“Presenting our life to the Lord – like our Blessed Mother – and remaining close to the Lord, the Fire of our life!”

(Based on Rev 5:1-10 and Lk 19:41-44 – Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2 – Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

A priest was once persuading a church member to be more active and enthusiastic in his Christian life…
… and to give a little more priority to his spiritual life.

They were sitting inside the man’s parlour

It was winter time, and the coal was burning in the fireplace.

The man objected saying, “I can be a good person, even without doing all the spiritual activities and the requirements of the Church.”

The priest kept silent.

But stepped to the fireplace

Took the tongs, and picked a blazing coal from the fire…
… and kept it away from the fire.

In silence, both of them watched the blazing coal – which was far from the fire – lose its heat…
… and going off.

“I see…” said the man!

Living a life away from the Lord – the Fire of Life…
… will always cause tepidity and apathy to sneak in

Leading to a slow but sure loss of life.

The Gospel of the Day is the dramatic incident of Jesus crying over the City of Jerusalem…
… who had failed to understand the coming of the Messiah

And thus lost opportunity to truly be the “Jerusalem – the City of Peace!”

The heart of a parent is broken, when the child strays away from the ways of truth and honesty.

If this is the experience of our earthly parents, how much more will be the pain and suffering of our God…
… if we stray away from Him, who loves each one of us deeply with a tender affection?

It is this sorrow and grief that is strongly expressed by Jesus in the Gospel of the day.

Jesus laments over the City of Jerusalem.

St Luke records this lamentation of the Lord with a powerfully sentimental verse:
“As Jesus drew near, he saw the city and wept over it” (Lk 19: 41)

Jesus is usually an epitome of great joy and rejoicing.

But this joyful Jesus being made to shed tears shows the gravity of situation.

What made Jesus to shed tears?

The pain and the hurt He experienced because of the ill-response and harsh reaction of His chosen people, Israel…
… represented by the city of Jerusalem.

God had chosen Israel as His people.

Out of all the civilizations on the earth, He chose them as His beloved.

Through them He promised that the Saviour of the human race would come.

This promise ignited the hearts of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God wiped out their enemies even in the most extreme of circumstances!

Time and again, God blessed them with judges, kings and prophets. He even provided them a place to worship.

But as the quote goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt!”

Israel, God’s own people no longer delighted in being His distinctive people.

For them, He became routine.
They began to consider Him of little value.

They allowed their hearts to grow hard, over and over, again and again.

Finally, Jesus, the long-promised Messiah came, the One whom God the Father had sent.

But most of the Jews by then, had grown stubborn and complacent in their ways.

They had no room for One who came to fulfil their Law and the Prophets.

They maltreated the Saviour of the World.
They rejected the Anointed One of the Lord.
And this led, Jesus to shed tears.

This story of Jerusalem could well be our own life-story.

We have been specially chosen and loved by the Lord.

He has taken us through many dangers, sicknesses and accidents.

In times when everything seem lost…
… He has been our refuge.

In moments when all seemed totally blank and dark…
… He has been the glowing light.

On occasions we felt like quitting life and escaping from realities…
… He held us in good stead.

But we tend to easily forget all these good deeds and wonders of the Lord.

Yes, it’s a sad thing, but a sure reality: “For many of us, God is often, just a routine!”

We fail to be grateful and thankful to the Lord….
… by living a holy and virtuous life.
… by deepening our bond of love and affection with Him
… by translating His graces into deeds of charity and concern for our people.

We instead persecute and torture Him…
… by living a lethargic or unholy or even scandalous life
… by abandoning many of His commandments and the teachings of the Church
… by harming our brothers and sisters and being highly indifferent in situations.

God’s Heart – like that of a broken parent weeping for the child – is crying out for us…

Perhaps, He is telling us, “I am wounded!”

We have strayed much…
… it’s time to come back to Him

He calls us.
He longs to have us with Him always.
He wants us back in His loving embrace.

As little children, let us run, in sincere repentance and honest contrition, to the welcoming Heart of our Beloved God.

Let us not boast or brag saying that, “I can be a good person, even without doing all the spiritual activities and the requirements of the Church.”

Rather, let’s realize that “away from the fire”…
… even a blazing coal will slowly but surely lose its heat and go off!

May we be reminded that living a life away from God – the Fire of Life…
… will always cause tepidity and apathy to sneak in

Leading to a slow but sure loss of life.

Today we celebrate the initiation of our Blessed Mother into this way of holiness – The Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Feast is a reminder and a challenge to us, on different counts:

Like our Blessed Mother Mary, most of us, were perhaps initiated into a life of holiness, in our younger days.. at Baptism, at Confirmation…

Have we sought to increase in our level of holiness?
What efforts do we make towards that?

We are also called to “offer ourselves” to the Lord…
… an offering of a faithful life
… an offering of a holy life

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of our Blessed Mamma’s Presentation, may we “give ourselves” wholly to the Lord…
… and seek Her intercession, so that, like Her, we too can be wholly belonging to the Lord!

As little children, holding the Hands of our Blessed Mother, let us pledge to the Lord – “For You, Forever!”

Happy Feast of the Presentation of our Blessed Mamma!

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 First Commandment

The first commandment embraces faith, hope, and charity.
When we say ‘God’ we confess a constant, unchangeable being, always the same, faithful and just, without any evil.

