“Reinforcing hope and courage to everyone!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist)

There was a school system in a large city that had a program, to help children keep up with their school assignments…
… during the time when the children were admitted for sicknesses.

One day a teacher who was assigned to this program, received a call asking her to visit a particular child.

She took the child’s name and room number and had a short talk with the child’s regular class teacher.
“We’re studying about words in his class now – nouns and adverbs,” the class teacher said, “and I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.”

The hospital-program teacher went to see the boy that afternoon.

The boy had met with a bad accident, been badly burnt and was in great pain.

Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.”

When she left after teaching, she felt she hadn’t accomplished much.

But the next day, a nurse asked her, “What did you do to that boy?”

The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize.

“No, no,” said the nurse. “You don’t know what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, you met him, his whole attitude has changed.

He’s fighting back, responding to treatment…

It’s as though he’s decided to live!”

Two weeks later, the boy explained that he had completely given up hope until the teacher arrived.

Everything changed when he came to a simple realization which he expressed it this way:
“They wouldn’t send a teacher to teach about words, and work on ‘nouns and adverbs’ with a dying boy, would they?”

The gesture of teaching about “words” reinforced hope and courage to that dying boy!

Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear.

If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today!

The Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist comes with this great message of “hope!”

The Gospel presents the beautiful incident of the birth and naming of St John the Baptist.

The birth of John the Baptist is the pivot around which the history of our faith turns.

He was the last prophet of the Old Covenant…
… and the first of the New Covenant.

One of the highlighting aspects of the birth of John the Baptist is the message that “hope is not to be lost, even in the midst of extreme barrenness!”

The Gospel of St Luke says that “Elizabeth and Zechariah, both were advanced in years”, but they had no child; Elizabeth was barren” (Lk 1: 7)

Elizabeth’s barrenness was also symbolic of the barrenness of the land, of the world and of the entire humanity…

Wickedness had caused creation to be incapable of nurturing and sustaining life
Sin had rendered human beings infertile, to bear God’s grace and live in holiness

But God…
… is the God of hope
… the God of fulfilling every promise
… and the God of surprises!

From the barrenness of Elizabeth emerged the forerunner of the One who is Life!

From the barrenness of the world, God gave rise to the Fountain of hope and trust!

The entire life of St John – through the key events – is a spectacular reminder of this great virtue of “hope”…

A. The conception of John
Even when there is barrenness all around, we need to “hope” in God who is able to work miracles and give us life and joy!

B. The naming of John
Even when there are many worldly voices that seek to distract us from the ways that God wishes for us, we need to “hope” in God and follow whatever He wills, so as to find glory and joy in Him!

C. The life of John in the desert
Even when life takes us through the deserts of emptiness, dangers, hardships and misery, we need to “hope” in God who has a definite plan and purpose for our life!

D. The beheading of John
Even when we become victims of cruelty, exploitation, wickedness and inhumanness, we need to “hope” in God by living a life of truth, courage, convictions and valour!

The Church celebrates the Nativity of only three persons, in her liturgical calendar…

Jesus -“Hope” Himself
Mother Mary – the Mother of “Hope”
John the Baptist – the symbol of “Hope”

We are invited to have our lives truly rooted in “hope” and become beacons of spreading this “hope and trust” to others.

There are many who are sick in our world.

There are many who are burnt by the fires of afflictions and at the point of death
There are many who have lost all faith in life and give themselves up to despair and dejection.

Our gestures of teaching about “The Word – Jesus” can reinforce hope and courage to those dying…
… in sin, in affliction, in depression, in loneliness.

Wish you a Happy Feast of the Nativity of the “symbol of Hope” – St John the Baptist.

May Jesus our “Hope” and Blessed Mamma, our “Mother of Hope” strengthen us!

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 – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION

Justification is at the same time the acceptance of God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.
Righteousness (or “justice”) here means the rectitude of divine love.
With justification, faith, hope, and charity are poured into our hearts…

… and obedience to the divine will is granted us. (CCC # 1991)

“Avoiding the plank of transient assurances, and ’embracing the Rock of Everlasting Refuge!'”

(Based on Job 38:1, 8-11, 2 Cor 5:14-17 and Mk 4:35-41 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

A captain of a ship – quite deeply rooted in his faith and love for Christ – was addressing a group of teenage boys and girls.

He told them, “My dear young ones! Do not get swayed by your emotions and feelings, in your life of faith.

When you are struggling in the waters of sin, and you try to get closer to holding the hands of Jesus, you know what the devil does?

He holds out a plank of ‘false feelings and assurances’ and says – ‘Get on to this… and you will feel better!

And when you lose focus from Jesus and step onto that ‘plank,’ he pulls it out…
… and your state of life will be worse than before!

Therefore my friends, remember always…
… Depend not on false feelings. Depend on Your Faith!
… Lose not your focus from Jesus. Allow His Hands to uphold you!

Avoid the plank of transient assurances.
Embrace the Rock of Everlasting Refuge!”

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful encounter of the disciples experiencing “the waves of struggles”…
… and being reminded to “Embrace the Rock of Everlasting Refuge!”

