“Like St John, the evangelist – being near the Cross of Christ and the Heart of Christ!”

(Based on Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist)

Christmas is a time of great celebration and festivities.

The time after Christmas is often a phase of getting through with many cakes, sweets, food…
The foodstuff prepared for the occasion often exceeds the required amount and thus, it needs a few more days to consume it fully….

Something similar also happens in the spiritual realm…

For many people, the spiritual significance of an event like Christmas cannot be absorbed and completed in a day.

It’s like trying to comprehend the grandeur of some magnificent places like…
… the St. Peter’s Basilica at Vatican or the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Niagara Falls
… or other greater and dazzling sites, in one walk-through.

It’s not too easy.

We have to return back to grasp greater the beauty and the splendour.

So it is with the spectacular event of the Nativity..

We need more time to comprehend about the Christmas Night…
… more time to understand the virgin birth
… more time to realise that God came down to earth as a tender Babe for our salvation etc

As a result, the Church gives us seven additional days to contemplate these divine mysteries.

These extra days on the liturgical calendar, along with the feast day – eight in total – is called as The Christmas Octave.

Every day of the Christmas octave is filled with meaning that reflects back on the Nativity – not just the birth of Christ, but the impact, the reality and the consequence of that birth in the lives of different people.

It’s interesting to note that each of the three days following the Feast of Christmas, commemorates a different type of martyrdom…

Dec 26th – the Feast of St Stephen – the Martyrdom of the Will, Love and Blood:

By His powerful witness, St Stephen was stoned to death in act that was completely willed by him, totally offering his Love for Jesus & shedding his blood.

Dec 27th – the Feast of St John – the Martyrdom of the Will and Love:

By a life of immense faithfulness & total dedication, lived with a tremendous passion and fervour, St John suffered the martyrdom of the Will and of Love.

Dec 28th – the Feast of the Holy Innocents – the Martyrdom of Blood:

The little babies, too little and young to form a will and a desire to love, became martyrs of Blood. (Mt 2:16)
Their innocent blood came in defence of the blood of their Divine Contemporary – Baby Jesus, who would grant salvation to them by His Precious Blood!

On this third Day of the Christmas Octave, Dec 27th, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of St John, the Evangelist – the Martyr of Will and Love!

St John, the Apostle and Evangelist is known as the Apostle of Love.
His Life defined Love.
His writings expressed Love.
His thoughts instilled Love.

The Gospel of St John is a witness that “this disciple who was loved by Jesus” received two unique places alongside Jesus, that none of the other apostles received.

1. Near the heart of Jesus – in the bosom of His Divine Lord! (Jn 12: 23)

Jesus bestowed this unique place, close to His heart, to John, His Beloved Disciple, at the Last Supper.

At the last supper, while Jesus announced that one of His disciples would be betray Him, John, leaning on Jesus’ bosom, asked Him, “Lord, who is it?”

The innocent heart of John did not bear any guilt or doubt.
The love in John’s veins prompted him to not have any fear or panic.

The child-like trust in John prompted him to ask Jesus bluntly, “Who is it..?”

Love seeks to be close to the One who is loved.

Love wants to have the nearest place to access the One who is loved.
Love longs to be intimate to the heart of the One that is deeply loved.

St John, the Apostle of Love, was given this place to be closest to the Heart of Jesus!

2. Near the Cross – in the crucible of suffering of His Divine Lord (Jn 19:26)

Jesus bestowed this unique place, close to His Cross, to John, His Beloved Disciple.

While all other disciples had forsaken the Lord, John remained close to the Cross of Jesus.

The Apostle of Love remained faithful and committed to His Master.
The Apostle of Love was staunchly courageous in the face of extreme fear and danger.

Love desires to be with the pain of the One who is loved.

St John, the Apostle of Love, was given this place to be closest to the Cross of Jesus!

Its a point to be noted, that the only other person who was given this unique privilege of being closest…
… both, to the Heart and Cross of Jesus was our Blessed Mamma Mary – the Supreme Apostle of Love!
… She was closest to the heart of Jesus, nurturing and nourishing Her tender Babe
… She was closest to the Cross of Jesus, sharing and suffering the pain of Her beloved Child.