It follows that we must necessarily accept his words and have complete faith in Him and acknowledge His authority. (CCC # 2086)

“Being prepared to take risks in order to make progress in life!”

(Based on Rev 3:1-6, 14-22and Lk 19:11-28 – Wednesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A little tortoise was constantly facing a complex of feeling too low in life.

Seeing the various other animals, moving swiftly and speedily…
… the tortoise would very often hide itself in its shell.

It felt that it could never progress in life!

One day, it came across a wise person and sought an advice of how to get the best from life.

The sage – a wise person – replied:
“My little tortoise, always remember that you have been created specifically.
So never feel low or bad about yourself.

And as far as progressing is concerned…
… Always remember: ‘Unless you stick your neck out, you can never progress!”

That was a simple, yet effective piece of advice, isn’t it

Unless the tortoise “stuck its neck out, it could never progress!”

Sticking the neck out of course, meant “taking a risk”…
… but unless that was done, progress was not going to happen.

The same is true for us in our life as well:

Unless we take risks… Unless we “stick out our necks”
… we can never progress!

The Gospel of the Day is a parable of a person who refused “to stick out his neck”…
… and thus not only failed to progress, but ended up on the losing side!

Jesus presents the very-practical “Parable of the Productive Servants”

A nobleman who, before going to a faraway country, entrusts money to his servants with an instruction, “Engage in trade with these, until I return” (Lk 19: 13)

The money given was a “mina”

A mina was a Greek coin.

The lowest level of the Greek Coinage System was the drachma…
…. equal to one day’s wages. (1 Drachma = 1 day’s wages)

One hundred drachmas equalled one Mina (100 Drachmas = 1 Mina).

Therefore, One Mina equalled nearly 100 days of wages (1 Mina = 100 days wages; i.e. nearly 3 months)

With this (fairly huge) amount of money, the Master instructs the servants to “invest”

Investment always means a “sense of risk!”

The parable goes on to say that…
… one of them made another ten (Lk 19: 16)
… the other made another five (Lk 19:18)

These two are greatly rewarded.

The one “who is willing to take risks” always finds life more rewarding and satisfying!

But, its over here, the parable presents the third servant, who decided to be “Mr. Keep it Safe!”

He came back to his master, with an excuse: “Sir, here is your coin” (Lk 19: 20)

He failed to make any investment
He failed to take “any risk”

He refused to “stick out his neck!”

Sticking the neck out of course, meant “taking a risk”…
… but unless that was done, progress was not going to happen.

And that would make him to end up on the losing side!

The Bible is replete with personalities, who would take “risks”…
… and thus emerge successful!

Noah would “take the risk” of listening to God and build the Ark for rescue from the deluge
Abraham would “take the risk” by obeying God and leaving His country and people
Moses would “take the risk” and trust in God to lead the people out of slavery
Jeremiah would “take the risk” of being a prophet despite of several oppositions to his life
Peter would “take the risk” of leaving his fishing profession to be ‘fishers of men’
… and many many more!

They “risked their life” for God – His Will and His Kingdom!

They would “stick out their neck” in progressing in the ways of God!

How about us?

Do we “take risks?”
… the “risk” to trust in God, in spite of the uncertainties of life
… the “risk” to know God has the best plan for us, despite the many hardships we face in life
… the “risk” to believe that God always walks with us, even though we go through the ‘deserts of life’

Let us always realize: Unless we take risks…

Unless we “stick out our necks”
… we can never progress!

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 First Commandment

There will never be another God, Trypho, and there has been no other since the world began…
… than He who made and ordered the universe.
We do not think that our God is different from yours.
He is the same who brought your fathers out of Egypt “by his powerful hand and his outstretched arm.”

We do not place our hope in some other god, for there is none, but in the same God as you do: the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (CCC # 2085)

“Making significant changes in our life, to experience the magnanimous wonders and graces from our ‘Big God!’”

(Based on Rev 3:1-6, 14-22and Lk 19:1-10 – Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A nice and interesting poem by Carol Connell, a poet, goes thus:
“Trek began, short guy ran
Had a plan, crowd to scan
Find God-Man.

Carefully climb a tree,
Patiently wait to see
This, the key!

Jesus came, called Zac’s name
Not to blame, or to shame
Love, His aim.

Without flack, down came Zac
They went back, to his shack
Had a snack.

And so thence, Zac was tense
Soon relents, then repents
His offense.

Did restore, to the poor
Stole no more, settled score
Evermore!”

Biblical stories are indeed interesting and motivating…
… aren’t they?

One such Biblical story which is not just interesting & motivating, but also greatly popular is of the little man – Zacchaeus.

The Gospel of the Day takes us through this life-changing incident of this Little Man.

Though little, this person teaches us big things

The narrative begins with Jesus coming to Jericho and intending to pass through the town (Lk 19:1)

Jericho has a long history, especially seen in the Old Testament.

Jericho was the first city to be conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. (Josh 6:1-27)
It was surrounded by a huge wall.

However, with directives from God and under the leadership of Joshua, the city was laid siege.

On the appointed day, Joshua ordered the people to shout & the walls of the city collapsed and the Israelites destroyed it.
Joshua laid a curse on the one who would rebuild this city.

Thus, Jericho bore the brunt of a curse.

It is to this ‘place of curse’ that Jesus makes his entry.

