“Anchoring ourselves in the Lord, to live in greater freedom and joy!”

(Based on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 and Jn 17:20-26 – Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

A cute story of a little boy, who loved fruits.

This little boy fellow was once, tempted to pluck some cherries from a tree, which his father had strictly forbidden him to touch.

“You need not be afraid,” said his notorious companion, “for if your father should find out that you have taken them, he is too kind to hurt you.”

“Ah,” said the brave little fellow, “that is the very reason why I would not touch them;

For I know that my father would not hurt me.
So I should not hurt him by my disobedience!”

The little boy knew the love of his Father towards him…
… and so he dared not hurt his Father.

He was not afraid of the punishment of the Father.

He was instead afraid of the hurt that would cause pain to the Father.

True love causes a holy and pious concern of not wanting to cause any offence to the one who is loved.

It casts away all fear!
It drives away every anxiety!

It is this True Love of the Father that was made known by Jesus to all of us.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus shedding greater light on His intimate relation with the Father and revealing deeper, the love of the Father for each one of us.

Jesus prays, “… so that they may be one, as We are one. I in them and You in Me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that You sent Me, and that You loved them even as You loved Me.” (Jn 17: 22b, 23)

The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in the Seventeenth Chapter of St John, is another insight into the intimate relation that Jesus had with His Father.

All through His life…
… He sought to do the Father’s Will
… He sought to reveal the love of the Father to the world.

This was driven by the fact that Jesus was in intimate union with the Father.

To His disciples, Jesus wishes to leave this same legacy – the legacy of loving the Father intimately.

Jesus wishes to tell us that we have a Father who is deeply interested and caring for us.
Jesus wishes to convince us that our lives are secure in the Providential care of the Father.

However, our lives sometimes fails to display this trust and confidence in the providential care of the Father

Some of us may have a wrong notion of God being interested only in finding my wrongdoings and punishing me for the same…
Some of us may have the wrong notion of God being unapproachable, unavailable and inaccessible because of His Holiness and Majesty!

But Jesus drives away all such false impressions.

He tells us that the Father…
… is surely the keeper of justice, and may take us through a time of trials and difficulties.

But those are not to be seen as cruel punishments, but loving acts for improvements towards a holier life!

He tells us that the Father…
… is the Lord and Master of the Universe
… and is totally aware of even the calamities or hardships that befall our lives

So in all those hard moments, the loving Father keeps us safely in the palm of His hand…
…. not allowing us, His beloved children to get hurt or harmed! (Cf. Psalm 91)

When we are convinced of this deep love that the Father has towards us, we would be able to orient our lives in a way that is worthy of our call as witnesses of Christ.

Jesus by His unity with the Father, enjoyed perfect freedom.

He now invites us to also deepen our union with the Father and enjoy greater freedom of happiness and joy.

We see this truth echoed in St Paul’s journey.

He was grounded in Divine Purpose and strengthened by the Lord’s Presence.

Paul’s bold declaration of his identity – rooted in the hope of the Resurrection – shows that when we are secure in our identity as children of God…
… we experience inner freedom and joy, even amid external conflict.

“Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” (Acts 23:6)

This, of course, doesn’t mean lack of struggles.

Rather, even in threatening circumstances, the close Presence of the Lord…
“That night the Lord stood near him and said, ‘Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.’” (Acts 23:11)
… becomes his strength and hope!

When we are deeply rooted in God, even in the face of opposition, we will be joyful and free!

Let us anchor ourselves in God because…
… joy flows where God dwells
… and freedom follows where His Spirit leads!

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families…

… it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents. (CCC # 2226)

“Avoiding the ‘chameleon character’; instead, adopting and growing in our ‘Christian conviction!’”

(Based on Acts 20:28-38 and Jn 17:11b-19 – Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

A zoologist, working in a Catholic University, was interacting with a group of youngsters.

As they were discussing about living as a Christian in the world the zoologist – himself a Christian – noted: “There are many of us Christians who live like chameleons!”

(Chameleons are a species of lizards – known for their distinct range of colours, as they are able to shift in different hues and brightness, depending on the surrounding)

The professor went on to say:
“The chameleon takes the colour of its background and environment – tree, bush, or grass.

Many Christians are chameleon-like in the facility with which they can take on the colour of the world about them”

And he added, “And… just as it is difficult to distinguish the chameleon from the background, the colour of which he has taken…
… so it is very difficult to distinguish many Christians from the background of the world in which they live!”

Are we living ‘chameleon-like Christian lives’…
… changing our colours and choices in life, to suit the corrupt ways around us, rather than being faithful to Christian teachings?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus praying to the Father: “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them safe from the evil one.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)

The call of a Christian is to live as a people “set apart” for Christ.