YES… An Apostle of Love is made and moulded in these two special places:

Near the Heart of Jesus
Near the Cross of Jesus.

Love longs to be close to the Heart…

Love drives every fear of the Cross.
Love seeks to kiss the Heart…
Love impels to embrace the Cross!

Blessed Mamma Mary and St John invite us, with much tenderness and affection…
“Come my Child.. Come my brother and sister… Be an Apostle of Love – close to the Heart and Cross of Jesus”

Merry Christmas!
Happy Feast of the Apostle of Love!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Like St Stephen, let us also be filled a deep passion that comes from the New Born King, and be His dynamic soldier!”

(Based on Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr)

Stones were flying from different directions…

The atmosphere was very tense and highly apprehensive…
The people had become enraged and were very badly instigated…

St Stephen…. the man filled with the power and spirit of God, however, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God. (Acts 7: 54-56)

And then a surprising thing happened….

He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God!

Usually, we always read or say in our prayers that Jesus is sitting at God’s right hand…

But here, Jesus is seen standing!

Jesus is probably giving a standing ovation…. to St. Stephen, the one who became his brave witness.

The mighty display of faith by St Stephen was worthy of a standing ovation by the Son of God!
The Majestic King was tremendously proud of >> His Faithful and Committed Soldier!

We are on the first day after Christmas…

Yesterday, we celebrated child Jesus in the crib…

We sang the “silent night” and “joy to the world”…
We remembered the angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to people of good will”…
We exchanged a lot of smiles and shared much fun…

But suddenly today, there is a shift…

The atmosphere of fun and frolic has turned sombre and serious…

The carols of mirth and joy are substituted by cries for death and vengeance…
The shining gold vestments at Holy Mass are replaced with blood-red vestments…

The peace and joy of Bethlehem is contrasted by the tragedy and heartbreak at Jerusalem…

Yesterday we celebrated the birth of our eternal King.

Today we commemorate the triumphant suffering of His faithful soldier.

Yesterday our King left His place in the Virgin’s womb and was born in the world.

Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.

Yesterday a group of enthused and excited people visited and paid homage to our King.

Today, a group of proud and ferociously evil mob execute His soldier!

Why does the Church celebrate this tradition of commemorating the gruesome stoning to death of St Stephen, soon after the celebration of the tender Babe?

The Church’s long tradition of celebrating the memorial of St. Stephen soon after the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, does not serve to demote Christmas…
… but to continue & manifest more clearly an important meaning of the Christmas celebration.

Christmas essentially means becoming a true disciple of Christ…

And a true disciple ought to tread the way of the cross – “If any want to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Lk 9: 23)

Christ the Master, Himself walked this path of trials and difficulties.

The signs of suffering and pain were foreshadowed very much already in the Crib of Christ…

The manger where the babe was laid, foreshadowed the Cross on which He was to be laid.
The swaddling clothes of the babe, foreshadowed the shroud which will cover Him in His tomb.
The lack of room in the inn, foreshadowed the lack of room for Him to be buried after His death.

Christmas is the celebration of Life that was pledged to be given up in death, in order to win back life – life in its fullness!

Christmas becomes a true reality when Jesus is born in our hearts…

When Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts, that heart cannot remain without effect.
There is a contagious enthusiasm.
There is a great transformation.
There is a tremendous zeal.

And this birth of Jesus took place in the heart of St Stephen.

He underwent a real Christmas.

He experienced the joy of having Christ born in His life.
And this fact that Christ was born within, led Him to be a dynamic and bold soldier of His King!

Nothing could stop Him from being a witness…
The experience of Christmas in His life…
… made St Stephen to be a bold soldier.
… made St Stephen to stand firm for the truth
… made St Stephen to shed His blood for His Lord

Have we also experienced Christmas…
… in a way that transforms and makes us authentic disciples?
… which makes us to pledge every breath and cell of our life to the Lord?
… to find immense power and strength in being a true and authentic Christian?

