“Having a revival in our Christian lives by having a ‘re-Bible’ experience!”

(Based on 1 Cor 5:1-8 and Lk 6:6-11 – Monday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A young priest was set for his first preaching.

He had chosen the theme, “Revival in Christian Life”.

Filled with enthusiasm and zeal, he began his sermon and breaking the Word of God.

Within a few moments, the young preacher was able to attract the appeal and attention of the audience.

The reason was not just his eloquence in preaching, his depth in reflection and his conviction in speaking…
… it was also a mispronouncing that was drawing the attention of the audience.

His theme was “Revival in Christian Life”.

But due to his slight speech impediment, it was heard as “Rebible in Christian Life”!

The audience did not mind that, as that was also a tremendous message being put across!

Yes, Revival in Christian Life emanates from having a “Rebible in Christian Life – “Re-Bible!”

How strong is my Christian Life centred around the Bible- God’s Word and its proper interpretation?
How interested am I in having a deeper understanding of His Word and applying it my daily living?
… Or am I a person who gets stuck with my own interpretations and understanding of Scriptures, which fails to evoke any effects in my personal life?

The Gospel of the Day is an encounter with a group of people, who got stuck in their own “comfortable zones” of interpreting and understanding the Scriptures…
… failing to be open to the True Author of the Scriptures

And thus failing to tread the path of mercy, compassion and charity.

The Gospel passage is another Sabbath Day controversy.

Jesus is in the synagogue, teaching and proclaiming God’s Word.

His words would bring strength and courage to those in despair
His teaching would fill with hope those who were stranded on the peripheries of life
His preaching would invigorate those who were sapped of energy and felt themselves rejected.

Among those who heard Him in the synagogue, was a “a man whose right hand was withered” (Lk 6: 6)

It’s not mentioned how did he began to have a withered hand…
… maybe he was born so
… maybe he met with an accident
… maybe he had a sickness which made it so

But having a withered right hand had its own implications and difficulties to pose.

Right hand in the Bible, usually refers to..
… being the hand of blessing
… being the hand of strength
… being the hand of labour

So this man with the withered right hand is portrayed as being…
… disfigured in his purpose and goals of life
… pitiable in being rendered weak and sort of helpless

But more than this man with the physical disability, there were also some others, who had a “withered mentality” – the Pharisees

They had God, the source and origin of the Law, as their “right hand”
They had the privilege of learning and knowing the Scriptures, as their “right hand”

But, unfortunately, we find them with “withered”…
… Their focus on God, the purpose and goal of the Law was “withered!”
… Their opportunity to interpret and understand the Scriptures properly was “withered”!

To the man who had the physically withered right hand, Jesus said, “Stretch out your hand” (Lk 6:10)

Probably these words were also directed or perhaps intended more for the Pharisees who were “withered” in their understanding and mentality regarding the Law and the Author of the Law Himself!

Jesus was asking them to “stretch out their hands” which were withered…
… because they failed to understand the basic purpose of God’s Law which was aimed at reflecting on God’s Goodness and to reflect the same in their lives
… because they were stuck to their own rigid and arrogant interpretation of God’s Word and failed to put into practise the real meaning of God’s Word which is to do good, show mercy and extend charity

Are those words, “stretch out your hand” being directed to us also?

… Are we failing to centre our lives on the Precious Gift that God has blessed us with – His Holy Word in the Holy Bible – and failing to make efforts to read, learn more and understand God’s Word properly and effectively

… Do we consciously cultivate practices which help us to set apart time (on a daily, regular basis) to read the Bible and reflect and shape our lives, in the light of the Holy Word of God?

… Do we remain rigid, obstinate and closed to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us, through different sermons, write-ups, talks etc. on the Word of God and allow transformations to happen in my life?

… Are we zealous to learn God’s Word more deeply, to know Him more and to cultivate a personal taste to understand the Scriptures better with self-reflection?

Our Blessed Lord invites and exhorts us to have a “Revival in our Christian Lives”

And this experience of “Revival” should spring forth from a practice of “Re-Bible”!

May our Blessed Lord help us to have a “Re-Bible” in our Christian Lives and experience “the sweetness of honey” (Ps 119:103) in His Holy Word!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

The faithful therefore have the right to be instructed in the divine saving precepts that purify judgment…

… and, with grace, heal wounded human reason. (CCC # 2037)

“Bringing the Powerful Presence of God in every situation of our society!”

(Based on Is 35:4-7a, Jas 2:1-5 and Mk 7:31-37 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

There is a beautiful little anecdote in the life of St Mother Teresa of Kolkatta – whose Feast we celebrate today – probably, known to many of us.

