“Living with the conviction that all our works and activities ought to be always oriented solely towards the Glory of God’s Greatness!”

(Based on Eph 2:1-10 and Lk 12:13-21 – Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

King Louis IV was, from 1643-1715, the King of France – 72 years – which is the longest in modern European history.

He boasted himself as “The Great” and even took great pride in calling himself “I am the state”.

The “Great” king had even planned his own funeral to be just as spectacular.

He had instructed Bishop Massillon that upon his death…

He was to be laid in a golden coffin at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
At his funeral service the entire cathedral was to be completely dark…
… lit dimly by only one candle positioned above the coffin.

This was to be done so that all would be awed by the “Great” king’s presence, even in death.

When he died, Bishop Massillon did exactly as the King had instructed.

At the funeral, thousands of people gazed at the exquisite casket that had the mortal remains of their monarch…
… illuminated by a single flickering candle.

However, as the funeral service began, the Bishop slowly bent down…

And to the surprise of all…
… he blew out the candle which represented the late king’s greatness!

Then in the darkness, the Bishop proclaimed to all: “Dieu seul est grand – Only God is Great!”

It was a rebellious cry to both – the late king and to those who were attending the funeral who had called him “Louis XIV the Great!”

The world very often considers richness in terms of wealth, power and position, isn’t it?

But not God!

The world very often greatness in terms of worldly success and accomplishments., isn’t it?

But not God!

How about us?

Are we rich and great only in the eyes of the world..?
… or can we instead aspire and seek to be rich and great in the eyes of God?

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful reminder from the Lord on the need to understand the real meaning of “being rich”…
… and an invitation to be constantly on the guard against greed and avarice.

Chapter 12 of St Luke begins with the statement: “Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot” (Lk 12: 1)

Jesus had become a Phenomenon!

There were hundreds and thousands of people who were following Him

It’s from among these thousands (the Greek word used is “myriads”) of people, that the voice of one person catches the attention of Jesus.

And so we read, “Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me'” (Lk 12: 13)

We could imagine this situation…

Thousands of people crowding…
One man manages to shout above others… probably pushing others and comes in front… and puts forward a petition…

It is before the whole crowd (and probably before his brother), that this man wants Jesus to pronounce a favour for him…
… a favour for getting the inheritance and help to get riches

How often is our prayer to Jesus also similar to this man’s request…!

We want Jesus to answer our petitions in the way “we want” – to have favours granted in the manner and time that “we want”

The Will of God is often not consulted.

And when such “prayers of demand” and “claims of requirements” are not fulfilled or delayed…
… we get into despair and depression
… we accuse that none of our prayers are heard
… we blame that probably God is deaf to us and that our devotions are worthless

The man who made his “prayer of demand” and “claim of requirement” was probably…
… influenced by a greed to be rich and wealthy
… disposed by the vices of avarice and greed

He was wanting to have God’s approval for the same!

But Jesus refuses to be dragged into such a controversy…

Centuries back, Moses had been embroiled in an argument and was questioned back:
“Who has appointed you ruler and judge over us?” (Ex 2:14a)

Jesus, aware of this, quoted in a similar fashion, ” Friend, who appointed Me as your judge and arbitrator?” (Lk 12:14)

Jesus had guessed the intentions of this man who put forward the petition…

And so He uses the occasion to teach him… and His disciples…
… and to each one of us: On the dangers of holding on to riches – things which are temporary and transient.

Jesus gives the Parable of the Rich Fool, and teaches us…
… It is not bad to work hard and to put in efforts to produce bountiful harvests
… it is not wrong to make use of God-given talents and reap richer produces.

However, it is also very essential to examine our attitudes towards prosperity and our attachments towards riches!

It is wrong…
… when we amass earthly wealth and riches without any care for heavenly treasures and spiritual gifts
… when we get pre-occupied only with material matters and neglect the requirements of our spiritual life
… when the pleasures of the body are given higher priority over the demands of the Kingdom of God

The parable teaches us on the dangers of being attached to wealth and riches

And challenges us to “Hold lightly, to what God has given us!”

In the light of this parable, we need to check…

… In my personal life

Does God have the first place in my life or are there other attachments that are given higher priority, attention and time?

… In our family life

Do we thank God for all our blessings and continually depend on Him by cultivating a spiritual culture or are other modern gadgets and social amusements that are given greater precedence?

… in our parish, community and religious life

Do we orient all our activities and ministries, solely for the glory of God and the service of the needy, and seek His intervention at every decision or do we play around with Christian values and even dilute or compromise them?

The Scripture constantly calls us to become aware of the worthlessness of earthly riches and calls to aspire for things which are higher in nature:

“Vanity of vanities… All is vanity!” (Eccl 1: 2)
“Set your minds on things that are above, and not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2)

God considers richness in terms of doing His Will and following His commandments

But not the world!

God equates greatness in terms of giving up our attachments for His sake and taking up our Cross daily

But not the world!

We are faced with this choice, at every moment….

Are we rich and great only in the eyes of the world..?
… or can we instead aspire and seek to be rich and great in the Eyes of God?

Let us always remember: “Only God is great!”
… and that all our works and activities ought to be always oriented solely towards the Glory of His Greatness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

The first of the “ten words” recalls that God loved his people first:
Since there was a passing from the paradise of freedom to the slavery of this world, in punishment for sin, the first phrase of the Decalogue, the first word of God’s commandments, bears on freedom:

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (CCC # 2061)

“Refining our thought-patterns and being encouraged to “Follow the Lord, our Leader” with enriched clarity and deeper passion!”

