(Based on Gen 19:15-29 and Mt 8:23-27 – Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I?
I took the one less-travelled by,

And that has made all the difference!”

These well-acclaimed and much-celebrated lyrical words from the poem “The Road not taken” by Robert Frost…
… highlight the importance of making critical choices in life.

It is our choices that show what we are, far more than our abilities.
It is our choices that determines our success in life, far more than our talents.

Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ, is a deliberate choice we make in our lives!

This is a choice of “walking the road less-travelled!”

The Gospel of the Day, begins with the verse:
Mt 8:23 – ” Jesus got into a boat, and the disciples FOLLOWED HIM!”

In the preceding verses, Jesus had filtered the massive crowd that was thronging on Him…
… by placing some demands in being His True Disciple.

And in today’s reading, the Disciples FOLLOW HIM, into the boat!

They make a choice of “walking the road less-travelled!”

Now, this sequence is interesting….

1. A large crowd follows Jesus (Mt 8:18)
2. Jesus places some demands in being a true disciple (Mt 8:19-22)
3. A few disciples remain – making a deliberate choice – and follow Jesus in the boat (Mt 8:23)
4. Though they follow Jesus… the disciples now encounter a massive storm! (Mt 8: 24)

Is this not, perhaps our experience as well?

1. We seek to follow the Lord, initially, along with others – as in a crowd
2. Jesus then places before us the demands of following Him and how we need to be not merely a “devotee” but also become a “disciple”
3. We choose to remain with Him – making a deliberate choice – and follow Jesus in the boat, through the waters of this world
4. Though we follow Jesus… as disciples, we now encounter massive storms!

Is there a storm in our life today?

Are there winds of doubt, anxiety, fear, hopeless lashing against the boat of our life?

Though, we have made a deliberate choice to follow Jesus…
… yet, it seems, the Lord is busy sleeping!

The storms hit the boat…
The blood pressure levels go up…
The heart starts sinking in fear…!

In anxiety and trembling we cry:
“Lord, Save us!
… we are perishing!!”

“Lord, Save us!
… My marriage is falling apart and my family life is on the verge of a split!”

“Lord, Save us!
… My friends have deserted me and I feel so lonely!”

“Lord, Save us!
… I have no financial help and emotional support!”

“Lord, Save us!
… My community life is in a crisis and I feel my vocation is at the crossroads!”

We all have asked such similar queries, in varied ways, and a number of times!

We never question the Lord’s compassion, when things are going on well in life…

But we are quick to interrogate the Lord’s presence, when situations hit rock bottom!

But we need to understand and be convinced…
“God’s Power & Compassion is not measured by our circumstances, nor His kindness limited to our understanding!”

God loves us… when the tempest is raging and even when the sun is shining bright!
God cares for us… when life is happy and full of bliss and even when life has only tears and pains!

Do I trust in this?

The Lord was well aware of the dangers, when He asked them to get into the boat…

The Lord is not ignorant…!

The book of Prophet Jeremiah 29:11,14 says: “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare, not for woe!

Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you’ll find me, with You!”

As a Disciple of Jesus…
… storms are bound to hit us
… lashes of winds are sure to whack us
… tempests and gales are inevitable in life!

None of them are accidents; but are fully known, in the Will of the Father!

He is the Loving Father, the Saving Lord, the Guiding Spirit!

These hardships become occasions…
… when our faith levels are tested
… when our heart needs to grow in greater trust
… when our following of Christ undergoes the assessment of strength
… when we need to check whether any sins are blocking my zeal for the Lord

Let u not be bound to our little faith…

The Lord of the “sea and the waves and the winds” is by our side…

In His time, He will calm these perils…

We need to wait in patience
… in cheerful submission
… and in humble hope
… to the Providential Care of the Lord, which always saves us!

And when we look back, to those moments of dangers, we realize…
… that our faith has grown stronger, by the storms we passed through!

As we enter into the new month of July, our Blessed Lord says: “Fear not, thru the storms of life…”

Let’s keep believing!
Let’s grow stronger!
Let’s be His faithful disciples!

Two roads diverge at every moment in our life

A road that is easy…
… and the road that is hard

Which one shall we travel by?

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

The Old Testament always considered blood a sacred sign of life.

This teaching remains necessary for all time. (CCC # 2260)

“Making a choice to be a Disciple of Christ – and to be ever-faithful and a committed Christian!”