As Mother was cleaning the wounds of a leper, a man observed her.

The sight of the leprous wounds and the horrible stench caused that man to exclaim with disgust, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars!”

In reply, the saintly mother replied:
“Neither would I!

But I would gladly do it for Jesus!”

The love for the Lord and imitation of His descending love, prompted Mother Teresa to reach out her hands…
… even to the worst sores and the filthiest wounds!

Divine Love manifests its great power and reveals its glorious splendour…
… when it descends to even touch the lowliest, the least and the lost!

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of Jesus, who was willing to lower to an extent, even to “dirty Himself” in order to touch human lives!

The Book of Genesis (Chapter 1) testifies to the fact that God created the entire world with His Word!

God doesn’t need a particular or a fixed procedure to work a miracle or a wonder

God doesn’t comply to human understandings of causing a divine phenomenon.

Perhaps, here is a reminder for us, in our prayer patterns…

In my prayers, do I also make my requests in such a way that I end up even commanding how and when God should answer the prayer?

In my intercessions to the Lord, do I act as “god” and even order God, the style and manner in which He has to answer our prayers?

Keeping in tune with this principle of “God as His own unique styles and patterns,” Jesus, the Word performs a strange pattern in bringing about the healing.

This incident of healing the ‘man who was deaf and had a speech impediment’ is indeed very unique…
… in the fact of the manner in which the miracle was performed.

The Gospel says, “taking him (the man who was deaf and with impediment in speech) aside, from the multitude privately…
… Jesus put His fingers into His ears, and He spat and touched His tongue, and looking up to heaven, He sighed…” (Mk 7: 33)

Here is a highly “unclean and unhygienic” style of healing…

Putting fingers into the ears…
Spitting onto the hands or the finger…
Touching the tongue…

Well sounds a little disgusting, right?

But let’s be prepared to face this grand reality….
This is our God!
This is our Saviour Lord!

In Jesus, we celebrate a God who is willing to heal even our most painful wounds and cleanse our most sinful sores!

In Jesus, we cherish a God who lowers Himself even to the extent of dirtying His hands to purify and refine us!

Am I willing and ready to allow this Daring God, who would go to any extent…
… to win us back to Him
… to bring a wholesome healing in us

To touch our hidden wounds, our shameful sores and our filthy sinful lives?

This is also a challenge and a call, to us Christians, to imitate our Blessed Lord in lowering ourselves…
… to reach out to the needy and the wanting
… to touch the hearts of the unclean and the corrupt.

The Lord reminds and assures us through Prophet Isaiah, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…
… the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water” (Isa 35:5-7)

Humanly speaking, it might be too unreasonable to enter into the portals of dirt and slimes in the lives of people and to remain faithful to the Ways of God.

As St James tells us, sometimes, our human weaknesses even causes us to create division, distinction and discrimination among people – “My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?
Have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (Jas 2:1, 4)

But our Blessed Lord challenges us to imitate Him and offers His Heart of Love to be the “thumb rule” and the basic reason to reach out to all!

Are we prepared to “dirty” our lives in order to extend the charity and mercy of God to all…
…and thus, as in the title of the book on Blessed Mother Teresa, make our lives, “Something beautiful for God!”

Today, September 08, we celebrate the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary.

As we thank the Lord for the gift of our Beloved Mother, let us deepen our love towards Her…
… and may we, holding Her Hands, walk in the path of God, more faithfully and strongly committed!

As Fulton J Sheen says:
“The less we think of the Lord, the less we think of His Mother.

The more we adore His Divinity, the more we venerate Her motherhood.
The less we acknowledge His divinity, the less we have respect for Her!”

A wonderful Birthday to our Blessed Mother!

We love you, Dearest Mamma!

Happy Feast day to all Her children!

Let us deepen our love for Her Beloved Son and our Saviour, Jesus!

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 – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

The law of God entrusted to the Church is taught to the faithful…

… as the way of life and truth. (CCC # 2037)

“Seeking the Grace to uncover many ‘Diamond Vases’ contained in the Holy Scripture!”

(Based on 1 Cor 4:6b-15 and Lk 6:1-5 – Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

The story goes of a large castle which lay abandoned for a large number of years.

Being considered haunted or jinxed, it failed to have buyers.

But a young man, without giving heed to any of those fears, purchased it.

The castle had a large attic, with a huge number of things being dumped in it.

The man decided to take up the task of cleaning this attic.

While cleaning, the man found, in the corner of the attic, a very old vase, fully covered with dust!