(Based on Is 53:10-11, Heb 4:14-16 and Mk 10:35-45 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

“Follow the Leader” is a game that is often played as part of group games or group activities among children, youngsters and even adults.

The game consists of a person who acts as a leader, and rest of the members, “Following the Leader” in the actions

When the leader claps hands…
… the members are also to clap hands

When leader lift his hands and wave…
… the members are to also follow.

In life, we often play this “Follow the Leader” game.

Children imitate what their parents do – the walking style of the father or the hair style of the mother is often “followed” by the kids
The teaching style or method of the teacher is followed by the students
Fans imitate the style and fashion of their favourite heroes/heroines

Our spiritual life necessities that we “Follow our Leader” – Jesus – in thought, word and deed!

Do we have clarity and proper understanding on what kind of a Leader is Jesus and what are His Actions?

What is the “Image of Jesus” that we are nurturing in ourselves?

The Gospel of the Day presents two of the members of the Group of Jesus, who, having a lower understanding of the Person of Christ, fail to “Follow the Leader”…
… and are exhorted by the Lord to refine their thought-pattern and encouraged to “Follow Him” with enriched clarity and deeper passion.

The passage begins with James and John, the sons of Zebedee – two among the twelve chosen ones – placing this request to Jesus: “Teacher, we want you to do for us, whatever we ask” (Mk 10: 35)

This question gives us a glimpse of what was the Image of Jesus that was being perceived by the Disciples.
… seeing the many miracles and wonders being performed by the Lord, made them feel that Jesus, being a powerful person, could grant any of their heart’s desire
… seeing the bold and uncompromising preaching and attitude of the Lord, made them feel that Jesus, was to be a great Political Messiah
… seeing the challenging and clear-cut understanding of the Lord with respect to the Law and practices of the religion, made them feel that Jesus was a Great Religious Leader.

This was the case not only with James and John, but also the other disciples.

That is the reason, after this incident, though the other ten felt indignant at the two (Mk 10:41), Jesus would address this issue commonly to all

Even other times, the disciples themselves had been involved in talks of discussing about “who is the greatest among them” (Lk 22:24, Lk 9:46)

Jesus, however, makes it very clear to them, that they had still not been clear in their understanding of Who He was…
… Jesus said to them: “You do not know what you are asking!” (Mk 10:38a)

The Lord drives home the point directly:
If you are looking at Me as Someone Who only fulfills your material and earthly desires…
… then you need to elevate your thought pattern

“Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and everything else will be given unto you!” (Mt 6:33)

If you are expecting me as Someone Who wants to establish a political kingdom and bringing only social changes…
…then you need to realize that My Mission is greater

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to bring glad tidings to the poor…” (Lk 4:18)

If you are feeling that I am Someone Who only wants to clear up the religious clogs that have been burdening the people…
… then you need to understand that I have a Bigger Duty

“I have come down from Heaven, not to do My Own Will, but the Will of the One Who sent Me…
… For this is the Will of Father that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him, may have Eternal Life” (Jn 6:38, 40)

Jesus makes His Image very clear to the disciples: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to Serve and to give His Life as a Ransom for many” (Mk 10:45)

This ‘key-verse’, presents the four dominant images of Jesus in the Gospel of St Mark:
… Son of Man (Jesus – the SON)
… But to Serve (Jesus – the SERVANT)
… Give His Live (Jesus – the SACRIFICE)
… As a Ransom for many (Jesus – the SAVIOUR)

Prophet Isaiah prophesied this Image of Christ in his writings:
“He grew up like a sapling before Him (SON)… through His Suffering (SACRIFICE), my servant shall justify many (SERVANT), and their guilt He shall bear (SAVIOUR)” (Is 53: 2,11b)

What about us?

What is our Image of Jesus…
… and what are the requests with which we approach Jesus?

Are they merely materialistic and earthly desires?

Many times, like the Disciples…
… we tend to be self-seeking and world-bound in our desires
… we look for gains and prominence, as a reward for being a Christian

If so, then the Lord says, we need to…
… elevate our thought patterns
… realize that His Mission in us, is greater
… and understand that He has a Bigger Duty in our life.

The Lord knows that we are sometimes selfish… jealous… power-seekers

But let’s realize and take hope in the fact, that it’s for all of us, who are with these weaknesses, that Jesus primarily came to the world: “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners!” (Mk 2:17)

The letter to the Hebrews emphatically reminds us: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)

The disciples asked for position and power…
… Jesus said: “I will give you much higher – MY SERVICE”

The disciples asked for prominence and greatness …
… Jesus said: “I will give you much bigger – MY LIFE”

This is the action of Jesus – our Leader
… Responding to desires of selfishness, with ACTS OF SELF-GIVING
… Responding to tones of jealousy, with ACTS OF SACRIFICE AND LOVE
… Responding to queries of earthly desires, with ACTS OF HEAVENLY DELIGHTS

The game is on… “Follow the Leader”

Shall we imitate these Actions of Jesus, our Leader?

Get… set… go…!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

The Commandments take on their full meaning within the covenant.

According to Scripture, man’s moral life has all its meaning in and through the covenant. (CCC # 2061)

“Joyfully and courageously proclaiming the Lord to others, and bringing many more to experience the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Eph 1:15-23 and Lk 12:8-12 – Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

One day as a woman was crossing a street in a busy city railway station, an old man stopped her and said, “Excuse me, Ma’am, but I want to thank you.”