As Jesus makes his entry to this cursed place, a little man named Zacchaeus climbs…
… hides himself behind the leaves of a sycamore tree.

Zacchaeus was a rejected man.

This rejection was on two levels:

1. A personal level
2. A societal level

The Gospel mentions that Zacchaeus was “short in stature” (Lk 19:3)

It is interesting to note that “Zacchaeus” in Greek means…
… the pure – a just one

However when St Luke speaks of him as being “short in stature,” it was a pointer…
… that he was perhaps living a life contradictory to what his own name suggested.

His being short was probably referring to the fact…
… that as a tax collector, he was living a life of corruption
… that as a rich man, he was still quite unsatisfied in life

Being short, he faced a sense of rejection…
… in his own self!

At the same time, Zacchaeus was also rejected by the society.

The Gospel describes him as being a tax collector.

Under the Roman system, tax collecting jobs were outsourced to people…
… who bought the right to collect taxes.

Tax collectors paid a fixed amount of tax to Rome

After that, they enriched themselves by forcing the public to pay far more than what Rome required.

Zacchaeus thus became a tax collector for the hated Roman government

He was probably treated as a heathen…
… isolated from all social life
… equated with the Gentiles at a distance when he went to the temple!

Thus, being a tax-collector, he faced a sense of rejection…
… in his own society and among his own people!

Besides, Zacchaeus was a “chief” tax collector…
… so his rejection was still more “chief” – greater and graver.

Do we also find ourselves to be rejected – just as Zacchaeus was?

Despising ourselves because of our own weaknesses and shortcomings?
… Being despised by the society, when we take a conviction that is opposed to the worldly and materialistic ways?

Despising ourselves, because of the weight of habitual sins and prolonged bad habits?
… Being despised by the society, when we fail to abide by the unholy trends of the modern world?

Zacchaeus, however, stands as an example and challenge to us…
… to not get dejected by such rejections!

Instead to “deeply desire” for the Lord and be ready to climb the sycamore tree of “sadness, rejection, disappointment and dejection” in our lives!

The Lord is gazing, addressing and seeking for us.

Am I ready to encounter, to listen and to be found by Him?

A ‘Yes’ to the question, will also mean taking some radical decisions in our life, just like Zacchaeus did…

Giving up of possessions…
Letting go of my undue desire for money, cheap popularity, the riches in my life etc.
Repaying those whom I have cheated…
Forgiving and accepting those whom I hurt, whom I don’t like, whom I am not in good terms etc.

Zacchaeus was a despised man.

He was despised because of his short stature.
He was despised because as a tax collector, he worked for the enemy-government and would cheat and defraud people.
He was despised because Jesus came to his house – a house of a sinner.

But the encounter with Jesus made him a transformed person

The encounter with Jesus made him to go beyond all complexes and filled him with deep joy!

This same transformation is at hand for us…

Let, us, learn from the ‘little man’ and make significant changes in our life…
… to experience the magnanimous wonders and graces from our ‘Big God!’

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 First Commandment

The one and true God first reveals his glory to Israel.
The revelation of the vocation and truth of man is linked to the revelation of God.

Man’s vocation is to make God manifest by acting in conformity with his creation “in the image and likeness of God.” (CCC # 2084)

“Facing every disappointment with trust in the Lord and confidence in His Providence!”

(Based on Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5 and Lk 18:35-43 – Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An elderly person, who was known to be very joyful and optimistic in life, was once asked by his little nephew: “Uncle, what is the secret of your happiness?

Don’t you ever have disappointments?”

The uncle looked at the little lad and responded: “Child… life has taught me to trust in God above all, and know that His Hand is there with me, at all times.

When Disappointment comes to me, all that I do is: Change a letter!

The ‘D’ in Disappointment has to be made ‘H’

Thus, every Disappointment, becomes HIS-Appointment!

And I experience His Providence with me, always!”

That’s truly beautiful, isn’t it?

Are we ready to change the ‘Disappointments’ in our life to ‘Hisappointments’…
… Appointments with the Lord?”

Every person in the world faces moments of disappointments and darkness.

Some of us get encompassed by it.
Some of us get dejected by it.

The Gospel of Day presents a blind man, who faced immense darkness, but did not allow to get encompassed or dejected by it…
.. rather changed, the Disappointment into His-appointment!

The story of the Blind Beggar, healed by Jesus is an incident recorded in all the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).

The star recipient in the story – the Blind Beggar – is the one who overcomes many hurdles and obstacles in his life…
… to obtain the glorious healing from the Lord.

What were some of these hurdles?

1. He had to overcome the hurdle of “being blamed”

This blind man lived at a time when sicknesses were often traced to a life of sinfulness.

The man probably lived constantly under the shadow of this hurdle of “being blamed”.

He was probably blamed that he was blind because he or his ancestors had sinned greatly and was being “punished”.

But the man overcomes this “hurdle of being blamed” and finds the light of Jesus.

Am I in need of overcoming this guilt and shame of “being blamed?”

2. He had to overcome the hurdle of ” being depressed and hopeless“

It is a pitiful fact to being a beggar, lying pathetically, sitting in his filthy, dirty rags on the side of the road.

The fact of his being blind made things even more worse.

Life was highly cruel on him and the darkness of hopelessness clouded him.

But he overcomes this “hurdle of being depressed and hopeless” and encounters the glow of Jesus.

