“Meeting and experiencing the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life!”

(Based on Heb 4:12-16 and Mk 2:13-17 – Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An old lady loved visiting antique shops.

One day while browsing one, she came across a beautiful old Singer-style sewing machine…
… the manual kind, mounted on a table with a foot pedal.

When she saw it she whispered a simple prayer: ‘God, I’d love something like that for my place.’

A couple of days later, as she was walking out her front door on her way to work when she saw a pile of junk by the roadside.

She stopped, stunned!

There in the rubbish stood an old Singer-style sewing machine…
… the manual kind, mounted on a table with a foot pedal.

On it hung a sign that said: “In good condition— anyone can take.”

God is, indeed, a God of surprises!

He visits us even in the most ordinary situations of life.

Are we open to meet and experience the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life?

The Gospel of the Day presents a person who encounters the Call of the Lord in his “routine of life!”
… Levi, who would become an apostle of Christ.

The mission of Jesus – sent by His Father – was to search for “lost sheep” and “sick patients”

The Gospel today – Mk 2:13-17 – presents this aspect of Jesus, in search of His flock

Jesus says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mk 2:17)

This encounter of the Lord ‘searching for us’ can take place even in the ordinary and daily situations of life.

This was what Levi experienced.

He was “busy at table counting taxes”…
… with his own worldly interests and concerns
… surrounded by people who hated tax-collectors like him, and looked down on him, in contempt and rejection

But, even in a situation of “counting the taxes at table,” God can intervene in human lives!

Even though Levi was only looking for “taxes,” Jesus was in search of Levi!

How about us?
Do we find ourselves “busy at table counting taxes?”
… busy with many worldly concerns and worries?
… busy in being surrounded by people who reject and hate us?

Then let us know and understand that even in such ordinary situations of being “busy at table counting taxes”…
… can become moments when God wants to address you and tell you, “Follow me!” (Cf. Mk 2:14)

God is looking for us…
… even if we are not thinking much about Him!

Jesus wants us to follow Him closer…
… even if we are not ready for it, and busy with the affairs of the world!

Let us learn to remain open and docile to the voice of the Lord – the Word of the Lord – in the daily circumstances of our life.

The Word of the Lord has power…
… as we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

And before Him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb 4:12-13)

Yes, God is a God of surprises!

He visits us even in the most ordinary situations of life.
His Word is addressed to us, in all the circumstances of our life.

Are we open to meet and experience the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life?

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 minister should ask nothing for the administration of the sacraments beyond the offerings defined by the competent authority…

… always being careful that the needy are not deprived of the help of the sacraments because of their poverty.” (CCC # 2122)

“Realizing God’s Providential Love in every situation of life!”

(Based on Heb 4:1-5, 11 and Mk 2:1-12 – Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A wealthy man was once seen driving his Lamborghini car through the streets of a busy city.

As he stopped in a particular place for parking, a curious passer-by, remarked at the driver:
“Hey, it’s surprising! You’re driving such an expensive car… but didn’t you notice that your rear window glasses are broken!”

“There’s a reason for pursuing with the broken glasses…”, the man in the car replied, “the broken windows remind me of God’s Providential Love!”

“Huh?” enquired the passer-by with greater curiosity, “How do ‘broken windows’ remind you of God’s Providential Love?”

“Well.. then, listen to my story,” said the man as he continued, ” I was once passing through the streets, zipping across in my luxurious car…
… when suddenly, a crashing sound was heard from the back!

I saw that a stone had been thrown at my car!

In great anger, I noticed that it was a rag-picker boy, who had thrown the stone!
My blood boiled, in rage, as I stopped my vehicle and moved closer to him.

But then I saw him, joining his hands, as he pleaded to me in tears: “Sir, look at my younger brother…

I noticed to see, that a young boy who legs were paralyzed was lying down, with a heavy scars and bruises on his legs.

The boy continued: ‘I was crossing the road, helping my lame brother, when a fast-moving bike ran over him, to leave with a bleeding leg.