“Thank me?” she exclaimed.

“Yes Ma’m. I used to be a ticket collector, and whenever you went by, you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good morning.

I knew that smile must have come from inside somewhere.”

He continued: “Then one morning I saw a little Bible in your hand.
I realised the source of your joy!

And so I bought one too…
… and I found Jesus!”

The joyful witness of the woman, brought about a conversion in the life of that ticket collector.

What about us?

Are we also joyful and courageous, in giving witness to Christ and His Gospel Values in our modern society?

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by our Blessed Lord with a challenging tone, to be powerful and bold, in acknowledging His Presence.

Jesus says: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God;

But he who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God” (Lk 12: 8-9)

Christian Life is a life seeking to profess and proclaim the Lord…
… by word and deed
… with lips and actions
… through happy moments and struggles of life!

Do we do that?

Or are we sometimes…
… shy?
… afraid?
… reluctant?
… uncertain?
… or even negated?

We could reflect on some aspects of our life, whereby we examine, how much we acknowledge the Lord in our life

1. The Blessings of the Lord

God has gifted each one of us with immense Graces and blessings.

Do we acknowledge ‘the blessings of the Lord’ in our Life?
… with a word of thanks and gratitude, everyday?
… by seeking to be, in turn, a blessing to others, by a life of service?

2. The Providence of the Lord
   Providence refers to the Protective care of the Lord, at all times, in every situation.

When we look back into our life, we see how beautifully, God constantly leads us.

True, there are times when we have felt the “absence” of God or the Lord being “at a distance” from us, especially in situations of struggles and suffering

But, when look back later, we do find, “God had been joining all those ‘dots of loneliness’ and making a beautiful picture!”

Do we acknowledge ‘the Providence of the Lord’ in our life…
… by being more optimistic, knowing that our God will surely have His way, and make “rivers to flow, even in the deserts?”
… by not falling into anxiety or extreme worry; instead allowing ourselves to rest on His Caring Heart, knowing, that He is holding us tenderly in His Arms, as a Shepherd holds the tender lamb?

3. The Love and Mercy of the Lord

Each of our life is a beautiful saga of God’s Love and Mercy

We have been created in love, we have been initiated to Salvation in His Mercy

We have been constantly encouraged by His Love, we have been continually lifted by, by His Mercy

Do we acknowledge ‘the Love and Mercy of the Lord’ in our life…
… by seeking to always do His Will in our Life and letting go of our own ego and selfish desires?
… by turning to Him in repentance, when we go away from His Love?
… by infusing more love into every action that we do, and thus witnessing His Face of Mercy to all around us?

4. The Authority of the Lord

The Lord is the Supreme Authority of this entire universe.

It is His Power and Wisdom that sustains everything.

The presence of evil and sufferings around us, may sometimes, make us question His Power and Glory.

Sometimes, the presence of pains and miseries in our life, may also make us doubt His Power and Authority

But can we recognize, that God, in His infinite Goodness and Wisdom, works out everything for our good (Rom 8:28)

Do we acknowledge ‘the Authority of the Lord’ in our life…
… by offering our lives to His Supreme Wisdom, and marching forward with Hope, knowing that “the One Who has begun His Good Work in us, will bring it to completion” (Phil 1:6)
… by seeking His Permission in all the activities that we engage in, so that His Grace will inform us, in the best and right path?

5. The Presence of the Lord

The Presence of the Lord surrounds and encompasses us at every moment, at every step of our life.

This Presence is especially cherished and celebrated in the Sacraments, that the Church offers.

Do we acknowledge ‘the Presence of the Lord” in our life…
… by turning our hearts, in conscious awareness, to the Presence of the Lord, in the midst of our work and activities?
… by longing for and meaningfully celebrating the Sacraments that the Church offers?

As a Christian, surely, it is not easy, in today’s modern society, to profess and proclaim Christ publicly.

But the Lord invites each one of us, gently and tenderly, to acknowledge Him in our lives.

It is when we grow in these “areas of acknowledgement” that we can joyfully and courageously proclaim the Lord to others…
… and thus bring many more to experience the Love of Christ!

Today we seek the intercesssion and inspiration of Sts. John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues.

They were fearless Jesuit missionaries…
… who shed their blood for the Huron people
… sowing seeds of faith that blossomed into the vibrant Church in North America.

St John de Brebeuf used to say, “My strength is the strength of God.”

Their martyrdom inspires us to “joyfully and courageously proclaim the Lord to others.”

May their courage and conviction embolden us to share Christ’s love with conviction, humility, and love.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

The Decalogue is never handed on without first recalling the covenant..

… (“The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.”) (CCC # 2060)

“Growing in our love for the Word and living the Word, in all our daily activities of life, with St Luke, the great Evangelist!”

(Based on the Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist)

A poor woman had lost her husband and was going through a great deal of agony and distress.

One day, her neighbour brought her a small, worn-out pamphlet.

She gave it to the sorrowful woman and told her: “I found this lying on the street. Somebody must have dropped it.
I read it.

There is a wonderful story of a Man Who helps those who are unhappy.
I thought of you. It might do you help!”

The sorrowful woman took it.

She not only read it, but also had her life transformed by it!

The pamphlet was a copy of the Gospel of St Luke!

This Gospel with its powerful themes of consolation and comfort had brought peace and relief to the woman in sorrow.

