“Building our lives into a beautiful edifice of His Love and Mercy!”

(Based on Gen 3:1-8 and Mk 7:31-37 – Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A group of people were standing outside a very large and ornate Cathedral…
… admiring and marvelling at the fine craftsmanship
… the detail work
… the care and the love that seemed evident in building such a fine place to worship a loving God.

One of the men turned to the other in the group and asked:
“Why can’t we build so today?

Why can’t we build with such pride, such craftsmanship today?
After all, we now have better technology than back then!”

The other man gazing at the glorious edifice, replied: “Well…

They had convictions; we, mostly, only opinions!
They had passion; we, mostly, only fashion!”

How is our life of faith?

Enthusiastic… with convictions and passions?
Or monotonous… with only opinions and fashions?

The Gospel of the day presents the fruits of a convinced and passionate follower of Christ…
… with an invitation, to allow the Lord to open our hearts and lives to His Saving Love!

Jesus is back to the district of the Decapolis.

It was in this region that Jesus had healed the man who was possessed by a legion of demons (Mk 5: 1-20)

When Jesus had performed the miracle then, the people had requested Him to leave the place.
“Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their district” (Mk 5:17)

But today’s Gospel gives a contrasting picture of this people who had opposed Jesus.

The Gospel says that the people of this area, were begging Jesus to lay His hands on the deaf and dumb person! (Mk 7:32)

What had caused this dramatic change?

The people who were begging Jesus to leave their place…
… were now begging Jesus to perform a miracle!

Probably, the great witness of the man who was delivered from the legion of demons had caused about this transformation!

We hear at the end of that incident…
“And as he was getting into the boat, the man… begged Jesus that he might be with Him.

But He refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.’

And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marvelled!” (Mk 5:18-20)

Yes, when the Good News becomes a personal experience and a transformative healing encounter…
.. one is filled with a “passionate zeal” to reach it to others!

As it is said, “a spark can become a flame; a flame a fire”
… the spark of the experience of the Lord’s Power became a fire in his heart, to bring God’s Healing to many!”

This missionary endeavor of the man…
… led the people of the area to reach out to Jesus
… resulting in the healing of another man – a deaf and dumb person

Jesus in healing this deaf and dumb person, has a very peculiar style of going about.

He takes the person away from the crowd, put His fingers into the man’s ears, spitting, touched his tongue…
… lifted up His eyes to heaven, groaned and said “Ephphatha, Be Opened!” (Mk 7:33-34)

There is a very personal and intimate touch in this healing process!

It is interesting to note that in the book of Genesis, when God formed human beings…
… there was a very personal involvement from the part of God to create humans – the crown of creation.

“God formed man, out of the clay and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.” (Gen 2:7)

Jesus also does something similar in the healing of the deaf and dumb person….

He very personally involves Himself.
He uses His own touch to heal and recreate the person!

Jesus is the Lord of the New Creation!

God created the world good.

Human beings spoiled it through sin.

But Jesus restores and renews the goodness!

Our ears maybe closed very often to the voice of the Spirit of the Lord

Our mouths maybe often mute to speak the power of the Lord to others.

But the Lord is ready to touch us… and renew and recreate us.

Are we ready to receive this renewing and recreating touch from the Lord?
“Ephphatha… Be Opened!”

This “Ephphatha experience” ought to help us to also reach out His care, mercy and love to many people!

The Lord wishes that we build our lives into a beautiful edifice of His Love and Mercy

But this requires us to move from opinions to convictions in faith!
It requires us to journey from mere fashions to passions in life!

14th February is popularly celebrated as Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is, of course, a day when a there is a “sudden” wave of expression of love and care and affections to the ones whom we love.

When taken in the right spirit, it becomes a day…
… of “specially” recognizing the worth of the one(s) we love, and expressing our love and affection

But our modern society unfortunately and tragically, sometimes tends to “rob” this day to be celebrated in meaningfully

External affections are unduly given greater importance, forgetting the prime duties – of commitment and faithfulness – involved with love
Advertisers and commercialists rake in massive profits with a number of external objects portraying “love”

As a Christian, Feb 14…
… is a day for us to remind ourselves to grow in the Immensity of God’s Love
… is a day for us to revive our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another
… is a day for us to rediscover the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness

Jesus, the True Lover holds our hand, and with deep love and affection, asks us:
“Will you be My valentine forever?”