The blood of St Stephen sings the beautiful carols of Jesus who was born in his life!

Are we ready to discover still further, the true and genuine meaning of Christmas in our life?

Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords gave a wonderful standing ovation…
… seeing the spectacular display of faith and courage of His Beloved soldier, St Stephen.

Let us also be filled a deep passion and courage that comes from the New Born King…
… and be His Dynamic and Enthusiastic Soldier for His Kingdom!

Happy Feast of St Stephen, the First Martyr of the New Born King of kings!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Making our hearts a ‘place of party’ to celebrate love, by sharing the precious gifts of God’s Mercy to all!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord)

Tony Campolo, an American author in his book, “The Kingdom of God is a party” narrates a heart-touching experience…

One, very early morning, Tony sat in a cafe.

As he was drinking coffee at the counter, a group of prostitutes walked in and took up the stools around him.

One of the girls, Agnes, lamented the fact that not only was it her birthday tomorrow, but that she never had a birthday party in life.

Tony thought it would be a great idea to surprise Agnes with a birthday party!

He got the necessary information from the café owner that the girls came in every morning around 3:30 am.

They both agreed to set up the place for a party – a surprise birthday party for Agnes!

Word somehow got out on the street, so that by 3:15 the next morning the place was packed with prostitutes, the cafe owner
and his wife, and Tony.

When Agnes walked in she saw…
… banners and balloons; the Café Owner holding a birthday cake
… and everyone screaming out “Happy Birthday!”

Agnes was overwhelmed with deep emotions!

She was stunned and shaken
Her friend grabbed her arm to steady her

Tears poured down her face as the crowd continued to sing: “Happy Birthday to you….”

It was a party that was hard to believe…
… a party that celebrated Love – inviting all to know that God wants everyone to come to His Heart of Love!
… a party that celebrated Mercy – acceptance of human beings as images of the Loving God!

Am I willing to make my heart a “place of party” to celebrate love and mercy…
… by accepting the unwanted, the rejected and the lonely?
… by sharing the precious gifts of God’s Mercy and Love to all?

Christmas is the beautiful feast of God becoming man, and hosting “a Divine Party – celebrating His Love and Mercy!”

Christmas is the holy and happy day when we celebrate the coming of God’s Son into the world – the incarnation of God (Cf. Jn 1:14)…
… celebrating His intense and saving love for us (Cf. Jn 3:16)

The Gospel narratives specific to the Birth of Christ remind us that the salvation brought by Jesus isn’t just a spiritual concept…
… but a tangible reality rooted in human experience.

We are reminded that His coming into the world holds immense historical and personal significance for all of us.

Another important reminder is the distinguishing characteristic of Christianity: the core of Christianity is not a set of teachings, but it is about what God has done for us – our redemption from sins!

This is expressed in the very meaning of the name Jesus: JESUS means “God saves!”

(The name JESUS, is perhaps, the shortest and simplest prayer that we can make – as we call on the salvific power of God [Cf. Rom 10:13])

Christmas, therefore, comes with the strong message that “every external act of festivity ought to be accompanied by an internal surrender of one’s life to Christ, our Saviour!”

The decorations that we do, find authentic meaning, when we allow Christ’s Love to glitter our life!

The sweets, cakes and other food we prepare, have real value, when we allow our faith in Christ to nourish and nurture us!
The stars we put up and the carols we sing, find true importance, when we allow Christ’s Mercy to radiate and harmonise us!

That is why, the greatest and the truest act in the celebration of Christmas is accepting Jesus as the Saviour of our lives!

All other external expressions ought to flow forth or lead towards this sole requirement:
JESUS IS TO BE BORN IN OUR HEARTS!

We are also called to reflect on some other essential messages of the Solemnity of Christmas

1. Christmas is the beautiful saga of God humbling Himself, and as the Good Shepherd (Cf. Jn 10:11) going to any extent to win us back to him

Birth in the manger demonstrates the abasement of the Divine

Baby Jesus, lying in the manger is also a prefiguration of Jesus dying on the Cross, fulfilling the act of humiliation signified in Incarnation! (Cf. Phil 2:6-8)

2. Christmas is the amazing story of hope and courage

Joseph and Mary displayed tremendous hope and courage as they join hands with the Will of God (despite the many challenges and obstacles that came their way)!

