“Being faithful to the entrusted duty of being zealous workers of the Kingdom of God!”

(Based on Rom 6:2-18 and Lk 12:39-48 – Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An incident is reported that took place a few years ago.

A former astronaut took over as head of a major airline company.

He was extremely ambitious to make his company the best airline service provider.

Once, when this new president was making an inspection of a particular department, he came across an employee…
… resting his feet on the desk, while the telephone was ringing continuously.

“Are you not going to pick up the phone?” queried the boss, with a sense of displeasure.

“That’s not my department!” answered the employee indifferently!

He had not recognised his new boss.

“I work in the maintenance section!” he replied.

“Huh!” quipped the president, “Not anymore!”

The casual attitude and the laid-back and easy-going approach of the employee cost him his job.

The new boss would not tolerate any people, who failed to show a sense of responsibility and commitment…
… which are essential and undeniable qualities in the pursuit of perfection and excellence!

What about us?

Is our Christian life characterised by responsibility and commitment?

Or do we have a casual attitude and a laid-back and easy-going approach?

The Gospel of the Day presents to us a strong reminder by the Lord to take our Christian life seriously…
… with its undeniable duties and its unavoidable sense of responsibility.

Jesus speaks of the coming of the Son of Man at an unexpected time…
… just as the coming of a thief is unknown to the master of a house (Lk 12: 39-40)

What are some of the characteristics of the coming of a thief to the house?

1) It happens in the quiet of the night….
… so that no one becomes aware and the setting is perfectly safe

There is a sense of ‘anonymity’

2) It takes place when none of the people in the house are expecting it…
… thus leaving them completely startled and unprepared

There is the element of ‘total surprise’

3) It happens in areas where there is emptiness or lesser security measures
… thus creating greater potency to danger and sharper damage

There is a factor of ‘missed opportunity to take care’

These then are the “loopholes” in our spiritual life, that can cause us to be off-guard…
… when the Lord appears in His Second Coming (just as the coming of the thief in the night)…

A sense of ‘anonymity’
An element of ‘total surprise’
A factor of ‘missed opportunity to take care’

Do we remain “anonymous” to the Lord…
… by remaining ignorant of His teachings and commandments – even though He addresses very often through the Bible and the Church?
… by failing to give heed to the repeated reminders by the Lord through various advices from our caring one, and the guidance we receive through sermons, reflections, messages and life-situations?

Do we get caught with “total surprise” at the Will of God in our lives…
… failing to see the providential hand of God in the struggles and hardships that we undergo?
… entering into a sense of despair and discouragement when things don’t happen the way we plan?

Do we become victims of “missing opportunities to take care”…
… by failing to do the many good works which we can perform, but fail, owing to our slackness?
… by taking the stance of being indifferent in situations of injustice and discriminations?

The Lord clearly warns even in the Book of Revelation…
… “If therefore you shall not watch, I will come to you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you.” (Rev 3:1-3)

Though this passage may cause a sense of fear and insecurity, we also need to consider, the converse…
… that if we are prepared and alert
… that if we are ready and vigilant
… then the “coming of the Lord” becomes a joyful waiting and an expectant hope!

Nothing fears the one who is prepared, to meet the Lord!

St Paul encourages us through these words: “But you brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief!” (1 Thess 5: 2-4)

When we are in the Light of Christ…
… by a constant life of vigilant prayer
… by a faithful life of sacraments
… by a committed life to the Church

No darkness can overpower us; No fear of thieves can cause panic!

As Christians, each one us is entrusted the duty of being faithful “employees” of the Kingdom of God!

Are we going to “rest our feet on the desk”…
… with a casual attitude and a laid-back and easy-going approach…?

Or shall we be “armed and ever-ready to serve”…
… with a sense of responsibility and commitment…?

Be ready…

Our Boss – The Lord – may come anytime…!

We seek today the intercession of Pope St John Paul II, arguably, one of the most-popular and loved Pope of our times.

His convincing life, uncompromising teaching and courageous words are a challenge and inspiration to all of us…
… “What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return.

In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary.
And, without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.”

So…
“Never ever give up hope!

Never tire, never get discouraged!
Do not be afraid to be saints!”