Today, on this Feast day of the Evangelist St Luke, let us meditate on this beautiful gift which he has penned – the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St Luke.

St Jerome was of the opinion that, “among all the evangelists, St Luke was the most skilled writer of Greek.”

It is to St Luke that we owe some of the finest Gospel portraits…

The nostalgic infancy narratives of Jesus
… The Annunciation of Jesus (1: 26-38)
… The Birth of John the Baptist (1: 57-66)
… The visit of the shepherds at the Birth of Jesus (2: 15-20)
… The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (2: 22-38)
… The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (2: 41-52)

The distinguished and daring ministries of Jesus
… The Programmatic Speech in Nazareth, His hometown (4: 16-30)
… The raising of widow’s son at Nain (7: 11-17)
… The story of Martha and Mary of Bethany (10: 38-42)
… The Samaritan Leper (17: 11-19)
… The transformation of Zacchaeus (19: 1-10)
… The conversion of the good thief (23: 39-43)
… The encounter with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (24: 13-35)

The illustrious and much-loved parables
… The Good Samaritan (10: 29-37)
… The Prodigal Son (15: 11-32)
… Rich Man and Lazarus (16: 19-31)
… The Persevering Widow (18: 1-8)
… The Publican and the Tax Collector (18: 9-14)

The marvellous brush of the Physician St Luke has some unique thrusts as well…
… which are also great reminders to us, in our spiritual lifestyle.

1. A Gospel of Inclusive
   St Luke’s Gospel has distinctive stories and incidents on how Jesus accepted and recognized the dignity of those, who were otherwise, left out in the society…
   … the Samaritans
   … the tax-collectors
   … the public sinners
   … the women

Am I a person who is willing to accept those who are rejected, abandoned and pushed-out of the society?
Do I exhibit “exclusivist” mentality by sticking on to only “my” culture, language, race, class etc and fail to celebrate differences?

2. A Gospel of Prayer
   St Luke’s Gospel presents greatly the aspect of the prayer, by presenting many instances…
   … of Jesus praying
   … of Jesus exhorting on prayer
   … of many Temple scenes

Am I a person who enjoys the taste of prayer?
Do I fail to have a regular and consistent time to spend with the Lord and discover and implement the Father’s Will in my life?

3. A Gospel of the Poor
   St Luke displays his special love for the poor…
   … through his many parables on the poor
   … and the denouncement of riches…

And thus exalts them as the “favoured ones of God” and restoring their dignity and honour
Do I make radical choices to grow in my “poverty” i.e. my total dependence on the Providence of God?
Do I share my gifts, my talents and my riches, with those in need and find joy in this sharing?

4. A Gospel of the meal
   St Luke’s Gospel has an interesting presentation of Jesus as most of the time being “at meal or on the way to a meal”

There are nearly 19 references to food, with 13 of them being exclusive to this Gospel.
The meal is a reference to the communitarian dimension in spirituality!

Am I a person who cherishes the presence of the other and be willing to celebrate life?
Do I also become aware that the Lord constantly calls us to share in His Meal – the Holy Eucharist and make my life, in turn, a Eucharist to the other?

The Gospel of Luke has also many other features and names…
… which we can pick up for our personal reflection:

The Gospel of the Holy Spirit…
The Gospel of the Blessed Mother Mary…
The Gospel of Joy…
The Gospel of Women…
The Gospel of Universality…
The Gospel of Repentance…
The Gospel showing True Richness… etc…

St Luke has left us a masterpiece with His account of the Life of Jesus!

Some of the most pictorial, most classical, most loved, most remembered and most cherished incidents and parables are from this Gospel…

The Gospel of St Luke, along with many more themes is a wonderful reminder of the Love and Mercy of God…
… calling us to live in joy and service.

May this Feast Day of this Great Evangelist…
… help us to grow in our love for the Word, by reading and reflecting daily
… and living the Word, in all our daily activities of life!

Happy Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

The gift of the commandments and of the Law is part of the covenant God sealed with his own.
In Exodus, the revelation of the “ten words” is granted between the proposal of the covenant and its conclusion…

… after the people had committed themselves to “do” all that the Lord had said, and to “obey” it. (CCC # 2060)

“Avoiding a cosmetic-culture, and instead to have beauty in life to spring forth from an integrated life of faith!”

(Based on Eph 1:1-10 and Lk 11:47-54- Thursday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A quotation by a modern-day American politician goes thus:
“If you look at great human civilizations, from the Roman Empire to the Soviet Union…
… you will see that most do not fail simply due to external threats…
… but because of internal weakness, corruption, or a failure to manifest the values and ideals they espouse!”

This failure to manifest values and ideals could be traced to a growing “cosmetic culture!”

Cosmetic-culture could be described as a “tendency to project entities/things with an external beauty and with a greater visual appeal…
… without necessarily ensuring the actual quality from within!”

Cosmetic-culture is not merely to be considered in connection to the cosmetics or items of make-up.

It is in fact an increasing trend that seeks to make inroads into every aspect of our life… social, political, economic… or even religious…!

The presence of cosmetic-culture can be seen in various strands of our living…

Socially (in communities, families, nations etc), there is a lot of discrimination on the basis of colour, language, caste etc…
… but the “cosmetic-culture” presents the society in such a way, that everything seems to be fine and all are living in unity and happiness!

Politically, there is a great deal of hidden agenda, back-biting and differences in ideologies among the political parties or groups…
… but the “cosmetic-culture” covers-up the ‘evil intents’, causing many of such “opposing” parties to join hands and to be seen as being united, for their own selfish interests!

