“Aligning our hearts with God’s commands, and making our life ‘an orchestra of obedience!'”

(Based on 2 Sam 6:12b-15, 17-19 and Mk 3:31-35 – Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

In a lively city, a conductor gathered musicians for a grand orchestra.

Excitement filled the room as they prepared for a special performance.

As they were about to commence their rehearsal, the conductor exhorted: “Each of you has a unique role, a special note to play. >> Together, we’ll create something extraordinary.”

During practice, however, a violinist approached the conductor, saying, “I’ve been thinking, maestro. What if I add a little flair, my own touch, you know? Spice things up a bit!”

The conductor, with a smile, replied: “Ah, my dear, your enthusiasm is admirable, but remember, our strength lies in unity.

Each note, as written, contributes to the masterpiece.
Let’s stick to the composition for the melodious music to unfold.”

On the big night, the orchestra played in perfect harmony, captivating the audience.

However, the spirited violinist, unable to resist the temptation, added a personal twist to the melody.

The result was a discordant note that disrupted the once-perfect symphony.

The conductor, with a gentle yet firm tone warned: “My friend, dont forget that the beauty is in the shared adherence to the score.

Your unique flair, though admirable, has momentarily disrupted our unity.”

Realizing the negative impact, the violinist nodded, as the conductor encouraged: “Let’s finish strong, together.”

As the orchestra resumed, the unity was restored.
The symphony reached its crescendo, leaving the audience in awe.

Our lives are instruments in God’s symphony.

True commitment means joyfully following God’s commands…
… and creating a harmonious composition

The readings of the day are a call to rejoice in following Lord’s ways…
… and to make our life “an orchestra of obedience!”

The First Reading – 2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19 – presenting David joyfully dancing before the Ark of the Covenant as it is brought to Jerusalem, offers us points for reflection:

1) Expressive Worship: David’s exuberant dance before the Ark showcases a devotion that goes beyond mere ritual…
… emphasizing the importance of expressing joy and gratitude in our relationship with God.

When we delight in the commands of God, we begin to be joyful and expressive in our love for the Lord and in His service

2) Holiness in our acts of devotion: David’s act of wearing a linen ephod during the procession emphasizes the sacredness of worship.

When we pray, we are called to seek for holiness in life, and translate our prayer life into devout acts of service to God and others, in daily life

3) Community Celebration: The involvement of the entire house of Israel in bringing the Ark and joining David in shouts of joy highlights the communal aspect of worship.

We are reminded that our relationship with God is not only personal, but also has a community dimension – as we are called to live in unity

David gives the highest honour to God – by restoring the Ark, in the City of Jerusalem, reminding us…
… obedience leads to expressive workshop
… obedience impels us to pursue holiness in our acts of devotion
… obedience inspires us to have community dimension in our prayer

The Gospel (Mk 3:31-35) is a strong reminder of who is part of the family of Jesus: Only those who do God’s Will!

We are called to check if our life “is centered on seeking and doing the Will of God, at every moment, in every situation!”

What is our attitude and mentality…

Am I primarily concerned with worldly affairs, or do I engage myself more into spiritual realities?
Am I obsessed more with worldly gains, or am I zealous for spiritual graces and blessings?

David’s example encourages a prioritization of our spiritual journey…
… recognizing the significance of honouring God’s presence

Jesus declares that only those who do God’s Will are His disciples…
… recognizing also the powerful discipleship of Mary

Let us align our hearts with God’s commands…
… and make our life “an orchestra of obedience!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Avoiding all ‘lame’ excuses and wholeheartedly accepting the mission mandate of the Lord, inspired by the example of St Timothy and St Titus!”

(Based on Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops)

A lady – affected much with polio – and able to walk with just one leg approached a visa desk to go to the missions in the land of Africa.

She had been greatly influenced by the call of the Lord in the Gospels, to “be a missionary” and so decided to give her life totally for the missions.

