“Being credible and authentic in order to have true spiritual growth and nourishment!

(Based on Gal 3:7-14 and Lk 11:15-26 – Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Michelangelo has been one of the greatest artists the world has ever seen.

His notable works of “Pieta”, “David”, “Moses” and “The Last Judgment” have been unparalleled in their beauty and perfection.

Another of his fantastic work has been the Frescoes on the Sistine Chapel Ceiling (in the Vatican)

It is said that as this great artist painted the magnificent frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel – lying on his back for endless hours to finish every detail with great care…
… A friend asked him why he took such pains with figures that would be viewed from a considerable distance.

“After all,” the friend said, “Who will notice whether it is perfect or not?”

The artist who was known for his perfection at all works replied…
… “I will!”

The motivation for perfection in all things, for Michelangelo, was not from outside…
… it was a based on his conviction that he should be “credible and authentic” in all what he does.

Our spiritual life also follows a similar principle: When credibility and authenticity are lacking in a spiritual endeavour, there is very less spiritual growth and nourishment!

It is credibility and authenticity that helps to gain spiritual progress and advancements!

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of how true integrity and authority can work tremendous wonders, conversions of heart and transformations of life…
… and how it can also cause some people to “oppose credibility and authenticity” by engaging in calumny and character-assassination!

The Gospel of the Day begins with the statement…
“But some of the people in the crowd said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’

Others, to test Him, kept demanding from Him a sign from heaven.” (Lk 11:15-16)

One of the reasons why people in general , and especially the religious leaders were irked by the personality of Jesus…
… was because of the tremendous authority that was displayed by Jesus!

Yes, the amazing factor in the ministry of Jesus was His tremendous authority and His awesome integrity!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus offering a strong stance on His authority..
… as the people continued to be baffled by His Charismatic Presence!

Elsewhere, in the Gospel of St Mark, we read…

The people “were astonished at his teaching, for He taught as one who had authority…” (Mk 1:22)
“… they were all amazed so that they questioned among themselves…. ‘…with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him” (Mk 1:27)

This authority and integrity came…
… through His deep union with His Heavenly Father.
… through His faithfulness to the commands of His heavenly Father
… through His undivided devotion to His Heavenly Father

How authentic, credible and integral are we in our life…
… as a Christian?
… in the family?
… as a consecrated person?

Authenticity does not mean arrogance…
Credibility does not mean over-confidence…
Integrity does not mean super-importance…

Authenticity, credibility and integrity in the Lord means…
… filled with the power and strength of God’s Spirit
… imbued with a deep passion for the Lord and His Church
… living an honest lifestyle in accordance to God’s Will and teachings

The Gospel of the Day calls us to check and examine…
… is my prayer life and devotion truly authentic and credible?
… is my preaching and spreading of God’s Word filled with His Holy Spirit?
… is my reception of the Sacraments helping me to make an honest effort to be a true Christian?

Let our prayers become a true raising of hearts to God…

Let the receiving of the Sacraments become an honest transformation for life…
Let the spreading of God’s Word become a credible witness to God’s Kingdom….

Jesus is our model and example to be true and honest in life!

Let the motivation in seeking for perfection in all things, be based not from outside…
… rather let it be based on the conviction that we should be “credible and authentic” in all what we do!

May our spiritual life follow the principle: Only when credibility and authenticity are pursued, we can have true spiritual growth and nourishment!

Today we seek the intercession of Pope St John XXIII – one of the most popular Popes of the 20th century – on this feast day.

He was the one who convoked the historical ‘Vatican Council II’, which paved the way for “throwing open the windows of the church, to let the fresh air of the Spirit blow through.”

Let his words inspire us:
“Every Christian must be convinced of his fundamental and vital duty…
… of bearing witness to the truth in which he believes and the grace that has transformed him!”

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 – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Decalogue must first be understood in the context of the Exodus, God’s great liberating event at the center of the Old Covenant. (CCC # 2057)

“Growing in our perseverance and determination in prayer!”

(Based on Gal 3:1-5 and Lk 11:5-13 – Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Postal stamps seems to be slowly on the verge of extinction.

Some decades back, however, they formed an integral part of the world of communication.

These postage stamps hold an important attribute that we could emulate: they stick to one thing until they get there!

They remain persistent until, they reach their destination!

This is an important key in our spiritual life as well: Remaining persistent, till we reach our destination!

The Gospel of the Day presents before us the theme of Prayer with a special emphasis on perseverance and determination in prayer life.

This aspect of persistence in prayer through a parable:

A parable of a friend who knocked at the door of his friend at an odd midnight hour…
… seeking for some help.

Prayer invariably points to the notion of Necessity and Dependence in our lives:

A necessity of realizing our limitations…
… and a Dependence on the power of God

A necessity of knowing all things not possible for me…
… and a Dependence on the Grace and strength of God

For a moment, let us get into the shoes of this friend who faced this need of an unexpected traveler in his house…
… and thus ‘forced’ to seek for help…

This man received an unexpected guest…

Probably, it was the end of all the chores of his day…
… and as he was retiring to bed, this traveler came to his house.