Let’s not blush… let’s not be shy…

Instead, let us, with deep faith and true commitment, pledge forever, our love to the Lover of all Hearts!

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 Second Commandment

St. James condemns those “who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called.”

The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ’s Church, the saints, and sacred things. (CCC # 2148)

“Finding help in God by hungering for God, humbling before God and hoping in God!”

(Based on Gen 2:18-25 and Mk 7:24-30 – Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A youngster was reading the Gospel story found in Mk 7:24-30
… the story of the Syro-Phoenician woman who approaches Jesus for a healing
… and how the Lord seemed to totally discourage her, by saying: “…it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs”
… and how the woman responded: “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs”

After reading this Bible passage, the young man was pretty much disturbed and spoke to an elderly priest:
“I am so very much disturbed after reading this passage!

How can the Lord call someone as ‘dog?’
It sounds so discouraging and disheartening!”

To that the priest, with an assuring and calm tone replied:
“I understand, son, regarding the apparent confusion on the usage of that word.

Without going into any scholarly explanation…
… I want you to understand this passage with the help of 4 simple words: ‘Hunger… Humble… Hope… Help’”

The young person thought for a while, and replied with relief:
“Yes, that’s so true Father.

Many times, I get so disturbed by Bible passages that I don’t understand…
… instead of living my life, in accordance with what I do understand!

Thank you for teaching me today…
… to HUNGER for God
… to HUMBLE before God
… to HOPE in God
… and thus to find HELP in God!”

Yes, the confusion in the mind of the young man could well be our own…
… as we reflect today on this very powerful Gospel passage of the day.

This Gospel presents the exceedingly deep and determined faith of the woman – who had many reasons to play the blame-game…
… but triumphed in making a deep impression on Jesus, the Lord and Healer!

The woman could consider many reasons to blame…
… Being a woman: She was given a very low status in the Jewish society
… Being a Greek: She was treated as pagans by the Jews, and thus inferior
… Being a Syro-Phoencian: She, being of a mixed race – half Syrian and half Phoenician – had her crisis of cultural and linguistic identity.
… Having a daughter who was possessed with an unclean spirit: She, as a mother, had her deep emotional struggles of seeing the suffering and misery of her beloved child

And to top it all…
… Being called as a dog: She was apparently being discouraged by ‘God’ (Jesus) who called her ‘dog’

But the woman was in no way discouraged and dispirited, despite these ‘natural reasons and occasions to blame!’ (as would many of us!)
… She had a deep and determined faith!

As it is said, “this is the kind of stuff, champions are made of!”

She understood the meaning of the words of the Lord: “… it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Mk 7:27)

In fact, the addressing of Jesus as a “dog” would have come as no surprise to the Canaanite woman.

It was a reminder of the sharp distinction that existed, historically, between the Blessed Israelites and the Cursed Canaanites.

The Jews ‘were’ considered as the ‘children: and the Canaanites (Gentiles) ‘were’ considered as ‘dogs!’

And in every house, the children get fed first… not the dogs!

But, the woman of faith noticed that Jesus had used the word “kunarios” – the word for household pets (puppies)…

She recognised that He had not used the word “kuon” – the word for other ordinary bigger dogs…

And so the figurative tone set forth by Jesus, found its amazing reply in the words of the Canaanite woman, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (Mk 7:28)

Here was a glorious acknowledgement by the woman…
“Yes, I am a Canaanite, and considered to be a dog.

I do acknowledge that Israelites have a special privilege in the order of God’s grace.
But we too, deserve the Grace of God that is due to all people, in general!

I demand not the privileged bread that is reserved to the mighty….

But, as a household pet dog (a puppy), just the crumbs of Your grace will suffice in healing my ailing daughter!”

That was indeed, an amazing reply of a deep and determined faith!