It’s a very late evening… nearing midnight…

The disciples along with Jesus, who have embarked on a boat, are caught amid a heavy storm.
“A violent squall came up and the waves were breaking over the boat…” (Mk 4: 36)

Some of the disciples were fishermen.

They had been at the sea many years.
They had often suffered the fury and vehemence of nature
They had been greatly used to many storms and tempests at sea.

But this storm seemed to be too fierce and too ferocious.

The disciples feared greatly!
The disciples panicked very much!

With death bells ringing in their ears, and a dreadful end before their eyes…
… the disciples were shocked to see Jesus, unmoved and unperturbed.

The Gospel says that “Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion” (Mk 4:38)

In the moment of their deep anguish and helplessness, the disciples cry out:
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mk 4:38)

The boat could capsize anytime and all of them could be drowned soon…
The storms could lash brutally and the waves could overturn them any moment…
Time was fast running…

But Jesus seemed totally unfazed!
Jesus seemed totally disinterested!

So they cried out to Jesus… Lord, do you not care?!

How many times have we screamed similar words to God:
“Lord, do you not care?”

Lord, do you not care… that my family member is so sick?
Lord, do you not care… that I feel totally alone and miserable in my life?
Lord, do you not care… that my marriage is failing and my family is breaking up?
Lord, do you not care… that am without a job now and the future ahead is so bleak?
Lord, do you not care… that my life seems so meaningless and without any purpose?
Lord, do you not care… that I am plunged into loneliness and abandoned by all my friends?
Lord, do you not care that I encounter only failures, dejection and rejection in my endeavours?

When we look into the Gospel, it is amazing to know whose plan it was, in the first place to make this boat journey…

When we re-read the Gospel passage, we find the answer…

Mk 4:35 says, “On that day, as evening drew near, Jesus said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side!’”

Ah…..
Shall we read that again?

… JESUS said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side!”

The idea to go in the boat was not that of the disciples…

The idea of going on the boat was that of JESUS!

The encounter with the storms was not some accident!
The stumbling into the violent waves was not some unlucky thing!

It had a purpose!
It had a meaning!
It had an intention!

For the disciples, it was a moment of terror…
… But the Lord used this terrorizing time to teach them to have faith in Him!

For the disciples, it was a time of immense crisis…
… But the Lord used this critical moment, to teach them to trust in Him!

For the disciples, it was a time of dreadful fear…
… But the Lord used this fearful circumstance, to teach them to believe in Him!

The disciples – who had stepped on the “plank of fear”- were given a lesson: Lose not your focus on Jesus. His Hands will uphold you always!

Our moments of struggle are a time of testing…
Our moments of struggle are a time of learning…

Testing of our genuine faith… learning of deeper trusting!
Testing of our real convictions… learning of profound dependence!

The Lord reminds us of His Sovereignty, as he asked Job, who was going through the sea of sufferings: “Who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?

When I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors…” (Job 38: 8-10)

When life takes us through the “waves of sin and struggle,” let us not get fascinated by the devil’s allurement to step on the plank of “false feelings and assurances”

Instead, let us avoid the plank of transient assurances…
… and “embrace the Rock of Everlasting Refuge!”

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 – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION

Justification detaches man from sin which contradicts the love of God, and purifies his heart of sin.
Justification follows upon God’s merciful initiative of offering forgiveness.
It reconciles man with God.

It frees from the enslavement to sin, and it heals. (CCC # 1990)

“Firmly pledging loyalty and allegiance to our Loving God and trusting Him at all times!”

(Based on 2 Chr 24:17-25 and Mt 6:24-34 – Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A top ranked official, was extremely efficient and skilled in all his works.

However, he suffered from constant bouts of ulcer in the mouth, stomach upset and headaches.

Several medications couldn’t solve this problem.

Finally, a close friend of his, who had been away abroad for some years, met him…
… and knowing of his problems, suggested:
“I have the solution for all your physical troubles.

With all your works and responsibilities, you daily take up a lot of tension and worry.

So all that you need to do is…
Choose any one particular day of the week.

Whenever you get a problem that causes you anxiety…
Write it on a piece of paper….
Drop it inside a ‘Worry Box’…
… and then completely forget about it.

This ‘worry box’ is to be opened on that particular day of the week.”

The official tried this method of “writing the anxieties and problems on a paper, dropping it into a ‘worry box’ and opening it only on a Sunday.”

To his surprise, he found that most of the things that had disturbed him over the past six days were already settled.

It would have been useless to have worried about them.

That’s when he realised, his foolishness in being anxious and worried about a lot of things in life…
… things that deserved no attention for worry or anxiety!

And behold, in doing so, he also found his health to be regaining to full force.

Is that not pretty similar in our lives as well?

We often fret and worry about a lot of things in life…
… only to realise, that most of them, do not actually deserve the “anxiety attention and the worry weightage.”

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful reflection given by Jesus on this nagging factor in our life – anxiety and worry.

The Lord firstly invites us to have a clear conviction regarding our loyalty: to God or to mammon.

He says, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt 6: 24)

We can be faithful and committed to only one of them.

To whom have we pledged our loyalty and allegiance…?