(Based on Gen 18:16-33 and Mt 8:18-22 – Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A motivational speaker was addressing a group of youngsters…
… and was insisting on the importance of “making the right choices in life”

She quoted Ann Voskamp, a Canadian Author and said:
“Remember…
Busy is a choice!
Stress is a choice!
Joy is a choice!
Choose well….!”

Our choices go a long way, in determining the quality of our life!

Christianity requires us to make choices…
… choices for the Kingdom
… choices of Kingdom virtues over worldly ways

In a world where there is an insistent inclination to the “Instant”….
Instant Coffees…
Instant Food…
Instant Juices…
Instant Pleasures…
Instant Solutions to problems…
Instant end to difficulties…

And sadly… even an inclination for Instant Christianity!
… we are called forth to make choices that enhance our commitment to the Kingdom.

The Gospel of the Day is a call to re-look at some of the motives and intentions in our following of Christ…
… and to make the right choices.

The Gospel of the Day begins with the verse:
Mt 8:18 – “When He saw the crowd press around Him, Jesus gave orders to cross to the other shore”

The preceding verses in Chapter 8 of the Gospel of St Matthew present Jesus performing many miracles and healings…
… and a “crowd” being attracted to the Lord.

Where there is a miraculous event, a crowd gathers….

But the Lord, wished to sift this Crowd.

He says, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His Head” (Mt 8: 20)

Jesus does away with any promise of security and comfort

He discourages people from following Him for having a better material life!

It was not that He didn’t want many people…
… but He wished to purify their motives & make them authentic in their following Him!

He sifts and sieves and strains the “crowd”…
… to get together “Disciples”.

Where there is a miraculous event, a crowd gathers…

But when there is an exhortation in being committed to that miraculous event…
… the crowd is filtered
… and only the Disciples remain back!

The Lord is asking us today…
Are we just a part of the CROWD…?
… or are we ready to be filtered, and be a DISCIPLE?

Christianity sometimes gets reduced to…
… going to Church once in a while especially on a Sunday or a Feast day
… saying a few prayers time to time
… reading a few verses from the Bible.. etc…

And then expecting Instant blessings and favours!

But is this all that Christ intended with Christianity?

We are exhorted to move from the tendency reduce Christianity as just a part time affair, or in terms of some contract or promises, or in order to achieve some wants and desires…
… and instead to be Christian as a full timer!

It is easy to be part of a Crowd….

We can enjoy the occasional miracles
We can relish hearing the Word of God

But it is not easy to be a Disciple…

The experience of external miracles would be few
The Word of God would not just be heard, but also be expected to be lived and practised in life!
There would be no guarantee of any security in life
Many of the personal desires would have to be left behind…

To be a Disciple is hard…
… undoubtedly painful…and certainly, demanding

But to be a Disciple is also joyful…
… undoubtedly satisfying…and certainly, exciting!!

The Crowd is Casual…
… the Disciple is Dedicated!

The Crowd is Dichotomous…
… the Disciple is Committed!

What are we going to choose?
To be part of the “Crowd”- as an easy-going Christian?
… or to be a “Disciple” – as an ever-faithful and committed Christian?

Your answer please?…
… Instantly!

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

For your lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning.
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image.
The Old Testament always considered blood a sacred sign of life.

This teaching remains necessary for all time. (CCC # 2260)

“Looking to the Lord, Who is ever merciful and compassionate, and receiving the Grace of repentance, which can help us to also become saints!”

(Based on Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)

There were two brothers were convicted of stealing sheep in a particular place.

In accordance with the brutal punishment of that society…
… both were branded on their forehead with the letters S T, which stood for “Sheep Thief.”

One of them, unable to bear the stigma, ran away to a foreign place.

But people would ask him about the letters on his brow, and what they meant.
Thus he wandered from land to land.
Finally, full of bitterness, he ended his life and was buried in a forgotten grave.

But the other brother, repented of his misdeed and did not go away from his home.

He said to himself: “I can’t escape from the fact that I stole sheep.

So I will remain here, until I win back the respect of my neighbours and myself.”

As years passed by, he established a reputation for respectability and integrity.

One day a stranger in this town saw this man (by now, old) with the letters S T branded on his forehead.

He asked a native what they signified.

After a little thought, the villager said: “It all happened a great while ago, and I have forgotten the particulars; but I think the letters are an abbreviation of SAINT.”

