithful closer to God’s infinite love.

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

✝️💜 REFLECTION CAPSULE – Mar 07, 2024: Thursday

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

“Taking the side of the Kingdom of God in life’s tug-of-war!”

(Based on Jer 7:23-28 and Lk 11:14-23 – Thursday of the 3rd Week in Lent)

One of the interesting sports that is played across many places and in many cultures is the “tug-of-war.”

The “Tug-of-war” is a sport that directly puts two or more teams against each other in a test of strength…
… teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, with the goal being to bring the rope a certain distance in one direction
… against the force of the opposing team’s pull.

The phrase “tug of war” originally meant “the decisive contest; the real struggle or tussle; a severe contest for supremacy”.

Such a “tug-of-war” is seen not just seen or played on the sports field…
… it is also often witnessed in life.

Our Christian especially witnesses this “tug-of-war”…

A constant struggle between the forces of evil and the power of goodness…
A relentless warfare between the coercion of sin and the strength of holiness…

The Gospel of the Day presents a “tug-of-war” between…
… Jesus and the Pharisees
… the Holy One and the evil forces
… the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of Satan

The Lord came to the world to usher in the Kingdom of God.

Bringing to forefront the Kingdom of Power and Holiness, the Lord casts out a demon from a person who is dumb. (Lk 11: 14)

This mighty action of healing and deliverance had a tremendous effect…
… the dumb man spoke
… and the people marvelled.

But, this wondrous act of power and authority also triggered a volley of struggles…
… a struggle of words between the Pharisees and Jesus
… a teaching on the struggle between the Kingdom of God and the forces of evil

The Lord lashes out in authority and conviction, on being accused of siding with evil powers to cast out demons:
“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and a divided household falls” ( Lk 11: 17)

Jesus makes it clear that
… one cannot be siding with negative forces in order to perform deeds of goodness and salvation!
… one cannot be on the side of evil and sin and yet be authentic and genuine in doing works of true deliverance and righteousness!

This brings us to an important dimension that needs our honest and critical consideration:

Am I a person truly on the side of God when I engage in works and ministries of the Lord…
… but still continuing to be on the side of the Evil One by living a life of sin?

Am I a person imbued with the Spirit of the Holy Lord in professing to be a Christian…
… or am I living a dual-life by failing to give up immoral tendencies and obliging the evil spirit?

Am I a person who may be performing a lot of good works in the name of God…
… but failing to have an intimate relationship and union with the God of all power and glory?

Venerable Fr Peter Marie Mermier, the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales puts it beautifully:
“The ministry of a priest without prayer, is a barren ministry, without any effect, even harmful; it is a ministry of death!

Instead of enlightening, it blinds; instead of healing, it kills!
But the ministry of the one who prays, is a ministry of life!”

Christian life is not to be just defined by external works of piety and works…
… but is to be a reflection of the inner intimacy and relation with the Lord.

A true inner disposition and authority is a must, to be effective and credible in our life.
A proper grounding is an absolute requirement, to be engaged in the works of the Lord.

I may find myself often in the “tug-of-war” of faith and unbelief…

But am I clear in taking the side of the Lord and Him alone?

I may find myself often in the “tug-of-war” of actions of goodness and temptations of the evil…

But am I convinced of taking the side of the Kingdom of God alone?

Christian Life will be a constant “tug-of-war”
… between the evil and good
… between the devil and Jesus
… between the Kingdom of God and the powers of wickedness

Which side are we on?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – THE COMMON GOOD

“Common good presupposes respect for the person as such.
In the name of the common good, public authorities are bound to respect…
… the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person.
Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation.

(CCC # 1906)

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful…to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

14 INCENSE: A SYMBOL OF PRAYER AND ADORATION

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

INCENSE holds a sacred place in Catholic liturgy, symbolizing prayer, adoration, and the ascent of worship to the divine.

It is a fragrant resinous substance that, when burned, releases aromatic smoke, creating an atmosphere of reverence and spiritual elevation.

As the Psalmist exclaims, “Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2).

🌀 HISTORY

💡 Biblical Tradition: The use of incense has deep roots in the Old Testament, where it was employed in the worship of God.

The book of Exodus details how God instructed Moses to use fragrant incense in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:34-38).

💡 Temple Worship: In the Jerusalem Temple, priests burned incense as part of their sacred duties, and it became associated with the prayers of the faithful ascending to God.

💡 Early Christian Worship: The early Christians, inheriting elements from Jewish worship, incorporated the use of incense as a way of honouring the Lord’s presence.

💡 Liturgical Continuity: The continuity of using incense in Catholic liturgy highlights its enduring significance, bridging the worship practices of the Old and New Testaments.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & TEACHINGS

🔶 St. John Damascene: “The rising smoke of the incense represents the prayers of the saints rising up to God.”

🔶 St. Augustine: “The incense is the symbol of the good odor of Christ, and it is perceptible everywhere. It is the good odor of Christ that we spread among those who are saved and among those who perish.”