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 Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery – Male and Female He created them

God is love and in himself he lives a mystery of personal loving communion.
Creating the human race in his own image…
… God inscribed in the humanity of man and woman the vocation

… and thus the capacity and responsibility, of love and communion.” (CCC # 2331)

“Nurturing our faith, and allowing the Flame of Christ to shine through the darkest nights, and thus touching countless lives!”

(Based on Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 and Lk 12:35-38 – Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Chiara Badano was sixteen when she fell seriously ill.

The doctors said her time was short.
Pain became part of her daily life.
Yet, she smiled.
She prayed.
She offered her suffering for others.

Friends and family were stunned.

How could a young girl face death with such calm and joy?

She often said: “If I suffer, I want to suffer for Jesus.”

Even in her weakest moments, her faith shone bright.
Her light never dimmed.

She became a living reminder: the Light of Christ shines strongest when the night is darkest.

Today, Chiara is recognized as…
… Blessed Chiara Badano, beatified in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.
(Her Feast Day is on Oct 29)

Her life continues to inspire young and old alike, showing that even in suffering, our faith can illuminate the world.

Blessed Chiara’s story reminds us that each of us has received the Light of Christ. >> But life has winds that threaten to blow it out…
… trials, distractions, selfishness, and false beliefs – these can dim our flame.

The Gospel today calls us to keep our lamps lit, stay vigilant, and nurture the light entrusted to us.

At our Baptism, we were given the Light of Christ.

This light is not just for keeping…
… it is meant to shine, grow, and reach others.
Yet, life is full of winds that threaten to extinguish it.

1. The wind of losing focus on God Our attention can drift from God to worries, desires, or distractions.

When this happens, our light dims.

Faith needs focus.

Prayer, reflection, and turning back to God rekindle the flame.
Even small efforts of getting back our attention to God, restores our light.

2. The wind of self-centeredness When we live only for ourselves, our priorities shift from love and service to comfort, pride, or greed.

Generosity, humility, and selfless love fan the flame, allowing the light of Christ to shine through our actions.

We need to keep checking: Is the Lord the centre of my life?

Are the thoughts in my mind, in line, with the love of Christ?
Are all my actions oriented for the glory of God?

3. The wind of false beliefs and ideologies The world offers many alluring paths that pull us away from truth…
   … materialism, pride, or shallow philosophies.
   These winds can mislead and dim our light.

Rooting ourselves in the daily deepening of God’s Word and the Church’s teaching, protects the flame and keeps it true.

it is true, that we cannot stop these, and many other winds from blowing.

But we can choose not to let them extinguish the Light of Christ in us.

Strength comes from:

Daily prayer and personal conversation with God>> Frequent reception of the Sacraments>> Immersion in the Word of God>> Faithfulness in our daily duties and vocation
And in our moments of weakness, we are invited to humbly approach our Blessed Lord, and say: “Lord, my light is flickering.
Can you reignite it in me?”

Blessed Chiara’s life reminds us: even the smallest flame, when nurtured by faith…
… can shine through the darkest nights
… touching countless lives.

“Lord… Give me oil in my lamp….
… keep me burning, burning, burning!”

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 Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery

Jesus said to his disciples: “Love one another even as I have loved you.”
You shall not commit adultery.
You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.”

But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (CCC # 2331)

“Remaining perseverant in our prayer life and becoming people who reach out in justice and give comfort to the needy!”

(Based on Exod 17:8-13, 2 Tim 3:14-4:2 and Lk 18:1-8 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

An interesting incident is mentioned in the life of Jan Paderewski

He was a famous Polish pianist and a pioneer of the solo recital at music concerts.

It is said that when Paderewski was to leave his native Poland to play his first recital in London…
… he asked an influential compatriot to give him a letter of introduction, to a leading figure in Britain’s musical world

This was for any assistance, should anything go amiss.

The letter was handed to him in a sealed envelope.

Paderewski hoped that everything would proceed smoothly and he would not have to use the letter.

Well…
… he did not have to use the letter.
His debut was a great success and he soon began to climb the ladder of success.

Some years later, while going through his papers, he came upon the ‘letter of introduction’ and opened it.

He was surprised to read the content:
“This will introduce Jan Paderewski, who plays the piano, for which he demonstrates no conspicuous (visible/noticeable) talent.”

Life… is often such!