The visa officer – himself a Christian – after reviewing and verifying her documents…
… had one last question to be ask, before giving the approval:
“Can you give me a convincing answer as to why, with just one leg, you are taking up this risky mission journey?”

The lady, with a grin replied: “Well, I don’t find those with two legs going!”

The visa request was immediately granted!

Zeal for missions… zeal for reaching out in help and service
… is a task entrusted to every Christian.

Do we wholeheartedly accept this responsibility…
… or do we make ‘lame’ excuses and avoid this mandate?

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St Timothy and St Titus…
… Bishops in the early Church and close companions of St Paul

1) St Timothy…
… (came from Lystra in present-day Turkey) was the son of a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father

After St. Paul’s visit to Timothy’s home region of Lycaonia, around the year 51, the young man joined the apostle and accompanied him in his travels.
St Paul later sent him to Thessalonica to help the Church during a period of persecution.

Later, they came together in Corinth, and Timothy accompanied Paul on many of his missionary travels.

Around the year 64, Timothy became the first bishop of the Church of Ephesus.

In the year 93 AD, during his leadership of the Church in Ephesus, he took a stand against the worship of idols and was consequently killed by a mob.

St. John retreated to Ephesus before eventually dying on the island of Patmos, and that the Virgin Mary followed John to Ephesus, living in a house above the town.

It is also quite possible, that St. Timothy – being the Bishop of Ephesus – also had interactions with Mother Mary and St John, who had (as many scholars say and many writings testify) spent their last years in Ephesus.

St Timothy therefore would have drunk from the deepest wells of the Christian tradition – hearing about the life of Christ from the lips of the most important witnesses of His Life and Death!

2) St Titus…
… was born into a pagan family – is said to have studied Greek philosophy and poetry in his early years.

He pursued a life of virtue, and purportedly had a prophetic dream that caused him to begin reading the Hebrew Scriptures.

According to tradition, Titus journeyed to Jerusalem and witnessed the preaching of Christ during the Lord’s ministry on earth….
… only later, however – after the conversion of St. Paul and the beginning of his ministry – did Titus receive baptism from the apostle, who called the pagan convert his “true child in our common faith.”

St Titus accompanied Paul to the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem during the year 51, and was later sent to the Corinthian Church on two occasions.

After the end of Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, the apostle ordained Titus as the Bishop of Crete…
… He is credited with leading the Church of Crete, overturning paganism and promoting the faith through his prayers and preaching.

These two great saints teach us important lessons on living as a follower of Christ…
… Christ reminds and exhorts every one of us: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves…” (Lk 10:2-3)

a. Being ready to face any challenge or opposition in being a witness to the Gospel

St Timothy and St Titus had to face innumerable opposition – from within community, from the persecutors around, in their mission journeys etc
… yet to remained firm and faithful to their mission mandate

Are we ready to brave every challenge to be a courageous witness of the Gospel in our own life situations?

Are we ready to depend on the Lord for everything?

b. Untiring zeal and passion for the Kingdom
St Timothy and St Titus accompanied St Paul in his missionary journeys…
… and learnt the “art of passionate zeal for missions” in imitation of Christ

Are we ready to be enrolled into the school of Jesus, the Greatest Missionary and learn from him the “art of passionate zeal for missions?”

Zeal for missions… zeal for reaching out in help and service
… is indeed a task entrusted to every Christian.

God has blessed us immensely with many good things…
… and it is our duty to put all these blessings and graces for the Glory of the Lord

Do we wholeheartedly accept this responsibility…
… or do we make ‘lame’ excuses and avoid this mandate?

May the missionary zeal of St Timothy and St Titus inspire us…
… and help us to “rekindle the gift of God that is within…” (Cf. 2 Tim 1:6)

Happy Feast of St Timothy and St Titus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

This is because in India, the Memorial of Sts Timothy and Titus will be on Jan 27.

Jan 26 is the day with a special Liturgy, on the occasion of the Republic Day of India.