I called out to many people for help…
… but none cared!

Finally, out of my helplessness, I decided to throw a stone at the vehicle which would come next, in order to seek help!

The boy continued: ‘Sir, I am extremely sorry that your expensive car is damaged. But, trust me, this was the only way I could seek help for my injured brother!”

Tears filled my eyes, as I told the boy: “My car windows are surely broken! But they are also a reminder, that sometimes, we have to allow God to break certain things, to remind…
… that we need to stop and help!
… that we need to depend on God in all aspects of life!

Surely, these broken windows are a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

Are there “broken windows” in our life?

Broken windows…
… when tragedies and calamities have hit our life?
… when untimely incidents and unexpected twists have taken place in life?

Though difficult to comprehend, perhaps, a deeper reflection, will help us to realize that such “Broken Windows are a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

The Gospel of the Day is a story of how a “broken roof becomes a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

We are travelling very quickly with St Mark’s journey of the ministry of Jesus.

We were with Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, where He called the first disciples (Mk 1: 16-20)

Then…
… we came to the synagogue, where Jesus cures a man with an unclean spirit (Mk: 1: 21-28)
… we reached Simon’s house, where Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31)
… we went to the mountains to pray with Jesus, who always remained focused (Mk 1: 35)
… we met a leper, unacceptable in the society, who was made clean by Jesus (Mk 1: 40-45)

The journey moves fast and immediately…

At Capernaum, a great crowd has gathered in a house, where Jesus is preaching (Mk 2:1-2)

The house is fully packed with people cramming to hear the Lord and seek His Healing..

Then comes a group of thick friends who have brought their paralytic friend to Jesus.

They came with much expectation to get their friend whole and well again.

But as they approached the house…
… their hopes went down!

The massive gathering at the door thinned their anticipations!

But when the chips are down…
… one is given a chance to find strength one never knew one had & put it toward the greater good.

They came seeking for blessings…
… but it seemed, that the firmament was closed to shower down blessings!

But then they had a hope: They realized that “Even a broken roof can be a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

And so they decided to plead God to shower His blessings: “by tear opening the roof!”

“Unable to get near Jesus, because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above Him” (Mk 1:4)

Their “tearing of the roof”…
… is blessed by “pouring down of blessings” and a “cleansing of sins”.

Many times, we too face similar barriers and blockages in our experience for the Lord.

We need to plead to God to shower His blessings: “by tear opening the roof!”

When we have…
… ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and hopeless situations
… problems which seem impossible and unsolvable

Are we willing to have our “roofs broken”…
… and thus realize God’s Providential Love?!

Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life…

Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face…

But let us have the grit and the guts to be ready to “have our roof broken” of all such adversities!

Yes, let us understand that even a “broken roof is a sign of God’s Providential Love!”

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

It is impossible to appropriate to oneself spiritual goods and behave toward them as their owner or master…
… for they have their source in God.

One can receive them only from him, without payment. (CCC # 2121)

“Imitating Christ in His deep commitment and dedication!”

(Based on Heb 3:7-14 and Mk 1:40-45 – Thursday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Kalaupapa was a remote peninsula, surrounded by the roaring Pacific Ocean, on three sides on an island named Molokai.

This tiny place had become the prison for those forcibly banished…
… as a result of being afflicted with Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy).

The people outcast here became prisoners in their own land, harshly kicked from boats, washing onto shore without adequate supplies, infrastructure, medicine, or tools.

Families on surrounding islands, powerless to help…
… mourned for the cruel fate of their loved ones.

In this situation, a priest named Damien, volunteered to move to this place…
… and serve the people who are afflicted by this dreaded disease.

Fr Damien was greeted with devastation.

He walked among the living dead.
Everywhere he looked…
… there was only bleeding and oozing sores
… rampant diseases of various kinds
… and perhaps worst of all, hopelessness and endless misery

Choosing to make this place as his home for life, Fr Damien began his first sermon, addressing the people in the leper colony: “We lepers….”