Discouragements lure everywhere
Rejections prowl all around

Do we get bogged down by such discouragements and rejections?
Are we people who bring about discouragement and rejection to people?

The Gospel of the Day is the Parable of the Persistent Widow.

The Parable speaks of a judge and a widow.

The judge is characterized by some features:
He did not fear God.
He did not fear humans.
He was initially adamant in his refusal.

The Widow is characterized by some features:
She had a genuine need.
She was denied justice.
She remained persistent till the end.

We are often in many and true needs.

But we do sometimes find ourselves, a bit depressed at the delays in receiving the answers to our prayers.

The parable encourages and exhorts us to remain persistent in our prayer life and not to get discouraged by God’s delays, which apparently appears as God’s denials.

Yes, God’s delays are certainly not His denials!

God’s pauses are certainly not His refuses!

At the same time, this parable invites us to switch roles:

To see ourselves as the Judge…
… and God as the Widow.

Widows in the first century found themselves at a very sad state.

They were quite literally unprotected.
Many became homeless and destitute after the death of their husbands.

Often they were at mercy of cunning men, including some religious leaders who would “devour widows houses” (Mark 12:40)

A widow couldn’t count on anyone to come to her aid.

She represents the hopeless…
… the unaided… the oppressed.

In Mt 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the one who was hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger and the imprisoned.

Jesus in the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger and the imprisoned…
… is the hopeless one …the unaided one …the oppressed one.

Jesus, like the widow in the Parable…
… comes knocking at our door:

Behold I stand at the door, and knock… (Rev 3:20)

As the oppressed and justice-deprived Widow, Jesus, knocks at our door – we, the judges.

What is our reaction and response to the voice of the needy and the helpless?

The cry of the one in pain and suffering reaches our hears…

Do I reach out my heart to them and seek to ease their troubles and hardships?

The moaning of a broken family or a lost teenager or a spoilt child comes to us…

Do I pray for them and help them, in ways possible for me?

The sad tear of the abused or oppressed people with whom we work is seen by us…

Do I get out of my comfort-shell to make them feel comforted and consoled?

The disturbing reports of violence, corruption, injustice in society falls on our senses…

Do I remain indifferent to them and become saturated with such atrocities?

Yes… the widow – the hopeless, the unaided and the oppressed one… keeps knocking at our doors…

As a Judge…
… do I keep refusing?
… do I keep getting irritated?
… do I feel life as a botheration?

Life often has discouragements luring everywhere and rejections prowling all around

Do we get bogged down by such discouragements and rejections?
Are we people who bring about discouragement and rejection to people?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow is certainly a big lesson to remain firm and perseverant in our prayer life.

And when looked from another perspective is also a big challenge…
… to become a people who reach out in justice and give comfort and consolation to the needy.

Knock… knock…

Do we hear the knock, seeking for help?

As we celebrate Mission Sunday, we are also given the examples of:

Moses, with hands lifted in prayer (Ex 17:8-13)…
… showing us that mission begins on our knees – when we let the Spirit guide us.
St Paul urging Timothy (2 Tim 3:14–4:2) to proclaim the Word — in season and out of season…
… reminding us that mission means perseverance and courage.

Let us renew our missionary spirit, as we seek…
… To be guided by the Spirit – listening and acting with boldness.
… To be centered on the Eucharist – drawing strength from Christ’s heart.
… To be witnessing by life – preaching the Gospel with joy and mercy.

Mission is not just something we do…
… it’s who we are:

Spirit-led, Eucharist-fed and Christ-sent.

Happy Mission Sunday!

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

Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars.

Everything done to overcome these disorders contributes to building up peace and avoiding war. (CCC # 2317)

“Growing in our love for the Word and living the Word, in all our daily activities of life, with St Luke, the great Evangelist!”

(Based on the Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist)

A poor woman had lost her husband and was going through a great deal of agony and distress.

One day, her neighbour brought her a small, worn-out pamphlet.

She gave it to the sorrowful woman and told her: “I found this lying on the street. Somebody must have dropped it.
I read it.

There is a wonderful story of a Man Who helps those who are unhappy.

I thought of you. It might do you help!”

The sorrowful woman took it.

She not only read it…
… but also had her life transformed by it!

The pamphlet was a copy of the Gospel according to St Luke!