Yes, life often gives us many many reasons to play the blame-game
… and we can live being depressed, discouraged and dispirited!

But if we nurture a deep and determined faith…
… we can surely live with much joy and peace, totally depending on Jesus, our Lord and Healer!

Let us…
… HUNGER for God
… HUMBLE before God
… HOPE in God

And thus always find HELP in 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 Second Commandment

Blasphemy consists in uttering against God – inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s Name. (CCC # 2148)

“Being willing to have a nice dip in the ‘hot waters of correction,’ to emerge clean!”

(Based on Gen 2:4b-9, 15-17 and Mk 7:14-23 – Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

“Mamma,” said the child, feeling quite disturbed, “I feel very upset today, because my teacher corrected me!”

The mother – who was washing dishes – looked at the child, who was feeling quite low because of the correction…
… and told him, “Look at what I am doing…”

The child looked at the mother, washing the dishes

Pointing to a set of vessels that had been left unwashed overnight – she said:
“Look at these vessels

It is very hard to scrub these – because the dirt is stuck for a long time

So the easy method, is…
… to dip them in hot water
… keep it soaked for sometime
… and then wash!”

Then taking the child close to her, she said, “That’s how it is in life as well!

Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…
We need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”
… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”

So that we can “emerge clean!”

Always remain, therefore, open to corrections!”

Are we persons who remain open to corrections…
… so that feeling contrite, we can emerge clean?

The Gospel of the Day is a strong act of Jesus reminding the Scribes and Pharisees to undergo the process of “being washed”…
… and to be “scrubbed off” the long stuck dirt of duplicity and hypocrisy.

The Gospel begins with the statement, “Jesus called to Him the people and said to them…” (Mk 7:14)

Jesus calls together the multitude to Himself to speak something…

Jesus brings aside the people to Himself to address to them something…

The background to this action of Jesus, is the context of the unfair remarks of the Pharisees and Scribes about Jesus and His disciples, in Mk 7:1-14.

The scribes and the Pharisees had objected that Jesus’ disciples failed to keep up the tradition of the Elders to have the ritual washing before eating.

This exercise of ritual washing was more a ceremonial one.

They attached greater importance to external cleanliness over internal purity.
They accorded higher priority to hygiene outside than to transparency within.

They would not bother, hearts being corrupted, but they would not tolerate dirty hands!

They would despise unwashed hands, but they would bypass filthy hearts!

But Jesus is in prime opposition to all such deceitful and corrupt human practices.

He flays the Scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced priorities.
He slams the Scribes and Pharisees for their misleading interpretation of purity.

And so, Jesus summoned the crowd and explained what is the meaning of real cleanliness and purity:
“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7: 16)

Indeed, a remarkable statement from Jesus, the Purest and the Holiest One!

It is not just our hands alone that matter; it is our hearts that matter most!

It is not just our medical hygiene that counts; it is our lives that needs consideration the most!

The Pharisees and the Scribes for a long time, had enforced importance only to external purity and outside cleanliness.

Their authority was to used to stamp the importance of rituals and traditions, which were meant to…
… only emphasise bodily cleaning, but avoiding transparency in life
… only highlight cleansing of external parts, but overlooking sanctity of heart and mind

But, Jesus comes in great opposition and places things in the right perspective.

He reminds them of the “need for correction!”

Perhaps, we are also in “need of a correction”…
… let us therefore make a self-introspection:

I may be appearing to be clean outside…
… but is my heart pure and holy?

I may be appearing to be an angel to the world…
… but am I a barn of devilish actions within?

I may be appearing to be very good to all…
… but am I full of anger, jealousy and greed inside?

I may be appearing to be successful…
… but am I decaying interiorly with unchastity and deceit?

Is it not time to cleanse my heart and life, which is perhaps…
… defiled with sin?
… impure with unhealthy thoughts?
… and sullied with evil intentions?

Yes… Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…

We need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”
… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”

So that we can be be “washed clean!”

We may feel sad for sometime…
… upset for a few moments

But let us always remain open to corrections…
… and co-operate with the Lord in “being washed” of every bit of corruption and malice from our hearts!