Economically, there are enormous cases of poverty on the rise, in different parts of the world and people missing out on even the basic essentials etc…
… but the “cosmetic-culture” puts a mask on all such “stark realities” and gives an impression as if there is only growth, development and prosperity!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sharply lashing out at the “cosmetic-culture” existing in our religious practices…
… with a clarion call to do away with such “hypocritical” trends and tendencies!

In His continued attacks on the hypocrisy and duplicity of the Pharisees, Jesus condemns them for building memorials of the Prophets who were killed and murdered by their ancestors.

The Prophets of the old, lived as true men of God, and constantly called the people to a life of repentance and being faithful to God Yawheh.

But these prophets were very often persecuted, attacked and even killed.

The Prophets, who were the voice of God, while living, had their voices silenced and drowned by the wicked people…

But after their death, they used to be quoted and cited in many scholarly and erudite circles, with many exquisite lectures delivered in their name.

The Prophets, who called the people to live as per their true conscience, had their lives terminated and ended by the wicked people…

But after their death, they had fine memorials and beautiful tombs built in their name

Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their deception, as they too become sharers of the blood of the True Prophets and the Men of God!

They had probably mastered the art of being “Cosmetically-Cultured” – projecting themselves with an external beauty and with a greater visual appeal…
… but without ensuring the actual quality from within!

This then is the danger to which we are exposed to: Is my spiritual and religious life also “cosmetically-cultured?”

I may be known to be exemplary in my prayers and a role-model in my strict following of Christian practices…
… but is it just a “cosmetic” to hide my inner vices and to cover-up my sinful tendencies?

I may be appearing to be a very a charitable person in extending a lot of material help in many causes…
… but is it just a “cosmetic” to conceal my hidden agenda or a means to boost my ego and inflate my pride?

I may be considered as a very social person – always jovial, cracking “many” jokes and being a “happening” person…
… but is it just a “cosmetic” to mask my inner-wounds and pains, to veil my own complexes or to trigger opportunities to gratify some of my desires?

Our generation is gravely exposed to this “cosmetic-culture” and perhaps many of us, knowingly or unknowingly, become proponents of the same.

A generation which focusses only on the peripherals of life and fails to give consideration to the core and inner dimensions…
… is bound to doom!

It requires the power, grace and strength in the Lord to become counter-witnesses to this “cosmetic-culture”

The deeper that one is united with Christ…
… the lesser will be the dependence on “external shows” and greater will be the harmony and attractiveness of one’s life!

The stronger that one is in the faith in the Lord…
… the lesser will be the wanting to be “flashy on the outside” and greater will be the level of true charm and pleasantness!

May our Blessed Lord, help us, as Christians, to deepen our understanding that…
… “our beauty in life ought to spring forth from an integrated life of faith!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

The “ten words” are pronounced by God in the midst of a theophany
(“The LORD spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire.”)
They belong to God’s revelation of himself and his glory.

The gift of the Commandments is the gift of God himself and his holy will. In making his will known, God reveals himself to his people. (CCC # 2059)

“Rooting out Pharisaic tendencies from our lives and ‘stop fooling God!'”

(Based on Gal 5:1-6 and Lk 11:37-41- Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

“You can fool the hapless public,
You can be a subtle fraud,
You can hide your little meanness,
But you can’t fool God!

You can advertise your virtues,
You can self-achievement laud,
You can load yourself with riches,
But you can’t fool God!

You can criticize the Bible,
You can be a selfish clod,
You can lie, swear, drink, and gamble,
But you can’t fool God!

You can magnify your talent,
You can hear the world applaud,
You can boast yourself somebody,
But you can’t fool God!”

• This is thought-provoking poem by Grenville Kleiser. (From Knight’s Treasury of Illustrations, Walter Knight).

It beautifully points out to our deep rooted tendency to be “showy and hypocritical.”

Hypocrisy in human beings is perhaps one of the most disliked attitudes of Jesus.

Today’s Gospel has the condemnation of the hated-vice of Hypocrisy of the Pharisees: “Woe to you, Pharisees…” (Lk 11: 42, 43 46)

Religion ought to be a bridge that helps the people to have an easier access to God.

But the Pharisees fractured this bridge with an inconsistent insistence on rules on traditions!

Religion ought to be a link that makes the life of the people more free in God’s presence.

But the Pharisees ruptured this link by burdening the people with wrongly prioritized customs!

The people had to pay a tithe – a share of one’s produces or earnings, usually one tenth. (Lk 11: 42)

This tithe was extracted on all objects and things including the tiny and the minutest ones like mint, rue (a garden herb used for medicinal and cooking purposes) and every garden herb.

But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Love of God!

Religion for them, had been reduced to a fulfilling of doing certain practices and customs with the finest details and the minutest perfection…
… but completely overlooked the most basic aspect of Loving God!

The offering was much more important than the One to whom it was offered!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees loved the good places of seating in the synagogue and being greeted in the marketplaces.

They loved to been seen in places of prominence and to be publicly acknowledged and appreciated. (Lk 11: 43)

But there was no insistence or obligation placed on giving the rightful place to God!

Religion for them had been reduced to enjoying places of honour and relishing the public acclaim of the common people…
… but completely overlooked humbling oneself and giving the glory and honour to God!

The seat and the acclaim was much more important than the One to whom it all was fully due!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees are compared to an unseen grave over which people walk unknowingly. (Lk 11: 44).