The man whose forehead was branded with ‘S T’ to signify SHEEP-THIEF, had repented and revived his life so much…
… that other people, by now, experienced him as a SAINT

Yes… The marvellous grace of God in the penitent and a believing heart…
… is able to transform the ‘detestable scars and branding of sin’ into an ’emblem of honour and beauty!’

It is this transformative power and grace of the Lord that we thank and celebrate on this Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul.

One of the most beautiful aspects of the Love of God is that it brings people of contrasting characters and temperaments to come together in the Church.

The love of God respects individuality, but forges together beautiful relationships.

The love of God maintains personal traits, but mingles together wonderful team-efforts.

Such is the power and beauty of God’s Love!

St Peter and St Paul were certainly quite different – in their upbringing, in their temperament and in their nature…

St Peter probably just had, what is called in our days ‘elementary education’.

He was a fisherman, married with a family…
… and had the enormous privilege of having known and worked alongside Jesus during his ministry.
He was chosen by Jesus as the leader of the apostles
He was impulsive by nature and often said and did things without a prior thought!

On the other hand…
St Paul was a graduate from one of the prestigious universities of his day (perhaps, like the Oxford or Cambridge in our days)…
… and had been tutored by the famous leader of the Hillel School of Rabbis called Gamaliel.

He was well-versed in the Scriptures and lived passionately by the Jewish Law
He spent his early years persecuting Christians and seeking to end the movement called “Christianity”
He was converted after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.

There is more…
The real name of Peter was ‘Simon’, meaning: ‘he who hears’ (from Hebrew) or ‘flat-nosed’ (from Greek)

His nickname was ‘Cephas’ in Aramaic or Petros in Greek, meaning ‘the rock’.

The real name of Paul was ‘Saul’, meaning: ‘asked for’ or ‘prayed for’ (from Hebrew)

His nickname was “Paul’, meaning ‘short in height’ or ‘small’

St Peter denied Jesus three times before His Crucifixion; later, after the Resurrection, he would be asked to affirm three times to the question, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

St Paul persecuted the Church and affirmed the stoning of the first martyr, St Stephen; later, he would be asked the pertinent question on the road to Damascus, “Paul, Paul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Despite all these differences, the two apostles had an important aspect in common: They both took part in the mighty miracle of “repentance”

Ordinarily, both these persons would have perhaps drowned themselves in the sea of sorrow and misery, if they got stuck to their past life and depended only themselves…

Peter could have felt…”I was given so many special privileges by the Lord.

I was to be a model for others to follow.
I had even boasted that I would give up my life for the Lord!

But now I have failed…

I can never ever be credible in life!

What would others think of me?
I would be branded forever by others
… an imposter
… a traitor
… a boaster
… a betrayer!

It’s the end of my life… It’s all over for me!”

Paul could have felt… “I have been such a dreadful persecutor

My name and presence would cause such terror to the innocent followers of Christ
I have made my life an absolute wreck…I can never be credible in life!

What would others think of me?
I would be branded forever by others
… a persecutor
… a tormentor
… a tyrant
… a Cheater!

It’s the end of my life.. It’s all over for me!”

But they did not look into themselves…
… rather looked onto to Christ!

And they found strength
… they found hope!
… they found the Grace to Repent!

Yes…. The marvelous grace of God in the penitent and a believing heart…
… is able to change and transform the ‘detestable scars and branding of sin’ into an ’emblem of honour and beauty!’

Today they are remembered with honour and admired with great respect…
… St Peter and St Paul are the pillars of the Church!

Their names today stand for mighty courage, passionate love for the Lord and faithful submission to God’s Will

Is my life also being “branded” with guilt or shame or misery or unfaithfulness or sin?

Let’s not get discouraged and drown ourselves into misery!

Instead, may we look to the Lord, who is ever merciful and compassionate, and receive the grace of repentance, which can help us to also become saints!

Happy Feast of St Peter and St Paul – the mighty and valiant warriors of our Faith!

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

The covenant between God and mankind is interwoven with reminders of God’s gift of human life and man’s murderous violence. (CCC # 2260)

“Consecrating our lives to the maternal care of our Blessed Mother Mary and finding consolation and comfort in Her Immaculate Heart!”

(Based on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary)

There is a well-known incident in the life of St Francis de Sales…

During the period from December 1586 to January 1587, St Francis underwent a terrible crisis, a temptation, a trial.

