“Being ready to be Christians with an ‘excellent spine!'”

(Based on Rom 15:14-21 and Lk 16:1-8 – Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

It was a Bible study class.

The group was doing a study on the Book of Prophet Daniel.

As was the custom, one of the members would start the Bible study by reading the passage of the day, to the group, aloud.

The selected passage for the day was Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel.

An elderly person, stood up to read.

He, however had some struggle with his sight and was finding it a bit difficult to read.

When he came to verse 3 (which actually says: “an excellent spirit was in Daniel”)…
… adjusting his thick glasses, the man read: “… an excellent spine was in Daniel!”

(The word ‘spirit’ was mistakenly read as ‘spine’!)

Well… that was bad reading…
… but nevertheless, it was wonderful theology
… because Prophet Daniel was indeed a man of excellent spine – a backbone that made him strong and courageous!

Are we Christians with an “excellent spine?”

The Gospel of the Day, with a worldly example placed before us – the Parable of the Unjust Steward – is a mighty challenge to us to examine whether we as Christians, are people…
… who really are bold and courageous to stand for the Gospel principles
… who really are zealous and prudent to preserve our holiness and sanctity!

The story of the unjust steward is an interesting as well as an eye-opener for us, in our spiritual and Christian life

This is also a parable that could be classified under the “controversial” or “what-was-He-really-meaning” category!

The summary of the parable would go thus…

A steward has been reported to the Master for squandering the property (Lk 16:1)

Dismissal is on the cards for the steward (Lk 16:2)
Taking stock of the possibilities for the future, he decides and acts on the principle: Manipulation is the best policy for a safer future (Lk 16:3-7)
The Master commends this unjust, yet prudent and craft act of the steward! (Lk 16: 8a)

The parable could cause some strange questions to crop up…

Why is Jesus – the Honest-Man-par-excellance – presenting this strangely negative example to His followers?

Does Jesus mean that we should follow the bad ways of the world, in order to win our salvation?
“Hook or Crook” – is that the policy that Jesus says for us Christians, to live in this world?

Well…

Without going deep into the theological debates of such questions…
… we shall look into the answer that Jesus Himself proposed for saying this parable:
“For the children of the world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation, than are the children of light” (Lk 16: 8b)

The purpose of Jesus to say this parable is put forth: Children of the this world are often more shrewd to make sure a good future…
… whereas, the children of the light, tend to be extremely relaxed concerning their salvation!

People of this worldly kingdom are willing to go to any extend to secure themselves…
… whereas those who supposedly wish to belong to God’s Kingdom, leisure themselves in lethargy!

This is a technique of “comparative imperative” that is proposed by Jesus…
… by emphasising on the opposite, a challenge is put forth!
… by highlighting a negative dimension, the positive aspect is enforced!

Such “comparative imperatives” can easily be observed in our lives…

We would make every effort to be in time to catch a bus/train/flight, so as not to miss it…
… but don’t mind, being late for our prayers or spiritual activities, including the Holy Mass!

We would ensure every day we have our food and get a good rest, so that our bodies don’t get weak…
… but give no regard to feed and give rest to our souls, by spending time with the Lord in personal prayer and growing in relationship with Him!

We would feel a dreadful sense of disgust if we do not have our daily bath (shower) and cleanse our bodies…
… but have sometimes no awareness to realise our souls are dirty and we need to cleanse them through a daily examination of conscience, and regularly through the Sacramental Confession.

We don’t mind wagging our tongues to say a bad word or a dirty joke or nasty words of criticism and condemnation..
… but think often, when we need to say something positive or appreciate someone or to say an occasional prayer to recall the presence of the Lord!

This “comparative imperative” proposed by the Lord in this parable makes us to reflect deeper:

Am I more enthusiastic about the affairs of this world, which gives only transient joy…
… at the cost of avoiding my spiritual life, which alone can ensure me eternal happiness?

Am I only concerned more about my materialistic concerns and my temporal duties…
… and end up neglecting the solemn duties of our Christian life and being more spiritually rooted?

Our Blessed Lord is extremely serious…
… that we take our Christian lives and faith, on a more serious note!
Salvation is at stake!
Eternal Life is at question!

The Lord is perhaps addressing us, and telling:
“For those who are working…
… you would try to make any sincere efforts to make sure you get a better salary, isn’t it?

For those who are studying…
… you would try to put in extra hard work to ensure you get the extra marks, isn’t it?

For those who are at home…
… you would spare no efforts, to ensure peace and harmony and a happy time, isn’t it?

For those in institutes or companies or in-charge of some establishment…
… you would take the extra mile to be the best and co-ordinate to the maximum, to give better performances, isn’t it?

Then why…
… Why sometimes, lethargy only for spiritual life?
… Why sometimes, indifference, only with respect to a life of faith?”