It was a ritual impurity for the Jews to touch the graves, and Jesus compares the lives of the Pharisees as a source of causing impurity and defilement to the people who came in contact with them.

There was an insistence and an obligation on fulfilling their various inhuman customs.

Religion for them had been reduced to many practices which was sharp in its display of duplicity and unjust weightage given to external fulfilling of the Law…
… at the cost of the inner dimensions.

The law was much more important than the One gave the Law!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Scholars of the Law imposed many commands on the people and burdened their lives but failed to show any compassion to help them by their lives. (Lk 11: 46)

But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Compassion and Mercy of God!

Religion for them had been reduced to merely carrying out some routines in the name of following God…
… and was highly imposed though they were highly burdensome and impractical.

The practise of the commands was much more important than the One who commanded utmost honour!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

These various dimensions of the Pharisaic attitude is very much possible to creep into our own lives.

We could be a people for whom the offering is much more important than the One to whom it is offered!

We could be a people for whom the places of honour seat and the acclaim is much more important than the One to whom it all is fully due!

We could be a people for whom the law is much more important than the One gives the Law!

We could be a people for whom the practise of the commands is much more important than the One who commands utmost respect and honour!

Let us seek to root out any of these Pharisaic tendencies from our lives…
… and “stop fooling God!”

Let’s always remember:
“You can magnify your talent,
You can hear the world applaud,
You can boast yourself somebody,
But you can’t fool God!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

The two tables of the “ten words” are called “the Testimony.”
In fact, they contain the terms of the covenant concluded between God and his people.

These “tables of the Testimony” were to be deposited in “the ark.” (CCC # 2058)

“Being ready to wipe away stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives!”

(Based on Gal 5:1-6 and Lk 11:37-41- Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A young couple moved into a new neighbourhood.

The next morning while they were having their breakfast, the woman saw her neighbour hanging some clothes to dry.

“That laundry is not very clean,” she said. “She doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbour hung clothes to dry, the young woman repeated her observations about the dirty laundry.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line…
… and said to her husband: “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”

The husband said:
“I got up early this morning…
… and cleaned our windows!”

All the while, the woman had been making critical and disparaging remarks…
… while her own windows had “the stains of hypocrisy and corruption!”

So often we too are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful lesson to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…
… and to live in genuineness.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal in his house.

We are unsure of the motives or the reason for this Pharisee to invite Jesus for the table sharing.

Maybe he just wanted to grow in his friendship with Jesus…
Maybe he wanted to check how this great preacher would conduct himself in his house…
Maybe he wanted to show off to his friends of having invited a great Rabbi to his house…
Maybe he wanted to break the ministry of Jesus and trap Him in doing some aberrations…

In any case, the Pharisee certainly expected Jesus to follow the rules and customs of the traditional Jewish meal.

But he notices that Jesus has failed to wash his hands before dinner.

This washing of the hands was a ritual purification process.

The insistence on this act was not for the sake of hygiene, but for ritual purity!

This omission of the sacred tradition came as a big shocker for the host Pharisee.

He would have thought about Jesus: “This Rabbi is doing it all wrong!

Why can’t He follow our age-old customs?
He is insulting me before my other guests!
How dare He behaves so, in my own house!?”

But this is where Jesus, in His unique style of courage & conviction comes into confrontation with the attitude of the Pharisee…

The Pharisee was surely His host…
… yet Jesus dares ‘to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…’

Standing up for convictions and principles was a value that Jesus always upheld.

Being bold to always promote and defend goodness was a virtue that Jesus always supported.

Jesus lashes out with a righteous anger, “So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside yourselves, you are full of greed and evil. Fools…!” (Lk 11: 39)

The Pharisee got offended because Jesus failed to wash his hands before meal.

But Jesus got offended because they failed to have a true cleansing of their hearts.

The Pharisee got upset because Jesus failed to uphold the sacred tradition.

But Jesus got upset because they failed to uphold the values of inner purity and holiness.

The Pharisee felt insulted because Jesus failed to honour their customs and practices.

But Jesus felt insulted because the table-meal failed to reflect true love and sharing.

Jesus was not afraid to encounter the Pharisee in his wrong thinking.
And today He encounters us and challenges us to ‘live in genuineness’

Maybe we are bold in being relaxed in some of our comfort and pleasure zones..

But Jesus exhorts us to renew our lives with a life of holiness and purity.

Maybe we are quite okay with aspiring for many gadgets and objects of passing joys and desires

But Jesus urges us to focus on the real necessities of a good life.

Maybe we are satisfied to beautify our external life, even if it means being greedy and selfish

But Jesus spurs us to repent by living a self-sacrificing and a self-controlling life.

The ‘lion of Pharisaism’ is deep rooted in many of our personal lives, our family lives and in our community lives…

Having focus only on external factors… but neglecting the inner dimensions…
Giving importance to only outer shows… but totally forgetting the internal aspects…
Being obsessed with doing many things… but totally ignoring the necessity of being holy…

The Lord today reminds us that often we are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

Let the prayer of St Teresa of Avila, whose feast we celebrate today, become our own:
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours!
No hands but yours!
No feet but yours!

Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world!
Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good!
Yours are the hands with which He is to bless now!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Decalogue in Sacred Scripture

The “ten words” sum up and proclaim God’s law:
“These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and he added no more.

And he wrote them upon two tables of stone, and gave them to me. (CCC # 2058)

“Realizing the worth and the value of the many wonders and signs that God has worked in our lives!”