His condition was so pitiable that he did not even some morsels of food to be given.

He had the good will…
… but did not have the resources to help.

He had the good intentions…
… but did not have the supplies to assist.

Very often, we ourselves land up into such situations…

Perhaps someone drops in for a coffee…and lays bare their problems…

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps we get a letter or a message – informing of some serious crisis

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps our close ones undergo some pain – and life becomes hard

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

Perhaps we see many in absolute suffering – and our heart reaches out to them..

But we feel totally helpless how to help…

We ask ourselves: “What can I do?”

There is a strange, sinking sensation…
… a sense of pressure, almost terror: “What shall I say?“

The best you can do is just hope for a quiet moment when you can rush to God, our Great Neighbour and cry out to him, “A friend has come, and I have nothing to set before him.“

As it’s beautifully said: “The best thing a Christian can do, especially in times of crisis is…
… to pray!”

This happens often, doesn’t it?

It is out of such moments of deep necessity that true prayer is born.

It is out of such moments of genuine dependence that true prayer is born.

But that does not mean, that God, our Great neighbour has to be awakened from his slumber or who has to forced to render us help.

The point of the parable is that as a Person who is in necessity and who is dependent, ought to have a great level of patience & perseverance & determination.

In prayer, it often happens that we determine…
… the way
… the time
… the mode
… in which God should answer our requests!

But we often forget, that, the Great Neighbour, God…
… is also our loving Father.
… is also the One who cares deeply for us.
… is also Someone who wishes the best for us.

In Lk 11: 9, Jesus gives us the exciting verse, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

ASK… SEEK… KNOCK…all these three verbs indicate a continual process and a constant action.
“Keep on asking…keep on seeking…keep on knocking”.

The Lord is a Loving Father…

He does not demand perseverance because of some hard-heartedness..

Rather, He expects consistence and perseverance because of His deep and tender Love for us
… and wanting us to not get bogged down by mere material concerns

Rather to SEEK HIM above all in prayer and to make HIM the greatest need of our lives!

St. Teresa of Avila says:
“Provided that we don’t give up, the Lord will guide everything for our benefit…!

There is no other remedy for this evil of giving up prayer than to begin again!”

Like postal stamps which have this key attribute: Remain persistent until, they reach their destination…
… let we grow in our perseverance and determination in prayer.

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 – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Decalogue is pre-eminently the words of God.
They are handed on to us in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Beginning with the Old Testament, the sacred books refer to the “ten words,”…

… but it is in the New Covenant in Jesus Christ that their full meaning will be revealed. (CCC # 2056)

“Seeking God’s Kingdom and doing His Will so that we can ‘love more, hate less and forgive quick!’”

(Based on Gal 2:1-2, 7-14 and Lk 11:1-4 – Wednesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A teacher in a school was being felicitated at her farewell program after serving for nearly 34 years.

She was a teacher who was much loved and much respected…
… all because of her gentle, yet firm conduct with all
… all because of her kind-heartedness and amiable approach with all

As she was asked on what was the motto that helped her to be such a lovable and respected teacher, she replied:
“Well, I have just tried to follow my Master Jesus…
… Who is an epitome of altruism on the Cross. >> I have also been greatly helped by the care of Mamma Mary…
… as every day I make it a point to recite the Rosary.

And all I tried to do was: ‘To love more, hate less and forgive quick!’”

That’s a nice dictum for life, isn’t it?

Love more!
Hate less!
Forgive quick!

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful transcription by the author of the ‘Gospel of Prayer’ – St Luke – on a beautiful teaching on Prayer.

St Luke narrates this incident by stating that “Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” (Lk 11:1)

This query presents the beautiful inherent thirst and desire in every human person – to seek to connect with the Divine.

And Jesus, the Master lays before His Disciples, the blueprint for every prayer – the Our Father!

In just a few words, the Lord taught His disciples that the thrust of every prayer is “to seek God’s Kingdom and do His Will in life”…
… so that one can “love more, hate less and forgive quick!”

In the light of this teaching, let’s examine our prayer life…
… Does my prayer help me to orient myself more in doing the Will of the Father in my life?
… Does my prayer help me to love God more and to reach out His love to my fellow beings?
… Does my prayer help me to reduce hatred or other vices that have taken root in my heart?
… Does my prayer help me to reflect God’s Mercy to the people, especially those who hurt me?

The “Our Father” is also a beautiful reminder that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!

But…
To receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

It means that…
If we continue to nurture hatred against other…
If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…
… then we are telling God to not forgive either!
…then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!

It is this aspect of “forgiveness” that becomes highly essential and conditional…
… in our desire to do the Will of the Father, at all times, and living a faithful Christian life.