To the True and Living God who alone is worthy of every honour and who alone is able to bless our lives with true joy and happiness….?
… or to false and make-believe effigies of money, wealth and possessions which may give momentary satisfactions but fail miserably in rendering true peace of mind…?

When we have made this pledge and commitment to the Lord, He invites us to “live” this commitment.

One of the strongest signs of “living” this commitment is to “trust” in Him!

And the external sign of “trusting” in Him is to not get into the vice of “anxiety”

Jesus asks this very practical and logical question:
“Can any of you, by worrying, add a single moment to your life-span?” (Mt 6: 27)

All of us…
… surely, as we live our lives have our quota of tensions and troubles.
… without doubt, as we discharge our duties, will have our share of pressures.

But do we let these tensions and troubles and pressures to get converted to needless “worries” and undue “anxieties?”

It is said that “worry is wasting today’s time, to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles.”

Worries and anxieties cause us…
… to miss the beautiful gift of the present – Today
… causing blockage in the golden chances awaiting ahead – Tomorrow
… as a result of the cloud of undue pressures and fears of the past – Yesterday

Humans, as we are, stresses and strains are sure to come our way…
… but, does my Christian Faith help me to convert such circumstances to occasions to trust in God deeper and build our faith stronger?

For a person on deep faith, situations of tension are made into moments of seeking God deeper and experiencing His providence.

For a person of higher trust, circumstances of worries are transformed to occasions of cherishing God’s presence and developing an approach of stronger reliance and dependence.

There is no doubt that life will constantly hurl ‘bricks of worry and anxiety’ on us

Discouragements are an easy trap for us to stumble in our life of faith
Anxieties are easy snares to corner us with fretfulness and fear.

But as Christians, we need to be courageous to use these ‘bricks of worry and anxiety’ into castles of “confidence and success!”

The evil one…
… seeks to hamper our desire to seek the Lord and work for His Kingdom
… attempts to tarnish our good intentions to be a messenger of His Kingdom

Do we succumb to those attacks of “anxiety” and “worry”?
… or do we stand firm, in faith and trust, placing our faith in the Lord, entirely?

Worries and anxieties often eat up our life…
… and many of us even suffer physically, spiritually and socially.

The Lord, our best friend, advises us today:
“Write down your worries and anxieties on a piece of paper… (i.e. speak to me in Prayer!)
… put them into the “worry box”… (i.e. Offer them to My Heart!)
… and open it once a week… (i.e. On a Sunday – the Sabbath Day, set apart for the Lord!)

And you will realise, most of the things that had disturbed over the past six days, were already settled.”

Yes, let us firmly pledge loyalty and allegiance to our Loving God…
… and trusting Him at all times, boldly declare, with hope:
“I seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!”

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 – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION

The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion…
… effecting justification in accordance with Jesus’ proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (CCC # 1989)

“Seeking to win ‘the reward of Eternity’ by God’s Mercy and Grace, and our spiritual longings and faithfulness!”

(Based on 2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20 and Mt 6:19-23 – Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Ireland from 1558-1603.

She was probably England’s greatest and most controversial Queen.

As she lay on her death bed, the nation’s best doctors battled to save her life…
… but in vain!

When she was told that she was going to die, the unfortunate Queen began to weep.

She sobbed and said: “I will give millions for an inch of time!”

She had lived 70 years of pursuing wealth, fame and pleasure

She had servants to cater to every whim
It is said she had 10,000 dresses in her wardrobe with atleast 2000 pairs of gloves alone!
She was the queen of the kingdom which was considered to be “one on which the Sun would never set”

Yet, this apparently powerful and rich Queen of England, died – pleading for “An Inch of Time”

This is the reality of our earthly lives….

No matter how materially rich we are…
… none of these would count as being important, when death arrives!

No matter how popular and fame we acquire while on earth…
… all of it would be reduced to nothingness, when the end comes!

The only thing that would matter, would be…
… Have we made God as the ultimate treasure and meaning of our life and live by His Will?
… Are we humble enough to acknowledge and depend on the Providence of God?

The sooner we realise this, the more meaningful would our lives be…

The further we delay, the deeper would be the moments of anxieties in life!

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful reminder by Jesus to have an examination of the “longings of our hearts” and to set right “first things first!”

Jesus says: “Do not store up treasures for yourself on earth….” (Mt 6: 19)

Every human being has an innate longing and a craving to go beyond transitory, transient and peripheral aspects of life.

It is this dimension that is described in terms of…
… longing for eternal happiness
… desire for peace and serenity
… yearning for the Absolute
… deep thirst for God etc…

There is a search for the Eternal…
… a pursuit for the Everlasting
… a wish to pursue good thoughts
… in every human being!

However, very often in this quest, human beings go astray and go off track, by falsely seeking for the Eternal, in mere peripheral objects.

These objects vary for different people…
… It could be wealth, power, prestige, sex, drugs, other addictions, worldly attachments etc.

We often build up for ourselves castles and mansions in this physical world…
… and remain under the false pretence, that my life is comfortable and everything is very good.

Our hearts & minds gets set on “things of this world“ and we remain deceived with peripheral joys and temporary happiness and tranquility!