🔶 St. Thomas Aquinas: “The ascending smoke of the incense represents the ascent of prayer to God, and the fragrance symbolizes the goodness and grace of Christ, which is diffused to the faithful.”

🔶 Pope St Paul VI: “The fragrant cloud of incense is a symbol of the noblest human aspirations, of our prayers ascending to the divine.”

🔶 Pope St John Paul II: “In the incensing, the clouds of smoke rising up symbolize the prayers of the people rising up to God.”

🔶 Pope Benedict XVI: “The perfumed smoke of the incense, spiraling upwards, was considered an image of prayer, an image of the soul ascending to God.”

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Symbol of Prayer: Incense serves as a visible and fragrant symbol of the prayers of the faithful ascending to God, creating a tangible link between the earthly and heavenly realms.

🔷 Adoration and Reverence: The use of incense during Liturgical rites enhances the atmosphere of adoration and reverence, signifying the sanctity of the moment.

🔷 Biblical Foundation: The use of incense is in line with Biblical traditions, particularly its prominent role in the worship practices of ancient Israel (Exodus 30:34-38).

🔷 Continuity of Worship: The continuity of using incense from Old Testament worship to the Catholic Liturgy underscores the richness of Catholic worship traditions.

🔷 Saintly Testimonies: Insights from saints like St. John Damascene, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas affirm the spiritual significance of incense in enhancing the Liturgical experience.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Engage the Senses: Allow the fragrance of incense to engage your senses during Liturgical celebrations, fostering a deeper connection with the symbolic and spiritual dimensions of worship.

💠 Educate Others: Share the Biblical and theological significance of incense with fellow Catholics, fostering a greater appreciation for this sacred element in worship.

💠 Prayerful Posture: During the use of incense, assume a prayerful posture, consciously connecting the rising smoke with the ascent of prayers to God.

💠 Cultural Sensitivity: Acknowledge and appreciate the cultural diversity in the use of incense within the Catholic Church, recognizing its adaptability to different Liturgical traditions.

💠 Reflect on Symbolism: Take moments of personal reflection when incense is used in Liturgical settings, allowing its fragrance to draw you into a deeper connection with the Lord.

May Incense continue to be a symbol of prayer, adoration, and the unity of the faithful, enriching the Catholic Liturgical experience with its profound spiritual significance.

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India
Email ID: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

“The offering of an incense is a generous and beautiful rite… In the rhythm and the sweetness there is a musical quality; and like music also is the entire lack of practical utility: it is a prodigal waste of precious material. It is a pouring out of unwithholding love.”

– Romano Guardini

✝️💜 REFLECTION CAPSULE – Mar 06, 2024: Wednesday

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

“Listening and obeying even the ‘smallest’ and the ‘tiniest’ commands of His Holy Will!”

(Based on Deut 4:1, 5-9 and Mt 5:17-19 – Wednesday of the 3rd Week in Lent)

The Hebrew alphabet contains twenty-two letters

Every letter in the Hebrew alphabet caries many special meanings.

The Tenth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet is called as “Yod”

It is represented as ‘
It has the sound of “Y” as in “Yes”.

There is an interesting Jewish legend about this letter “yod”.

In the book of Genesis 17:15, we read that God changed the name of Sarai to Sarah.

In Hebrew language, this was done by removing the ‘ (yod) from the end of her name.

However, the letter “Yod,” created a stir in heaven for having been dropped from Sarai’s name

It was continually fluttering around the throne of God, in restlessness!

So God decided to calm the letter “yod” by putting it at the beginning of Hoshea’s name.

This changed Hoshea to Joshua as we read in the book of Numbers 13:16.

(Interestingly, Joshua is the also the root word of Jehoshoa, from where the name “Jesus” comes)

But why are we discussing so much about this letter “Yod” in today’s reflection?

Jesus mentions about it, in today’s Gospel…

Jesus says, ” Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the SMALLEST LETTER or the SMALLEST PART OF THE LETTER will pass from the Law, until all things have taken place. ” (Mt 5: 18)

The SMALLEST LETTER refers to Hebrew letter “Yod”

It is the smallest letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.

The SMALLEST PART OF THE LETTER refers to the “thorn of the Yod”

It is just a small curve at the top of the letter, a light decoration on the letter “Yod”

Why was Jesus being so specific and particular in speaking about the Law?

What was Jesus meaning, by referring to the “tiniest” elements of the alphabet?

Jesus refers to the prime sanctity of God’s Word to His People.

This Word had now taken flesh (Jn 1: 14)
Jesus, the Word Incarnate, came to bring the Law to its fulfilment…
… not to undermine them.

While the Old Law could only show the mistake of the person…
… Jesus, the New Law would grant forgiveness and grace to the one who atones!

While the Old Law could only make the person to realise one’s faults…
… Jesus, the New Law would confer life and salvation to the one who repents!