Am I in need of overcoming this pain and sadness of being depressed and hopeless?”

3. He had to overcome the hurdle of “discouragement and being put-down”

The crowd had become very hostile to the blind beggar, who wanted to meet Jesus and rebuked and shouted at him to be silent.

He had felt a ray of hope in Jesus, but the crowd considered him as a botheration and sought to suppress him.

But the man overcomes this hurdle of “discouragement and being put-down” and experiences the illumination of Jesus.

Am I in need of overcoming the crushing and burdensome factors of “discouragement and being put-down?”

The blind man shows us the way today, to overcoming hurdles…
… with an eager longing, a resolute determination and commendable humility.

Is my life blind, surrounded by the darkness of many hurdles?

The Lord of Light is passing by…
Let’s raise our voices.
Let’s lift up our hearts.

Let’s jump over the hurdles!
“Jesus, Son of David…have mercy on me!”

Yes… life surely brings very often disappointments!

But with trust in the Lord and confidence in His Providence, let us…
‘Change a letter!…
… thus making ‘every Disappointment, as HIS-Appointment!’

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 First Commandment

The first word contains the first commandment of the Law:
“You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve him
You shall not go after other gods

God’s first call and just demand is that man accept him and worship him. (CCC # 2084)

“Being constantly on the ‘watch and vigilance’ preparing for the Coming of our Blessed Lord!”

(Based on Dan 12:1-3, Heb 10:11-14, 18 and Mk 13:24-32 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

There is an incident from the American Revolution which beautifully illustrates the tragedy that can follow from procrastination – the habit of postponing or delaying something.

It is reported about a Colonel who was the commander of the British troops in Trenton, New Jersey.

He was playing cards when a courier brought an urgent message….
… stating that General George Washington was crossing the Delaware River.

The Colonel put the letter in his pocket and didn’t bother to read it until the game was finished.

Later, realizing the seriousness of the situation, he hurriedly tried to rally his men to meet the coming attack…
… but his procrastination was his undoing.

He and many of his men were killed and the rest of the regiment were captured.

Just a “few minutes of delay” cost him his life, his honour, and the liberty of his soldiers!

Any profession…any activity…to achieve its goal in the best manner possible…
… requires a tough preparation, unabated determination, a constant movement and an unwavering vigilance!

The Gospel of the Day, speaking of the Second Coming of the Son of Man, is a strong exhortation to be “constantly on the watch”, being vigilant and ready, to receive the Lord in His glory.

Our Blessed Lord draws the illustration of the Fig Tree to point to the fact that “one must become aware of the signs of the times” and be constantly “on the watch”.

Jesus says, “From the fig tree, learn the lesson!” (Mk 13:28)

When we look into our lives, we find that we are “highly disciplined and well-prepared” with respect to professional disciplines and careers…

Sportspersons sweat it out and slog their bodies through a strict routine…
… to achieve the best!

Army personnel undergo a hard grilling and a grinding through tough situations…
… to achieve the best!

Musicians train their voices and are extremely cautious in avoiding bad food habits…
… to achieve the best!

Scientists meticulously chalk out their experiments and are very careful in minute aspects…
… to achieve the best!

But very often, it is seen, that such an attitude is not applied to Spirituality or our Christian Life!

There seems to be….
… a tendency to take our Christian Life as a routine and for granted
… a feeling to live our spiritual lives in relaxation and lethargy and sluggishness
… a trend to give less attention to aspects of the Lord – experiencing His love, moving away from sin, aspiring for holiness and salvation etc

Why do spiritual matters most often find the least place in our lives?

Why do thoughts of holiness be entertained least in our minds?
Why do talks of God, figure so little in our daily chats and conversations?

It’s time to wake up from our sleep…
“… know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep.
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand…” (Rom 13: 11-12a)

These words from the Letter to the Romans…
… which had awakened St Augustine from his slumber of paganism, sexual immorality and loose living into the freedom of holiness and sanctity
… is addressed also to each one of us

In Mt 24:42-44, Jesus says, “Stay Awake… and Be Alert!”

With respect to the coming of the Son of Man…
… No one knows the time or the hour
… No one knows the context or situation

Therefore, we need to be alert and watchful at all times – at any time, in any circumstance!

When Abraham was prepared to give up his Beloved Isaac…
… he encountered the glory of God!

When Moses was ready to follow God and trust Him completely…
… he encountered the power of God!

When the Israelites were ready to cleanse themselves and prepare…
… they encountered the majesty of God!

When the Prophets were willing to let go and abandon fully to God’s hands….
… they encountered the voice of God!

When Mother Mary consented to God’s Will in Her life…
… she encountered the ‘Grace’fulness of God!

When the Apostles were eager to wait in humility and prayer…
… they encountered the Spirit of God!

Yes, when we are willing to be prepared and be ready…
… we will experience the mighty touch and presence of God!

One of the biggest reasons why a Christian fails to take one’s faith seriously is because of Procrastination…

We mould ourselves to thinking that there is time for all this later…
… we still have years ahead to repent and atone!

And this certainly is one of Satan’s most successful strategies in today’s world: To show there is still time!

Satan doesn’t prevent us from having thoughts of prayer…
… but he says: not now, do it a little later.