May the teaching of Jesus on prayer, narrated by St Luke in His ‘Gospel of Prayer,’ help us “to seek God’s Kingdom and do His Will in life”…
… so that we can “love more, hate less and forgive quick!”

Today we also seek the intercession of Abraham, the Patriarch – on the Feast Day (Oct 09 – as mentioned in the Roman Martyrology)

(Even though customarily, we don’t call the Old Testament figures as Saints, nevertheless, the Church teaches that they are considered as Saints:
“The patriarchs, prophets and certain other Old Testament figures have been and always will be honoured as saints in all the Church’s liturgical traditions [CCC #61])

May Abraham – the Father of Faith – inspire us to live in total trust and surrender to the Will of God…
… and thus be faithful to walk in the ways of God, and offer our “Isaac(s)” to the Lord!

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 – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The word “Decalogue” means literally “ten words.”
God revealed these “ten words” to his people on the holy mountain.

They were written “with the finger of God,”unlike the other commandments written by Moses. (CCC # 2056)

“Picking out our priorities – giving the highest priority to the Lord!”

(Based on Gal 1:13-24 and Lk 10:38-42 – Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Nine year old Bobby arrived late for the football match.

The game had already started.

The coach, obviously upset as Bobby was a key player, shouted at him: “Why are you so late?”

“I had to decide”, replied Bobby, ” Today is a Sunday. And I had to decide between going to Church and going for this football game”

“Then what did you do” asked the coach curiously

“I tossed a coin to decide” said Bobby.

“Tossed a coin?” asked the surprised coach, “But that shouldn’t have taken too long.

“Hmmm…” continued Bobby, “Well… I had to toss the coin 35 times!”

(Little Bobby kept on tossing the coin…till he got what he wanted – i.e. to go for the football match!!)

How often are we too like Li’l Bobby, when it comes to making choices and priorities, especially in our spiritual life…

We get confused in choosing the correct choices

We get puzzled in preferring the proper priorities

We sometimes even seek to justify our choices and argue to validate our priorities

We insist on having our way… mould situations to suit our needs!

As a result, we often end up….
… in complaining and cribbing
… in back biting and bickering
… in criticism and calumny

The Gospel of the Day is a lesson in making the proper priorities and the correct choices in life.

We have the familiar incident of Jesus as a guest in the house of Martha and Mary.

Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38)

Martha demonstrated great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home (Lk 10:40)

She got busy with the tasks of serving their honoured Guest.

Mary, on the other side, displayed great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus (Lk 10:39)

She got immersed in spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

The character of Martha is vividly seen in this incident

Here is a lady…
… hospitable and welcoming
… engaging in works to make the stay of her Guest comfortable
… ready to struggle and do whatever she can, to bring happiness to the Other

Many of us could probably identify ourselves with Martha.

We are willing to let go of our self so that others may enjoy and feel contented
We engage ourselves into works so that the life of our loved ones are taken care
We are ready to struggle and do whatever we can, to bring joy and comfort to others

But despite doing all these hard works, like Martha, we often end up on the wrong side

When Martha complained to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?” (Lk 10: 40)
… she was expressing her feelings of being over burdened
… she was giving vent to her emotions of not being acknowledged

But Jesus calms her, and chides her mildly, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and anxious about many things…” (Lk 10: 41)

Something interesting is to be noted here…. “Martha, Martha!”

A double calling of the name!

The Scripture records only very few instances when such an occurrence took place – the name being called twice…

Abraham: (Gen 22:11): “But the angel of the Lord called to him out of heaven: ‘Abraham, Abraham.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”
Jacob (Gen 46:2): “In a vision at night God called to Israel, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”
Moses (Ex 3:4): “When the Lord saw that he had gone over to see, God called him from the middle of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses.’ He answered, ‘Here I am.'”
Samuel (1 Sam 3:10): “The Lord came and stood and spoke as at the other times: ‘Samuel, Samuel.’ and Samuel said, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.'”
Simon Peter (Lk 22:31) “Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail.
Saul (Acts 9:4) “Falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

We also find another important instance: Jesus calling on God (Mt 27:46): “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani – My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

What does the twice calling of the name in the Bible refer to?

1. Repeating a person’s name was a Hebrew expression of intimacy
2. In all the instances of the name being called twice, a major event/occasion/teaching was being referred to

Taking a cue from this…
… When Jesus calls “Martha, Martha” – the name being called twice:

Jesus is expressing a filial tenderness and love for Martha
Jesus is also referring to an important teaching: “Giving importance to Jesus above all”

To each of us then, who find ourselves, struggling and complaining like Martha…

The Lord calls our name – “probably twice ” – and tells us:

“With much tenderness and love, I invite you my child, to give heed to an important teaching:
… Give priority to ME above all!”