When we consider the Gospel of St Matthew, we can consider the shift in emphasis:

Stage 1: In the initial part of the Gospel

Jesus says, “UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of the letter will pass from the LAW, until all things have taken place” (Mt 5: 18)

Stage 2: At the end of the Gospel

Jesus says, ” HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY, but MY WORDS will not pass away” (Mt 24: 35)

There is a progressive shift in emphasis…
… from the LAW to the WORDS OF JESUS.

He is the perfection and the fulfilment of the Law!

This is the Divine Process of the unfolding of the plan of God’s Salvation for the world…
… finding its fulfilment and perfection in Jesus!

But this was not at the expense of the Old Law!

The Old Law is to be read, understood and practised, in the light of the New!
The New Law casts its illumining light on the Old, revealing life-giving messages!

As the classical saying goes:
“The New Testament is in the Old, concealed; the Old Testament is in the New, revealed”

What is the message for us, in this reflection?

The Great Power in the Promises of God in our life!

The Lord assures us, that none of His Promises will go unfulfilled in our life!

He guarantees that, He will bring His Word of Salvation to fulfilment in our life!

What is needed however…
… our openness to trust and believe in His Word!
… our willingness to make necessary changes, in the light of His Word!

The Lord assures us, with much emphasis:
“… GIVE HEED to the statutes and ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that YOU MAY LIVE…
KEEP THEM and DO THEM; for that will be YOUR WISDOM and YOUR UNDERSTANDING” (Deut 4: 1, 6)

Let us not be afraid to seek perfection in obeying the Law of the Lord and keeping His commandments…

Let us take courage to the fact that the Lord is with us, as a Loving Parent, gently encouraging us and patiently cheering us…
… to listen and obey, to even the “smallest” and the “tiniest” commands of His Holy Will!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – THE COMMON GOOD

The common good concerns the life of all. >> It calls for prudence from each…

… and even more from those who exercise the office of authority. (CCC # 1906)

⏩ CATHOLIC CARTRIDGE – A series to learn, revive, love and be faithful…to our Catholic Faith!

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

13 THE HOLY WATER: SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

THE HOLY WATER is a sacred element in the Catholic Church, blessed by a priest and used for various spiritual purposes.

It symbolizes purification, protection, and the presence of the Lord, in daily life.

As St. Teresa of Ávila said, “From long experience, I have learned that there is nothing like Holy Water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again.”

🌀 HISTORY

💡 Biblical Roots: The use of water as a symbol of purification has biblical roots.

In the Old Testament, water was used for ritual cleansing, and in the New Testament, baptism signifies spiritual rebirth.
The use of Holy Water is in line with Biblical practices of using water for purification and sanctification (Exodus 30:18-21).

💡 Early Christian Practices: Early Christians adopted the use of blessed water as a way of invoking God’s protection and purifying themselves from sin.

💡 Liturgical Blessing: Over time, the Church formalized the blessing of water, infusing it with prayers and rituals to sanctify it for sacred purposes.

💡 Medieval and Renaissance Period: The use of Holy Water fonts at Church entrances became widespread during the medieval and Renaissance periods, making it accessible to the faithful.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & TEACHINGS

🔶 St. Teresa of Ávila: “I know by frequent experience that there is nothing which puts the devils to flight like Holy Water.”

🔶 St. Pope John Paul II: “Believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of that Water that makes things change, that renews all. Believe in the miraculous power of God who alone can change your hearts and make them new.”

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Purification: Holy water is a symbol of spiritual cleansing, reminding the faithful of their baptismal vows and the forgiveness of sins.

🔷 Protection: Blessing oneself with Holy Water serves as a reminder of God’s protective presence and invokes Divine assistance against spiritual adversaries.

🔷 Sacramental: Holy water is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the Church to prepare individuals to receive grace and dispose them to cooperate with it.

🔷 Sacred Spaces: The use of Holy Water in blessing homes, objects, and places symbolizes the sanctification of the ordinary aspects of life.

🔷 Protection Against Evil: St. Thomas Aquinas highlights the efficacy of Holy Water in dispelling evil forces, illustrating the supernatural power it holds.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Blessing at Entrances: Make it a habit to bless yourself with Holy Water when entering or leaving a church, symbolizing your spiritual readiness and seeking God’s protection.

💠 Blessings of Home: Use Holy Water to bless your home, making the Sign of the Cross on doors and windows, inviting God’s grace into your living spaces.

💠 Personal Prayer: Incorporate the use of Holy Water into your personal prayers, invoking God’s presence and protection over yourself and your loved ones.

💠 Sacramental Awareness: Educate fellow Catholics about the sacramental nature of Holy Water, emphasizing its significance in promoting spiritual well-being.

May The Holy Water be a constant reminder of God’s purifying love and a source of spiritual protection in your journey of faith.

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

“It is plain why the church uses water as the sign and the bearer of the divine life of grace. We emerge from the waters of baptism into a new life, born again of water and the Holy Ghost. In those same waters the old man was destroyed and put to death.“

– Romano Guardini, Sacred Signs