Fr Damien did not yet have a sign of the leprous infection…
… but he already identified himself with the afflicted ones, by including himself as “We lepers…”

But within fifteen years, he too would be afflicted with the same disease and die!

When one is committed to a cause, one identifies totally with the cause, even to the point of death!

When one is faithful to a mission, one equates with its demands, even to the point of being afflicted!

This is what Damien – St Damien – would teach from his life…

And this is what we learn, as St Damien did, from the life of Jesus: a total identification with the afflicted ones, in order to redeem and save them!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who effects a healing for a leper…
… but in the process, undergoes the isolation and separation that was the lot of the lepers.

Jesus is in the land of Galilee.

A leper comes to Him seeking for a cleansing: “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mk 1: 40)

Looking at the leper, Jesus knew and understood the immense agony and dread that the man had undergone…

The ancient times had leprosy as one of the most feared diseases.

The book of Leviticus required that all those found unclean with leprosy “shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp” (Lev 13:46)

Jesus knew that to come into contact with a leper was to make oneself unclean.

Jesus knew that to touch a leper was to also share in the affliction and misery.

Yet, the Lord, who is the One who cleanses (Eze 36:25) and the One who refines (Is 48:10) decides to touch the leper…
… and bring about a healing!
“Jesus stretched out His hand, touched him and said to him, ‘ I do will it. Be made clean'” (Mk 1:41)

The leper was immediately made clean.

The leper had to also get it confirmed from the priest.

But Jesus, who cleansed and freed the leper, now Himself, undergoes the pain as that of a leper…

The Gospel says that, “… it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places…” (Mk 1:45)

Jesus now identifies Himself with the isolation that the leper himself had undergone

Yes, when one is faithful to a mission, one equates with its demands, even to the point of being afflicted!

When one is committed to a cause, one identifies totally with the cause, even to the point of death!

Each of us are called with a specific mission and purpose in life…

It requires a deep commitment.
It requires an identification with the people and situation.
It requires a complete giving of oneself to the cause and mission.

Am I ready to embrace such a dedication?

St Paul invites us to be “… imitators of Christ” just as he imitated Christ (1 Cor 11:1)

Let us remain open to this Invitation of the Lord, and not close our hearts…
“Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…
… on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test…” (Heb 3:8-9)

Let us imitate Christ in His deep commitment and dedication.
… Who came to bring healing to all in this world
… Who shared in our sufferings to bring redemption and joy.

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

Simony is defined as the buying or selling of spiritual things.
To Simon the magician, who wanted to buy the spiritual power he saw at work in the apostles…
… St. Peter responded: “Your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money!”

Peter thus held to the words of Jesus: “You received without pay, give without pay.” (CCC # 2121)

“Not merely running after ‘by-products;’ rather, seeking Jesus, Who is the Essence!”

(Based on Heb 2:14-18 and Mk 1:29-39 – Wednesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A young boy went to his Uncle’s house for a few days of vacation.

His uncle was a scientist.

One day, the scientist-uncle told the boy, “Today we are going the method of obtaining petrol”

The boy was super-excited

He enjoyed fast cars and racing games.

And so, he was pretty curious to know how petrol was obtained.

They went to a place where oil was dug.

The boy looked in amazement at all the works being done – the digging into the earth, the huge pipes making their way into the depths, the extraction process!

After quite a while, the boy, pretty dejected approached his uncle and asked:
“I thought, you told me, we are going to see petrol being obtained.

But all that I find here, is that they are extracting oil!
Where is the petrol?”

At that time, the scientist-uncle began to explain to the boy:
“Son! Remember, you never dig petrol!
You only dig for oil…
… and petrol is later, extracted from it, through a process of distillation!

Search not for petrol – which is a by-product…
… Look rather for the oil, which is the essence!

Is our Christian life sometimes similar?