Like Martha, maybe we are often distracted

Perhaps…

We tell the Lord that we wish to follow Him wholeheartedly…
… but are sometimes unwilling to let go of our sinful behaviours

We promise God that we would spend more time in prayer…
… but often excuses like lack of time prevent us from fulfilling our promises

We resolve that we will let go our sinful habits and tendencies…
… but often we cling on to those pleasures and fail to be more determined in rooting them out

Today, let us give heed to this invitation of the Lord: “To give priority to HIM above all!”

Surely, all of us do have…
… our own works and responsibilities
… our own cares and concerns of life
… our own distractions and troubles

But in the midst of all this…. beyond all these aspects: Let us give priority to the Lord!

Let His presence reign…in our work and responsibilities
Let His Providence be trusted… in our cares and concerns of life
Let His Power prevail… in our distractions and troubles

Let the incident of Martha and Mary inspire us, to make personal resolutions…
… of daily spending time with the Lord in personal prayer
… of daily reading the Word of God and listening to His Voice
… of daily making an examination of conscience and amending our lives

The Lord loves us much….
… let us love Him too
… let Him reign over our homes and our lives
… let us give Him full attention as The Guest of our hearts

Situations in life will often put to us dilemma in making a choice…
… in picking out our priorities

“Let us always give priority to the Lord!”
Are we going to toss a coin for this?

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 – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Decalogue must be interpreted in light of this twofold yet single commandment of love, the fullness of the Law:
The commandments: “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,”
… and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (CCC # 2055)

“Having compassionate hearts – and with the powerful weapon of the Rosary – becoming true ‘Missionaries of Mercy,’ like our Blessed Mother!”

(Based on Gal 1:6-12 and Lk 10:25-37 – Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, who was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century was an American author and poet.

She has written a beautiful poem, which goes thus:
“It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone, Which gives you a bit of heartache…
… at the setting of the sun.

The tender word forgotten, the letter you did not write, the flower you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts tonight.
The stone you might have lifted, out of a brother’s way
The little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind
Those chances to be helpful, which everyone may find.

No, it’s not the things you do,

It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you the bit of heartache…
… at the setting of the sun!”

Our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

The Gospel of the Day is a stark reminder for us, to consider our level of love for the Lord…
… especially through the perspective of the many chances we miss in doing good and serving Him!

A scholar of the law went up to Jesus with a motive to test Him. (Lk 10: 25)

Despite being given a clarification by the Lord, the Gospel says, that the scholar of the law went on to ask another question, “to justify himself” (Lk 10: 29).

This attitude to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… is a tendency we ought to examine in ourselves

And if present, needs to be rooted out!

“Justifying oneself, even without any just cause”, could be pointing to the fact…
… that we are too proud to accept the view of the other, even when we know the truth
… that we are unwilling to let go of our ego, with a fear of being defeated

To this trap of the scholar of the Law, who sought to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

One of the vivid observations that we can have from this parable is the “sin of omission” from the part of the first two possible helpers – the Priest and the Levite.

The man who was attacked, and lay in pain and anguish along the road from “Jerusalem to Jericho”…
… was in need of immediate attention
… was in need of aid and assistance

But the parable says that both – the Priest and Levite – responsible and supposedly God-serving people – refused to extend help.

There could be several reasons proposed as to why they did not stop by, to help the one in need.

Maybe…
… they risked ritual and social impurity – since they were at the Temple of the Lord and touching the man had a risk of defilement.
… they were short of time – wanting to make sure they would reach in time for their Temple duties
… they were afraid of the robbers – since this 17 mile stretch from Jerusalem to Jericho was robber-infested
… they were indifferent to the cause of the needy – only being concerned with cultic service of the Lord and not translating them into acts of mercy
… they had a past experience of having faced danger – and were unwilling to put themselves into risk once again
… they were unable to set their priorities in order – unable to distinguish and discern that, not just Temple service, but even helping a needy person forms part of a true spirituality

The reasons….
… could be varied
… could be speculated
… could be argued upon

But one thing is certain: They failed to help a person in need…
… and thus had a missed a chances in doing good and serving Him!

This “missing the chance in doing good” constitutes the “sin of omission”

Yes, our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

Am in languishing with many “sins of omission”….?

Young persons who stray away from the honest and right paths of life – knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or purposely…
… demand our attention to pray for them and to find creative ways of bringing them back to the right path

Broken families which face crisis – either due to spousal misunderstandings or children’s worries or financial constraints or any other problems…
… cry out to us, to intervene in their lives by interceding for them and to become channels of peace, reconciliation and harmony.

Lethargic Christians and persons with lapsed faith – either due to ignorance or indifference or deception…
… plead to us, to bring their cause before the Throne of God’s Mercy and to be cheerful instruments who “fan their faith into flames”

In all such causes and similar cases, we are challenged to be the “Good Samaritan”…
… being humble enough to get down to our knees
… being daring and courageous to face humiliations in extending help
… being compassionate and caring to do follow-ups on our acts of mercy

It is only thus that we can firmly follow the commandments to inherit eternal life (Lk 10:25):
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength and with all your mind…
… and your neighbour as yourself!” (Lk 10: 27)

May our daily examination of the conscience, always remind us of the fact, that…
“It isn’t the thing you do;

It’s the thing you leave undone, Which gives you a bit of heartache…
… at the setting of the sun.”
And thus spur us, to have compassionate hearts and be a true “Missionary of Mercy!”

