“With the Grace of God, seeking to renew our love for the Lord and growing in our duty, ‘to hold up the Church!’”

(Based on Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome)

An interesting story is told by a tourist who was visiting the Basilica of St John Lateran in Rome, Italy.

Just across the street of the Basilica, at a square, is a statue of St Francis of Assisi…
… with his arms outstretched.

This statue commemorates an important moment in Church history:
It was at this place – the Lateran Basilica – that the Great Saint went to ask the Pope for permission to start a religious order.

This was in the light of the Great Inspiration that he had received, when he heard the words of the Lord: “Rebuild my Church!”

The tourist says that recollecting this incident, as he stepped back, to have a better look at the statue…
… from a particular angle, he could see the Lateran Basilica between St. Francis’s outstretched arms

St Francis appeared to be holding the Church with his hands!

The tourist says: “That’s a great image!
That’s a great lesson!

A church building is brick and mortar, wood and glass.
But – ultimately, it is supported by the arms and the labour of those who love it.

The Church is held up by the people who are in love with Christ!”

Yes, the Church is indeed “held up by the people who are in love with Christ!”

We, the children of the Church are today invited, to renew our love for the Lord and grow in our duty, “to hold up the Church”…
… on this Feast Day of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

The Gospel of the Day also vividly and dramatically displays the zeal and passion of the Lord, for the House of God through the incident of the Cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple.

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

This Basilica is the oldest Christian church building in the world.

It is the first permanent, public place of worship for Christians in the world.

Christianity, in its infancy, suffered a great deal at the hands of her persecutors.

The Roman Empire sought to extend its domination over the entire world.
The power and might of the Roman Empire was determined to utterly destroy the Christian religion.

Christians, with a staunch belief in Jesus Christ, refused to worship the Roman pagan gods.

This led the Christians to be labelled as the enemies of the state and thus were sought to be eliminated.

Christians were arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and even cruelly executed!

This wave of violent persecution crashed against the Rock, the Church for three centuries!

It was only in 312, when the Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity that these persecutions ceased.

In gratitude to Christ, the new Emperor Constantine sponsored the construction of Christian churches, the first of which was the Church of the Most Holy Saviour, known today as the Basilica of St John Lateran…
… or simply called as the Lateran Basilica.

On this Feast day of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the call of the Gospel is towards examining our relationship with God in the Church.

In the Old Testament, we read that the Lord had established a covenant with His people, Israel.

This covenant had its physical symbol in the Temple of Jerusalem.

The majestic and glorious Jerusalem Temple was an external symbol of God’s love-relationship with His people.

Jesus cleansing this Jerusalem Temple, was a strong message to the people, that He had come to revive and revamp the strained relationship between God and His people.

It was also symbolic of the need of the people to realize that the Jerusalem Temple which was to be destroyed in a few decades…
… was only a temporary symbol.

Jesus, Himself is the real and everlasting Temple…
… the permanent symbol of God’s eternal covenant with His people.

And so, He showcases tremendous zeal and passion, in cleansing the Temple, of all the corruption and filth and fraud!

The Commemoration of this Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica and the Cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple is a call for each of us, to examine our own lives…

Is my relationship with God corrupted by many evil tendencies and pleasurable sins?

My heart needs a cleansing drive by the Lord…

Is my relationship with the other, who is also a Temple of the Holy Spirit, badly tainted with anger, jealousy, calumnious thoughts etc…

My relationships needs a cleansing drive by the Lord…

Is my relationship with the Church, strained by negative feelings of her dogmas and teachings, and stained by angry-feelings due to many scandals by her responsible authorities?

My mentality towards the Church needs a cleansing drive by the Lord…

This Feast is a call to revive our zeal and passion for the Lord, His Mission and His Church.

The Lord’s ways are sometimes very hard to follow and difficult to tread in this highly materialistic and sensational world.

But the Lord promises to be with us, in all our trials and hardships.

The Mission of the Lord to spread His Kingdom is a very challenging one and at times, they seem too very impossible and our efforts meaningless.

But the Lord assures His ever-abiding presence and love to those committed and faithful.

The Church of the Lord is very often found to wrench in corrupt practices, discouraging scandals, heart-crushing and shameful incidents.

But the Lord assures that His might Spirit will guide the Church through any storms and “He will surely write straight… with crooked lines!”

The invitation is strong…
To be filled with a deeper love and zeal for the Lord, His Mission and His Church!