But today, the Lord warns us: “Have we stored up treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves can steal?!” (Mt 6:19)

Jesus points to the fact that one must not have treasures “that would not last”

In this reference, he points to three entities: moth, rust and thieves.

1. Why moth?
   Rich and extravagant dresses and garments were often expressions of wealth.

And moths loved to treat on such “ornate” dresses and garments

Garments, in the Bible, also refer to the dignity of a person, a symbol of righteousness and the sign of salvation

Moths eating such garments, point to the loss in spiritual agility and vigour!

2. Why rust?
   Grains were considered as a sign of prosperity and thus they would be stored in storehouses (as the parable of the rich fool suggests – Lk 12: 18b)

The Greek word used for ‘rust’ is “brosis” which literally means “an eating”

This could refer to how rats, mice, worms, and insects could eat away at these storehouses of grain!

If the wealth consisted of jewellery, then this ‘eating away’ could refer to “rust” (= the product of a chemical reaction in which oxygen combines with water vapour to form the oxide of the metal).

3. Why thieves?
   Gold, precious metals and other costly goods would be another sign of richness.

They would be hidden by keeping them safe in the houses etc.

The most common method that was done was to find a secret place in the field and in the dark of night, a hole would be dug and the treasure would be buried.

But thieves would lurk around at night and watch where people would bury their treasure…
… and then go and dig it up.

The phrase “where thieves break in” could be literally translated “where thieves dig in.”

The houses of those times were constructed of mud; so thieves would often dig through the walls and steal the treasures!

Thus, our Blessed Lord warns against having our riches that ‘would not last’…
… those which could be consumed by moths
… those which could easily be eaten up or be rusted
… those which could be stolen and plundered by thieves

Instead the Lord says: “Store up treasures for yourself in heaven” (Mt 6:20)

We need to ask ourselves: Are we rich in what matters to God?

St Paul says, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but be transformed by a renewal of your minds..!” (Rom 12:2)

Time and again, we like to stroll along in life, thinking, that…
… spiritual life, relation with God, Divine thoughts, holy practices, devout rituals are just not “happening” things!

We feel that they are too boring
We feel that they are reserved for the older generation people
We feel that they are not meant for the 21st century generation!

But, for a moment..we need to pause and think…

We may not be thinking too seriously about our spiritual lives…
… But Jesus was really quite serious….

That’s why He DIED on the Cross…!

His bleeding death was real…
… His agony and pain and sufferings, for the sake of our sins, was real!

JESUS IS REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT OUR SALVATION…!
… But, AM I SERIOUS ABOUT THIS LIFE, THAT HE WON FOR ME?

How long are we going to fool ourselves…?

Falsely inflating our egos and satisfying our craving desires…
Being satisfied with worldly pleasures…
Seeking momentary happiness…

Where our heart is…
… there will be our treasure! (Mt 6:21)

Let’s dwell deeper on the words of St Augustine:
“God, you have made us for yourself…
… and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.”

All our earthly and material wealth will never give us “an extra inch of time”…
… but our spiritual longings and faithfulness, by God’s Mercy and Grace, will win for us “the reward of Eternity!”

Yes, let us soar like eagles, in our longings for God..
… and not just be satisfied, like chickens, picking up tiny grains of worldly pleasures!

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 – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION

God gave himself to us through his Spirit.
By the participation of the Spirit, we become communicants in the Divine nature

For this reason, those in whom the Spirit dwells are divinized. (CCC # 1988)

“Asking the Grace from ‘Our Father’ to help us make inroads into forgiving others!”

(Based on Sir 48:1-14 and Mt 6:7-15 – Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

There was a king who had suffered much from his rebellious subjects.

But one day they surrendered their arms…
… threw themselves at his feet
… and begged for mercy.
>> The king pardoned them all.

One of the king’s friends said to him: “We are surprised at your act!
>> Did you not say that every rebel should die?
>> Did you not give us a command that every enemy should be killed?”

“Yes,” replied the king, calmly…
… and added, “but I see no rebels here!”


True forgiveness flows from the heart…
… and eliminates every bitterness
… so as to render every enemy as null and void!

We are today called to have a special focus on the aspect of forgiveness…
… as we give heed to the beautiful rendition of the pattern of all prayers – “The Our Father” – as recounted by St Mathew


The Gospel of the Day is part of the Sermons on the Mount in the Gospel of St Matthew.

Jesus presents His teaching on various Christian themes.

In His teaching on prayer, Jesus teaches the beautiful prayer – The Our Father.


The Our Father has seven petitions:
1. Hallowed be Thy Name
2. Thy Kingdom come
3. Thy Will be done
4. Give us today our Daily Bread
5. Forgive us our sins
6. Lead us not into temptation
7. Deliver us from evil.


The fifth petition – for forgiveness – is also accompanied with a clause – “…as we forgive”..
“…and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12)
… forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us!
… forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us!


Well, does this mean God’s forgiveness is conditional?

Certainly NO!


It needs to be understood, that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!
>> But to receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

God’s Mercy and Forgiveness is unconditional…
… but our reception of the same, is conditional!