Today Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of our Lady of the Rosary.

This Feast of our Lady of the Rosary was instituted by Pope St. Pius V in the year 1570.

The word Rosary means a “Crown of Roses”.

Our Lady has revealed to several people that each time one says a Hail Mary…
… one is giving her a beautiful rose and that completion of each Rosary makes her a beautiful crown of roses.

The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions.

Like the exhibits in a museum, each mystery of the Rosary reveals much…

Each Mystery that we meditate upon, is a miniature theology of the mysteries of the life of
Jesus and the life of Mary…
… offered with a view to feeding the mind and the heart.

The awesome story of our salvation is encapsulated in the Holy Rosary.

Let us pray the Rosary and live the mysteries of the Rosary in our everyday life.

The saying goes true…”No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary”

Happy Feast of our Lady of the Rosary!

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 – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

When someone asks him, “Which commandment in the Law is the greatest?” Jesus replies: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and first commandment.

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.” (CCC # 2055)

“Practicing love that is humbly obedient, sacrificial and fruitful!”

(Based on Gen 2:18-24, Heb 2:9-11 and Mk 10:2-16 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

A couple were engaged to each other.

As they were preparing themselves for the Sacrament of Marriage, they were given an advise by an elderly priest:
“I am so glad that you are preparing to commit yourself to each other life.

But just remember a very fundamental aspect of your commitment:
‘If you cannot forgive each other, don’t dare to marry!'”

The priest was reminding them of the “forgiving and sacrificial” dimension of love!

Yes, commitment in our relationship with each other becomes faithful…
… when we practise love that is humbly obedient, sacrificial and fruitful.

Love is indeed, the best medicine for any sickness which cripples human life!
And the reason for this amazing power of love is simple:

True Love flows from the heart of the One who is Love… God!
Genuine Love gushes forth from the fount of the One who is Love Incarnate… Jesus!

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful exposition of Jesus emphasizing on the importance of unity and faithfulness in the relationship of marriage.

Jesus says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mk 10:7-9)

The Church defines marriage as:
“The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward…
… the good of the spouses
… and the procreation and education of offspring

This covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.”

Marital love is patterned on the love that Christ has for each one of us…
… and the love with which we are to love the Lord.

We could understand Love, from three dimensions – inspired by the example of the Lord Himself…

1. Love that is humbly obedient

Jesus remained in the love of the Father, by humbling Himself and doing His commandments

And He enjoins the same principle of ‘Humbly Obedient Love’ to His disciples too.
The Lord says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (Jn 15: 10)

The Lord’s obedience flows from His willingness to humble Himself, as we read in Heb 2:9 “… Jesus, who for a little while was made lower…”

Do I have a love that is humbly obedient…?
… happy to undertake the various duties and responsibilities entrusted to me and fulfilling them to the best of my capabilities.
… humble to listen to each other’s needs and be sensitive to the concerns and wishes of the other

2. Love that is sacrificial

Jesus showed the depth of His love by undertaking the highest sacrifice of His own life.

And he enjoins the same principle of ‘Sacrificial Love’ to His disciples too.
The Lord says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13)

The first man, Adam would recognise the sacrificial unity with his wife, Eve, and would cry out:
‘This at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh…” (Gen 2:23)

Do I have a love that is sacrificial?
… willing to lay down one’s bias and prejudices, dying to one’s evil inclinations, putting to sword one’s bad habits that takes away from God and making adjustments of one’s self-desires to make way for God’s plans in life.
… allowing my ego or selfish desires to take a back seat and bring into focus what is true, right and just?

3. Love that is fruitful

Jesus showed the quality of His love by displaying the fruits of compassion, tender mercy, an accommodating heart, gentleness and generosity.

And He enjoins the same principle of ‘Fruitful Love’ to His disciples too.
The Lord says, “.. I chose and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain… ” (Jn 15: 16)

The one who loves, also bears fruits of patience, kindness, self-control and faithfulness…

The one who loves, also lives a life that radiates the fruits of joy, generosity and peace…

Do I have a love that is fruitful?
… bearing fruits that witness God’s love by promoting unity and harmony and attracting many to the tender mercy of the Lord by a life of passion and zeal.
… showering forth fruits that sweeten the hearts of our loved ones and causes greater affections of commitment and faithfulness.

The Lord has loved us tremendously… with a love that is humbly obedient, sacrificial and fruitful.

Each of us is to possess this same treasure of love.

Love binds every brokenness..

Love joins every divorced situation…
Love unites every ruptured circumstance…

Yes, we are called, to “dare to forgive!”