Undoubtedly, the challenges are deep…
… the trials seem too discouraging.

Yet, with the Grace of God, let us seek to renew our love for the Lord…
… and grow in our duty, “to hold up the Church!”

Happy Feast Day!

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 unity of the Decalogue

The Decalogue contains a privileged expression of the natural law:
From the beginning, God had implanted in the heart of man the precepts of the natural law.
Then he was content to remind him of them.

This was the Decalogue. (CCC # 2070)

“Being ready to be Christians with an ‘excellent spine!'”

(Based on Phil 3:17-4:1 and Lk 16:1-8 – Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

It was a Bible study class.

The group was doing a study on the Book of Prophet Daniel.

As was the custom, one of the members would start the Bible study by reading the passage of the day, to the group, aloud.

The selected passage for the day was Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel.

An elderly person, stood up to read.

He, however had some struggle with his sight and was finding it a bit difficult to read.

When he came to verse 3 (which actually says: “an excellent spirit was in Daniel”)…
… adjusting his thick glasses, the man read: “… an excellent spine was in Daniel!”

(The word ‘spirit’ was mistakenly read as ‘spine’!)

Well… that was bad reading…
… but nevertheless, it was wonderful theology, because Prophet Daniel was indeed a man of excellent spine – a backbone that made him strong and courageous!

Are we Christians with an “excellent spine?”

The Gospel of the Day, with a worldly example placed before us – the Parable of the Unjust Steward – is a mighty challenge to us to examine whether we as Christians, are people…
… who really are bold and courageous to stand for the Gospel principles
… who really are zealous and prudent to preserve our holiness and sanctity!

The story of the unjust steward is an interesting as well as an eye-opener for us, in our spiritual and Christian life

This is also a parable that could be classified under the “controversial” or “what-was-He-really-meaning” category!

The summary of the parable would go thus…

A steward has been reported to the Master for squandering the property (Lk 16:1)
Dismissal is on the cards for the steward (Lk 16:2)
Taking stock of the possibilities for the future, he decides and acts on the principle: Manipulation is the best policy for a safer future (Lk 16:3-7)
The Master commends this unjust, yet prudent and craft act of the steward! (Lk 16: 8a)

The parable could cause some strange questions to crop up…

Why is Jesus – the Honest-Man-par-excellance – presenting this strangely negative example to His followers?
Does Jesus mean that we should follow the bad ways of the world, in order to win our salvation?
“Hook or Crook” – is that the policy that Jesus says for us Christians, to live in this world?

Well…

Without going deep into the theological debates of such questions…
… we shall look into the answer that Jesus Himself proposed for saying this parable:
“For the children of the world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation, than are the children of light” (Lk 16: 8b)

The purpose of Jesus to say this parable is put forth:

Children of the this world are often more shrewd to make sure a good future…
… whereas, the children of the light, tend to be extremely relaxed concerning their salvation!

People of this worldly kingdom are willing to go to any extend to secure themselves…
… whereas those who supposedly wish to belong to God’s Kingdom, leisure themselves in lethargy!

This is a technique of “comparative imperative” that is proposed by Jesus…
… by emphasising on the opposite, a challenge is put forth!
… by highlighting a negative dimension, the positive aspect is enforced!

Such “comparative imperatives” can easily be observed in our lives…

We would make every effort to be in time to catch a bus/train/flight, so as not to miss it…
… but don’t mind, being late for our prayers or spiritual activities, including the Holy Mass!

We would ensure every day we have our food and get a good rest, so that our bodies don’t get weak…
… but give no regard to feed and give rest to our souls, by spending time with the Lord in personal prayer and growing in relationship with Him!

We would feel a dreadful sense of disgust if we do not have our daily bath (shower) and cleanse our bodies…
… but have sometimes no awareness to realise our souls are dirty and we need to cleanse them through a daily examination of conscience, and regularly through the Sacramental Confession.

We don’t mind wagging our tongues to say a bad word or a dirty joke or nasty words of criticism and condemnation..
… but think often, when we need to say something positive or appreciate someone or to say an occasional prayer to recall the presence of the Lord!

This “comparative imperative” proposed by the Lord in this parable makes us to reflect deeper:

Am I more enthusiastic about the affairs of this world, which gives only transient joy…
… at the cost of avoiding my spiritual life, which alone can ensure me eternal happiness?