It means that…
>> If we harbour a wrong against other…
>> If we continue to nurture hatred against other…
>> If we wilfully fail to extend absolution to the other…
>> If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…
… then we are telling God to not forgive me either!
… then we are telling God to not shower His blessing on me!
… then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!
… then we are telling God to stop extending His unconditional compassion!


We are called therefore, to “forgive from our heart”…
… and thus to reconcile with everyone in our life.

It is when we truly forgive, that we become recipients of the Great Mercy and Forgiveness of God!


The prayer – “Our Father” is indeed one of the most easily learnt and widely used prayers.
>> But this clause of the prayer, which is often overlooked, also makes this prayer dangerous!


Let us ask the Grace from ‘Our Father’ to help us make inroads into forgiving others!

Let us realize that true forgiveness flows from the heart…
… eliminates every bitterness
… and thus, renders every enemy as null and void!


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION
>> Through the power of the Holy Spirit we take part in Christ’s Passion by dying to sin…
… and in his Resurrection by being born to a new life
… we are members of his Body which is the Church, branches grafted onto the vine which is himself. (CCC # 1988)
————————–

“Doing away with the ‘gadgets of our self-wills’ and beginning to really re-charge ourselves with doing God’s Will!”

(Based on 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14 and Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 – Wednesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An Italian newspaper carried a news story about a young couple in Milan who seemed particularly devoted in their worship.

The priest at a Cathedral reported that the pair spent an hour or more on a regular basis…
… sitting before a statue of the Virgin Mary.

But shockingly…
… it turned out, that they were not really praying!
>> This young couple was recharging their cell phone!

They had noticed a stray electric cable sticking out of the wall…
… behind the statue of the Virgin Mary.

Whenever their phone’s power supply dwindled, the young couple came to the church and re-charged it!


Well…
What looked like an act of piety, was actually a self-serving ploy!

Maybe, we are much shocked by this act…

How about us?
Do we indulge ourselves into similar acts?
… claiming to be praying – but without true devotion or only for “transient gains and desires”
… claiming to be abstaining – but without a sense of joy and reducing it to “an annual observance of an unconvinced pious act”
… claiming to be doing acts of piety – but perhaps, with selfish motives or as “popularity stunts”

Are we really re-charging ourselves?
… or are recharging the many “gadgets” of our self-will?


The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of restoring the “true intention in the acts of praying, fasting and almsgiving”…
… with a need to put on the vestment of humility and sincerity!


The Gospel Passage – Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18 – presents to us Jesus speaking of the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: ALMSGIVING, PRAYER and FASTING (PENANCE).


He invites us to perform these acts of piety with a “holy and sincere devotion”

With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…
… “sound no trumpet” (Mt 6:2)

With respect to prayer, Jesus says…
… “shut the door and pray to your Father” (Mt 6:6)

With respect to fasting, Jesus says…
…”anoint your head and wash your face” (Mt 6:17)


It is interesting to note that these 3 practices refers to 3 dimensions of Love:
… towards God
… towards others
… towards oneself

1. Prayer: Reminding ourselves to grow in the Immensity of God’s Love
2..Almsgiving: Reviving our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another
3. Fasting: Rediscovering the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness


It’s high time we move from “prayering” – merely reciting words…
… to praying – words of love that arise from the heart!

It’s high time we move from “announcements” – throwing words of charity into the air…
… to almsgiving – charity that flows from the generosity of one’s heart!

It’s high time we move from “feasting” – indulging in self-pleasure…
… to fasting – self-discipline to help one to regulate one’s life!


Yes… we are called to give greater attention to “return to the basics”…
… restoring the “true intention in all our activities!”

Can we stop making our acts of piety as merely self-serving ploys?

Shall we do away with the “gadgets of our self-wills”
… and begin to really re-charge ourselves with doing God’s Will?”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION
>> But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
>> For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
>> The death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
>> So you also must consider yourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (CCC # 1987)
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“Responding to the invitation to ‘live in love’ by having a proper understanding of the word ‘love!'”

(Based on 1 Kgs 21:17-29 and Mt 5:43-48 – Tuesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A catechism teacher – an English trainer by profession – was explaining the importance of the word ‘love’ to her Class 7 students.

She said: “What is love?

>> Love is silence – when your words would hurt.
>> Love is patience – when people are rude
>> Love is deafness – when a scandalous rumour makes rounds
>> Love is thoughtfulness – when you see others in pain
>> Love is promptness – when you see someone in need
>> Love is courage – when unexpected crisis hits the boat of your lives”

And she added, “And finally…
… Love is The Man – Whom you see hanging on the Cross, shedding the last drop of His blood for us!”


Love, which takes many forms, finds its ultimate expression in “The Man” – Jesus – the Saviour of the world…
… Who invites each one of us to “live in love” by having a proper understanding of the word “love!”


Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, continues to pull down barriers of “comfort and coziness” by challenging His disciples to rise above the normal standards of the world.

Today He speaks on the aspect of “Love”.


Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human person.

Dictionaries describe love as being ‘a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person’ or a ‘feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection’.