May the prayer of the Psalmist truly be fulfilled in our lives: “May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives!” (Ps 128:5)

May the Lord enable us to be filled from His fountain of love and share His joy and peace
… to a world that is broken and seeks for consolation, comfort and calm!

And help us to persevere in, to preserve, and to promote the Sacred Sacrament of Marriage!

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

Jesus unfolded all the demands of the Commandments.
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill…

… but I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.” (CCC # 2054)

“Letting go our ‘balloons of sorrow and worry’ in order to display Christian joy and happiness in life!”

(Based on Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 and Lk 10:17-24 – Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

It was a one-day convention on inner-healing.

The people who were participating were given helium-filled balloons, and told to release them, at some point during the prayer service…
… when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts.

Through the day, there were some balloons that ascended.

But by the end of the day, it was found that more than forty percent of the balloons were unreleased.

The reason: Those people were unable to let go off their inner bitterness and sorrows.

What about us…
… Are we willing to let go of our balloons, in order to witness our joy in the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to reflect on the theme of “Joy in the Lord”…
… with two instances of rejoicing:

The Disciples rejoicing after their successful mission experience
Jesus rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and thanking His Father for His Infinite Wisdom

One of the essential hallmarks of a Christian is a ‘Life of Joy’.

This was the experience of the Disciples, when they returned back from the mission.

They had enjoyed success in their ministry…
They had a sense of satisfaction in the works that they had done…

They realized that it was the Power of the Lord that enabled them to taste success and relish triumph.

So they rejoiced greatly, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your Name” (Lk 10: 17)

Do we also rejoice, by seeing the hand of the Lord in the success and achievements of our lives….?
… knowing that whatever we achieve, is ultimately not just due to our hard-work and efforts; rather, was the result of our co-operation to the grace of God!
… recognizing that all our talents and opportunities are gifted by God to exhibit His Glory and Honour!

Our Blessed Lord, however also tells the Disciples to go beyond the peripheral joys and happiness in life; instead to rejoice in the Spirit.

St Luke would testify this in the words: “At that very moment, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…'” (Lk 10: 21)

This then is what we too are expected to imitate from the Lord: Rejoicing in the Spirit.

St Paul would beautifully explicate this, when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4: 4)

Our life is to be an inspiring exhibition of the Joy in the Lord and Rejoicing in the Spirit.

Do we radiate joy…
… in our encounter with one another, and spread the cheer of life?
… even in the midst of hardships, knowing that we have a God who is deeply caring for us?
… thanking the Lord for His blessing, above all, for the gift of Himself in the Word and the Sacraments?

There is, without doubt, many reasons for us to be grumpy, to complain and to feel resentment in life.

But can we allow the Power of the Lord to enamour us, and realise that beyond all these, we have a reason to celebrate and to rejoice…
… knowing that ‘God is with us’, to ensure success in our journey of life, with our wholehearted co-operation
… knowing that the Lord is the greatest reason to be happy and the treasure of life Who deserves every glory

Can we let go our ‘balloons of sorrow and worry’ in order to display Christian joy and happiness in life?

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

Jesus acknowledged the Ten Commandments…
… but he also showed the power of the Spirit at work in their letter.

He preached a “righteousness [which] exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees” as well as that of the Gentiles. (CCC # 2054)

“Using the gift of Freedom – just like St Francis of Assisi -;to gain life, blessings and happiness!”

(Based on Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5 and Lk 10:13-16 – Friday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

God is the Great Gift Giver!

He loves to lavish gifts on his creation…and especially on Human Beings, the Crown of His Creation!

Among the gifts that He has showered, one of the greatest gifts is… the Gift of Freedom!

God has bestowed this precious treasure of Freedom to each and every human being.

God regards the worth and value of this gift.
God respects our yes or no, to this gift!

The Gospel of the day presents to us a classic example of Freedom being lavished, but sadly being squandered away.

The towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were given the freedom and the choice to become part of the Kingdom of God…
… but they chose to reject and refused the Saving Message.

The Gift of Freedom is a double-edge entity:
The gift of freedom can be used, to obtain life!

The gift of freedom can be misused…to obtain death!

The gift of freedom can be abused well to receive curses!

The gift of freedom can be utilized well… to receive blessings!

The triple cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum failed to use, utilize and employ constructively their freedom…
… rather, they misused, abused and exploited destructively their opportunity to find peace and salvation.

And Jesus has harsh words reserved for such kind of an attitude – “WOE TO YOU!“

The word “woe” in Greek is “oh-hoo-aai” or “ouvai!”

The figure of speech is onomatopoeia – it means what it sounds like.

It is a word of pain!
It is the sound someone makes when they are hurt or are grieved.

When the Lord proclaims a WOE over these cities, there’s a great deal of anguish amplified with a sense of pain.

The Lord was pained that these cities received wonderful opportunity to hear God’s saving message…
… but failed to turn to God in repentance.

The Lord was pained that these cities received great chances to see God’s miraculous deeds and wonders…
… but failed to turn to God in penance.