Am I only concerned more about my materialistic concerns and my temporal duties…
… and end up neglecting the solemn duties of our Christian life and being more spiritually rooted?

Our Blessed Lord is extremely serious…
… that we take our Christian lives and faith, on a more serious note!

Salvation is at stake!
Eternal Life is at question!

The Lord is perhaps addressing us, and telling:
“For those who are working…
… you would try to make any sincere efforts to make sure you get a better salary, isn’t it?

For those who are studying…
… you would try to put in extra hard work to ensure you get the extra marks, isn’t it?

For those who are at home…
… you would spare no efforts, to ensure peace and harmony and a happy time, isn’t it?

For those in institutes or companies or in-charge of some establishment…
… you would take the extra mile to be the best and co-ordinate to the maximum, to give better performances, isn’t it?

Then why…
… Why sometimes, lethargy only for spiritual life?
… Why sometimes, indifference, only with respect to a life of faith?”

Are we ready to be Christians with an “excellent spine?”

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 unity of the Decalogue

The Ten Commandments belong to God’s revelation.
At the same time they teach us the true humanity of man.
They bring to light the essential duties…

… and therefore, indirectly, the fundamental rights inherent in the nature of the human person. (CCC # 2070)

“Experiencing the Loving Heart of the Good Shepherd, which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion!”

(Based on Phil 3:3-8 and Lk 15:1-10 – Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A youngster who was very desperate in life – contemplating even of terminating his life – exasperated and lost, was passing along the streets, when he heard the Church bells ringing for the Angelus at noontime.

Something in him, made him go inside the Church.

As he went in, he saw a large statue of Jesus…
… with the Sacred Heart of Jesus prominently displayed

And underneath the statue were written words…
… beautiful words that would bring him much consolation, hope and joy

So much so, that he would take a resolution to amend his life and to live with greater hope and joy!

The words were as follows:
“As you look into My Heart… remember always, these words…

There is an Eye that never sleeps, even beneath the wing of night
… just for you!
There is a Ear that never shuts, even when sink the beams of light
… just for you!
There is an Arm that never tires, even when human strength gives way
… just for you!
There is a Love that never fails, even when earthly loves decay
… just for you!

And… there is a Heart that never stops beating, even when trials of life lash you hard
… just for you!

This Heart of Mine… is just for you!
Can you also give me your life…?
… and tell me, “LORD, JUST FOR YOU!”

Love, by its nature, gives away…

And the Sacred Heart of our Lord – the Good Shepherd – which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion – tells us, “This Heart of Mine… is just for you!”

The Gospel of the Day displays the beautiful Heart of the Good Shepherd, Who goes in search of the lost one!

Chapter 15 of St Luke is an amazing revelation of God’s tremendous love, mercy and longing for each one of us.

We have the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son.

In all the three parables, lost ones are found
In all the three parables, there is great celebration at the end.
In all the three parables, an emphasis is laid on hope for the lost.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd teaches the immense Love that the Lord possesses for each one of us, personally.

The shepherd had a hundred sheep.

During the count as he gathers the sheep at day’s end, the shepherd notices that one is missing.

The sheep needs to be found; otherwise, it may be permanently lost or attacked by hungry predators.
The Shepherd, therefore, takes the risk of leaving the rest behind, and goes out in search of the lost one.

This is the personal Love of the Lord for every sheep!

All are important!

Even the lost one is given great importance!

Have I personally experienced the tremendous Love of the Lord?

I may feel low.

I may consider myself to be not very good.
I may think that my life is just not worth living or that my past has ruined my life very badly.

Even with all these things, am I convinced that “Jesus, my Good Shepherd still loves me”, and that He will take me through, by the Power of His Love?

Am I similar to a Lost Sheep?

Lost in the thickets of materialistic living…?
Lost in the valleys of doubts and rejections and failures…?
Lost in the bushes of excessive pride, prestige and power….?
Lost in the wilderness of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life…?

There is still hope!

The Heart of the Good Shepherd is longing for us!

Let us go back to the Lord!

Let us experience His caring love and affection!

Yes…
… the Sacred Heart of our Lord – the Good Shepherd – which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion – tells us: “This Heart of Mine… is just for you!”

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 unity of the Decalogue

The Ten Commandments belong to God’s revelation.
At the same time they teach us the true humanity of man.
They bring to light the essential duties, and therefore, indirectly, the fundamental rights inherent in the nature of the human person

(CCC # 2069)

“Living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Phil 2:12-18 and Lk 14:25-33 – Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Filtration is a process by which any material is passed through a certain device to remove unwanted elements in it.