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 Second Commandment

Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name.

It is in itself a grave sin. (CCC # 2148)

“Having joyful countenances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!”

(Based on Gen 1:20-2:4a and Mk 7:1-13 – Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An elderly lady was known to always have a very pleasant countenance.

Anyone, who came in contact with her, would experience a sense of positivity.

They had never heard her criticizing or finding faults with people.

She was once asked by some of her neighbouring children on the secret of her joy.

She replied:
“I have always believed in avoiding to talk negative about people.

We need to be always good with the good.
But let us never be bad with the bad…

Because…
… we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging and criticising”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus focussing His teaching on this very crucial topic: Of judging others and of pinpointing the mistakes of others…
… without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

The Gospel reading describes a group of Pharisees who criticize the disciples of Jesus for not following the “external traditions” and rituals.

They pinpointed the mistakes of the disciples…
… and exalted themselves

Jesus however reminds the Pharisees of an important aspect: Before judging and criticizing others…
… one ought to first examine one’s own behaviour and actions

Jesus reminded them that “true devotion consists not of mere external purity and rituals…
… rather is a way of life, with consistent and committed focus on the Spirit of laws, rules and regulations.

With this fundamental principle in mind, Jesus teaches us to avoid the tendency to “rashly judge and criticize others”

The Lord reminds us that our judging…
… should not be rash
… should not a final opinion on a person or situation
… should not be a means to putting down other persons
… should not be an unfair ruling on someone’s external behaviours

Maybe a simple list could help us check our areas of “judging”

Do I…
… enlarge the negatives of others – their faults, mistakes and petty ways?
… come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?
… get involved unnecessarily in situations where I should not?
… gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?
… have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?
… become overly harsh and even ruthless, even when speaking the truth?
… add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?
… do away with an unkind comment by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”
… speak something critical and then try to cover it up?
… tend to be unkind and hurtful and then quickly change the subject, to impress the hurtful feeling?
… have pleasure in condemning others?
… recount the truth in order to hurt and not to help?
… put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgement”.

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:

When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

a. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action – whether it is a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc…
b. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action…

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

Many of us may have perhaps have a tendency to find the faults and failures of others.

Let us make a conscious and consistent effort to avoid negative talk about people.

Let us realise that “we need to be always good with the good.

But let us never be bad with the bad…

Because, we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

Concentrating more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations…
… let us, always have joyful countenances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!

Let us today seek the special intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, who on this day, Feb 11, 1858, began to appear to St Bernadette, a 14 year old girl.

Let us offer to the Lord, all our sicknesses, as well as people who need God’s Healing Touch, through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes…
… and seek to imitate the Immaculate Life of our Blessed Mother in Her undivided focus in doing the Will of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

It is also blasphemous to make use of God’s name to cover up criminal practices…
… to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death.

The misuse of God’s Name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion. (CCC # 2148)

(Based on Gen 1:1-19 and Mk 6:53-56 – Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A pious religious traveller once found a precious stone…
… a precious jewel.

A short time later, this religious person met another traveller, who said he was hungry and asked the monk if he would share some of his provisions.

When the pious man opened his bag, the traveller saw the precious stone and, without much thought asked him if he could have it.

To his surprise, the man gave the traveller the stone.

The traveller departed quickly, overjoyed with his new possession.

However, a few days later, he came back, searching for the religious person.

He returned the stone to him and made a request:
“I request you to kindly give me something more valuable…
… more precious than this stone.

Please give me THAT which enabled you to give me this precious stone!”

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

What is needed in life, is not an external show…
… but rather, an internal glow!

The Gospel of the Day presents this theme of “external show not always a sign of internal glow.”

The passage begins with the statement of Jesus crossing over…
“And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret…( Mk 6:53)

This place – Gennesaret – is an interesting place.

The meaning of this place name ” Gennesaret” is a “Garden of a Prince” or the “Garden of riches”

This was a fertile crescent-shaped plain on the western shore of the lake of Galilee.

This plain of Gennesaret has been also called, because of its fertility and beauty, as “the Paradise of Galilee.”