Satan doesn’t prevent us from having aspirations of fasting and other pious devotions…
… but he says: not now, do it later

Satan doesn’t prevent us from engaging in works of charity….
… but he says: not now, do it later

And we, busy with our daily schedules – like ignorant fools…
… find that suggestion, practical and feasible!

Today the Lord gets serious in His tone…
… and warns us: “Watch! Be alert!”

As it is said, “those who hope to repent and amend at the eleventh hour, may perhaps, die at ten-thirty!”

Today onwards, let us seek to invest of ourselves in service of the Kingdom and to prepare for the Lord’s coming

Our souls are searching…
Our bodies are agitated and distressed…

Money, positions, power, sex, drugs, alcohol, pleasures, films, criticism, laziness, …. none of these can fully satisfy or gratify us!

Let us seek and thirst for the One for whom our souls are really searching….
… and be constantly on the “watch and vigilance” preparing for the Coming of our Blessed 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 First Commandment

God makes himself known by recalling his all-powerful loving, and liberating action in the history of the one he addresses:

“I brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (CCC # 2084)

“Remaining firm and perseverant in our prayer life and becoming a people who reach out in justice and give comfort and consolation to the needy!”

(Based on 3 Jn 5-8 and Lk 18:1-8 – Saturday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An interesting incident is mentioned in the life of Jan Paderewski

He was a famous Polish pianist and a pioneer of the solo recital at music concerts.

It is said that when Paderewski was to leave his native Poland to play his first recital in London…
… he asked an influential compatriot to give him a letter of introduction, to a leading figure in Britain’s musical world

This was for any assistance, should anything go amiss.

The letter was handed to him in a sealed envelope.

Paderewski hoped that everything would proceed smoothly and he would not have to use the letter.

Well…
… he did not have to use the letter.

His debut was a great success and he soon began to climb the ladder of success.

Some years later, while going through his papers, he came upon the ‘letter of introduction’ and opened it.

He was surprised to read the content:
“This will introduce Jan Paderewski, who plays the piano, for which he demonstrates no conspicuous (visible/noticeable) talent.”

Life… is often such!

Discouragements lure everywhere
Rejections prowl all around

Do we get bogged down by such discouragements and rejections?

Are we people who bring about discouragement and rejection to people?

The Gospel of the Day is the Parable of the Persistent Widow.

The Parable speaks of a judge and a widow.

The judge is characterized by some features:
He did not fear God.
He did not fear humans.
He was initially adamant in his refusal.

The Widow is characterized by some features:
She had a genuine need.
She was denied justice.
She remained persistent till the end.

We are often in many and true needs.

But we do sometimes find ourselves, a bit depressed at the delays in receiving the answers to our prayers.

The parable encourages and exhorts us to remain persistent in our prayer life and not to get discouraged by God’s delays, which apparently appears as God’s denials.

Yes, God’s delays are certainly not His denials!
God’s pauses are certainly not His refuses!

At the same time, this parable invites us to switch roles:
To see ourselves as the Judge…
… and God as the Widow.

Widows in the first century found themselves at a very sad state.

They were quite literally unprotected. Many became homeless and destitute after the death of their husbands.

Often they were at mercy of cunning men, including some religious leaders who would “devour widows houses” (Mark 12:40)

A widow couldn’t count on anyone to come to her aid.

She represents the hopeless….the unaided…the oppressed.

In Mt 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the one who was hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger and the imprisoned.

Jesus in the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger and the imprisoned…
… is the hopeless one …the unaided one …the oppressed one.

Jesus, like the widow in the Parable…
… comes knocking at our door:
Behold I stand at the door, and knock… (Rev 3:20)

As the oppressed and justice-deprived Widow, Jesus, knocks at our door – we, the judges.

What is our reaction and response to the voice of the needy and the helpless?

The cry of the one in pain and suffering reaches our hears…

Do I reach out my heart to them and seek to ease their troubles and hardships?

The moaning of a broken family or a lost teenager or a spoilt child comes to us…

Do I pray for them and help them, in ways possible for me?

The sad tear of the abused or oppressed people with whom we work is seen by us…

Do I get out of my comfort-shell to make them feel comforted and consoled?

The disturbing reports of violence, corruption, injustice in society falls on our senses…

Do I remain indifferent to them and become saturated with such atrocities?

Yes… the widow – the hopeless, the unaided and the oppressed one… keeps knocking at our doors…

As a Judge…
… do I keep refusing?
… do I keep getting irritated?
… do I feel life as a botheration?

Life often has discouragements luring everywhere and rejections prowling all around

Do we get bogged down by such discouragements and rejections?
Are we people who bring about discouragement and rejection to people?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is certainly a big lesson to remain firm and perseverant in our prayer life.

And when looked from another perspective is also a big challenge…
… to become a people who reach out in justice and give comfort and consolation to the needy.

Knock… knock…

Do we hear the knock, seeking for help?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
📧 Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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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 First Commandment

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth…
… you shall not bow down to them or serve them.

It is written: “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” (CCC # 2084)

“Getting our priorities right, and in humility, protecting our souls!”

(Based on 2 Jn 4-9 and Lk 17:26-37 – Friday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A humorous story is told of a heavy-weight boxer who would greatly brag about his prowess…
… and speak of how he would “he would conquer the world!”

It is said that one day, he came to a big city with two huge suitcases.

As he got down the bus, putting the suitcases down, he looked up to the tall building tower and exclaimed: “I will conquer this city!”