Thank you. God Bless! 😊

“Praying and working with sincere commitment, knowing that Truth alone triumphs!”

(Based on 1 Tim 2:1-8 and Jn 8:31-42 – Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2 – Republic Day of India)

There is a simple fable, perhaps known to many of us… of a swan….

The swan – white, beautiful and spotless – was pitying a poor pig, who was in its muddy environment.

It began to describe to the pig, that further up the river, there was a beautiful country – with green banks and rising slopes.

The swan invited the pig to join the happy company of the white swans that lived in that “pleasant country”.

The pig was pretty fascinated and was willing to go.

But it asked a question: “Is there any marshy swamp in that pleasant country?”

“Oh no!” replied the swan, “the land is free from all mud and mire”

“Ah Hmm…” said the pig with face cast-down, “In that case, I am sorry, I cannot accompany you!

I must stay here in the swamp!”

An invitation to move from the dirty swamp to a pleasant country was extended…
… but the offer was refused and rejected!

So true is this fable, with respect to our own experience in spiritual life.

We are constantly exhorted, to advance to live in holiness and purity…
… but we stubbornly choose to inhabit in sin, shame and ignorance!

We are often invited, to move into a life of spotlessness and sanctity…
… but we remain satisfied to dwell with the unclean and dirty things of life!

The Gospel of the Day is an account of the Jews getting into arguments with Jesus on the question of His Divinity.

The Lord invites them open their eyes to see and experience the Truth…
… but they close their minds, and choose to remain stubborn, in their own understanding

The Lord exposes before them the futility of being ignorant and the advantage of knowing the Truth…
… but they wilfully choose to remain stuck in their past knowledge and be unwilling to open their hearts to possibilities of change.

Jesus, the Truth-Incarnate, declares:
“You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free” (Jn 8: 31)

But the people retorted and answered: “… we have never been enslaved…” (Jn 8: 33)

They considered slavery from only a physical perspective!

They were extremely offended when Jesus considered them to be slaves!

But Jesus brings the focus into right perspective (as He does always!), and speaks of a deadlier form of slavery and a higher form of freedom…

A slavery to Sin…
… that causes one to be away from God and His people

A slavery to ignorance and error…
… that causes one to be closed to God’s Word and prevent His transformation to take place within

He invites to receive Freedom in Him…
… that enjoins with knowing and doing the Father’s Will
… that liberates one from the bondages of death, and leads into peace and joy!

The danger to remain stagnant in sinful or ignorant ways constantly lurks in our life:

The Truth of the Bible is often presented to us in appealing and interesting formats…
… but we often seek to remain ignorant or don’t show any interest to read and understand God’s Word

The beauty of the Sacramental Life and the Teachings of the Church is laid before our eyes…
… but we time and again, tend to be lethargic, casual and sometimes even, hostile to them

Our eyes often come into contact with the suffering lot of people, in and around us…
… but many times, we turn a blind eye to them and remain indifferent in our cosy lifestyle

Each of us needs a purification…

Each of us needs a movement…

A purification from our stubborn ways to a life of obedience and docility to God’s Word

A movement from a sluggish life of faith to being a fervent and committed Christian

Yes, Jesus is constantly extending His Nail-Scarred Hands to lead us to the “pleasant country” of holiness and sanctity.

Let us not deny his invitation and say:
“Ah Hmm…! I am sorry, I cannot accompany You!
I must stay here in the swamp!”

Instead, let us make a self-examination of our state of life…
… realize the need to have a purification and a movement…
… and embrace and live with Jesus, the Truth, “Who sets us free!”

As India celebrates the Republic Day, we pray that we may truly experience freedom and liberation…
… and constantly pray and work with sincere commitment to the Nation and to the Kingdom of God
… knowing that “Satyameva Jayate” – Truth alone triumphs!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Avoiding all ‘lame’ excuses and wholeheartedly accepting the Mission Mandate of the Lord, inspired by the example of St Timothy and St Titus!”