The history of Gennesaret is glowingly described (especially by Josephus, the Historian) that would do make proud the local tourism office of the Gennesaret Chamber of‘ Commerce!

It is said of Gennesaret, that the “soil was so fruitful that all sorts of trees could grow upon it. The walnut, the palm, the olive and the fig, which usually require diverse conditions, flourished together here.”

“One may call this place the ambition of nature; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country…
… for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while.”

It is said, that the fruits of Gennesaret had such high repute among the rabbis that they were not allowed in Jerusalem at the time of the feasts, lest any might be tempted to come merely for their enjoyment!

Yet, with all these riches and glory, Gennesaret, had its own share of the sick and the suffering!

However fertile the land…
… there were still many who were badly ailing!
However fruitful the land…
… there were still many who were painfully ill!

The choicest of food couldn’t assure them perfection in health and life!

Yes…
… All that glitters is not gold

Indeed, we need to understand…
… a book should never be judged by its cover
… the cowl (large hood) does not make the monk!

Though the people of Gennesaret enjoyed the best of nature’s gifts, they were “people in need” and “people ailing in suffering and sicknesses”

And so we find, that as soon as Jesus reached their land, the people of Gennesaret “scurried about the surrounding and country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was” (Mk 6:55)

They had their riches…
… yet they had to reach out to Jesus, the richest of all treasures!

They had their resources…
… yet they had to run to seek Jesus, the source of all supplies!

Our own lives may sometimes represent the Land of Gennesaret…

Rich in many aspects – financially, talent wise, relationally etc
Fertile in many aspects – having great visions and plans for future, systematic, disciplined etc
Fruitful in many aspects – popular, acceptable, having name and fame etc

Yet, like the people of Gennesaret, we too may be lacking some of the essentials…
… lacking good health and in need of the healing touch of the Lord
… lacking peace of mind, and in need of the serene spirit of the Lord
… lacking satisfaction in life, and in need of wholeness from the Lord

The people of Gennesaret were quick to respond to the coming of the Lord.

Though their land had plenty…
… they did not fail to humble themselves…

Am I willing to respond thus to the Lord…
… in sincerity, in openness, in docility?
Am I willing to bend myself to the Lord…
… in humility, in meekness, in submissiveness?

Let us make our life a true “Gennesaret”…
… a Garden of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Joy and salvation!
… a Garden of Riches of holiness, sanctity and grace!

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

May our lives…
… truly reflect the ‘Paradise of God’s Reign!’
… be beautified not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!

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 Second Commandment

St. James condemns those “who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called.”

The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ’s Church, the saints, and sacred things. (CCC # 2148)

“Letting go of our fears and pride to “fully trust” in the mighty power of God’s Providence, and experience His Awesome and Amazing Care for us!”

(Based on Isa 6:1-2a, 3-8, 1 Cor 15:1-11 and Lk 5:1-11 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

The town of Feldkirch, Austria in 1799 was faced with the prospects of being attacked by the armies of Napoleon.

It was an Easter Day and the sun shone brightly, letting the soldiers of the enemy being spotted.

The Town Council was called together, in haste, to consult what had to be done.
It was a situation of tension.
It was a time of immense distress.

After a long period of discussion, the dean of the Church made a proclamation:
“My brothers it is Easter Day!

We have been reckoning our own strength, and that fails.

Let us turn to God.
Ring the bells and have service as usual, and leave the matter in God’s hands!

It was a hard and (humanly speaking) a risky decision, but they agreed to do as he said.

Thus from the Church towers of Feldkirch, rang the boisterous and joyous peals of the bells…
… in honour of the Resurrection of the Lord.

The streets began to be filled with worshippers, hastening to the Church.

The enemy army, on hearing the sudden ringing of the bells, were taken aback with surprise and shock.

They came to a conclusion that the Austrian Army had arrived in order to relieve the place.
So they fled hastily!

The town of Feldkirch were saved from the possibilities of destruction and ruin!

Divine Providence had rescued a tiny town, who placed their trust in Him, from the deathly clutches of a mighty army!

Is my life of faith, characterized by a “Deep Trust in Divine Providence?”