Are we ready to be Christians with an “excellent spine?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery – Male and Female He created them

Chastity is a moral virtue. It is also a gift from God, a grace, a fruit of spiritual effort.

The Holy Spirit enables one whom the water of Baptism has regenerated to imitate the purity of Christ. (CCC # 2345)

“Experiencing the Loving Heart of the Good Shepherd, which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion!”

(Based on Rom 14:7-12 and Lk 15:1-10 – Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A youngster who was very desperate in life – contemplating even of terminating his life – exasperated and lost…
… was passing along the streets, when he heard the Church bells ringing for the Angelus at noontime.

Something in him, made him go inside the Church.

As he went in, he saw a large statue of Jesus…
… with the Sacred Heart of Jesus prominently displayed

And underneath the statue were written words…
… beautiful words that would bring him much consolation, hope and joy

So much so, that he would take a resolution to amend his life and to live with greater hope and joy!

The words were as follows:
“As you look into My Heart… remember always, these words…

There is an Eye that never sleeps, even beneath the wing of night
… just for you!
There is a Ear that never shuts, even when sink the beams of light
… just for you!
There is an Arm that never tires, even when human strength gives way
… just for you!
There is a Love that never fails, even when earthly loves decay
… just for you!
And…
… there is a Heart that never stops beating, even when trials of life lash you hard
… just for you!

This Heart of Mine… is just for you!
Can you also give me your life…?
… and tell me, “LORD, JUST FOR YOU!”

Love, by its nature, gives away…

And the Sacred Heart of our Lord – the Good Shepherd – which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion – tells us, “This Heart of Mine… is just for you!”

The Gospel of the Day displays the beautiful Heart of the Good Shepherd, Who goes in search of the lost one!

Chapter 15 of St Luke is an amazing revelation of God’s tremendous love, mercy and longing for each one of us.

We have the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son.

In all the three parables, lost ones are found
In all the three parables, there is great celebration at the end.
In all the three parables, an emphasis is laid on hope for the lost.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd teaches the immense Love that the Lord possesses for each one of us, personally.

The shepherd had a hundred sheep.

During the count as he gathers the sheep at day’s end, the shepherd notices that one is missing.

The sheep needs to be found; otherwise, it may be permanently lost or attacked by hungry predators.

The Shepherd, therefore, takes the risk of leaving the rest behind, and goes out in search of the lost one.

This is the personal Love of the Lord for every sheep!

All are important!

Even the lost one is given great importance!

Have I personally experienced the tremendous Love of the Lord?

I may feel low.

I may consider myself to be not very good.
I may think that my life is just not worth living or that my past has ruined my life very badly.

Even with all these things, am I convinced that “Jesus, my Good Shepherd still loves me”, and that He will take me through, by the Power of His Love?

Am I similar to a Lost Sheep?

Lost in the thickets of materialistic living…?
Lost in the valleys of doubts and rejections and failures…?
Lost in the bushes of excessive pride, prestige and power….?
Lost in the wilderness of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life…?

There is still hope!

The Heart of the Good Shepherd is longing for us!

Let us go back to the Lord!
Let us experience His caring love and affection!

Yes…
… the Sacred Heart of our Lord – the Good Shepherd – which is deep rooted in Mercy and Compassion – tells us: “This Heart of Mine… is just for you!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery – Male and Female He created them

Chastity represents an eminently personal task…
… it also involves a cultural effort, for there is “an interdependence between personal betterment and the improvement of society.”
Chastity presupposes respect for the rights of the person, in particular the right to receive information…

… and an education that respect the moral and spiritual dimensions of human life. (CCC # 2344)

“Being willing to be ‘filtered’ and living in holiness, with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Rom 13:8-10 and Lk 14:25-33 – Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Filtration is a process by which any material is passed through a certain device to remove unwanted elements in it.

Filtration happens every day around the world.
It occurs both in nature and in engineered systems.

For example…
… in many living bodies (including humans), renal filtration removes wastes from the blood
… in water treatment and sewage treatment, undesirable elements are removed by absorption into a filter medium

Every filtration has three basic components:

The Feed: The original material with the presence of unwanted elements
The Filter: The mechanism/device that does the cleansing
The Filtrate: The matter that comes after the process

Our Life as a Christian is also a “process of filtration”

And has three components as well

The Feed: Our lives – with our own weaknesses and sinful tendencies
The Filter: Jesus, the Crucified Lord – Who Cleanses us
The Filtrate: Our life as a Disciple of Christ – lived in holiness and with a sense of mission

Are we willing to allow the “FEED” of our lives to encounter the “FILTER”…
… so that we can emerge as pure and holy “FILTRATE?”

The Gospel of the Day is this exhortation of the Lord to all who seek to follow Him:
“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…
… yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple!