Taking it in his hands, as he began to wipe it with a cloth, the man discovered that it was a priceless item that he was holding on!

It was a Diamond Vase!

Unnoticed, uncared and undiscovered…
… the Diamond Vase, on being dusted, became a priceless “bonus” for that man.

How often in our lives, we too have many such “Diamond Vases” – unnoticed, uncared and undiscovered.

It’s highly essential that time and again, we dust off the “unnoticed, uncared and undiscovered” entities in life, to discover their preciousness!

One of such “Diamond Vases” are the precious and timeless truths that can be discovered from the Holy Bible.

Today we shall attempt to “wipe off” the dust from a precious teaching – the Sabbath – to reveal its greater implications in our life and to discover its preciousness!

The Gospel of the day is another Sabbath controversy.

While going through the grain-fields, the disciples of Jesus plucked and ate some of the heads of grain (Lk 6: 1)

But this supposedly forbidden “act of work” was “caught” by the Law Policemen – the Pharisees.

Probably, the disciples had not thought of the fact that they were now enjoying the status of being “special celebrities” – since they were the close associates of the Rising mega-star – Jesus!

And mega-stars and special celebrities always get followed, isn’t it?

Each of their movement is followed…
Each of their talk is taped!

Thus, Jesus and His disciples also found themselves being followed and observed, in all their actions and talks!

The point of contention was the Sabbath Rule – which as per the Pharisees…
… rendered the “work of the disciples” – plucking and eating the heads of grain – as being unlawful and therefore, culpable!

When we seek to trace the the original purpose of “Sabbath”, we could consider a couple of aspects:

1. The “Law” of Sabbath at Creation
   If Sabbath can be considered as a “Law”, then it goes to say without doubt that the Law of Sabbath was a “principle of creation” itself.

Gen 2: 3: “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it, He rested from all the work he had done in creation”

This “Law” of Sabbath therefore, even precedes the Mosaic Law!

It is very interesting to note the pattern of creation that is mentioned in the Book of Genesis.

The Creation is mentioned as happening on a 7-day format.

It can be observed that on all the 6 days, it is mentioned, “evening came and morning followed” (Gen 1:5b, 1: 8b, 1:13, 1: 19, 1: 23, 1: 21b)
The phrase or the usage, “Evening came and morning followed” refers to the completing of a day.

But the 7th day doesn’t have this mention!

What is this pointing towards…?

The 7th day is not complete… it is being continued.

It is unending… i.e. Everlasting!

Therefore, the 7th Day… the Day on which God “rested” is being continued…. into eternity!

So when God calls to “rest” on a Sabbath day, it could be a reference and a reminder to enter “a rest into eternity!”

That’s wonderful, isn’t it?

The Sabbath becomes a reminder that we are created to “enter into a rest with God” which is eternal and unending!

The Sabbath becomes a prefiguration of eternal life – the purpose of all our works and activities!

Can we cultivate this understanding so as to have a stricter observance of the Sabbath Rule?

Every time we faithfully keep the Sabbath Law….
… we express our willingness to God saying: ” Yes Lord, I am readying myself for the Eternal Rest that you are promising me”!
… we display our eagerness to God saying: “Yes Lord, I am constantly preparing myself to enjoy an Eternal bliss with You!”

2. The Law of Sabbath in the Mosaic Law

The Book of Deuteronomy explicates this Sabbath Law:
“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God….
…You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.

Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Dt 5: 12-15)

The Sabbath Law in the Mosaic Law was a reminder that God was their Rescuer from the land of slavery and therefore, He was their God and they, His people.

Can we also cultivate this understanding so as to have a stricter observance of the Sabbath Rule?

Every time we faithfully keep the Sabbath Law….
… we are reminded that we were also once, slaves – to sin.

Our Blessed Lord, has rescued us from slavery and wishes that we deepen our love, commitment and faithfulness to Him, Our Saviour!
… we are exhorted that it is very much possible that we can become slaves again – maybe to sinful tendencies, to money, to power, to position, to various vices etc.

With constant examination of oneself and a renewing of one’s dedication and pledge to God, we can remain as His own people.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we have sometimes failed to keep the Sabbath Law or perhaps, failed to attach any special importance to it…

The Sabbath Day, sometimes, becomes…
… just another “ordinary” day for us
… a day to indulge in laziness and lethargy
… a day to complete pending works and even ending up doing extra works!

But can we grow beyond such practices and seek to restore the original intents of the Sabbath.

A faithful and dutiful keeping of the Sabbath Law is a vital expression of we, as Christians, being a distinct people – chosen to lead all others towards the Love of God!