Generally speaking, love is considered only to be a human ’emotion or feeling’.
>> It is something that is usually understood as being “felt” or “sensed” or “experienced”.


Jesus surely did consider “love” as an emotion and a feeling.

Therefore…
… He loved the company of people
… He cherished affection of those who followed Him
… He treasured relationships and fostered friendships with all


But beyond these “external” dimensions of Love… Our Blessed Lord taught and showed a higher aspect of love

Love, not just being a “feeling” but ” love as a “decision”.
Love, not just being a “sensation” but love as a “commitment”


Therefore Jesus says:
“You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy!” (Mt 5:43)
“For if you love only those who love you, what recompense will you have?” (Mt 5: 46)


These ‘statements on love’ must have stunned the original audience.

In the 1st-century Jewish Palestine, “enemies” and “persecutors” primarily referred to the oppressive Romans.

Jesus challenges His followers, to love and pray for those who were oppressing them…
… those occupying their land
… those imposing heavy taxes
… and those treating them unjustly.


This radical love – mirroring the Heavenly Father’s inclusive care…
… would become an identity for them to be called as ‘true children of the Heavenly Father!’


Love, when understood only as a “feeling” or an “emotion” can get reduced to being just an “object” or a “thing”
>> Just as one exchanges goods with each other…
… love is also exchanged with one another
>> Just as one shares one’s belongings and possessions with one another…
… love is also shared with one another
>> Just as one gives and takes things from each other…
… love is also given and taken from each other

But the Lord presents a higher understanding of love and demands a much supreme expression of love from His followers: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5: 48)


Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling”…
… and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment!”


When someone hurts us, we don’t “feel” like loving…
>> But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is a “daring decision”

When someone continues to be lukewarm, we don’t have any “emotions” of love…
>> But Jesus says, “Love that person,” because love is an “absolute allegiance”

When someone continues to cause pain, we don’t “experience” any love…
>> But Jesus says, “Love that person” because love is a “challenging commitment”


Now this teaching certainly irks our “normal” understanding.
>> How can I possibly love someone, who has hurt and killed me, mentally?
>> How can I be expected to show love to someone who still hurts me, even intentionally?
>> How can I be told to love people, who have no regard for me at all and treat me as an object?


It seems to be an impossibility.
It seems to be absurd.

But we are called to look to the Crucified Lord…
… in Whom we have the perfect example of ‘Love being lived in actuality!’

Jesus on the Cross shows that love is to be
… a “daring decision”
… an “absolute allegiance”
… and a “challenging commitment!”


>> One may not be able to “show” love…
… but can we at least pray, and seek for God’s blessings on the person?
>> One may not be able to “talk” freely to the one who has hurt…
… but can we try to wish good, and speak good about the person?
>> One may not be able to “resist” from having bad feelings when encountering one’s enemy…
… but can we at least offer the person to the mercy of God?


This teaching certainly seems to be a big “burden” and a significant “stress”

But this is where, we need to make a journey…
… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!
… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!


We are assured by the Lord that when we “observe [His commandments] diligently” with all our heart and with all our soul….
… we will be “set high above all nations that He has made, in praise and in fame and in honor; and… to be a people holy to the Lord!” (Cf. Deut 26:16,19)


Let us realize that the Lord has walked through this journey.

He is still with us – to accompany us.
>> This journey may be hard
>> This journey may be hurting
>> This journey may be painful

But lets follow the Loving Law of the Lord…
…being impelled by the encouraging words of the Psalmist: “Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!” (Ps 119:1b)


We are given the powerful reminder that “Love is The Man – Whom you see hanging on the Cross, shedding the last drop of His blood for us!”…
… as we are invited to “live in love” by having a proper understanding of the word “love!”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION
>> The grace of the Holy Spirit has the power to justify us…
… that is, to cleanse us from our sins and to communicate to us “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ” and through Baptism. (CCC # 1987)
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“As followers of Christ, being ready to embrace the ‘powerful’ spirituality of the ‘bold Jesus!'”

(Based on 1 Kgs 21:1-16 and Mt 5:38-42 – Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

The TIME magazine, in its declaration of Jesus, as the Man of the Millennium, proclaimed:

“The single most powerful figure – not merely in these two millenniums but in all human history – has been Jesus of Nazareth…
… a serious argument can be made that no one else’s life has proved remotely as powerful and enduring as that of Jesus.”

One of the reasons for this Massive Influence of Jesus, was His uncompromising and ever-bold attitude with respect to sin, evil and living a life of total love!


The Gospel of the Day presents this lofty teaching of Jesus on non-retaliation and the power of forgiving love.


One of the highly debatable and confusing teachings of Jesus is contained in today’s Gospel reading.

Jesus says, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5: 39)


This verse could easily raise a lot of doubts and questions…
>> Did Jesus mean that a Christian should be passive to evil?
>> Did Jesus teach that we should suffer unnecessarily in the face of social evils?
>> Did Jesus teach passivity and being lethargic when one encounters wickedness and evil?


The one direct answer to all such doubts is seen in the light of the life of Jesus Himself…
>> He was always actively against evil and sinful activities
>> He was a constant opponent to oppression, condemnation and human wickedness


Then what would have Jesus meant by those strong phrases of “resist evil.. and turning one’s cheeks?”