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple!” (Lk 14: 26-27)

The Gospel begins with the statement that “Great multitudes accompanied Jesus…” (Lk 14:25)

The multitude – crowds of people – probably had various intentions of following Jesus

Some to receive healing and be touched by Him (Lk 6:19)
Some to hear the Good News and to follow Him (Lk 5:11)
Some to simply eat the bread (food) that the Lord provided (Lk 9:17)
Some to satisfy their curiosity and fascination (Lk 4:22)
Some to question Who He was and What was His motive (Lk 7:18-19)

Whatever be the intention of the crowds, the Lord was clear in whom He wanted as His followers:

Those who give the highest priority in life to the Lord
Those who would take up their cross
Those who are willing to give up everything, for the sake of the Lord

Towards this end, Jesus cites two parables which would make every disciple of Jesus question their authenticity of following Him

a. The Parable of the one desiring to build the tower (Lk 14:28-30)

Are you willing to count how much it will cost you, to follow Jesus?

b. The Parable of the king who wanted to wage war (Lk 14:31-32)

Are you willing to calculate the risks that are involved, to follow Jesus?

This is a serious challenge that is placed before all Christians, who profess to follow Christ…
… and also to all those, who in ministry, seek to attract disciples for Christ!

Have I “counted the cost” and “calculated the risks” to know, that following Jesus means…

… not to simply run behind miracles and wonders; rather also involves living as Jesus did – in poverty, obedience and purity of heart!

… not just having a Christian name and fulfiling basic duties; but also implies to give the highest priority to the Lord and His Kingdom values, in all what we do!

… not merely reciting prayers and raising hymns of praise; but also infers at reaching out to the poor and needy in self-giving and doing everything for the Glory of God!

A Filtration Process is a must for every follower of Christ.

All of us, surely have our weaknesses and tendencies to be attracted to worldly ways

We very often, even have the goodwill to truly follow Jesus…

However, because of…
… lack of strong motivation
… ignorance and lack of people who can guide us
… various discouraging and deterring incidents and scandals

We fail to truly Follow Jesus.

We, the FEED, need to offer our lives to Jesus…
… and allow ourselves to pass through Our Crucified Lord – Who is our FILTER!

He will cleanse us to make us pure
He will strengthen us with proper motivation
He will nourish us with courage and passion to be bold and faithful

And thus, we will be able to live as the proper FILTRATE – a disciple of Christ…
… living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ.

Are we willing to be “Filtered?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery – Male and Female He created them

Chastity has laws of growth which progress through stages marked by imperfection and too often by sin.
“Man, day by day, builds himself up through his many free decisions…

… and so he knows, loves, and accomplishes moral good by stages of growth.” (CCC # 2343)

“Avoiding excuses; instead, using all the opportunities to grow in holiness and grace!”

(Based on Rom 12:5-16ab and Lk 14:15-24 – Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

“Excuses are the nails that are used to build the house of failure”

We often, manage our lives, basing ourselves on many excuses and justifications…

Politicians sometimes make excuses for failure to undertake developmental works blaming their opposition parties.
Citizens sometimes make excuses for their inability towards nation-building by purely blaming the corruption among politicians.
Motorists or car-drivers sometimes make some excuses and jump signals and violate traffic rules.
Traffic inspectors sometimes make some excuses and escape from duties and dump it on someone else.
Students sometimes make excuses for their poor performance by blaming the education system.
Teachers sometimes make excuses for their loopholes in work by blaming the students and parents for non co-operating.

Are we becoming a Generation of Excuse-givers?

The Gospel of the Day brings our attention to this grave and urgent issue that we need to tackle: The Issue of making Excuses for Escapism.

We have the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast in today’s Gospel.

“A man once gave a great feast and invited many guests” (Lk 14:16)

Here was a big and great feast being organized and invitations were sent out to many guests.
This was no simple feast.
This was no ordinary event.

It’s similar to someone today, being invited to a lavish and a grand party by the President of the Nation or some highly dignified person.

It was kind of a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.
The people waited with eagerness to get such a chance.

In those days, it was the custom to send two invitations.

The first invitation was to tell everyone that the event was being planned.

Those were the days when time was a lavish commodity.
Clocks were scarce and time management techniques were still unheard of.

The actual day and the actual time of the event were left open.

It would depend a lot on the preparation time for the killing of animals, their cleaning and cooking…
… getting all the vegetables and everything needed to get the meal ready.

And so there was a need for a second invitation…

The second invitation was to tell everyone that everything was ready and about to begin.

This second reminder was for to those who had been given the first invitation…
… and had indicated that they would attend.

But the Gospel says, that when the second invitation was sent to the pre-invited guests, they began to make excuses!

Making excuses is nothing new!
It has existed right from the first days…

Adam and Eve made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of disobedience.

Cain made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of killing his brother Abel.
Moses gave excuses before God in trying to escape from the task being entrusted to him.
Jeremiah gave excuses before God that he was only a small boy to take up the responsibility

Those who were able to overcome the excuses, found true meaning and joy.