Let us seek the Grace to uncover many more “Diamond Vases” contained in the Holy Scripture, by wiping off the dusts of ignorance and indifference!

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 – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH
In recalling the prescriptions of the natural law…
… the Magisterium of the Church exercises an essential part of its prophetic office of proclaiming to men what they truly are

… and reminding them of what they should be before God. (CCC # 2036)

“Daring to imitate our Blessed Lord in ‘washing the windows’ in order to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!”

(Based on 1 Cor 4:1-5 and Lk 5:33-39 – Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

John Wanamaker was an American merchant and a religious and civic leader.

He is considered by some, to be the proponent of advertising and a “pioneer in marketing”.

Once, a neat and handsome young man, applied to John Wanamaker for a job.

This young fellow was told that there was no job for him.

But the young man persisted, “I am willing to take up any work!”

With a view to get rid of him, Mr Wanamaker said, “The only job I have is the job of washing windows”
“Yes, I am willing” said the enthusiastic young man!

He washed those windows as they never had been.

He also showed a great sense of responsibility.

Within a short period, he became the manager of the store.

When this man died, after a splendid service of nearly two decades, Mr Wanamaker said:
“I am willing to pay as high as one hundred thousand dollars for a manager, who can fill the place of the one I lost!”

The young man’s willingness and his committed act of “washing the windows” brought about a change of mentality and won accolades galore!

Today, perhaps, the Church is in a great need for people who are willing to “wash the windows” for the sake of the Kingdom…
… windows which are sometimes dirtied with the dust of ritualism, legalism and relativism
… windows which are sometimes tainted with the stains of corruption, scandals and misconduct
… windows which are sometimes splattered with the blemishes of indifference, injustice and inactions

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus who courageously dares to “wash the windows”, in order to clear away the dust of legal fanaticism, religious rigidity and spiritual gloominess!

The passage in consideration (Lk 5: 33-39) begins with an interrogative complaint by the Pharisees and Scribes…
… on why His disciples ‘ate and drank’ whereas the disciples of John the Baptist as well as the Pharisees fasted often and offered prayers (Lk 5: 33)

The immediate context of this passage is the Call of Levi, the tax collector and the grand party hosted by him, in honour of Jesus (Lk 5: 27-32)

Jesus, later on, in His ministry would say, “There is more rejoicing over one sinner who repents and returns to God, than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who need no repentance” (Lk 15:7)

Levi, the tax-collector was called by Jesus to follow Him – an occasion of a “lost sheep” returning back to the arms of the Shepherd!

It was a moment of great joy and happiness!
It was a moment of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ!
It was a moment of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love!

In this context, when the religious leaders questioned Jesus on why were His disciples into “eating and drinking” unlike the disciples of John the Baptist and Pharisees, who were into rigorous fasting and prayer…
… Jesus gives a fitting reply using three imageries:

1. The imagery of the wedding guests feasting, when the Bridegroom is with them (Lk 5: 34-35)

It pointed to the “moments of great joy and happiness, that is experienced” when one recognises Jesus as the bridegroom – the True Love of one’s life and the Primary Purpose of one’s existence (Gal 2: 20)!

2. The imagery of the patched garments (Lk 5: 36)

It pointed to the “moments of leaving the old self behind and embracing the newness of Christ”, and putting on the New and Festal Garment of Christ (Gal 3: 27)

3. The imagery of the wine and wineskin (Lk 5: 37-39)

It pointed to the “moments of immersing oneself in the new life in Christ and being ‘drunk’ with His love,” and cherishing the experience of discovering the Lord as the true and only source and foundation of happiness in life (1 Cor 3: 11).

In short, our Blessed Lord was pointing to a renewed perspective in one’s relationship with God…

Doing away with “legal fanaticism” that cripples one’s life with mere external following of rituals and rubrics
… and instead to discover the real meaning and purpose of one’s actions of piety and religiosity!

Doing away with “religious rigidity” that steals away any spontaneity and openness in one’s life of faith…
.. and instead to unearth the freedom that often lies buried, and to relate without any inhibitions with one’s Loving Creator!

Doing away with “spiritual gloominess” that casts a dark and ugly veil on one’s practices of spirituality…
… and instead to unwrap the gifts of happiness, trust and genuine bliss that is constantly bestowed by God!

Our practise of faith and spirituality certainly is in a constant need of a “cleaning up!”

Our understanding and perspectives on religion is in ever need of “sprucing up!”