Are we looking often only for the material goods and products from the Lord…
… or do we seek primarily for Jesus and His Kingdom?

We need to check and examine: Have we discovered the “Real” Jesus in our life?

The Gospel of the Day presents before us this great challenge: To identify the real Jesus!

The Gospel reading is a description of the Lord’s ministry as per St Mark’s account.

Jesus is engaged in His proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

He is proving Himself to be a person who is of the supernatural and the extraordinary realm.

He teaches the Scriptures with deep authority and conviction…
… People hear God speaking in their lives!

He silences and expels the forces of evil and influences the nature…
… People experience the Divine force in their lives!

He infuses life into the dead and proclaims his great power…
… People come across the marvellous works of the Lord!

He exercises His healing over the sick and the suffering…
… People witness His glorious control and supremacy!

People are…
… swayed over His mighty works
… super-excited by His amazing wonders
… overwhelmed with His wonderful deeds

But such occasions are the times of great testing and trial for anyone..

The easiest moments of losing oneself is in the midst of immense success!

The most tempting times of losing one’s focus is when there are widespread victories!

The Lord was surrounded by immense recognition and successes.

The crowds were thronging around Him and His popularity ratings were soaring.

But, just as the tree of success must be deeply grounded & rooted in the soil of stability and firmness…

So also, the Lord was fully aware of His goals and mission.

And so the Gospel of St Mark would explicitly point out the actions of the Lord…
‘Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed’ (Mk 1: 35)

‘He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come”‘ (Mk 1: 38)

The Lord points out to the people and to His disciples the priorities of His Life – Being in communion with His Heavenly Father and Spreading the Kingdom of God!
He doesn’t get over-awed with success!
He doesn’t get carried away by reputations!

He reminds His disciples and His people to seek the “real” Jesus!

It’s a moment for us to check and examine our own lives: Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

Is Jesus merely a source of healings and remedies in my moments of physical sicknesses…
… or has He also become the true balm and consolation in my spiritual health and well-being?

Is Jesus only like a call-centre agent whom I seek in order to fix some problems of life…
… or Has He also become genuinely the treasure and the priceless fortune of my Life?

Is Jesus simply a solution and answer when crisis hits my life and things go badly…
… or has He also become authentically the greatest powerhouse and thrust of my Life?

Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

Or is it merely…
… a Jesus of quick-fix solutions?
… a Jesus who is a problem-solver?
… a Jesus who is remembered in times of trials alone?
… a Jesus who is expected to give all answers to my confusions?

The people and the disciples, as we see in the Gospel, seemed happy and satisfied to seek Jesus who performs wonders.

Of course, wonders and sensational deeds are good.

But they are not to be an end in itself….
They are not to be made the primary motto.
Miracles and marvels ought to become a launching pad…
… for a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Let us not reduce the greatness of Jesus to just miracles…

Let us not bring down the immensity of Jesus to just material needs.

Let us rather, seek…
… the True and Living Lord for a wholesome & integral growth for eternity.
… the Compassionate and Powerful Lord to grow in holiness & sanctity.

The Lord is the One Who knows us, understands us and wishes that we seek Him with a sincere heart.

His understanding Presence with us, is assured in the Letter to the Hebrews:
“Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.

For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted!” (Heb 2:17)

Just like digging is done for oil…
… and petrol is later, extracted from it, through a process of distillation!

We need to search first for Jesus and His Kingdom (Mt 6:33)
… and all other things – which are a by-product – will be given to us

Yes, let’s not merely run after ‘by-products’…
… Let us rather seek for Jesus, Who is the Essence!

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

Sacrilege consists in profaning or treating unworthily the sacraments and other liturgical actions…
… as well as persons, things, or places consecrated to God.
Sacrilege is a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist…

… for in this Sacrament the true Body of Christ is made substantially present for us. (CCC # 2120)

“Submitting ourselves to the Power and Authority of our Blessed Lord!”