Zechariah and Elizabeth exhibited much hope and courage, as they held fast in faithfulness, to experience the miraculous birth of John, the precursor of Jesus
The shepherds and the wise men showed much hope and courage, as they boldly trusted in the signs given to them, which culminated in their offering of service and worship.

3. Christmas rings in the good news that “the one who trusts in God” will always be blessed! (Cf. Ps 146:5)

Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, Elizabeth, the shepherds, the wise men – everyone experienced tremendous blessings because they “chose to trust in God!”

Life often takes us through crossroads and dangerous curves

Are we ready to make a choice – of trusting in the Lord…
… and thus experiencing His mighty blessings!
Christmas is indeed history – HIS story
… the fantastic story of Him Who loves us immensely
… the fabulous event of Him Who is born for us – for our salvation

This Christmas, let us make our hearts a “place of party” to celebrate love and mercy…
… by accepting the unwanted, the rejected and the lonely!
… by sharing the precious gifts of God’s Mercy and Love to all!

With much faith and joy, let us celebrate God’s intense and saving love for us!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

God Bless! Let’s always… Live Jesus!

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

“Preparing a beautiful crib for our Blessed Lord… in our hearts… in our lives… and in our homes!”

(Based on 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 and Lk 1:67-79 – Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent – The Christmas Eve)

Music has been a popular part of the celebration of our Lord’s birth for a long time!

The Bible records that many characters in the Christmas story almost instantly responded to the events surrounding the birth of our Saviour with songs and expressions of praise.

In our own days, we take immense delight to sing Christmas carols.

We also get a special feeling in lifting our voices in joy and thrill…

Today we have on the stage of the Gospel a beautiful Hymn being sung.

The title of the hymn is “Benedictus” and it is sung by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist!

The setting of this song is during a very gloomy period in the life of the nation of Israel.

Israel had been chosen by God from among all nations to be a priestly nation to the rest of the world.

But this nation that was to lead all other nations to God, was being led by a pagan empire.

Israel was under the domination of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Kingdom was the last in a long line of pagan nations that had ruled Israel.

The ruler in Zechariah’s day was King Herod.

Herod was not a man of God.

In fact he was just the opposite – a very degenerate man.
He had introduced Roman temples into the land and had built idols to the Roman gods.
Under his leadership Israel became a land filled with immorality.

The spiritual life of the Jews lost its vitality.

In the midst of these dark and cloudy moments, Zechariah sings the “Benedictus” – a Song of Blessing!

A child had been born…
… signaling the Coming of the Messiah.

John the Baptist ushered in a period of singing praises and glory to the Lord.

Like a drop of fresh water in the deserted land…
Like a gleam of light in the midst of thick darkness…
Like a faint melodious tune in the thick of deep silence…

The life of Zechariah and Elizabeth was favoured with reasons to sing blessings to God!

It’s interesting to analyse the names of this simple yet wonderful family – Zechariah, Elizabeth and John.

Zechariah means “God (Yahweh) remembers”
Elizabeth means “the promise of God”

John means “God (Yahweh) is gracious”

The union of Zechariah (“God remembers”) and Elizabeth (“the promise of God”) gave birth to John (“God is gracious”)

Zechariah + Elizabeth = John
God remembers + the promise = God is gracious!

Yes, God remembers His promise, and thus shows that He is gracious!

Our lives may often be in darkness or undergoing a night of dryness…

Our lives may seem to be devoid of true peace and happiness…

Yet, Zechariah, Elizabeth and John invite us today, to sing a song of Blessing to God!

When we live in God’s love, we can sing the chorus of service!

When we trust in God’s providence, we can sing the chorus of joy!
When we hope in God’s mercies, we can sing the chorus of faithfulness!

With the armour of faith, the shield of hope and the sword of love…
… let us join Zechariah and Family to sing our Hymn of Blessing to God Yahweh!