There were several causes:

His natural tendency to anxiety
The problem of predestination (a Calvinist position which says that God has determined the eternal destiny of every human being. He has chosen some to eternal life and foreordained others to everlasting punishment) keenly discussed in theological circles in those days.
A mystical dimension to the trial: an unselfish, pure love of God and total surrender to Him, in which lay the answer to his problems as he was being tempted to despair of his salvation.

One day in January 1587, St Francis went into the church of St. Etienne des Grès.

He went to the chapel of our Lady and knelt down in front of the statue.

He was inspired to make an unconditional surrender of his salvation to God, using the words:”O God, Just Judge and Merciful Father, at least in this life will I love You, if it is not given to me to love You in life everlasting”.

Then he saw there a card with the prayer – The Memorare: “Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary…”

He took it and earnestly prayed it.
He was instantly healed.
The temptation vanished.
Strength and confidence returned to him.

He consecrated himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and decided to dedicate his life to God with a vow of chastity.

The Gentleman Saint, St Francis de Sales found consolation and encouragement by dwelling on the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother Mary…
… and consecrated himself to Her maternal care.

Today, on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we too are invited to admire and venerate the deep love and affection of our Blessed Mother…
… and to seek Her help and intercession to lead a life in closer union with the Lord.

The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mary is celebrated on the following day of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of the Lord.

Jesus in a vision to Lucia (one of the Fatima visionaries) said: “I want My Church to…. put the devotion to this Immaculate Heart beside the devotion to My Sacred Heart.”

Lucia would also say: “The work of our redemption began at the moment when the Word descended from Heaven in order to assume a human body in the womb of Mary.
… From that moment, and for the next nine months, the Blood of Christ was the Blood of Mary, taken from Her Immaculate Heart
… the Heart of Christ was beating in unison with the Heart of Mary!”

Both these devotions are intricately linked.

The Catechism of the Church says:”Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it.” (CCC # 964)

“This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death”. (CCC #1172)

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri tells us, “After the love which we Jesus Christ, we must give the chief place in our heart to the love of His Mother Mary.”

It was in 1942, in the context of the devastating Second World War, that Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

St Luke gives a glimpse into this Blessed Heart of our Mother, when he testifies that “… Jesus’ Mother kept all these things in Her Heart” (Lk 2: 51b)

What does the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother teach us?

1. The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that “everything in life is not understood.”

Mother Mary had to face a lot of hardships and struggles in life

Right from the moment of the Annunciation
… to the misunderstandings about her marital life
… the hardships at the time of the birth of Her Child
… the grievances and tribulations in the events post-birth and care of the Child
… the loss of Her Spouse, Joseph
… the misunderstandings that Her Little Babe had to face in His ministry
… the cruel death meted out to Her Beloved Child

With all these great troubles of life, we still find that Mother Mary remained trustful and obedient.

2. The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that “sorrow and pain are an integral part of everyone’s life”

The Heart of our Blessed Mother faced a lot of pain and agonies
… sacrificing of a promising life ahead, for the sake of giving birth to God’s Child
… facing crisis in the family and possibilities of misunderstanding with her to-be-husband Joseph
… uncertainty during and after the birth of the Child
… living life as a widow and alone with Her Son away in a risky mission
… undergoing the deepest pain of seeing One’s Own Child facing a harrowing death

The Immaculate Heart of Mary teaches us that “being focused on doing God’s Will brings the greatest joy and happiness”

3. The Heart of our Blessed Mother was ever focused on doing God’s Will.

Just as Her Son would tell later on in life, “My food is to do the Will of the One who sent me” (Jn 4:34)…
… Mary also would sustain Her life on doing the Will of the Father at all times.

This would therefore turn out to be the source of strength and joy, even in the midst of the deep pain that Her Heart underwent.

The Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother is a model and example and inspiration for all of us too….

Do I realise that “not everything in life can be understood”; yet life is still worth living and making it beautiful for others and for God?
Do I accept that “pains and problems” are part and parcel of life; yet, holding on to the Father’s Hands will assure us of a spiritual joy and heavenly peace?
Do I seek to constantly seek and do God’s Will in my life, and be committed and faithful to the tasks that are entrusted to me, as part of my vocation?

Saint Louis de Montfort beautifully reminds us: “If you put all the love of the mothers into one heart it still would not equal the love of the Heart of Mary for her children.”