(Based on Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31–5:1 and Lk 11:29-32 – Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Remember the school-going days…
… when there was the (usually considered as) “terrorizing” subject called as Mathematics?

One of the questions that would frequent in a Mathematics question paper, would be questions of the type: “Prove that…”

Some examples of these theorems or statements “to be proven” would be…

“Prove that” the sum of two even integers is even.
“Prove that” the square root of two, is an irrational number.

Such examples of proof require a precision in the logic and methodology, so as to arrive at the proper conclusion of the facts.

The Gospel of the Day presents a similar question of “prove that” nature.

The Examiners posing the question: The people in the crowd

The student facing the question: Jesus

The statement to be proved: Prove that You, Jesus, are the Messiah, the Son of God.

The nature of proof required: Through signs and miracles.

This student, Jesus has faced such similar tests many times before.

Many times in His life, He has been worked up by many to prove His status…
Many times in His life, He has been demanded things to prove His authority…

He is an experienced student.

On the Mount of the Temptations… (Lk 4: 1-13)
Satan demanded Jesus to “prove that” He was the Son of God…
… by working a miracle
… by bowing to Him
… by jumping down

While at ministry…
… the Pharisees and teachers of the Law asked Jesus to “prove that” He had the authority to forgive sins. (Lk 5:21)
… the disciples of John asked Jesus to “prove that” He was indeed the One who was to come or whether they should look for another (Lk 7:19)
… some in the crowd asked Jesus “to prove that” He worked wonders and even drove out demons by His own power, by asking for a sign from heaven (Lk 11:16)

The Student, Jesus… has already faced many such “to prove that” situations!

Today’s Gospel once again puts the Student, Jesus to the test “to prove that” He is the Messiah by a demand for signs!

Am I also a person who is guilty of making Jesus a student, by putting Him “to the test” by asking Him “to prove” many things in life…?

In times of sicknesses and pains…
… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Healing God.

In times of financial difficulties…
… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Provider God.

In times of mental tensions and worries…
… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Caring God.

In times of spiritual aridity and emptiness…
… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Living God.

Of course, from a human perspective – owing to our limitations and weakness – we do sometimes ask some signs or miracles or some wonders.

But these demands for sign and miracles should not become THE criteria for proving God’s Existence or even His Presence…
These demands for some external manifestations and wonders should not become THE yardstick for proving the might and power of God…

We should not be holding God at ransom, by demanding signs

We should not be hijacking God and demand miracles.

We rather need to look back into our lives, and see the various moments and the times when…
… He has caressed us with His affection
… He has nurtured us with His love
… He has filled us with His presence

The Lord gives to the people in the crowd, the signs and examples of the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba.

The people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba…
… were gentiles
… were not the chosen people
… were not people who had a first-hand experience of God.

Yet, when they heard the preaching of Jonah and saw the glory of Solomon…they believed!

They did not demand miracles.. they did not demand signs….yet, they believed!

The Lord through today’s Gospel makes us to realize the worth and the value of the many wonders and the signs He has already worked in our lives.

We sometimes might tend to take God’s blessings “for granted”
We sometimes might tend to not consider God’s graces as “something big”
We sometimes might tend to not able to even see something “special” in God’s favours .

Today is a chance for us to have a retrospective into our lives and see the many, maybe tiny and small, wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives…

None can say, “I have no miracles in my life!”

From our birth, to our upbringing, our education, our formation, our works, our surroundings, our people…etc…
… at every step, we have many miracles and signs of God!

The hand of the Lord is very much at large in our lives.

We don’t need to become a people which poses God with “prove that” type questions!

Let us see… Let us realize..
… and let us thank!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

This liberating power of the Decalogue appears, for example, in the commandment about the sabbath rest, directed also to foreigners and slaves:

You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out thence with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. (CCC # 2057)

“Making efforts to get ‘detached’ from material things, and enjoying the peace that comes from having the Lord alone, as our greatest treasure!”

(Based on Wis 7:7-11, Heb 4:12-13 and Mk 10:17-30 – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

A little girl told an older friend that she was going to give her father, a pair of slippers for his birthday.

“But where will you get your money?” asked the friend with concern.

The little girl opened her cute eyes wide and said:
“Why, my Daddy will give me the money!”

For a moment the friend was silent as she thought that the father would have rather bought his own birthday present.

But then she realized, that the father would love and appreciate the gift, given by his little daughter…
… even though he paid for it himself!

How many of us realize that “by ourselves we are nothing” and that everything is given by God – as a gift?

How many of us, instead, get “attached” to material things as our own possession – and drown ourselves into the sea of sadness and gloom, when we are made to part with it?

The Gospel of the Day presents a teaching by Jesus on having proper disposition towards wealth and riches…
… with an exhortation to live a life of detachment, for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

We have the familiar passage of a young man, who approaches Jesus with a query, “… what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17)

Here is a man who had wonderful qualities, but probably had got some of his basics wrong…

He was a person interested in seeking the higher things of life…
… therefore he enquires about eternal life

But perhaps, he had a “calculative” notion of salvation – like a “check-list” which had things to be marked off – which assured and guaranteed him of salvation.
… The aspect of God’s Mercy and His Will was, probably, forgotten!

He was a person, who paid attention and gave much value to the commandments of God, in his life

But perhaps, he had got into a ‘legalistic mode’ which made him to assiduously follow the letters of the Law
… The aspect of translating the laws into practical acts of setting one’s heart on the Lawgiver was, probably, forgotten!