(Based on Heb 2:5-12 and Mk 1:21-28 – Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 1)

A beautiful and commonly quoted story goes thus:

A very poor woman called a Christian radio station asking for some assistance and help.

A man – known to be an unbeliever in God and who highly despised religion – who was listening to this radio program…
…. decided to make something out of it…

He decided to play a prank on the woman, and make her a fool.

He got the ladies’ address…
… then called his secretary and ordered her to buy food

And take to the woman with the following instruction:
“when the woman asks who sent the food…
… tell her that it’s from the devil.”

When the secretary arrived and delivered the food to the woman…
… the woman was so happy and readily accepted the food and moved inside her little house.

The secretary, out of curiosity asked her: “But don’t you want to know who sent the food?”

The woman answered:
“NO, it doesn’t matter!

Because when GOD orders, even the devil obeys.”

Yes…
… when God orders, even the devil obeys!

The Gospel of the Day presents this act of encounter…
… where the shackles of captivity and bondage of Satan are broken by the power of release and liberation by Jesus!
… where Kingdom of Satan yields to the Kingdom of God!

Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and addressing the people. (Mk 1:21)

His teaching is full of power and conviction…
His teaching is filled with passion and fervour…

This presentation of Jesus, with full of power and authority is something remarkable…
… and worth to be imitated and inspired.

Jesus announced in his first programmatic speech (Lk 4: 16-30)…
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…
… to proclaim liberty to the captives”

In tune with this announcement, the Lord goes about “preaching liberty to the captives”…

Those people, who were captivated…
… by sin
… by oppression
… by evil forces and satanic powers

And this “liberation from captivity,” was done by Jesus…
… with a lot of power and authority
… with immense conviction and passion

When one is deeply convinced of one’s beliefs, it overflows into one’s words and actions

When one is highly passionate about one’s faith, it overwhelms one’s deeds and life.

As He thus taught the people, Jesus encountered a man with an unclean spirit, who cried out:
”What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mk 1: 24)

Darkness cannot reign, when light shines!

Filth cannot dominate, where there is immense holiness!
Satanic powers begin to crumble, when the Word of God is proclaimed!

The man with the unclean spirit could not tolerate the Words and the Presence of Jesus!

His heart and mind began to reverberate
The depth of his soul was pierced

Irritation began in him..
… Restlessness began to overpower him
And finally, unable to withstand, he yelll out: “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?!” (Mk 1: 24)

But the Power of God was much more powerful than this yelling!

The Lord with might and power, boldness and audacity ordered:
“QUIET! Come out of him” (Mk 1: 25)

And when God orders, even the devil obeys!

The Gospel says: “The unclean spirit convulsed him, and with a loud cry came out of him” (Mk 1:26)

Our life is a constant battle with the powers of the evil.

Time and again, we have people and situations who discourage us

Many times we go through moments when spiritual life doesn’t seem to be encouraging

We often get tied down by the powers of temptation
… We often get disappointed by the struggles of sinful tendencies

But let’s know for sure: The power of the Lord is with us – waiting to save us!

We need to know for sure: That when God orders, even the devil obeys!

What is therefore needed is that, we need to…
… yield ourselves to the Orders of God!
… make ourselves open and docile to the Commands of God!

Let’s examine our Christian lives and check:

Do I constantly seek live a life, in the Presence of the Lord…
… so that no powers of Satan can touch us?

Do I nourish my spiritual life with the daily food of Prayer, Word of God and re-commitment to holiness…
… so that we are never under the bondage of the evil?

The mighty power of the Lord is with us
Always wanting to provide for us!
Always wanting to take care of us!

Let’s submit ourselves to His Power and Authority, knowing for sure:
“When God orders, even the devil obeys!”

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 Commandmen

Jesus opposed Satan with the word of God: “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test.”
The challenge contained in such tempting of God…
… wounds the respect and trust we owe our Creator and Lord.

It always harbours doubt about his love, his providence, and his power. (CCC # 2119)