Filtration happens every day around the world.

It occurs both in nature and in engineered systems.

For example…
… in many living bodies (including humans), renal filtration removes wastes from the blood
… in water treatment and sewage treatment, undesirable elements are removed by absorption into a filter medium

Every filtration has three basic components:

1. The Feed: The original material with the presence on unwanted elements
2. The Filter: The mechanism/device that does the cleansing
3. The Filtrate: The matter that comes after the process

Our Life as a Christian is also a “process of filtration”

And has three components as well

1. The Feed: Our lives – with our own weaknesses and sinful tendencies
2. The Filter: Jesus, the Crucfied Lord – Who Cleanses us
3. The Filtrate: Our life as a Disciple of Christ – lived in holiness and with a sense of mission

Are we willing to allow the “FEED” of our lives to encounter the “FILTER”…
… so that we can emerge as pure and holy “FILTRATE?”

The Gospel of the Day is this exhortation of the Lord to all who seek to follow Him:
“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…
… yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple!

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple!” (Lk 14: 26-27)

The Gospel begins with the statement that “Great multitudes accompanied Jesus…” (Lk 14:25)

The multitude – crowds of people – probably had various intentions of following Jesus

Some to receive healing and be touched by Him (Lk 6:19)
Some to hear the Good News and to follow Him (Lk 5:11)
Some to simply eat the bread (food) that the Lord provided (Lk 9:17)
Some to satisfy their curiosity and fascination (Lk 4:22)
Some to question Who He was and What was His motive (Lk 7:18-19)

Whatever be the intention of the crowds, the Lord was clear in whom He wanted as His followers:

1. Those who give the highest priority in life to the Lord
2. Those who would take up their cross
3. Those who are willing to give up everything, for the sake of the Lord

Towards this end, Jesus cites two parables which would make every disciple of Jesus question their authenticity of following Him
a. The Parable of the one desiring to build the tower (Lk 14:28-30)

Are you willing to count how much it will cost you, to follow Jesus?

b. The Parable of the king who wanted to wage war (Lk 14:31-32)

Are you willing to calculate the risks that are involved, to follow Jesus?

This is a serious challenge that is placed before all Christians, who profess to follow Christ…
… and also to all those, who in in ministry, seek to attract disciples for Christ!

Have I “counted the cost” and “calculated the risks” to know, that following Jesus means…
… not to simply run behind miracles and wonders; rather also involves living as Jesus did – in poverty, obedience and purity of heart!

… not just having a Christian name and fulfiling basic duties; but also implies to give the highest priority to the Lord and His Kingdom values, in all what we do!

… not merely reciting prayers and raising hymns of praise; but also infers at reaching out to the poor and needy in self-giving and doing everything for the Glory of God!

A Filtration Process is a must for every follower of Christ.

All of us, surely have our weaknesses and tendencies to be attracted to worldly ways

We very often, even have the goodwill to truly follow Jesus…

However, because of…
… lack of strong motivation
… ignorance and lack of people who can guide us
… various discouraging and deterring incidents and scandals
We fail to truly Follow Jesus.

We, the FEED, need to offer our lives to Jesus…
… and allow ourselves to pass through Our Crucified Lord – Who is our FILTER!

He will cleanse us to make us pure
He will strengthen us with proper motivation
He will nourish us with courage and passion to be bold and faithful

And thus, we will be able to live as the proper FILTRATE – a disciple of Christ…
… living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ.

Are we willing to be “Filtered?”

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 unity of the Decalogue

One cannot honour another person without blessing God his Creator.
One cannot adore God without loving all men, his creatures.

The Decalogue brings man’s religious and social life into unity. (CCC # 2069)

“Avoiding excuses; instead, using all the opportunities to grow in holiness and grace!”

(Based on Phil 2:5-11 and Lk 14:15-24 – Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

“Excuses are the nails that are used to build the house of failure”

We often, manage our lives, basing ourselves on many excuses and justifications…

Politicians sometimes make excuses for failure to undertake developmental works blaming their opposition parties.

Citizens sometimes make excuses for their inability towards nation-building by purely blaming the corruption among politicians.

Motorists or car-drivers sometimes make some excuses and jump signals and violate traffic rules.

Traffic inspectors sometimes make some excuses and escape from duties and dump it on someone else.