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of the marvels that can be witnessed when one place’s one’s complete trust in the Lord…
… and surrenders one’s life – in action and deeds – to the Providence of the Lord.

Our Blessed Lord is fully into His ministry of preaching and proclaiming God’s Word (Lk 5:1)

The Word was transforming people…
… and in sometime, a wonderful transformation was to happen to a person
… who would become a close follower of the Transforming Lord!

The crowds were thronging together, to hear the words of Jesus.

But, “standing by the lake, Jesus saw two boats by the lake” (Lk 5: 2)

The Gospel says that, “the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets” (Lk 5:2b)

This verse, though little and appears insignificant carries a mighty message: the message of the Power of God’s Providence.

The fishermen, as we would later read, were Simon and James and John and others.

They had toiled the whole night…
… caught no fish, and were now, dejectedly, washing their nets.

The boat was empty – bereft of any fish!

But Divine Providence had a mighty plan in this “barrenness”

The emptiness of the boat allowed our Blessed Lord to enter it, and make it His Pulpit for preaching God’s Word!

The vacancy in the boat prompted our Blessed Lord to enthrone it, and make it His platform for calling His First Disciples!

Had there been fish in the boat…
… in all probability, the fishermen would be in it, sorting and cleaning the fish..
… and would have left no space for the Blessed Lord to preach from it

Had there been a mighty catch that night…
… in all probability, the boat, filled with the fish, would not have been there
… and the vehicle of “catching fish” would have missed the chance to be a “podium for proclaiming God’s Word”

Is my life, at this point, empty and barren… like this boat?

Maybe it’s been a long time I have been watching and expecting – patiently and faithfully…
… for my boat to be filled.
Maybe it’s being a horrible wait – sometimes even leading to frustration and hopelessness…
… for my boat to be filled

But can I trust Divine Providence, in having a purposive plan for this “emptiness and barrenness?”

“My empty boat” could be God’s Providential Way of telling: Be ready for a transformation in your life!

Later on, Simon would be asked by our Lord to “put out into the deep and let the nets down for a catch” (Lk 5: 4)

It seemed illogical, pointless and hardly reasonable to Simon.

It seemed as a confronting questioning of Simon’s skills and abilities in his field of expertise

But Simon “let go” of his own prejudices, tiredness and (possible) humiliation…
… and trusted in the Mighty Providence of the One, who would be His Life and Master!

Fear says, “I can’t!”

Faith says, “At Your word, I will!”

And this Trust did not fail him!
The net was filled with fish…

His mind was filled with feelings of awe
His eyes were filled with tears of repentance
His heart was filled with the joy of surrendering

This is the beautiful story of how a competent fisherman who failed utterly in his field of competence…
… but is initiated into being a competent fisher of people, for the Kingdom of God!

Yes… in God’s service, inadequacy turns to invincible strength.

At God’s Word:

Unclean prophets spoke!
…. as we see Prophet Isaiah whose mouth would be touched and sanctified (Is 6:3-8)
Weary fishermen preached!
… as we see Simon Peter and his companions would become preachers of the Word (Lk 5:1-11)

As Christians, we do claim to be people of faith and belief.

But does this “faith” translate itself into real “trust?”

When hardships come in life…
… I may proclaim my faith with my lips

But do I “trust” Him to take me through?

When emptiness fills my life…
… I may perform external works of faith

But do I “trust” Him to utilize my barrenness, in the way He wants?

When toils of life yield no results…
… I may persist in saying that I have faith

But do I “trust” Him to grant me the fruits of labour, in His own time and in His own measure?

And if I really “trust” in the Lord…

I would be a person of joy, going about my works without anxieties and radiating serenity and calm…
… even when walking through the valleys of sufferings
… even when sinking in the deluge of pain
… even when surrounded by the clouds of uncertainty!

That’s why…

When God sends… go!
When God lifts… rise!

Let us “let go” of our own fears, apprehensions, preconceptions and pride
… leave all matters in God’s Hands
… and experience His awesome and amazing care for 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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment.

It consists in uttering against God — inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s Name. (CCC # 2148)