Else, it can very easily happen, that..
… religion turns out to be a farce
… practices of piety fail to touch and inspire lives
… acts of charity turn out to be hypocritical gestures

Let us dare to imitate our Blessed Lord in “washing the windows,” to clear the view for a cleaner, fresher and brighter practising of our faith!

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 – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

The authority of the Magisterium extends also to the specific precepts of the natural law…

… because their observance, demanded by the Creator, is necessary for salvation. (CCC # 2036)

“Realising that only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile!”

(Based on 1 Cor 3:18-23 and Lk 5:1-11 – Thursday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

The following is a self-reflected story…
… An Autobiography

This is written with the sole intention of giving Praise and Glory to God, the Creator…
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile!

This is a basic philosophy and an attitude which I have cultivated all through my life…
… and which I appreciate very much in others!

Well, you can call it being part of my genes and instilled into my basic structure…
… but, yeah, I do seek to live for others!

And I am excited when I see others also living out this my philosophy!

Life springs surprise!

And I guess, the Creator has meant life to be thus!

This is a lesson I have learnt many times…

His surprising Hand is indeed amazing and remarkable…

In the midst of the storms of life…
… I have encountered how He can steer me through to safety!

In the thick of dark clouds of life…
… I have experienced how He can flash His brightness home!

In the horror of pealing thunder and lightning…
… I have enjoyed His calm presence and soothing aura!

The Creator is indeed a great, BIG, surprising person!

You must be wondering what would have been my most wonderful surprise in life?!

Any guesses?

What more than seeing the Philosophy of my Life being actualized and lived in the best way possible!!

Yeah, I am excited when I am able to share my life for the sake of others and in service of others!

But I am most delighted and thrilled and thankful when I see others also seeking to make the world a better place!

And, this was an all too super experience of seeing such an amazingly charismatic Personality…
He had a comforting charm…
He had a relaxing resonance…
He had an attracting appearance!

I dint know His name…
… He was yet a stranger to me

But the air echoed and reverberated with His name…”Yeshua…”…”Messiah…”…..”JESUS!!

And then came THE moment…
Call it THE best moment of my life…
Call it THE most blessed time of my life….

That Great Figure….Yeshua…Jesus…came to me!

And chose to spend time with me!

He spoke to the great crowds of people who had gathered to listen to Him…
… but all the while, being with me!
Amazing Words of Life!
Beautiful acts of Love!
Special powers of Healing!
Dramatic deeds of Transformation!

And then it was time for me to witness an unforgettable scene…

That Great Charismatic Leader…
… surprised my master with a life-changing miracle and phenomenon…

My master was a simple fisherman.

He was a bit impulsive, yet straightforward and humble…a hardworking fella.

But the experience that he had and which I had, was just out of the world…
“At your command, I will let down the nets” was the simple expression of my master to the Great Master!

I’ve heard it’s hard for people to let down their nets…
… .when encountered with strange troubles and to trust in Him!

I’ve heard it’s hard for people to let down their nets….
… when met with total hopelessness and when life kicks them on their faces!

I’ve heard it’s hard for people to let down their nets….
… when disappointments & depression have become identical with their lives!

But for my simple master, it was just easy to let go off himself, his capacities, his knowledge…
… and just trust and believe!

He did let down his nets…
… and what followed was a classic picture!!
Fish was caught in plenty

Joy was writ all over the faces
Faith had increased bountifully!!

Trust and Faith is rewarded when acted with simplicity, humility and openness!

And surprises followed…

That classic Personality, who was also called the Great Fisherman of Galilee, prophesied on my master and gave him a new vocation:
“From now on…you will be catching men!’

The angels would have rejoiced…
The heavens would have consented…
… but there was a heart-break in my heart!

The new vocation of my master would mean, I would be left abandoned…
… I would no longer be utilized!

But then, suddenly my conscience pricked me and I was reminded of My Philosophy of life: to live for others!
And lo… I had to follow suit….
… to let down my nets!
… to let down the net of my desires…
… and let my master be engaged in the service and help of humanity!

My master had to embrace a new way of life:
To follow the Greatest Catcher of People, the Great Fisherman of Galilee – Jesus!

I knew my master would also attain great heights of fame and name and holiness and greatness…

All because he had been willing to let go off his nets
All because he had been ready to listen to the Great Master’s Word!
. All because he had been disposed to give highest priority to the work of the Great Master!
… and in the process, I too have been touched and blessed!

Generations will remember my master…
Generations will be blessed by the Great Master…

Generations may never preach or wish to see me…

But Generations will hopefully think of me…
….think of me, that once upon a time, I was touched and blessed – to be a Pulpit for the Word!”