(Based on Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops)

A lady – affected much with polio – and able to walk with just one leg approached a visa desk to go to the missions in the land of Africa.

She had been greatly influenced by the call of the Lord in the Gospels, to “be a missionary” and so decided to give her life totally for the missions.

The visa officer – himself a Christian – after reviewing and verifying her documents…
… had one last question to be ask, before giving the approval:
“Can you give me a convincing answer as to why, with just one leg, you are taking up this risky mission journey?”

The lady, with a grin replied: “Well, I don’t find those with two legs going!”

The visa request was immediately granted!

Zeal for missions… zeal for reaching out in help and service
… is a task entrusted to every Christian.

Do we wholeheartedly accept this responsibility…
… or do we make ‘lame’ excuses and avoid this mandate?

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of St Timothy and St Titus…
… Bishops in the early Church and close companions of St Paul

1) St Timothy…
… (came from Lystra in present-day Turkey) was the son of a Jewish mother and a non-Jewish father

After St. Paul’s visit to Timothy’s home region of Lycaonia, around the year 51, the young man joined the apostle and accompanied him in his travels.
St Paul later sent him to Thessalonica to help the Church during a period of persecution.

Later, they came together in Corinth, and Timothy accompanied Paul on many of his missionary travels.

Around the year 64, Timothy became the first bishop of the Church of Ephesus.

In the year 93 AD, during his leadership of the Church in Ephesus, he took a stand against the worship of idols and was consequently killed by a mob.

St. John retreated to Ephesus before eventually dying on the island of Patmos, and that the Virgin Mary followed John to Ephesus, living in a house above the town.

It is also quite possible, that St. Timothy – being the Bishop of Ephesus – also had interactions with Mother Mary and St John, who had (as many scholars say and many writings testify) spent their last years in Ephesus.

St Timothy therefore would have drunk from the deepest wells of the Christian tradition – hearing about the life of Christ from the lips of the most important witnesses of His Life and Death!

2) St Titus…
… was born into a pagan family – is said to have studied Greek philosophy and poetry in his early years.

He pursued a life of virtue, and purportedly had a prophetic dream that caused him to begin reading the Hebrew Scriptures.

According to tradition, Titus journeyed to Jerusalem and witnessed the preaching of Christ during the Lord’s ministry on earth….
… only later, however – after the conversion of St. Paul and the beginning of his ministry – did Titus receive baptism from the apostle, who called the pagan convert his “true child in our common faith.”

St Titus accompanied Paul to the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem during the year 51, and was later sent to the Corinthian Church on two occasions.

After the end of Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, the apostle ordained Titus as the Bishop of Crete…
… He is credited with leading the Church of Crete, overturning paganism and promoting the faith through his prayers and preaching.

These two great saints teach us important lessons on living as a follower of Christ…
… Christ reminds and exhorts every one of us: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves…” (Lk 10:2-3)

a. Being ready to face any challenge or opposition in being a witness to the Gospel

St Timothy and St Titus had to face innumerable opposition – from within community, from the persecutors around, in their mission journeys etc
… yet to remained firm and faithful to their mission mandate

Are we ready to brave every challenge to be a courageous witness of the Gospel in our own life situations?

Are we ready to depend on the Lord for everything?

b. Untiring zeal and passion for the Kingdom
St Timothy and St Titus accompanied St Paul in his missionary journeys…
… and learnt the “art of passionate zeal for missions” in imitation of Christ

Are we ready to be enrolled into the school of Jesus, the Greatest Missionary and learn from him the “art of passionate zeal for missions?”

Zeal for missions… zeal for reaching out in help and service
… is indeed a task entrusted to every Christian.

God has blessed us immensely with many good things…
… and it is our duty to put all these blessings and graces for the Glory of the Lord

Do we wholeheartedly accept this responsibility…
… or do we make ‘lame’ excuses and avoid this mandate?