This Gospel with its powerful themes of consolation and comfort had brought peace and relief to the woman in sorrow.

Today, on this Feast day of the Evangelist St Luke, let us meditate on this beautiful gift which he has penned – the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St Luke.

St Jerome was of the opinion that, “among all the evangelists, St Luke was the most skilled writer of Greek.”

It is to St Luke that we owe some of the finest Gospel portraits…

The nostalgic infancy narratives of Jesus
… The Annunciation of Jesus (1: 26-38)
… The Birth of John the Baptist (1: 57-66)
… The visit of the shepherds at the Birth of Jesus (2: 15-20)
… The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (2: 22-38)
… The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (2: 41-52)

The distinguished and daring ministries of Jesus
… The Programmatic Speech in Nazareth, His hometown (4: 16-30)
… The raising of widow’s son at Nain (7: 11-17)
… The story of Martha and Mary of Bethany (10: 38-42)
… The Samaritan Leper (17: 11-19)
… The transformation of Zacchaeus (19: 1-10)
… The conversion of the good thief (23: 39-43)
… The encounter with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (24: 13-35)

The illustrious and much-loved parables
… The Good Samaritan (10: 29-37)
… The Prodigal Son (15: 11-32)
… Rich Man and Lazarus (16: 19-31)
… The Persevering Widow (18: 1-8)
… The Publican and the Tax Collector (18: 9-14)

The marvellous brush of the painters & physician St Luke has some unique thrusts as well…
… which are also great reminders to us, in our spiritual lifestyle.

1. A Gospel of Inclusivity
   St Luke’s Gospel has distinctive stories and incidents on how Jesus accepted and recognized the dignity of those, who were otherwise, left out in the society…
   … the Samaritans
   … the tax-collectors
   … the public sinners
   … the women

Am I a person who is willing to accept those who are rejected, abandoned and pushed-out of the society?

Do I exhibit “exclusivist” mentality by sticking on to only “my” culture, language, race, class etc and fail to celebrate differences?

2. A Gospel of Prayer
   St Luke’s Gospel presents greatly the aspect of the prayer, by presenting many instances…
   … of Jesus praying
   … of Jesus exhorting on prayer
   … of many Temple scenes

Am I a person who enjoys the taste of prayer?

Do I fail to have a regular and consistent time to spend with the Lord and discover and implement the Father’s Will in my life?

3. A Gospel of the Poor
   St Luke displays his special love for the poor…
   … through his many parables on the poor
   … and the denouncement of riches…

And thus exalts them as the “favoured ones of God” and restoring their dignity and honour

Do I make radical choices to grow in my “poverty” i.e. my total dependence on the Providence of God?

Do I share my gifts, my talents and my riches, with those in need and find joy in this sharing?

4. A Gospel of the meal
   St Luke’s Gospel has an interesting presentation of Jesus as most of the time being “at meal or on the way to a meal”

There are about 19 references to food, with around 13 of them being exclusive to this Gospel.
The meal is a reference to the communitarian dimension in spirituality!

Am I a person who cherishes the presence of the other and be willing to celebrate life?

Do I also become aware that the Lord constantly calls us to share in His Meal – the Holy Eucharist and make my life, in turn, a Eucharist to the other?

The Gospel of Luke has also many other features and names…
… which we can pick up for our personal reflection:
The Gospel of the Holy Spirit…
The Gospel of the Blessed Mother Mary…
The Gospel of Joy…
The Gospel of Women…
The Gospel of Universality…
The Gospel of Repentance…
The Gospel showing True Richness… etc…

St Luke has left us a masterpiece with His account of the Life of Jesus!

Some of the most pictorial, most classical, most loved, most remembered and most cherished incidents and parables are from this Gospel…

The Gospel of St Luke, along with many more themes is a wonderful reminder of the Love and Mercy of God…
… calling us to live in joy and service.

May this Feast Day of this Great Evangelist…
… help us to grow in our love for the Word, by reading and reflecting daily
… and living the Word, in all our daily activities of life!

Happy Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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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 production and the sale of arms affect the common good of nations and of the international community.
Hence public authorities have the right and duty to regulate them.
The short-term pursuit of private or collective interests cannot legitimate undertakings…

… that promote violence and conflict among nations and compromise the international juridical order. (CCC # 2316)