Students sometimes make excuses for their poor performance by blaming the education system.

Teachers sometimes make excuses for their loopholes in work by blaming the students and parents for non co-operating.

Are we becoming a Generation of Excuse-givers?

The Gospel of the Day brings our attention to this grave and urgent issue that we need to tackle: The Issue of making Excuses for Escapism.

We have the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast in today’s Gospel.
“A man once gave a great feast and invited many guests” (Lk 14:16)

Here was a big and great feast being organized and invitations were sent out to many guests.

This was no simple feast.
This was no ordinary event.

It’s similar to someone today, being invited to a lavish and a grand party by the President of the Nation or some highly dignified person.

It was kind of a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.

The people waited with eagerness to get such a chance.

In those days, it was the custom to send two invitations.

The first invitation was to tell everyone that the event was being planned.

Those were the days when time was a lavish commodity.

Clocks were scarce and time management techniques were still unheard of.

The actual day and the actual time of the event were left open.

It would depend a lot on the preparation time for the killing of animals, their cleaning and cooking…
… getting all the vegetables and everything needed to get the meal ready.

And so there was a need for a second invitation…

The second invitation was to tell everyone that everything was ready and about to begin.

This second reminder was for to those who had been given the first invitation and had indicated that they would attend.

But the Gospel says, that when the second invitation was sent to the pre-invited guests, they began to make excuses!

Making excuses is nothing new!

It has existed right from the first days…

Adam and Eve made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of disobedience.
Cain made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of killing his brother Abel.
Moses gave excuses before God in trying to escape from the task being entrusted to him.
Jeremiah gave excuses before God that he was only a small boy to take up the responsibility

Those who were able to overcome the excuses, found true meaning and joy.

But those who got stuck with their excuses, lost out on discovering greatness!

The guests who had been invited for the grand feast, gave silly excuses….

One said, “I have purchased a field and must go and examine it”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone enter into land dealings without having seen it in prior?

And even if one has not, was it so urgent, so as to miss the grand feast?

Another said, “I have purchased five oxen and am on my way to evaluate them”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone purchase land animals, without having examined them?

And even if one has not, was it so immediate a need, so as to skip the great feast?

Another said, “I have just married a woman, and I cannot come”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?
Couldn’t the husband take along his wife to the feast, to have a joyful time together?
Or was this couple so much exclusive, that they failed to have any social contacts, so as to avoid the fine feast?

Here was an invitation so grand.
Here was a generosity so lavish.

But unfortunately, it was responded with excuses which were baseless, childish, illogical and quite ridiculous!

We might sometimes laugh at those excuses made by the people.

But perhaps, we are also no different…
… or if not, worse.

We are in a trend of being a Generation of Excuse-givers….

We make excuses of physical tiredness, to avoid saying our personal prayers, our family prayers and being faithful to our spiritual activities.

We make excuses of saying that “it’s impossible to live an honest life” and give into many corrupt malpractices, which go against the Gospel values.

We make excuses of being too busy to find time to participate in the Holy Eucharist with greater devotion and preparedness.

We make excuses to reach out to the needy ones in their necessities by citing our own hardships to get out of our comfort areas.

We have a strong exhortation from the Lord today, to get rid of our “Excuse-giving Tendency”.

It’s easy to escape from responsibilities by giving excuses.

But by doing so, we end up missing out on many graces from God…
… causing much pain to God who expects much from us…
… and also disturb the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

We have a duty to overcome this tendency of making Excuses for Escapism.

The Lord gives us many opportunities to grow in holiness and grace.

Let us not make silly and baseless excuses and throw them away.

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 unity of the Decalogue

The Decalogue forms a coherent whole.
Each “word” refers to each of the others and to all of them; they reciprocally condition one another.
The two tables shed light on one another; they form an organic unity.

To transgress one commandment is to infringe all the others. (CCC # 2069)

“Like our Blessed Lord, become a healing-touch to the other!”

(Based on Phil 2:1-4 and Lk 14:12-14 – Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

O Master, grant that I may never seek!
So much to be consoled, as to console
To be understood, as to understand

To be loved, as to love with all my soul..

This chorus from the Hymn of Peace, “Make me a channel” is known to most of us.

However, in our daily life, the chorus we sing is perhaps quite the opposite…

O Master, help that I may always seek for more…

So much to be comforted, but not to comfort others…
To make sure that I am well understood, even if I misunderstand others…
To receive an abundance of love, even if others are ignored in the process!