The Lord wishes, desires, wants and makes it a must that the one who follows Him, must seek to follow Him fully, wholeheartedly and unreservedly.

But the Lord was also very much aware that this His desire for a people “totally set apart” would face a lot of challenges and crisis from the Evil One.

He knew that His followers would struggle much in living a pure life…
… in the midst of many impurity, uncleanness and contamination.
He knew that His followers would find it hard to preserve holiness…
… in the hub of wicked temptations, ensnaring enticements and luring persuasions

St Paul warns the Church at Ephesus to be aware of the many dangers that may allure them in the world…
… and to remain focussed and alert

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which He obtained with His own Blood.

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things…
… to draw away the disciples after them.
Therefore, be alert…” (Acts 20:28-31)

We often find ourselves lost in this strange maze of the world….

We immerse ourselves too much in worldly activities and works….
… But, somehow at the end of the day, when lying down on our beds, we, perhaps, feel ourselves lost and not having a true sense of satisfaction!

We plunge ourselves to enjoy a lot of worldly pleasures, comforts and luxuries…
… But, somehow, after having been sort of saturated with those externals, we, perhaps, find ourselves still unhappy or experiencing a void!

We engage ourselves in an excess use of the social media, networking sites, chatting applications and remain attached constantly to modern communication gadgets…
… But, somehow, though we are in contact with many people, we, perhaps, realize that there is a grave presence of loneliness and not having genuine relationships of love and true care!

And therefore, Jesus, the ever-practical, sensible and realistic Master…
… Firstly, prays for His followers for strength and courage: “I pray for them…. Holy Father, keep them in Your name… “ (Jn 17: 9a, 11b)
… Secondly, reminds His followers on the need to set their hearts on Him because they belong not to the world: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)

This then ought to be our strength and hope, as we seek to live a Holy Christian Life in this world, often corrupted by sin and transgressions: Knowing that Jesus has prayed for us!

In His prayer, we find hope and blessings
In His prayer, we find encouragement and support

Setting our heart entirely on the Lord and not being totally attached to the aspects of the world

In His Love, we find meaning in our relationships
In His Presence, we ought to engage all our activities

Light passes through pollution, but doesn’t get contaminated!

Every Christian, a reflection of the Light of Christ, ought to be such…
… focused on the Lord, seeking to be pure and unsullied, in holiness and sanctity.

Let us avoid the ‘chameleon character” by compromising to suit the pleasures of the world…
… instead, let us adopt and grow in our “Christian conviction!”

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith.

Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. (CCC # 2226)

“Having a closer intimacy with our Father by growing in our life of prayer!”

(Based on Acts 20:17-27 and Jn 17:1-11a – Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

The earthly life and ministry of Jesus is presented in the Bible mainly through the Four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

Of these, Mathew, Mark and Luke are termed as the Synoptic Gospels (synoptic meaning ‘same view’) because they have a common view.

The Gospel of John reflects a Christian tradition that is different from that of the other Gospel.

It differs significantly from the synoptic gospels in theme, content, time duration, order of events, and style.

One important distinction that is seen between the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John is that..
… while some events are very clearly and narratively described in the Synoptics
… the elements of the same are found in the Gospel of John, either figuratively or in more detail.

One such event is the Temptations.

The temptations of Jesus find a clear mention in the three Synoptic Gospels as a one-time event.
But the Gospel of John would present the same temptations, not as a one-time affair, but spread through the life and ministry of Jesus.

Another event we see is the Institution of the Holy Eucharist.

The narrative of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist finds a specific mention in all the three Synoptic Gospels, at the time of the Last Supper
The Gospel of John presents a very long teaching on the Holy Eucharist (Jn 6) and clearly presents the implications and consequences of being a Eucharist through the washing of the feet and His explicit commandment of love (Jn 12)

Another event or incident that finds a mention in two of the Synoptic Gospels is the Lord’s Prayer – the Our Father.

But it doesn’t appear as one-block of prayer in the Gospel of John.

However, the Gospel of John also presents a very extensive teaching and displays a method of prayer – especially in John Chapter 17.

The Gospel of the Day is this beautiful expression of Jesus praying in the Gospel of John and presents to us elements which need to become part of our own prayer life.

The Seventeenth Chapter of the Gospel of John is traditionally called as the High Priestly prayer of Jesus.

The Gospel passage of the day (Jn 17: 1-11) presents a few basics and essentials of prayer:

1. Jesus prays for the glory of the Divine

Every prayer ought to be an expression of praise, worship and exaltation of the Holy Name of God.

Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to Your Son, so that your Son may glorify You!” (Jn 17:1)

The lips of the Lord moved in praise of His Father and seeking the glory that was due to Him.