When he looked down, however…
… the suitcases were gone!

Very often, our lives are such…

We dream of conquering the entire world…
… but often fail to even have a control on ourselves!

We become “so worldly” that we fail to give heed “to the world to come!”

We become so occupied with the concerns of our earthly existence that sometimes we “forget about our Heavenly priorities!”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus highlighting this essential element of Christian living: Being in the world, but living out of the world, with eyes firmly set on heavenly realms.

Jesus says, “Whoever seeks to gain his life, will lose it, but whoever loses his life, will preserve it” (Lk 17:33)

Very often our lives get too attached to material riches and attachments.

We fall prey to seeking great honour and fame in being a Christian…
… but are unable to grasp the fact that ‘to be a Christian is to be living a life of simplicity’.

We yield to temptations of being obsessed to seek power and positions of futile vanity…
… and fail time and again to live up to the Christian virtues of humility and modesty

We often become victims of engaging in dirty politics and authority-grabbing games…
… and become an anti-witness to the Lord who ‘came to serve, rather than be served’

We need to give heed to the words of the Lord who prayed that “we are in the world, but do not belong to this world” (Jn 17: 15)

A Christian life ought to be hallmarked by detachment and separation…
… detachment from too much of worldly distractions and vain glory
… separation from sinful ways and evil tendencies

It ought to be radiated with total focus and complete dedication…
… total focus on the Lord who ‘walked the talk’ by giving up His life in service
… complete dedication to the Kingdom of God which calls for a humble way of life

The world today is being ‘gripped in sin’, “as it was in the days of Noah” (Lk 17:26)

We need to open our eyes to realize the warning given by the Lord and be ‘on the watch’…
… after the example of the destruction of the sinful city of Sodom.

Perhaps our own life… or our family… or our community… our society…
… is resembling the city of Sodom

There is much drunkenness in worldly pleasures!
There is much ‘eating and consumption’ of corrupt practices!
There is much neglect of honest ways and of truthful conduct!
There is much enjoyment of bad, inhuman and cruel behaviours!

Let us deepen…
… our faith in the Lord
… our love for the Kingdom
… and our detachment from riches

St John prompts us: “Look to yourselves, that you may not lose what you have worked for, but may win a full reward!” (2 Jn 4:8)

We are reminded today that as Christians, we are people…
… who live in the world, yet are called to be out of the world.
… who live amidst possibilities of wealth, yet are called to be detached from them.
… who live with the prospect of gaining immense power, yet are exhorted to not be attached

We may be often tempted “to conquer the world and the city”…
… but let’s get our priorities right, and in humility, seek to first protect “the suitcases of our souls!”

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 obligation of the Decalogue – “Apart from me you can do nothing”

When we believe in Jesus Christ, partake of his mysteries, and keep his commandments…
… the Saviour Himself comes to love, in us, his Father and his brethren, our Father and our brethren.
His person becomes, through the Spirit, the living and interior rule of our activity.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (CCC # 2074)

“Being pleasantly ready for surprises in life, because God is close to us… always!”

(Based on Philemon 7-20 and Lk 17:20-25 – Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A young man, facing lot of difficulties in life, came across a large billboard in front of a Church.

That message brought in rays of hope, and caused the young man to once again, smile in life.

The billboard message read thus:
“God has planned happiness for each one of us, at the right time!

The only thing is that…
He doesn’t share the calendar with us!

So be pleasantly ready for surprises in life!
God is close to you…
… always!”

Yes, each of us goes through the tough terrains of life

But we are called to realise, that the Lord is very much with us.

Are we ready to deepen our awareness…?
… that God is close to us, always!”

Are we aware that each of us is an abode of the “Presence of the Lord?”

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching on the Kingdom of God…
… and to deepen our awareness of God’s proximity with us.

The Pharisees ask “when” the kingdom will come (Lk 17:20)

Jesus, however, explains “how” the Kingdom will come (17:22-35)

Jesus does not give an answer to the question of the Pharisees.

Rather, He makes them realize what should be the proper question.

It’s the style and technique of the Lord to get right the priorities and focus in life!

The people searched for Jesus after the miracle of the multiplication of loaves…

Jesus sets right their intentions by speaking of the need to hunger for the bread of life (Jn 6)

The disciples of John came to clarify whether Jesus was indeed the Messiah to come…

Jesus sets right their focus by turning their attention to all His signs and deeds (Lk 7:19ff)

The two disciples, James and John, sought privileged places in Jesus’ future reign…

Jesus sets right their priorities by exhorting them to grow rather in humility and service (Mk 10: 35-45)

Nicodemus, in his encounter with Jesus, remained on peripheral questions and doubts…

Jesus sets right his doubts by calling his attention to living a life in the Spirit and being born anew spiritually (Jn 3: 1-21)

The Lord loves to challenge our doubts, theories and even convictions…
… in order to be in harmony with the priorities of the Kingdom.

Am I willing to allow the Lord to work in me to change some of my thinking patterns, that would be in accord with His Will?
Am I flexible to let the Lord to mould and shape my lifestyle and thus be in tune with the focus of His Kingdom?

The “Kingdom of God” is an oft-repeated phrase in the New Testament and especially in the Gospels.

What is the Kingdom of God?

A kingdom normally brings to mind a geographical territory, with its clear-cut boundaries and its rulers and citizens.