This reflection is taken from an extract of an imaginary autobiography titled, “The story of a Dramatic Surprise”

It is the AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE BOAT which was used by St Peter…
… the apostle who was called by the Great Master, Jesus
… as recounted in Lk 5:1-11

September 5th is Teacher’s Day in India.

Teachers mould and shape a child to make him/her a beautiful person with a noble character!

Teachers inspire change!
Teachers stir up conversion!
Teachers motivate transformation!

Today the Greatest of all Teachers – Jesus – challenges and exhorts each one of us to adopt and adapt…
… a transformed way of Living
… a changed Lifestyle
… a converted Life!

And allow Him to reign over every situation of our life and embrace us!

On this Feast Day of Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata, let us seek her intercession…
… and be inspired by her love and life – to bring the Powerful Presence of God in every situation of our society.

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 – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

This infallibility extends as far as does the deposit of divine Revelation…
… it also extends to all those elements of doctrine, including morals

… without which the saving truths of the faith cannot be preserved, explained, or observed. (CCC # 2035)

“Growing in selfless deeds and noble tasks and self-sacrificing actions!”

(Based on 1 Cor 3:1-9 and Lk 4:38-44 – Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Altruism is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others.

Altruism is selflessness – the opposite of selfishness.

It consists of sacrificing something for someone with no expectation of any compensation or benefits, either direct or indirect.

The Gospel of the Day presents the Altruistic Ideal – Jesus – engaged in number of works…
… of healing
… of rebuking the evil spirits
… of bringing consolation and joy to the people.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus announced His Mission Programme of “…bringing good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, new sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed…”

In accordance with this manifesto, Jesus sets forward to announce the Kingdom of God through His mighty deeds and works.

The Lord unveils the Compassionate Face of the Father and reveals His Benevolent Heart to the needy and the deprived.

He cures Simon’s mother-in-law of her fever and restores her to good health and wellbeing…(Lk 4:39)

Am I today in need of a touch of the Lord…
… which casts away forces that makes weak and fragile?
… which takes away the fever of tiredness and fatigue of spiritual life?
… which restores me back in serving and assisting others in my life?

At sunset, He laid His hands on many with sicknesses and diseases and cured them all… (Lk 4:40)

In the sunset of darkness and pain in my life…
…. Do I go to the Lord to receive the Light of Hope and Healing?

In the sunset of emptiness in my spiritual life…
… Do I go to the Lord to receive the Light of Faith and Revival?

In the sunset of frustrations and despair…
… Do I go to the Lord to receive the Light of Encouragement and Support?

In the sunset of sadness and lukewarmness…
… Do I go to the Lord to receive the Light of Joy and Revitalization?

He also rebuked many demons and commanded them to let go of many possessed people… (Lk 4: 41)

Am I tormented by the demons of evil forces and satanic powers….. ?
… The power of the Lord is here to deliver!

Am I tormented by the demons of bad, unhealthy addictions…?
… The power of the Lord is here to overcome

Am I tormented by the demons of filthy words and dirty thoughts…?
… The power of the Lord is here to liberate!

Am I tormented by the demons of peer pressure and societal strains…?
… The power of the Lord is here to set free!

The Lord at the end of today’s Gospel passage expresses His intentions of going to other towns to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God!

The zeal and enthusiasm of the Lord to reach out the Gospel to many others is really amazing….

Do I imitate the Lord…
…. in being zealous to reach out God’s goodness and kindness to many other people?
… in being fervent to let ignorant people to know the saving message of the Gospel?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to take note of the Altruistic Spirit of Jesus…

The Altruism of Jesus challenges us…
…. to reach out to many sick and suffering and troubled and weak-hearted and afflicted people with the Love and Compassion and Healing and Mercy of the Lord!
… to go beyond our zones of comfort and help the lonely and the depressed and the unwanted and the rejected and the discriminated with the Acceptance and Restoration of the Lord!

Jesus was possessed by a deep love of His Father…

It made Him to be Altruistic in reaching out to others.

Jesus was filled with a deep fervour for the Kingdom…

It made Him to be Altruistic in saving and healing others.

Today, You and I, are invited and challenged to imitate and follow Jesus, the Ideal Altruist!

Let us show forth that we are Children of our Heavenly Father and soldiers of the Kingdom of God, not only through our words but much more by our Altruistic words and deeds and actions.

St Gregory the Great would say, “He is not wise to me who is wise in words only, but he who is wise in deeds.”

Let us grow in selfless deeds and noble tasks and self-sacrificing actions!