There could be, speaking in general terms, three responses to evil:
1. Opposing with violence
2. Bearing everything passively
3. A courageous non-violence


The first two responses are also popularly called as Fight or Flight
… either FIGHT against the evil… or take FLIGHT from the evil situations
>> FIGHT: oppose with evil and violence
>> FLIGHT: run away from the situation or passively be submissive

But the way of Jesus is a higher one… a much higher and bolder one: the way of ACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE.


The Greek word that is used by St Mathew, for “resist” is “antisthemi”

‘Antisthemi’ is not a passive or a weak term.
>> It was a classical Greek ‘military’ term.

It means…
… to take a stand against, to oppose or to resist
… to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,”.
… It means refusing to be moved (” being pushed back”)


This clearly shows that “to resist evil” is not merely a passive act of submission…
… rather is a firm, courageous and bold action of holding onto one’s convictions of truth and opposing every reaction to subdue truth.


This is further illustrated in the example that Jesus gives, “of turning one’s cheek, when hit on the right cheek”


Now, its common sense to note, that if one hits with the right hand, it would hit the other person only on the “left” cheek.

Therefore, if the person is hit on the “right” cheek, as in the example of Jesus, it simply means, that one was hit with a “back-hand”.


What is the significance of a back-handed slap?
>> A backhanded slap, had a greater message than merely hurting or causing pain…
>> Instead, it meant to be an act of “severe” humiliation… of “terrible” insult!


A backhand slap, was the usual way of admonishing inferiors:
Masters backhanded slaves; husbands, wives; parents, children; men, women; Romans, Jews.


What is the response that Jesus suggests for such an act of dreadful humiliation?
>> Not Fight… Not Flight.

Rather, a strong and bravely opposing act of courage: “turn the other cheek as well!”

It is a calculated response intended to invite the aggressor to consider his or her actions.
>> This bold action of turning one’s cheek robs the oppressor of the power to humiliate.

It is as if the oppressed person is saying,
“Try again if you want, buddy!
Your first blow failed to achieve its intended effect.
>> I deny you any power to humiliate me!”


This was how our Blessed Lord who gave this supremely lofty teaching demonstrated in His life…
… by dying on the Cross!
>> The Cross was a powerful opposition to evil and sin.

The One who died on the Cross did not die a passive death…
>> Rather, He boldly preached against every act of oppression and mightily spoke against every form of discrimination!


As Christians, we need to be bold and courageous to “resist” every evil and sinful deed.


In Christ, we have a teaching that is not passive, but is “extremely” active and powerful.

To merely FIGHT or simply make a FLIGHT in the face of oppressions, is cheap and ordinary…
>> In fact, it is “no spirituality”.

But to “be bold in one’s convictions” and “to oppose” evil, even to the point of giving up one’s life, is a lofty, supreme and mighty spirituality.
>> Jesus embodied this spirituality.
>> Many great men and women in history have been inspired by it and lived it.


As Christians, the followers of the Bold Jesus, are we ready to embrace this “powerful” spirituality?
>> Let us become…. Agents and Ambassadors of true love…destroying evil forces with goodness!


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
>> God does not want each person to keep all the counsels…
… but only those appropriate to the diversity of persons, times, opportunities, and strengths, as charity requires
… for it is charity, as queen of all virtues, all commandments, all counsels
… and, in short, of all laws and all Christian actions that gives to all of them their rank, order, time, and value. (CCC # 1974)
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“Being firm and resolute to stand on Christian principles!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 19:19-21 and Mt 5:33-37 – Saturday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time)

A Chinese proverb goes thus: “Do not have each foot on a different boat.”

“Standing on two boats” is a trend that we find in our modern world.
… people taking double standards in their life in the society outside and life at home inside
… friends changing their loyalties to one another depending on the circumstance and situation, for their own favour
… spouses cheating on one another, for their own selfish and sinful pleasures
… business partners entering into secretive contracts with other companies, for unaccounted gains


Many such examples of people not being “true to their words” makes today’s Gospel extremely relevant in our context.

In the Gospel, Jesus says: “Let what you say, simply be ‘Yes’ or “No’” (Mt 5:38)


Continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives His instructions to His disciples, on how one should remain “focused in one’s faith”.


The Sermon on the Mount can be also termed as a “Teaching on Challenging Mediocre Lifestyles”.

Jesus, all through the Sermon on the Mount, picks up various topics…
… anger
… adultery
… divorce
… vows
… love for enemies
etc…
>> And raises the level of their understanding for a Christian.


Today’s Gospel presents Jesus speaking on the topic of “vows and promises”…
… emphasizing on the aspect of remaining focused and clear, in one’s words and deeds.


Jesus categorically declares that for a Christian, there ought to be no “double standards”
… a Yes, ought to be a Sincere Yes
… a No, ought to be a Firm No
>> A Sincere Yes to God… a Firm No to Satan
>> A Sincere Yes to Holiness… a Firm No to Sin
>> A Sincere Yes to the Kingdom of God… a Firm No to the ways of the world


The reason to have this conviction is our Faith and Confidence in the Lord.
>> He is the Lord Who remains the same always: “Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13:8)


We need to therefore ask ourselves:
>> Am I focusing on sincerity and honesty, in my daily actions and words…
… or do I sometimes take “double-standards?”

>> Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…
… or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

>> Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…
… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?


The world today clearly promotes and propagates insincerity, unfaithfulness and duplicity.
>> Glamour and popularity are the motivations
>> Business-orientations and short-term gains are the catchwords in relationships


In such a “tricky and trying” situation, a Christian is called forth to avoid “standing on two boats”…
… and instead, “be firm and resolute” to stand on Christian Principles.


Our Master Jesus reminds us:
“I prepared for 30 years in silent contemplation of the Christian Virtues…
… 3 years in preaching them
… and 3 hours – on the Cross – in standing firmly in defense of them!
>> What about you?”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
>> The evangelical counsels attest its vitality and call forth our spiritual readiness.
>> The perfection of the New Law consists essentially in the precepts of love of God and neighbour. (CCC # 1974)
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“Freeing ourselves from the ‘mprisonment of our appetites’ and experience the “glorious liberty” of the Children of God!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-16 and Mt 5:27-32 – Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time

The Canadian author, Thomas Costain in his historical novel “The Three Edwards” speaks of the life of a 14th century Duke named Raynald Ill.

Raynald was extremely overweight and was commonly called by his Latin nickname “Crassus” which meant ‘fat!’

This Duke Raynald, after a violent quarrel, suffered defeat in a revolt by his younger brother Edward.

Edward captured Raynald, but did not kill him.

Instead he imprisoned Raynald in a room in the castle…
… and promised that he could regain his title and property, if he was able to escape from the room.

This task – to escape from the room – would have been pretty simple for most people, since the room had several windows and a door; none of which was locked!

But Raynald had a problem…
… His size… His uncontrolled appetite!

Edward knew his elder brother…
… and He very well knew this weakness as well!

Each day, therefore, Edward send him a variety of delicious foods!

Instead of dieting his way out of the room, he began to relish on the grand food served to him…
… and Raynald grew fatter!!

When Edward was questioned by the people on his cruelty for having captured his elder brother, he would reply, without any qualms:
“My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills.”

The story goes on to say that Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn’t released until after Edward died in battle.

But by then his health was so ruined, that he died within a year!

Raynald died…
… as a prisoner of his own appetite!

How often is this a reality in our spiritual lives as well!

Sin sometimes captures our hearts so much…
.. that we are unwilling to let go, and thus wither in our sinful state

Immorality and transgressions take over our lives so much…
… that we become slaves, and remain much bound to them.

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful call by Jesus to make an honest examination of our state of life, and check whether we are imprisoned by sin…
… especially from the perspective of immorality and decadence in our ethical system.

Our modern society is often a rude and mute witness to many inhuman atrocities and abuses, especially against women.

The world seems to be more and more losing, the sense of sin!

In this context, it’s shocking to read the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading:
“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart”! (Mt 5:28)

Jesus’ words pierces through the heart!

He gives no space for lame excuses and silly explanations…
… he hits straight at the target!

SIN consists not in some external actions alone…
… but SIN is conceived and given birth in one’s heart!

When we consider the society in which we live in, we find that…

Immorality is on the rise….

We pass through cities and towns..
We look through newspapers and magazines…
We scan across websites, swanky apps and fancy shops…
… and we find that… Immorality is, indeed, on the rise!

Immoral pictures, sensual visuals, inhuman portrayal of persons, double-meaning talks have somehow become the order of the day!

We are very often surrounded by filth and lewdness in our society.

Satan, the father of deception scatters the seeds of immorality and lust everywhere!

It’s here, that a Christian needs to be on the watch.

It is our duty as Christians, to preserve our hearts from this dangerous contagion.

The beatitudes tell us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God” (Mt 5: 8)

We have a duty…
… to preserve ourselves from Impurity!
… to protect others in their dignity and honour!
… to awaken the society which is often, deadened in immorality & perversion!

Let us examine our lives and check.. “Am I becoming a prisoner of my own appetite?”
… being a slave to lustful thoughts or immoral patterns of attitudes
… being indifferent to a society which strips itself of all dignity in the name of liberty and freedom

The Lord very powerfully challenges us to be totally intolerant to casting away sin and sinful tendencies from our life…

“If your right eye causes you to sin… tear it out and throw it away” (Mt 5: 29)
” If your hand causes you to sin… cut it off and throw it away” (Mt 5: 30)

Sin has no place in a world of mercy and love!

Mercy places an obligation that all sin be rid off!
Love demands that all wrongdoing be cast away!

Let the words of St Antony of Padua be given heed to:
“Anyone, then, who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent.”

Let’s awake, Dear Christians…
… Purify our World and live in Sanctity and Holiness…

Let us free ourselves from the “imprisonment of our appetites” and experience the “glorious liberty” of the Children of God!

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 NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

The evangelical counsels manifest the living fullness of charity…

… which is never satisfied with not giving more. (CCC # 1973)