The Kingdom of God is, however, quite different!

The Kingdom of God is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms!

The Kingdom of God is a spiritual reality where God’s Will is done.

The Kingdom of God is a person…
… It is He – Jesus!
“Jesus leads people to realize the overwhelming fact that in Him, God is present among them and that He is God’s presence…” (from the book “Jesus of Nazareth – Part I” by Pope Benedict XVI)

The Pharisees who asked Jesus “when” the Kingdom would come, were probably expecting an external sort of a Kingdom.

They probably expected a Kingdom which would overturn and overthrow the Roman Government.

But Jesus clarifies the nature of this Kingdom…

He speaks of a Kingdom which is much more internal and spiritual, and whose impact would be felt and experienced in the external world.

One experiences the Kingdom of Heaven first in one’s inner life…
… and this is manifested in one’s external lifestyles

The Samaritan Woman experienced the power of the Kingdom of God within herself, when she spoke to Jesus, the fountain of life…

And this experience of the Kingdom led her to proclaim the name of Jesus to all her villagers and bring many to the saving fold of the Lord.

The Disciples experienced the power of the Kingdom of God within them, when the Holy Spirit descended on them…

And this experience of the Kingdom was manifested in their bold and powerful witnessing life!

St Paul experienced the force of the Kingdom of God within him, when he encountered the Risen Lord on the way to Damascus…

And this experience of the Kingdom was displayed by him through his passionate life of preaching and missionary works.

In the Prayer, the Our Father, we pray:
“Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done…”

The Kingdom of God is, where the Will of God is fulfilled.

The question arises before us:
Is the Kingdom of God here?
… or is the Kingdom yet to come?

This is where we speak of the concept of “Already and not yet”

The Kingdom of God is already here, but not yet!
The Kingdom of God already reigns now, but not yet, in its fullness!

St Paul says in 1 Cor 13:12, “At present, we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present, I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known”.

Do I experience the Kingdom of God in my life?

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17)

I need to experience the joy and the peace of the Lord in my life…
I need to place the priorities of God over all else in my life…
That’s the Kingdom of God.
That’s the Reign of God.

We are invited today “to radiate heaven on our faces!”

Let us be ready to collaborate with Jesus, to infuse a greater spirit of the Kingdom of God in this world …
… to promote the reach and spread of the Kingdom of God!
… and thus live as citizens, worthy of our Great King!

Let us know for sure that God has planned happiness for each one of us, at the right time!

So let us be pleasantly ready for surprises in life, because God is close to us…
… always!”

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 obligation of the Decalogue – “Apart from me you can do nothing”

Jesus says: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

The fruit referred to in this saying is the holiness of a life made fruitful by union with Christ. (CCC # 2074)

“Responding positively and with gratitude to God – acknowledging His Mercy – and raising our hearts to say, ‘Thank you, Lord!’”

(Based on Tit 3:1-7 and Lk 17:11-19 – Wednesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A catechism teacher conducted a small exercise in her 5th standard class on the Gospel Passage found in Lk 17:11-19 – the healing of the ten lepers.

She asked the students to tell what could be some of the reasons as to why the lepers did not return to thank Jesus.

The following were some of the reasons that emerged:

One waited to see if the cure was real
One waited to see if the healing would last
One said that actually, I was already fairly okay and it was just a matter of a few days, to be fine
One said that he would see Jesus later as he wanted to meet his family first
One began to contend that he never really had leprosy and it was only a minor patch
One was so excited that he began to tell to everyone on the way about the miracle, but forgot Jesus!

And one child, with all innocence replied: “Just like I usually forget to thank my Dad and Mom for all the beautiful things they do for me, these lepers also forgot!”

Well, we really do not know what the actual reasons were…

But the question is placed before all of us: “Are we going to be like the nine who found some excuses, and failed to thank the Lord?
… or can we be like the one who came back to thank the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day presents this interesting incident before us…
… reminding us to become persons of gratitude, to our Grateful and Generous God!

The healing of the ten lepers is a unique incident found only in the Gospel of St Luke.

This healing incident once again shows the Power of God’s Word – which goes beyond space and touch

When the lepers cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us,” the Lord just says to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” (Cf. Lk 17:13-14)

There is no stretching of the hand, no touch, no discussion about faith.

This teaches us an important lesson that God Heals in the way, He Wills!

Therefore, when we come to Him with our prayer of petitions, let us allow His Will to be done!

The Greek word, “Eleison” meaning “Have Mercy” is a cry of anguish beseeching for God’s Help!

It’s a word we use at the start of the Holy Mass – pointing to our cry and longing for God’s Mercy!

The question of the Lord, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”(Lk 17:17) is not just a question to know the physical presence of those who were healed…
… It is a cry of the Heart of God Who longs for human beings

In the book of Genesis, we read God asking, “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9)

From the Cross, our Blessed Lord cried out, “I thirst!” (Jn 19:28)

In the last book of the Bible, the Lord, tells, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (Rev 3:20)

Yes…
… the Lord longs to have our presence with Him!
… the Lord misses us much, when we fail to go to Him!

God, in His Benevolence, blesses us with so many good things in our life…
… so many Graces!

We have a duty to respond by offering our heart filled with gratitude and a life of thankful service

As the beautiful hymn goes, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise what the Lord has done!”