May the missionary zeal of St Timothy and St Titus inspire us…
… and help us to “rekindle the gift of God that is within…” (Cf. 2 Tim 1:6)

Happy Feast of St Timothy and St Titus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Discovering Jesus as the Light of Hope, even in the ‘mines of deepest darkness and despair!'”

(Based on Isa 8:23-9:3, 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 and Mt 4:12-23 – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

August 5, 2010.
In the San José Mine of Chile, a sudden collapse trapped 33 miners under 2,300 feet of rock.

The world above had no way of knowing if they were alive.
Days passed.
No food. No water.
Just darkness, heat, and despair.

Seventeen days later, when all hope seemed lost, a drill finally broke through.
As it was pulled back up, a small note was attached: “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33” – “We are well in the shelter, all 33 of us.”

The world erupted in joy!
The rescue mission intensified.

But there was one problem – getting them out would take time…
… the miners would have to survive 52 more days underground.

But down below, something remarkable was happening

Cut off from the world, these men turned to God.

Many of them had never thought about God before.
But now?
Now they realized – no money, no success, no strength could save them.
Only God could.

Buried beneath the earth, they discovered a thirst no water could satisfy!

And later, when they were finally rescued, after 69 days in darkness, one of them testified:”We were 33… but God made us 34.
He was with us the whole time.”

Life often traps us in ‘the dark mines of difficulties and despair!”

But we are reminded that “Hope does not disappoint!” (Cf. Rom 5:5)
God is always with us!

Even when buried under the weight of impossibility, God’s light finds a way through!

This is what the readings of the Day present through Prophet Isaiah speaking of “people walking in darkness seeing a great light” (Cf. Isa 8:23-9:3)…
… and this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus, the Light of the world.

Prophet Isaiah speaks to a people living under intense political and social pressure.

The northern kingdom of Israel faced repeated threats from the Assyrian empire.
The region of Galilee, near the border with hostile territories, was historically a place of vulnerability and uncertainty – a place of darkness
… fear of conquest
… loss of autonomy
… economic hardship
Yet God promises that a light will shine…
… bringing guidance, hope and restoration.

This is what we see historically in the ministry of Jesus in Galilee.

After John the Baptist was arrested by Herod Antipas, Jesus moved into this northern region (Mt 4:12).

Galilee was not a politically secure, influential, or elite area…
… it was a borderland, a crossroads of cultures, and a place under constant threat of invasion.

Into this context, Jesus begins proclaiming: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17).
He later goes on to call his first disciples (Cf. Mt 4:18-22)

The people of Galilee, living under Roman influence and local unrest…
… were invited into a new reality through Jesus
… just as Isaiah had foretold.

We often go through moments of unrest and struggle.

Are we ready to accept “the Light of Christ” into our lives?

“Yes” would mean:
“Repenting of our former ways,” and living in accordance with the norms of the Kingdom of God…
… repenting of sins, to which we cling on to!
… willingness to be healed of our past memories which wound us!

“Yes” would also mean:
“Leaving behind our fishing nets” and following Jesus in complete trust
… letting go of our attachments and sinful tendencies!
… doing away with habits and practices that takes our hearts away from Christ!

St Paul exhorts us to “be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” (cf. 1 Cor 1:10)

We are called to live as “God’s Luminous People” – living in unity and living in hope!

Yes… life often tends to bury us under “fear, loss and hardships!”

But the Promise of the Lord always shines forth.

Lets realise that “sometimes it takes being trapped in darkness…
… to finally see the light God offers!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Dare to walk and live the path of the Crucified Lord with a passionate zeal!”

(Based on 2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 and Mk 3:20-21 – Saturday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2 – Feast of St Francis de Sales)

It was a tense afternoon in the September of the year 1594.

The Bishop of Geneva in France, had convoked a meeting of all his clergy.
There was an urgent need for priests to go to a place named Chablais.