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 – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

The supreme degree of participation in the authority of Christ..

… is ensured by the charism of infallibility. (CCC # 2035)

“Being a ‘powerful dynamite’ of God’s Compassionate Love and Mercy!”

(Based on 1 Cor 2:1-5 and LK 4:16-30 – Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The Dynamite was one of the most powerful invention known to humans at that time.

It was invented by Alfred Nobel.

When Nobel had invented it, he asked his friend – a Greek scholar- for a word in Greek, for ‘explosive power’.

The Greek word that was given was ‘dunamis’ – an explosive power!

By itself, a dynamite is fairly stable.

But once combined with an ‘igniter’ it becomes extremely powerful.
(An igniter is something like a firecracker placed inside a stick of TNT to set it off)

It is interesting that the “Power” of the Holy Spirit also has the same Greek word, “dunamis!”

As Christians, at our Baptism and in the further Sacraments, we have received this “dunamis” – Power!

We all have the potential within us to be a “Dynamite” – of God’s Love, Mercy and Power!

But the question is…

Do I give witness to this mighty power of the Holy Spirit- ‘dunamis’ – in my life…?
… Or have I been rendered powerless and ineffective, lacking the force of an ‘igniter’?

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful display of the Power of the Holy Spirit, by Jesus, as He inaugurates His public ministry at Nazareth.

The public ministry of our Blessed Lord begins with the reading and proclamation of the prophetic words:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…” (Lk 4:18)

The Jewish world had been eagerly waiting and longing for the coming of the Messiah.

But Divine irony had it that when the Messiah did arrive, it was not with a mighty bang, but with a sweet gentleness and calm!

He came from a place, that was perhaps, least expected – Nazareth

He announced His coming to the public not with any grand show or spectacle – but by just declaring the Word of God with authority

But this humble beginning, that Divine Wisdom planned it so beautifully, would slowly unleash its mighty power – its “dunamis!”

The mighty words and proclamation by Jesus caused an immediate stir and buzz among the people who listened to Him.

The Gospel would testify to this fact, in the words: “And all spoke highly of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His mouth” (Lk 4:22)

However, as the Spirit of God continued to display its mighty power, in the Person of Jesus, there also arose the spirit of division and opposition.

The “all-hailing” and “all -praising” crowd, on realizing the demands placed by the Word of God…
… got converted to “being enraged” and “being infuriated!”

So much was the antagonism that had brewed up that “all in the synagogue were filled with wrath, and they rose to put Him out of the city…” (Lk 4: 28-29)

This then is the “mighty dynamite of God’s Mighty Spirit”:

A Power that arrests the attention of all and causes amazement and wonder…
… yet, a Power that also mightily challenges and confronts!

Each of us, as Christians, possessing the Mighty Power of the Holy Spirit is called to be a “Spiritual Dynamite”…
… One which arrests the attention of the people by our witnessing and faithful life
… One which causes people to make an introspection into their lives to turn towards God, even if it results in persecutions

Our Blessed Lord, with the mighty power of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, became a life-transforming and a society-challenging Dynamite!

The unflinching focus and the faithful commitment was His Igniter
The deep desire to fulfil His Father’s Will was His Igniter
The intense love for His people was His Igniter.

Am I, as a Christian, somehow failing to be a powerful witness and give a mighty testimony to the Gospel?

Can I reinforce the ‘igniters’ of…
… being focused and faithfully committed
having a deep desire to seek and do God’s Will
… cultivating an intense love and compassion for His people
… so that my life can be a “powerful dynamite” of God’s Compassionate Love and Mercy!

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 – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

The Roman Pontiff and the bishops are “authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ…

… who preach the faith to the people entrusted to them, the faith to be believed and put into practice.” (CCC # 2034)

“Shining brightly, not just externally; rather with God’s Grace that flows from within!”

(Based on Deut 4:1-2, 6-8, Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 and Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

Here is a simple anecdote known to many of us (perhaps in different versions)…

There was soap manufacturer, who professed atheism.

He however had a wonderful friend who was a devout God-believing person – going around different places, preaching the Gospel.

Once, during an evening walk, the soap manufacturer said, “Look around at the evil and wickedness that is prevalent in our world today.

People killing each other, mercilessly.

Women and children subjected to horrific abuses.
Peace and harmony fearing to walk openly, afraid that they would be mangled and devoured by the forces of injustice!

The Gospel that you preach has just not done much good.

Wickedness is so much in the air and seems to be ever increasing!”

The God-fearing friend made no reply to these hard-hitting, yet factual comments until they passed by a little child, who was playing in the mud.