In the Old Testament, we read about Naaman, the Syrian (Cf. 2 Kings 5:14-17), who marvellously experienced the power of God in his life…
… and who returns back in gratitude to Elisha, through whom God had worked mightily!

Yes… in life, we often face many “leprous situations” of sicknesses, tragedies, tensions etc

Amidst all these uncertainties of life, can we still “raise our hearts to God in gratitude” and tell Him, “Thank you Lord for everything!”

It is beautifully said, “It is not too difficult to praise the Lord when all goes on well.

But amid hardships and difficulties, can we still raise our hands and say, ‘Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!’”

St Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Love, teaches us:
“If it is God’s Will that the remedies overcome the sickness…
… return to God with thanks and humility

If it be God’s Will that the sickness overcome the remedies…
… bless God with patience!”

Let us respond positively and with gratitude to God …
… Acknowledging His Mercy, let us raise our hearts and say, “Thank you, 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 obligation of the Decalogue

Obedience to the Commandments also implies obligations in matter which is, in itself, light.

Thus abusive language is forbidden by the fifth commandment, but would be a grave offense only as a result of circumstances or the offender’s intention. (CCC # 2073)

“Seeking God’s Grace to reach out to others in forgiveness!”

(Based on Tit 1:1-9 and Lk 17:1-6 – Monday of 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

There is a famous incident associated with Thomas Alva Edison, the renowned scientist.

Edison and his team had undertaken the tedious task of inventing the “light bulb”.

It took the team 24 hours to put one bulb together.

When it was ready, Edison gave the bulb to a young helper boy, to carry up to the steps.

Nervously, this young boy climbed the stairs…
… step by step, with extreme caution and fright – lest the priceless piece of work be dropped!

But the extremely anxious steps of the boy, caused the “unwanted” to happen…
… the bulb fell out of his hands… smashed to pieces!

Naturally, there was great disappointment and even annoyance at the boy.

The entire team worked for another 24 hours to make another bulb.

Finally it was ready… to be taken up the stairs…

Well, no points for guessing, to whom Edison gave this second bulb!

Yes, to the same boy, who had dropped and broken it the first time.

That’s true forgiveness, isn’t it?

The Gospel of the Day deals with the aspect of Forgiveness (Lk 17: 3-4)…
… which is the key for a harmonious living together.

Jesus says: “If your brother wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you, seven times saying, ‘I am sorry’, you should forgive him” (Lk 17:4)

The example given by the Lord is an experience, which many of us, perhaps, have had in our personal lives….

A person does a wrong to me and I forgive him.
The same person hurts me once again and I forgive him
He does it again, causing a deeper wound to me and I forgive him again.
He does it again and offends me harder and I forgive him again….
… but this time I am losing my patience!

Don’t I have a limit for myself to bear?

Should I go on bearing hurts?
Don’t I have feelings which are sensitive?

So we perhaps ask this question to the Lord:
“Lord, how many times must I forgive the offenses of my brother?”

We are eager to know when to quit turning the other cheek to the one who hits you on one cheek!

The Old Testament Law suggested to forgive three times (Amos 1:3-13).

But the Lord, Who loves to keep challenging… throws out a bigger number.

Now is this demand of the Lord something really practical and viable?
… or is Jesus turning out to be “one of those many idealistic teachers who love to talk in the air…
… but nothing which is practical or really feasible and doable!”

The Lord invites us to look into the aspect of God’s Forgiveness, to obtain a solution and an insight to this perennial question of “how often should I forgive my fellow brother?”…
… If God were to forgive us only a limited number of times, how many days would we have survived?
… If God were to withdraw His Grace after an “x” number of times, how many situations would we have endured?
… If God were to stop granting us pardon after a period of time, how many blessings would we have been denied?
… If God were to keep an account of all our sins and transgressions, how many of us would have been alive today?

Of course, Forgiveness does not mean…
… justifying the bad behaviours of people!
… supporting the evil deeds of our fellow beings!
… encouraging the faults or situations of wrongdoing or hurts!
… not correcting and reproving the misdeeds and carrying out our duties of rectifying!

But Forgiveness does mean…
… liberating the people from guilt and condemnation in our hearts!
… to have no ill feelings and grudging emotions against the ones who have hurt us!
… seeking to love them, praying for them and avoiding occasions of putting them down!
… to refuse to harbor their mistakes deep in our hearts, though we are wounded & hurt!

Life is an opportunity and a challenge….

An Opportunity to become more Divine…
… to become more forgiving… to become more Loving…!
A Challenge to let go of our ego…
… to cast away our hurtful and wounded feelings… to go beyond our aches!

Let us seek God’s Grace to live up to this challenge and to grab this opportunity!

The “light bulb” of God’s Grace has often been entrusted to us by the Lord

Many are the times when we have “dropped it” and broken it into pieces!
… Yet, the Lord entrusts it, again and again – forgiving us, and trusting in us.

Are we ready to do the same with others?

Let us today seek the intercession of St Martin of Tours – the patron saint of soldiers and beggars.

May his zeal expressed in his words: “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Thy will be done”…
… inspire and motivate us!

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 Decalogue and the natural law

A full explanation of the commandments of the Decalogue became necessary in the state of sin because the light of reason was obscured and the will had gone astray.
We know God’s commandments through the divine revelation proposed to us in the Church…

… and through the voice of moral conscience. (CCC # 2071)