Is my prayer an expression of my desire to ‘lift up the name of the Lord on high?”
… or does my prayer degenerate into merely asking for things and wanting to focus the attention on me, than the Divine?

2. Jesus prays for the gift of eternal life for His people

Every prayer ought to have its intention aimed towards eternity!

Jesus prayed, “… just as You gave Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all You gave Him” (Jn 17:2)

The purpose of the Lord was clearly focussed on eternal goodness and everlasting benefits.

Is my prayer an articulation of my longing for heaven and centred towards seeking the higher-things of life?
… or do I get limited in my prayer with merely earthly and transitory things of life; not that they are unimportant, but whether they snatch away our minds from the true needs and requirements of life?

3. Jesus prays with an expression of His intimacy with God and His People

Every prayer ought to be a manifestation of my unity with the Lord and the people to whom I am connected.

Jesus prayed, “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you and you gave them to me… ” (Jn 17: 6)

The prayer of the Lord showed that He was in intimacy with the Father and was in close union with the people in His life

Is my prayer a sign of my close friendship with the Lord as well my close binding with the many people in my life?
… or am I failing in my prayer due to a breakage of relation with the Lord due to sin, and suffering from disturbance of mind due to damaged and hateful links with the people in my life?

4. Jesus prays for the unity of the people and safety from the evil

Every prayer ought to make me closer to the Lord and His people and cause to me stay further away from the evil.

Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one” (Jn 17: 11b)

The heart of the Lord moved to seek to protect the people He loved and also grow in greater intimacy

Is my prayer constantly drawing me to purge away sins from my life, so that I can remain in His name, and also make me assist His people in service?
… or does my prayer life make no effect on me to stay away from the evil and fail to be expressed in loving actions of charity and help?

The Lord desires that just as He prayed, in close intimacy with His Father, we too may grow in our life of prayer and union with the Heavenly Father.

It’s this intimacy that will make us to offer our lives in total service to the Lord – not counting costs, or losing one’s comforts – just like St Paul who testified at Ephesus:

“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus…
… to testify to the gospel of the grace of God!” (Acts 20:22-24)

Let us seek the intercession St Charles Lwanga and his companions – the 22 Ugandan Martyrs – who offered their life for the Kingdom.

May the remarkable words of St Charles Lwanga, as he was being burnt to death: “It is as if you are pouring water on me. Please repent and become a Christian like me!”
… inspire us to also face all the struggles in Christian Life and to remain bold and faithful to the Lord and His Kingdom!

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years.

This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. (CCC # 2226)

“Responding joyfully and optimistically to ‘the advertisement of adversity’ offered by Jesus!”

(Based on Acts 19:1-8 and Jn 16:29-33 – Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter)

Early in the 20th century, a London newspaper carried an advertisement that read: “Men wanted for hazardous darkness, and constant danger.

Safe return doubtful.
Honour and recognition in case of success!”

This advertisement was from Sir Ernest Shackleton – the world famous Arctic explorer.

Commenting on this, Warren W. Wiersbe in his book, “Be Faithful” commented –
“If JESUS CHRIST had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:
Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church.

You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you.
You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy.

You may not see the results of your labour…
… and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed.
It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life!”

Are you ready to accept this Advertisement of Jesus to work for His Kingdom?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.

Jesus tells, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33)

The Lord in His final discourses to the disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.

Jesus is a not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth…
… or Who hides the real facts of following Him.

He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.

He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)

Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.

He is bold to tell them, “… Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)

Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.

Sometimes, we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”
Sometimes, we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”
Sometimes, we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”

But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.

We need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.

When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.
… but when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances that tend to relax our relation with Him

When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord
… but when life is too cozy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life

When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God
… but when life goes on a smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life

Along with this, hardships and sufferings also have a Salvific Value!

Every pain and difficulty we undergo, is to be united with the Suffering of Christ…
… and Christ redeems all of them!

In turn, we are blessed to be partakers with Christ’s Mission…
… and strength and hope, to realise, that God in His Providence, always does the best for us, when we remain faithful to Him!

Yes, strength of any kind grows only by exertion!

St Paul is a beautiful example of a person who never got discouraged by the troubles of life.

After having prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believers at Ephesus, who had never even heard about the Holy Spirit… (Acts 19:1-7)
… St Paul went on to preach and boldly proclaim about the Kingdom, in the synagogues: “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8)

Let us not get discouraged by the problems of life…
… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!

JESUS invites workers for His Kingdom.
We will have struggles.
We will face misunderstandings

But when we remain faithful, Jesus Himself, is our reward!

Are you ready to respond joyfully and optimistically to this “the advertisement of adversity?”

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Parents should associate children from their tenderest years with the life of the Church.
A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith…

… and remain a support for it throughout one’s life. (CCC # 2225)