Let us consecrate our lives to the maternal care of our Blessed Mother Mary and find consolation and comfort in Her Immaculate Heart!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, may we rest in You!

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mamma!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

God declares the wickedness of this fratricide: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.

And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. (CCC # 2259)

“Being united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord – renewing our consecration this day to Him and persevering to live love – in purity, faithfulness and truth!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

There was an elderly Christian lady who was extremely popular with the kids, due to her kind and simple way of talking.

Once, while interacting with them, she asked: “Do you know, kids, that there is a big difference between the Divine attitude and the human attitude!”

And she went on to say: “The Divine attitude is to ‘give give, give and forgive!

The human attitude is usually ‘get, get, get and forget!”

This is indeed so true!

God always loves to give and forgive

We, however, often tend to only get, and then finally, we forget!

True love, by its nature, moves out of oneself…
… and gives in total self-giving to the other
… to the one who is loved!

Are we ready to make a journey towards having this Divine attitude of self-giving?

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – in which is displayed the greatest expression of Love…
… God who madly loves humanity and gave Himself up, in entirety for us, Whom He loves!

Love is one of the most used words in any language.

There is much literature available in any language on Love – poetry, novels, short stories, dramas, epics…

But Love is also one of the most misinterpreted, misunderstood & misused words.

The word ‘love” in our modern world, is highly commercialized & sensationalized, and very often, ends up losing its real meaning.

It’s in this context, that today we celebrate the Feast of Love – symbolized in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

The Sacred Heart of Jesus shows us what is True Love!

Love is not just a passing and fleeting dimension of feelings or words or emotions or sentiments…
Love, affects our core!

Love, as expressed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is Merciful, Sacrificial and all-embracing.

1. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – a Merciful Heart

The Lord condemns sins, but loves the sinner!

There is hope for the worst sinner and acceptance for the fallen saint!

Love is indeed merciful!

2. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – a Sacrificial Heart

The Heart of the Divine Lord was pierced for love of us.

Though He knows we are sinners and we are betrayers…… yet, the Love of the Lord knows no bounds.
He sacrifices Himself, for us.
He died, that we may live.
He wounded Himself, that we may be healed!

Love is indeed sacrificial!

3. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – an all-embracing Heart

The world indulges in the categorization of people based on class, status, caste, language etc…

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, destroys all such pitiable discriminations and inhuman inequity, by expressing love to all!

There is light and love and joy and peace to ALL people!

Love is indeed all-embracing!

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a reminder and a challenge to each one of us to possess this Heart – His Heart – The Sacred Heart!

Is my Heart
… Merciful?
… Sacrificial?
… all-embracing?

We live in times when heart diseases and ailments are on the rise…

Physically: Heart attacks, holes in the heart, congestive heart failures, narrowing of the arteries…
Emotionally: Broken hearts, fearful hearts, anxious hearts, discouraged hearts, lonely hearts, rejected hearts…
Spiritually: Unforgiving hearts, sinful hearts, unrepentant hearts, lukewarm hearts, lustful hearts, unfaithful hearts…

We all, possess one or more aspects of these hearts.

Perhaps, we need a ‘spiritual heart surgery’… a change of heart – to be more like the Heart of Jesus!

In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “A new heart I will give you…”

Jesus, the Lover of our hearts, today, invites us, to look into His Sacred Heart…
… and find rest and consolation: “Come to me, all you who labour, and I will give you rest!”

Let us seek to unite our hearts, in whichever state it be…
… to the Sacred Heart of our Lord!

The Sacred Heart is burning with love for each of us!

The Love of Jesus gives, forgives, outlives;
And ever stands with open hands
And while it lives, it gives,
For this His love’s prerogative
To give, and give, and give!

Let us cast ourselves, into this Burning Furnace of Love, and be filled with a Deeper Passion and Zeal for the Lord!

Love is, indeed, a powerful word…
… but it is our duty to preserve its purity!

Let us be united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord
… renew our consecration this day to Him
… and persevere to live love – in purity, faithfulness and truth!

LET’S LIVE LOVE, TO GIVE LOVE!
LET’S LIVE JESUS, TO GIVE JESUS!

Happy Feast to Jesus, our Beloved…
… and Happy Feast to all of us, His lovers!

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

In the account of Abel’s murder by his brother Cain…

… Scripture reveals the presence of anger and envy in man, consequences of original sin, from the beginning of human history. (CCC # 2259)