Very much, true isn’t it?

We like to give…
… but expect to be returned back in equal or more terms.

We don’t mind donating…
… but expect to be acknowledged & given due consideration.

We are fine to offer…
… but expect to get back something more in return.

The Gospel of the Day is a call from Jesus to examine our attitude towards others.

We are in the 14th Chapter of St Luke.

Jesus has been invited for a dinner to the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath Day.

He has just cured a person with dropsy…
… a disease wherein water gets retained in the body

He also tried to cure persons with hypocrisy…
… a disease wherein duplicity gets retained in the mind!
And now He seeks to cure the attitude of the people who have a false understanding of giving.

Jesus says, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours.

For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid” (Lk 14:12)

Much of our giving is based purely on the (hidden) aspect of receiving back…

Much of our sharing is based purely on an (unconscious) agenda of getting back…

We share our time with friends…
… often expecting that they too will accompany us in our times of hardships and difficulties!

We work hard for our families…
… often expecting that they too will be with us in our moments of struggle & not leave us lonely!

We render service to many people who are in need…
… often expecting that they too will render us assistance in our difficulties!

We pray to God & make a lot of sacrifices…
… often expecting that He’ll meet all our expectations, in the way & time, we want!

We love many saints…
… often expecting that they’ll make faster intercession on our behalf and get our works done quickly.

We have, perhaps, become very business oriented:

I give, and expect returns…
I share, and expect a bonus…

But the Lord, in today’s Gospel comes down heavily on such an attitude.
“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

We are exhorted to give to those, who may never be able to repay back.

We are challenged to help those, who may never have a chance to return back the favour.

The Lord who said these words, shows us an example in the highest manner possible…
… in the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist is the best example and model…
…. of such kind of a giving..

A giving without expecting back…

A sharing without seeking back…!

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the poor…
We who are poor in our morals and purity… We who are poor in our commitment and dedication

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the crippled…
We who are crippled with our many sins and faults…
We who are crippled with the guilt of many past failures

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the lame…
We who are lame in our longing and thirst for the Divine…
We who are lame in our acts of self-giving and self-sacrifice

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the blind…
We who are blind to the cries of those around us…
We who are blind to see our habits which needs repentance & improvement

Jesus, who gives Himself entirely in the Holy Eucharist today challenges us to do the same:
“I give myself to you as food and nourishment…
… even though many people fail to thank me

Can you also give yourselves to nourish the lives of others…
… even if they fail to acknowledge?”

“I give myself to you in joy, happiness and peace…
… even though many despise and mock me

Can you also become a source of joy to others…
… even if they back-bite and spread calumny?”

“I give myself to you as a healing for sin and guilt…
… even though many hate and desecrate me.

Can you also become a healing-touch to the other…
… even if it means dying slowly to your self slowly die in the process?”

The onus is on us…

Can we truly pray and live…
That we may never seek..
… to be consoled, as to console,
… to be understood, as to understand,
… to be loved, as to love with all my soul…

Let us seek the intercession and give heed to the words of St Charles Borromeo, the saint of the Day:
“If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you…
… do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out…!”

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 in the Church’s Tradition

The Second Vatican Council confirms:
“The bishops, successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord…
… the mission of teaching all peoples, and of preaching the Gospel to every creature

… so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments. (CCC # 2068)

“Looking to the Lord on the Cross, and finding greater meaning and hope in life!”

(Based on the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed [All Souls Day])

“No…..don’t leave me!”…
A cry of a helpless one!

A set of twins were growing inside the womb of the mother.

For around nine months, these little ones have known each other.

They have eaten together, played together, sometimes even fought with each other…
… and above all, shared a lot of love and happy moments.

But now it is the time of delivery.

Little do these infants know the concept of delivery!

As the first one is ready to be delivered, the second twin holds on to it tight… crying:
“No… don’t leave me…!”
”No… don’t leave me…!”

It’s a heart-breaking cry…
… a soul-wrenching wail!

To see its partner, being taken away, seems the end of the world for this second twin.

To realize that they can no longer play or live together in the same place, is indeed too sad a moment for this second twin.

Is it all over for this second twin?

Will it see its partner no more?

Why is such a cruelty being inflicted on this second twin?

Well… to those on the other side of the delivery…who are awaiting the delivery…
… these are precious and highly joyful moments.