He was a person, who was persistent in seeking an answer from the Lord and had a great deal of confidence in his personal convictions and beliefs

But perhaps, he had donned a “materialistic garb”, which caused him to find it difficult to part with his material possessions
… The aspect of giving the priority to the richness of the Kingdom of God was, probably, forgotten!

It’s interesting to note the observation made by St Mark, when the man sought to justify his life of righteousness…

St Mark says, “Jesus looking at him, loved him and said to him….” (Mk 10: 21a)

It was a look of immense love and compassion…
… The Creator looking on the marvel of His creation
… The Law Giver looking on the one who sought to follow the law closely
… The Father looking on the child who is deeply loved and cared for

With this deep look of love, Jesus makes another powerful statement to the one whom he loved:
“You are lacking one thing.

Go, sell, what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mk 10: 21b)

True love makes a demand…

True love demands perfection…
True love perfects the one who is loved…

Jesus, who loved the man much, wants him to be the best and perfect – in his love for God and in following Him.

But the young man had his countenance fallen…
… and he went away sorrowful (Mk 10: 22)

How often, we struggle when our Loving God demands perfection from us…
… by asking to “let go” of certain aspects in life, in order to have His Will fulfilled
… by demanding of us to be detached from material possessions, in order to let Him be the treasure of our lives

Our lives are nothing, but a gift from the Lord.
The wealth we enjoy…
The comforts we take pleasure in…
The talents with which we engage in many activities…
… are all gifts from God… to be utilized, nurtured and cherished, for the glory of God!

None of us have any right to be possessed by it…
None of us will find true joy in being obsessed with it…

As the Psalmist says, “I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Master! Every good thing I have, comes from you.’ (Ps 16:2)

Let the words of the Book of Wisdom be our constant disposition:
“I prayed and understanding was given to me.

I called upon God and the Spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepters and thrones…
… and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her!” (Wis 7:7-8)

May we realize that “by ourselves we are nothing” and that everything is given by God – as a gift!

Let us earnestly seek and make efforts to get “detached” from material things – and enjoy the bliss and peace…
… that comes from having the Lord alone, as our greatest treasure!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Decalogue is a path of life: If you love the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances…

… then you shall live and multiply. (CCC # 2057)

“Possessing the quality of seeing high, thinking high and flying high!”

(Based on Gal 3:22-29 and Lk 11:27-28 – Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

The eagles are an amazing variety of birds.

They possess numerous qualities and traits which is praiseworthy and wonderful.

The eagles also have found much acclaim and applaud in the Holy Bible.

One of such quality is its quality of being a HIGH FLYER.

Eagles can fly up to an altitude of 10,000 feet, but they are able to swiftly land on the ground.

It’s also said (though it’s not confirmed if it’s a fact)…
… that when it rains, most birds head for shelter; the eagle is the only bird, in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the clouds…

The eagle has accomplished and achieved for itself a niche for being a bird which goes HIGH!

Sees High… Thinks High… Flies High!

The Gospel of the Day invites us to possess a similar quality:
To see high
To think high
To fly high!

In today’s Gospel, a woman from the crowd calls out to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who bore you and nursed you” (Lk 11:27)

This woman had probably been following Jesus for sometime or had observed some of His works or had heard about Him.

This greatness of the Man was attributed to His Mother.

The woman had probably a driving principle behind this thought, “Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman… constantly supporting and nourishing”.

Mother Mary was recognized and understood as this Woman behind the success of Jesus!

Let’s just visualize how Jesus would have felt when He heard these words…

Every child is proud of one’s parent, especially the mother.
Every child is happy to hear good about one’s parent, especially the mother.

Jesus too, would have been very proud and happy of His Mother.

He would have thought of the moments His Mother would have taught Him various prayers
He would have thought of the moments His Mother would have taught Him the scriptures.
He would have thought of the moments His Mother would have taught Him to love God

Jesus surely had many things to thank and praise His Mother.

But the Lord doesn’t remain fixated on the level of mere human praise and efforts…

The Lord loves things ‘of the High’…
… and His concerns are ‘of the High!’

And so, he invites and challenges the woman to look higher…
“Surely blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it as well” (Lk 11:28)

The Lord was probably telling the woman…
“Yes, surely my Mother is truly great for Her tender care of me.

She is indeed wonderful for Her amazing upbringing of me.

But My Mother is great, not just because of these earthly factors…

There is much more…
There are many more reasons which makes Her truly great.

She is blessed…
… because She listened to God’s Word and accepted it wholeheartedly.
… because She was obedient to God though she did not understand many things
… because She lived and shared the love that she received from God!”

The Lord made the woman to not just be satisfied with transient, material aspect, but to have a higher perspective in life.

The same message is reached out to each one of us today….

Am I a person who is simply satisfied with only the concerns of the material world?

Am I a person who remains stunted on just listening to God’s word, but not practising it?

Am I a person who fails to fly higher, to also be concerned with the aspects of the Divine?

Am I a person who is excited to hear and listen to the Bible, but afraid to live it in my life?

We are all invited, like the eagle, to fly above the clouds of materiality and worldliness:
To see high…
To think high…
To fly high…

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Whether formulated as negative commandments, prohibitions, or as positive precepts such as: “Honor your father and mother”…

… the “ten words” point out the conditions of a life freed from the slavery of sin. (CCC # 2057)