The Lord was pained that these cities received exclusive occasions to receive God’s salvific graces…
… but failed to turn to God in humility.

The Lord today challenges us to make an examination of our lives:

God lavishes many graces on me through regular chances to hear God’s word through the Bible, retreats, recollections, talks, spiritual magazines etc…

Am I using these chances to grow in my spiritual life?
… or am I wasting away many of such chances?

Is freedom used?

Or misused?

God showers many opportunities for me to avoid sin…
… by giving me inspiring and holy thoughts
… by a constant urging to be good through my parents, superiors, family and community members and other people in my life…

Am I using these opportunities to foster my holiness?
… or am I frittering away much of such opportunities?

Is freedom used…?
… or misused?

God bestows many occasions to become a powerful witness to His love and His Gospel through different means like…
… preaching the Word
… celebrating or participating in the Eucharist and in the other Sacraments
… helping others in their needs and difficulties, praying for various people
… living a integral life in the society based on the Gospel values etc.

Am I using these occasions to strengthen my Christian life?
… or am I throwing away many of such occasions?

Is freedom used…?
… or Misused?

The example of the three cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum is before us and the condemnation of Jesus, because of their lackluster response is also before us.

Freedom is the great gift of God…
… and God totally respects the use or the misuse of this precious gift.

Are we going to use this Gift to gain life, blessings and happiness…?
… or are we going to misuse this Gift to receive death, curses and sadness?

Today we celebrate the Feast day of a peaceful and powerful saint – St Francis of Assisi…
… who is a beautiful example of a person who fruitfully and faithfully used the freedom that was bestowed on him!

St Francis of Assisi probably is one of the most popular saints in the entire world.

The name of this saint invokes so many pictures and words to our minds – nature, animals, poverty, renunciation, cross, stigmata, surrender, trust, another Christ, etc.

On this First Friday of the month, let us seek the Intercession of this wonderful Saint in being an instrument of joy and peace, praying:
“Make me, Lord, a channel of your peace…”

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

In the three synoptic Gospels, Jesus’ call to the rich young man to follow him…
… in the obedience of a disciple and in the observance of the Commandments
… is joined to the call to poverty and chastity.

The evangelical counsels are inseparable from the Commandments. (CCC # 2053)

“Being ready to listen and obey the voice of the Lord!”

(Based on Job 19:21-27 and Lk 10:1-12 – Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Arabian horses are made to go through painstaking and meticulous training in the dry deserts of the Middle East.

One of the most important aspects that the trainers expect from the horses is of “absolute obedience”.

This final test to assess their level of obedience is quite extreme…

The trainers compel the horses to be without water for many days.

A few days later, they turn the horses loose towards a pool of water…

The highly thirsty, parched and dehydrated horses, of course start running towards it.

But just as they get to the edge, ready to plunge in and drink, the trainer blows his whistle.

Screech….!

The horses are to stop mid-way…

The horses who have been completely trained and who have learned perfect obedience, stop!

They turn around and come pacing back to the trainer.
They stand there trembling, wanting water… but they wait in perfect obedience.

When the trainer is sure that he has their obedience, he gives them a signal to go back to drink.

Complete obedience from the horses is a sign of their being completely trained.

Well.. this sure sounds hard and severe…

But perhaps, we need to learn an important aspect: the need for trustful obedience to our Master!

When we are in the dry deserts of life, we got to be totally obedient to God.

When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the voice of the Lord.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by the Lord to listen to Him, to give heed to His Word and to be obedient to Him.
“Jesus appointed seventy (two), whom He sent ahead of Him, in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit” (Lk 10:1)

They were “chosen and appointed”.

Why were these chosen?
… and not others?

Well… we can only make some guess-works… because the bottom-line is:
“They were ‘chosen'”

Choice is always a gift, and not a merit!

This gift cannot be demanded…. it is given by the Lord, out of His Will.
Therefore, it demands a sense of “gratitude” and a spirit of “responsibility!”

The choosing of the seventy (two) also reflects Jesus as the New Moses!

Moses had chosen seventy elders.

We read this in the Book of Numbers:
“The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.” (Num 11:16)

The “seventy” were chosen from the elders of the tribes of Israel to assist Moses.

They were to become an extension of the work that was entrusted to Moses, by Lord Yahweh

In the Gospels, the seventy (two) disciples are also called, by Jesus, for the similar task:

They were to become an extension of the work that was entrusted to Jesus by the Heavenly Father.

In this task of “becoming an extension”, one of the most important essentials was that of “listening to the words of the Master”

Obedience to the Word is a necessary criteria to become a true extension of the Lord!

Jesus very specifically lays downs rules and regulations to be followed in their mission journey and task:
“Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road….” (Lk 10:4)

These exhortations by the Master would cause…
… a sense of insecurity for the disciples
… a feeling a being stranded in the problems that they could encounter.