What seemed death for the second twin…
… was life for those outside.
What seemed the end of the world for the second twin…
… was the start of life for those outside.

In a few moments, even the second twin will be taken out, and will be reunited to the first…

The wail of tears will be transformed to a well of joy!
The cry of sadness will be changed to a stream of happiness!

This could be a reasonable analogy for our life here on this world.

We are like this second twin…

We fall in love with our close ones…we live with them, share our life, sometimes even fight…
… yet we love them much.
And finally, one day, mostly unexpectedly, they are taken away from us.
… They die!

We cry, “No…..don’t leave me!”…but nothing brings them back!

Death seems to be an end for us!

But look up…

The Lord who was crucified and was dead for three days and rose to life, with an assuring smile tells us, “No! All is not over.

What seems death for you, is the beginning of life in me.
What seems immense sadness for you, is the start of a real joy in me.

Fear not…cry not…
… I am the Life and the Resurrection”

This is what St Paul echoed in his First Letter to the Corinthians 15:5, “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”

Today is the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed…
… the All Souls Day.

In the Apostles Creed, we recite, “I believe…
… in the Communion of Saints”.

The term “communion of saints” has two closely-linked meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.

The Communion of Saints is the three states of the Church:
… The Church Militant
(the pilgrim Church on earth)
… The Church Suffering
(the faithful departed)
… The Church Triumphant
(the saints in glory)
“… at the present time, some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as He is'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #954)

On this day, we (the Church Militant), in union with the prayers of the saints in glory (the Church Triumphant), reach out our prayers, intercessions and love in a very special manner for our suffering brothers and sisters (the Church Suffering).

What makes us to pray for the dead…
… the faithful departed?

It is necessarily in the co-relationship that all human beings share with each other.

We do pray for the people who are in need, when they live on this earth.

We do seek intercessions on their behalf to God, when they are with us.

But when a person dies, his/her existence ceases only in our sight.

They still continue to live in God’s sight.
The dead are not dead for God.

This is what Jesus says in Luke 20:38, “…he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive”

Therefore, it is logical and reasonable that we pray for the faithful departed.

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Therefore, it is a duty on our part that we pray for the purification of these Faithful Departed.

This Commemoration is also a reminder of our own Death and the death of our close ones.

True, that as frail humans, we may have a natural fear and even a sort of phobia of death.

But our Christian Love, Faith and Hope must gain the upper-hand in us.

Death is frightening for the faithless…
… but for the faithful, it is the doorway to the Fountain of Faith!

Death is horrifying for the loveless…
… but for those who love, it is the passage to the Fullness of Love!

Death is devastating for the hopeless..
… but for those who hope, it is the entry to the Spring of Hope!

Today, we honour the faithful departed…
… gaining plenary indulgences by visiting cemeteries or churches
… praying for the deceased
… and fulfilling the conditions (confession, communion, prayer for the Pope’s intentions, detachment from sin).

We can pray the “Eternal Rest” prayer for partial indulgence.

Today is also a day when Priests are called to intercede for the departed…
… celebrating up to three Requiem Masses.

Death is a reality.

No amount of reflection or sermons can substitute the pain of this reality.

Sometimes, in such grieving and heartfelt situations, silence is the only answer that we can provide.

But this silence ought to be a silence of hope, a silence of trust and a silence of faith.

When we love God deeper, the fear of death decreases.

When we have a stronger faith in God, the pain of death reduces.
When we have an unshakeable hope in God, the anguish of death subsides.

Death is hard.

And our lips may only cry, “No… don’t leave me….”

But, the Lord has conquered this death!

Let us look on to Him, on the Cross, and find greater meaning and hope in life.

May our Blessed Mother Mary who bore the pain of the death of Her Beloved Child be our refuge and strength.

May the prayers and example of the Church Triumphant be our inspiration and courage.

May the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

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 in the Church’s Tradition

As charity comprises the two commandments to which the Lord related the whole Law and the prophets…
… so the Ten Commandments were themselves given on two tablets.

Three were written on one tablet and seven on the other. (CCC # 2067)

“Making a choice – like all the saints – to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!”

(Based on the Solemnity of All Saints)

The forests of northern Europe and Asia are home to a little animal called the Ermine.

It is characterized by its snow-white fur

(Some countries have the state robes of the judges lined with this fur…
… the white fur being a symbol of honour and purity.)

The Ermine would do anything to protect and safeguard its fur.