The child had dirtied himself badly.

Discovering his chance, the devout friend said, “Look around at the dirt and the uncleanness that is prevalent everywhere.

The soap that you manufacture has just not done much good.

Dirt and uncleanliness is so much around and seems to be ever increasing!”

“Oh, but that’s not fair to say!” said the soap manufacturer, “soap is useful only when it is applied!”

“Exactly”, said the preacher-friend, “so it is with the Gospel that I preach!

It is effective, only when put to use!”

Has the Gospel of the Lord become effective and meaningful in our lives …?
… or is it remaining unused, and causing us to remain dirtied in sin and unclean in lifestyle?

The Gospel of the Day is a wake-up call to discover the Power of God’s Word to cleanse our lives and to abandon our mentality of ‘just being content’ in having the Gospel as a mere “decorative and ornamental” value in our lives.

The Gospel passage begins on a “complaint note” with the Pharisees and some Scribes, finding fault with the Disciples of Jesus, who ate with hands defiled. (Mk 7:2)

Firstly, isn’t it pretty ironical, that the Pharisees and Scribes, who were judicious in their keeping of the Law, failed to recognize Jesus, the Author of the Law Himself?!

Jesus was growing in popularity as the Mighty Healer, the Great Preacher and a Powerful Transformative Force.

But the Pharisees and the Scribes, somehow, failed to discover these Divine elements in Him.

Every time they saw Jesus, they would look for something to find fault in Him
Every time they heard Jesus, they would sneak a chance to find a loophole in His teachings
Every time, they encountered Jesus, they would fastidiously seek to put Him to the test and grill Him

This “Pharisaic and Scribal” tendency is not to be directly condemned or rashly judged…
… They were a group, trying to make sure that Jesus was not any of those false prophets (who were plenty in those days) and wanted to corrupt their pure religion
… They were also wanting to test and prove the authenticity of “the one who came from Nazareth” and His claims to be the Messiah

However, beyond these “innocent intentions” of the Pharisees and Scribes, it is to be also noted, that this “law-protecting” and “law-fanatic” group of Scribes and Pharisees had also slipped into grave dangerous zones…

They were critical..
… but they also drenched themselves in total skepticism and gave no room for any openness to the truth or to God’s Spirit talking to them!

They were strict followers of the Law…
… but they had also failed to authenticate their zealous following, with a life of mercy, justice and love, which was the aim and goal of the Law!

They declared themselves as being faithful to God’s Law …
… but they had also precipitated this Divine Law into hundreds of man-made stipulations and cruelly insisted on its following, without being aware that God’s basic purposes for the Law were being abandoned and trampled upon!

And so our Blessed Lord, makes a scathing attack and strongly exhorts them to move from a mere “decorative and ornamental” understanding of the Law…
… towards a radically “transformative and life-changing” practice of the Law.

They insisted only on the strict ritualistic washing of vessels and cups and pots..
.,. But Jesus exhorts them to first cleanse the sinful vessels of their mind and the adulterous pots of their hearts

They insisted only on the austere cleansing of their hands..
… But Jesus exhorts them to first wash the defiled fingers of their duplicity and the dirtied palms of their pride

The attack on the Pharisaic and Scribal attack is also a lesson and reminder for us to examine our attitudes in life and to make the necessary changes…

Have I adopted a “decorative and ornamental” understanding of being a Christian, and just be happy to be “called as a Christian”, enjoying some of the privileges and comforts that come along with it…
… or do I allow God’s Gospel to powerfully effect changes in me?

Am I just satisfied with “external cleanliness” – either in just being neat and tidy or in looking glamorous and fashionable or in being constantly bothered only with my external looks…
… or do I take steps to cleanse my heart of all sinful tendencies and to allow the rivers of God’s grace to wash away my inner defilements?

Sin is a deep reality of our lives…
… whether we like it or not… we accept it or not.

Am satisfied with just remaining a Christian and “appearing” to be a Follower of Christ, with some basic Church obligations fulfilled…
… or do I truly open my heart to allow God’s spirit to “heal me from within” of all my evil tendencies and social negligences?

May our Blessed Lord give us the blessing to “put His Gospel into true effect,” so that our lives may shine brightly, not just externally, but more importantly, from His grace that flows from within.

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 – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – MORAL LIFE AND THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CHURCH

Thus from generation to generation, under the aegis and vigilance of the pastors, the “deposit” of Christian moral teaching has been handed on…
… a deposit composed of a characteristic body of rules, commandments

… and virtues proceeding from faith in Christ and animated by charity. (CCC # 2033)