Yet, the disciples were strongly urged to…
… Listen to His Exhortation
… to Trust in His Providence
… and to be obedient to His Word

The disciples were to listen to Jesus, the Beloved Son and grasp His teachings for life

Each one of us is called and chosen, as Christians, to be a disciple of Christ – “an extension of the Lord’s tasks in this world” …
… “You did not choose me, but I chose you; and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16)

Life will take us through many deserts and desolations of difficulties.
Life will put us through various storms and hurricanes of hardships.

But in all such moments, are we ready and open to listen to the Voice of the Lord?

Yes, when we are in the dry deserts of life, we better be totally obedient to God.

When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the voice of the Lord.

The Lord will take us through…
… every crisis
… every desert
… every darkness
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8: 31)

Let us grow in our efforts to be completely obedient to our Master!

Let us pray for His grace to be truly listening and following the voice of our Master!

Are we ready to listen and obey the voice of the Lord?

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

To this first reply Jesus adds a second:
“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
This reply does not do away with the first: following Jesus Christ involves keeping the Commandments. the Law has not been abolished…

… but rather, man is invited to rediscover it in the person of his Master who is its perfect fulfillment. (CCC # 2053)

“Being ready to listen and obey the voice of the Lord!”

(Based on Job 19:21-27 and Lk 10:1-12 – Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Arabian horses are made to go through painstaking and meticulous training in the dry deserts of the Middle East.

One of the most important aspects that the trainers expect from the horses is of “absolute obedience”.

This final test to assess their level of obedience is quite extreme…

The trainers compel the horses to be without water for many days.

A few days later, they turn the horses loose towards a pool of water…

The highly thirsty, parched and dehydrated horses, of course start running towards it.

But just as they get to the edge, ready to plunge in and drink, the trainer blows his whistle.

Screech….!

The horses are to stop mid-way…

The horses who have been completely trained and who have learned perfect obedience, stop!

They turn around and come pacing back to the trainer.
They stand there trembling, wanting water… but they wait in perfect obedience.

When the trainer is sure that he has their obedience, he gives them a signal to go back to drink.

Complete obedience from the horses is a sign of their being completely trained.

Well.. this sure sounds hard and severe…

But perhaps, we need to learn an important aspect: the need for trustful obedience to our Master!

When we are in the dry deserts of life, we got to be totally obedient to God.

When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the voice of the Lord.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by the Lord to listen to Him, to give heed to His Word and to be obedient to Him.
“Jesus appointed seventy (two), whom He sent ahead of Him, in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit” (Lk 10:1)

They were “chosen and appointed”.

Why were these chosen?
… and not others?

Well… we can only make some guess-works… because the bottom-line is:
“They were ‘chosen'”

Choice is always a gift, and not a merit!

This gift cannot be demanded…. it is given by the Lord, out of His Will.
Therefore, it demands a sense of “gratitude” and a spirit of “responsibility!”

The choosing of the seventy (two) also reflects Jesus as the New Moses!

Moses had chosen seventy elders.

We read this in the Book of Numbers:
“The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people.” (Num 11:16)

The “seventy” were chosen from the elders of the tribes of Israel to assist Moses.

They were to become an extension of the work that was entrusted to Moses, by Lord Yahweh

In the Gospels, the seventy (two) disciples are also called, by Jesus, for the similar task:

They were to become an extension of the work that was entrusted to Jesus by the Heavenly Father.

In this task of “becoming an extension”, one of the most important essentials was that of “listening to the words of the Master”

Obedience to the Word is a necessary criteria to become a true extension of the Lord!

Jesus very specifically lays downs rules and regulations to be followed in their mission journey and task:
“Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road….” (Lk 10:4)

These exhortations by the Master would cause…
… a sense of insecurity for the disciples
… a feeling a being stranded in the problems that they could encounter.

Yet, the disciples were strongly urged to…
… Listen to His Exhortation
… to Trust in His Providence
… and to be obedient to His Word

The disciples were to listen to Jesus, the Beloved Son and grasp His teachings for life

Each one of us is called and chosen, as Christians, to be a disciple of Christ – “an extension of the Lord’s tasks in this world” …
… “You did not choose me, but I chose you; and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16)

Life will take us through many deserts and desolations of difficulties.
Life will put us through various storms and hurricanes of hardships.

But in all such moments, are we ready and open to listen to the Voice of the Lord?

Yes, when we are in the dry deserts of life, we better be totally obedient to God.

When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the voice of the Lord.

The Lord will take us through…
… every crisis
… every desert
… every darkness
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8: 31)

Let us grow in our efforts to be completely obedient to our Master!

Let us pray for His grace to be truly listening and following the voice of our Master!

Are we ready to listen and obey the voice of the Lord?

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

To this first reply Jesus adds a second:
“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
This reply does not do away with the first: following Jesus Christ involves keeping the Commandments. the Law has not been abolished…

… but rather, man is invited to rediscover it in the person of his Master who is its perfect fulfillment. (CCC # 2053)