Fur hunters however, take undue advantage of this weakness of the Ermine.

They don’t keep a snare to catch the ermine

Instead the smear filth on the entrance and the interior of its house – usually in a cleft of a rock, or the hollow of a tree.

Dogs are then left behind the ermine…
… Frightened, the ermine runs towards its home, the only place of refuge.

However, it finds the entrance dirty and unclean.

It is unwilling to spoil the pure white fur coat.
And so, the ermine makes a choice…

To give in to the hungry and fierce dogs…
… than to spoil the purity of the white fur!

A choice is made – to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

Every Christian is expected to do the same…
… preserve the purity of one’s holiness, even at the cost of one’s life.

Today – on the Solemnity of the All-Saints – the Church invites us today to lift our gaze to heaven…
… and thank and praise God for the innumerable people who preserved purity, at the cost of their life!

On this Solemnity of All Saints, we celebrate and thank the Lord, for the perseverance in their faith…
… and the manner in which all Holy Men and Women of God, built up Christ’s Kingdom in the world.

Saints are not superheroes in the worldly sense…

What sets them apart…
… is not their miraculous power
… is not their popularity and fame.

Rather, what makes them saints, is their faith and their discipleship and their service to others.

The word – SAINT – sometimes strikes an odd chord in our minds…

Saints are often considered to be people…
… beyond our reach and too holy for our lives
… for whom the path to sanctity was made easy and cosy
… who are given a special boon from God to live a holy life

But the truth perhaps, is quite contrary…
Saints are people…
… who are truly very close to us and lived in simple and ordinary life situations like us.
… who had to struggle through many hardships and trials in the path to holiness.
… who co-operated with the grace of God and remained faithful to their commitment and call

Every Christian is called to a life of Holiness and to be a Saint…

How is this possible in our lives…?

The Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus, in today’s Gospel shows us the path… (Mt 5: 1-10)

Being a saint…
… by depending on God in all dimensions of our life and seeking His Kingdom above all
… by mourning over our sins and seeking to live a life in repentance.
… by living a life of firm gentleness and trusting patience in the midst of injustice and pain
… by becoming agents of justice and seekers of establishing truth
… by offering mercy to the needy and even to those who we feel, don’t deserve
… by preserving purity in our thoughts, words and deeds
… by striving for establishing peace and harmony even in conflicting situations
… by accepting suffering and becoming stronger in our struggle to establish God’s Kingdom

This Feast day is a chance for us to sneak into the personal diary of the saints…
… and to “steal” some tips for us to admire and imitate them…

The Saints’ Favourite Food: The Holy Eucharist
The Saints’ Favourite Dress: The Armour of Faith
The Saints’ Favourite Pastime: Doing anything with immense Love of God
The Saints’ Favourite Symbol: The Holy Cross
The Saints’ Favourite Moments: Every time they discovered more the depth of God’s Love

The Church has a marvellous number of saints who are canonized.

On this special day, we also take our time, to raise our hearts in gratitude, for the many other holy men and women, who sparkle with sanctity, but have not been officially declared so.

A few may be known to us, in our family or friends circle…
Most of them, will remain unknown and unfamiliar and unheard.

But in the Lord’s presence, they dazzle and shine, in holiness and purity.

This galaxy of Saints beckon and encourage each one of us today to tread this path of holiness.

As St Augustine says:
“Do you aspire to do great things?

Begin with the little ones”
… Doing our simple works with much love of God.
… Living our Christian life with much faithfulness
… Seeing the deep presence of God in all areas of our life.

Let us live a life…
… of self-sacrifice, renunciation and trust in God
… seeking to do God’s will at all times
… laced with the tender Love of God in all our activities.

Like the ermine, in the world, we are faced to make a choice…

To die to the hungry and fierce world…
… than to spoil the purity of holiness!

Yes, we need to make a choice – constantly, at every moment…

A choice to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

Today, all the saints in heaven, with a loud chorus invite each one of us:
“Come, dear Child… Be a Saint!
Do not be afraid! We are with you!”

What is our response?

Happy Feast to all the Saints in Heaven… the Church Triumphant!

Happy Feast to all the faithful departed, being purged to be saints… the Church Suffering!
Happy Feast to all of us, striving to be saints, here on earth… the Church Militant!

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 in the Church’s Tradition

The Ten Commandments state what is required in the love of God and love of neighbor.

The first three concern love of God, and the other seven love of neighbour. (CCC # 2067)