Chablais was a territory in Geneva, which had been under political and religious siege.

Around fifty priests in this place had been banished.
Many churches had been burnt and devastated.
Chablais had become a place of terror for the Catholic Church.

It’s in this horrifying situation, that the Bishop of the place had called for a meeting…
… to ask for volunteers to go to this place and renew the faith.

But none came forward…

None were willing to risk their lives…

It’s at this point, that there comes a gentle yet firm voice – “My Lord, if you think that I am capable of it, command me, I am ready!”

The voice was of St Francis de Sales.

His own father considered this decision as “utter madness”

Perhaps, the other priests and clergy would have also felt this decision as a “crazy one”

The risk of being driven out, failing in his undertaking and of becoming a laughing stock of the world was great indeed.

But St Francis de Sales stood firm to His decision.

It was a decision which perhaps defied reasons…

It was a decision which perhaps seemed out of senses…
But this decision was to become the turning point of a spiritual revolution!

The one who has eyes fixed on one’s goals is indeed a mad person!

Mad for one’s aim…
… obsessed in love
… passionate about one’s goals!

The Gospel of the Day is also a narrative of the “mad and insane” Jesus!

St Mark’s Gospel is pretty straightforward, to the point and blunt in its nature.

The Lord is out to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of Love and Mercy…

Hardened hearts are touched by the softness of His presence
Broken lives are mended by the balm of His Holiness
Ruined minds are revived by the power of His teachings
Shattered destinies are made whole by the cure of His touch
Ruptured consciences are restored by the gentleness of His love
The crowd following has increased!

This however causes a great disturbance and distress in the family of Jesus…
“Again the crowds gathered, making it impossible for them, even to eat.

When His relatives heard of this, they set out to seize Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind’ ” (Mk 3:20-21)

Jesus was labelled as being “out of mind!”
… tagged as being “insane and mad”

The one who has eyes fixed on one’s goals is indeed a mad person!

Mad for one’s aim…
… obsessed in love
… passionate about one’s goals!
And Jesus was indeed passionate and highly zealous for His mission…

So much so, that even His own relatives misunderstood and mistook Him.

The Bible and the Church is a gigantic collection of deeds and acts of such people who were “mad” and who took “crazy” decisions in life…

Abraham was “crazy” to have faith in God, to have children, even at the ripe old age of hundred!
Moses was “mad” to trust God to lead a tiny nation from the clutches of the imposing Egyptian empire!
Mother Mary was “crazy” to give up her promising life and instead consent to an Angel to become the Mother of God!
St Peter was “mad” to abandon his career and family to follow Jesus for a ministry of unknown and uncertain future!
St Paul was “crazy” to undergo tremendous sufferings and agonizing troubles for the sake of the spread of the Gospel!
St Francis De Sales was “crazy” and “mad” to undertake risk of going to the Chablais mission and renew the faith of the people!

When one is really passionate towards one’s mission, there is an element of “craziness”!

Do I have and reflect this “mad” passion and zeal for God’s love?
… by seeking Him in all our works, activities and plans
… by reaching out His love to the needy and the disadvantaged
… by spreading hope, courage and optimism in this broken world

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Francis de Sales.
He is the Doctor of Love!
He is the Gentleman Saint!

And today, he invites and encourages us to embrace this path of love and gentleness!

Let us dare to walk and live the path of the Crucified Lord…
… the One who was called mad and insane
… the One who was misunderstood and unaccepted

Because He chose to live and die for His convictions of Love!

Let us not be worried…
Let us not be anxious…

But trust in our Loving God!

In the words of St Francis de Sales…
“God takes pleasure to see you take your little steps; and like a good father who holds his child by the hand,

He will accommodate His steps to yours and will be content to go no faster than you. Why do you worry?”

Happy Feast of St Francis de Sales!

With joy and love, let us proclaim with him, “Vive Jesus… Live Jesus!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!