Blessed be the Lord, for He is challenging in His gentle inspirations!

Blessed be the Lord, for He is merciful in His Divine Compassion!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is generous in the Blessed Eucharist!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is majestic in His Holy Sacraments!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is faithful in His gracious promises!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is vibrant in His Holy Church!

On this eve of Christmas, let us fervently prepare our hearts – in holiness and sanctity

For those of us, who have not made the Sacrament of Confession or missed the opportunity to Confess when there were regular possibilities…
… let us make it a point to go for Confessions

(If required, specially contact a Priest!

When we really want something, we make special efforts to get it!)

Let us prepare a beautiful crib for our Blessed Lord, Who comes as a Babe…
… in our hearts
… in our lives
… and in our homes!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being patient in faith, hope and love in our MUTE moments!”

(Based on Mal 3:1-4, 23-24 and Lk 1:57-66 – Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent)

We all are familiar with the ‘remote control’ of a television.

In the remote control, there is the button named “MUTE”.

It is used to put off the sound, momentarily.

Sometimes, in our spiritual lives, too, we undergo the experience of being in the “MUTE” mode with God.

There is an apparently total silence, that pervades our relation with God.

Have we undergone this experience of the “silence” of God?

Do we sometimes feel why is God “absent” in my life?

The Couple of Day – Zechariah and Elizabeth – underwent, this “mute” experience with God.

Though advanced in age, living a life of prayer, service and faithfulness, they were not blessed with the Gift of a Child.

Barrenness, in the Jewish Society was one of the greatest misfortunes for a family.

Being barren was thus a harsh experience for this Devout Couple!

But then came the precious and joyous moment…

The “His Name is John” Moment!
… when, new life and fresh joy radiated their lives!

The names of John, and his parents – Elizabeth and Zechariah are very significant.

Their names are very significant; it tells that God’s delays are not His denials!
… The name Zechariah means “The Lord remembers”
… The name Elizabeth means, “the oath of God”

Thus, the name of the couple stands for: The Lord remembers His oath!

However, the long years of barrenness would have seemed as a contradiction to them – it seemed God had totally forgotten about them.

But this is where we learn, that God’s delays are certainly not His denials!

He has a better plan (Jer 29:11) – always, without fail!

And they were indeed blessed with a Son – named “John” whose name means “God is Gracious!”

True to this name, after a prolonged period of silence and hush…
… Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced the “Graciousness of God”

The long agony had been finally rewarded….with the Graciousness of God – John!

The “muteness” that this Couple experienced, also reflected the Silence that the people of Israel experienced…
… in their waiting of the Messiah!

But the Birth of John, was the breaking of this silence.

The World, which waited eagerly for the Messiah, had now heard a Voice!

It was time to put off the “Mute”…
… the Voice had been Born!

John 1:23, “I am the Voice of one, crying out in the desert!”

John the Baptist, the Voice, had been born, to announce the coming of Jesus, the Word!

We all undergo “Mute” moments in our lives!

They are painful and agonizing moments…
… when all seems dry, answerless, silent
… when there is only dreadful calm, a total brokenness, painful agonies and miseries
… when there is sometimes even no hope ahead!

Sometimes, in unbelief, we may begin to even question or interrogate God…
… like Zechariah questioned the Angel
… and may get affected with some physical muteness of health or wealth or prestige or disbelief or misunderstanding or persecution etc…!

But nothing of our unbelief will spoil God’s plan for us…

God says in Jer 29:11, “I know well the plans I have in mind for you… plans for your welfare, not for woe; plans to give you a future, full of hope!”

Our “mute” moments will be transformed, into, “His name is John” moments…!

Our “unspoken miseries” will be transfigured into ” gracious and gifted” moments…!

Let’s strengthen our lives with the oft-heard truth about three ways of God answering our prayers…

YES… I will fulfill your desire in the way you want
… or WAIT, in my own time, I will grant your wishes
… or NO, I have something much better for you!!

Let us be patient in faith, hope and love in our MUTE moments…
… so that we may experience the gracious & gifted “HIS NAME IS JOHN” moments in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!