But those who got stuck with their excuses, lost out on discovering greatness!

The guests who had been invited for the grand feast, gave silly excuses….

One said, “I have purchased a field and must go and examine it”

Not a great excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone enter into land dealings without having seen it in prior?

And even if one has not, was it so urgent, so as to miss the grand feast?

Another said, “I have purchased five oxen and am on my way to evaluate them”

Not a great excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone purchase land animals, without having examined them?

And even if one has not, was it so immediate a need, so as to skip the great feast?

Another said, “I have just married a woman, and I cannot come”

Not a great excuse, isn’t it?

Couldn’t the husband take along his wife to the feast, to have a joyful time together?

Or was this couple so much exclusive, that they failed to have any social contacts, so as to avoid the fine feast?

Here was an invitation so grand.
Here was a generosity so lavish.

But unfortunately, it was responded with excuses which were baseless, childish, illogical and quite ridiculous!

We might sometimes laugh at those excuses made by the people.

But perhaps, we are also no different…
… or if not, worse.

We are in a trend of being a Generation of Excuse-givers….

We make excuses of physical tiredness, to avoid saying our personal prayers, our family prayers and being faithful to our spiritual activities.
We make excuses of saying that “it’s impossible to live an honest life” and give into many corrupt malpractices, which go against the Gospel values.
We make excuses of being too busy to find time to participate in the Holy Eucharist with greater devotion and preparedness.
We make excuses to reach out to the needy ones in their necessities by citing our own hardships to get out of our comfort areas.

We have a strong exhortation from the Lord today, to get rid of our “Excuse-giving Tendency”.

It’s easy to escape from responsibilities by giving excuses.

But by doing so, we end up missing out on many graces from God…
… causing much pain to God who expects much from us…
… and also disturb the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

We have a duty to overcome this tendency of making Excuses for Escapism.

The Lord gives us many opportunities to grow in holiness and grace.

Let us not make silly and baseless excuses and throw them away.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery – Male and Female He created them

Self-mastery is a long and exacting work.
One can never consider it acquired once and for all. It presupposes renewed effort at all stages of life.

The effort required can be more intense in certain periods, such as when the personality is being formed during childhood and adolescence. (CCC # 2342)

“Imbibing the honourable virtue of selfless giving!”

(Based on Rom 11:29-36 and Lk 14:12-14 – Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Portraits, pictures or statues of people, in general, depict and reveal their character and personality.

Usually, if people are asked to have…
… a photograph taken
… or a picture drawn
… or a statue created

They would either prefer just by themselves…
… or posing with some expensive artefacts/costly goods.

What if there is a person in history who preferred instead to pose with a broom!

And has most of his images/statues holding a broom…
… along with a cat and dog around him!

So much is his association with the “broom” that he is called as the “Saint of the broom!”

This person is St Martin de Porres.

Born in Lima, Peru, in the 16th century, this saint – being of a mixed race and cast lower as belonging to an inferior social caste – was able to raise his life with the great virtue of selflessness!

So much was his zeal to dedicate his life for the Lord, that he would willingly accept to be a “donado” – a volunteer who performed menial tasks in the monastery…
… in return for the privilege of wearing the religious habit in the community.

He devoted his life to penance, charity and humility…
… spending nights in prayer and penitential practices
… dedicated days in nursing for the sick and caring for the poor – regardless of their color, race, or status
… and reflecting extraordinary gifts: ecstasies that lifted him into the air, light filling the room where he prayed, bi-location, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and a remarkable rapport with animals!

In St Martin de Porres, humility shone through selfless giving
… expecting nothing in return
… just as the Lord invites us in today’s Gospel.

We are in the 14th Chapter of St Luke.

Jesus has been invited for a dinner to the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath Day.

He has just cured a person with dropsy…
… a disease wherein water gets retained in the body

He also tried to cure persons with hypocrisy…
… a disease wherein duplicity gets retained in the mind!

And now He seeks to cure the attitude of the people who have a false understanding of giving.

Jesus says, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours.

For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid” (Lk 14:12)

Much of our giving is often based on the (unconscious & hidden) aspect of receiving back…

We share our time with friends…
… often expecting that they too will accompany us in our times of hardships and difficulties!

We work hard for our families…
… often expecting that they too will be with us in our moments of struggle & not leave us lonely!

We render service to many people who are in need…
… often expecting that they too will render us assistance in our difficulties!

We love many saints…
… often expecting that they’ll make faster intercession on our behalf and get our works done quickly.

We pray to God & make a lot of sacrifices…
… often expecting that He’ll meet all our expectations, in the way & time, we want!

We have, perhaps, become very business oriented:

I give, and expect returns!
I share, and expect a bonus!

But the Lord, in today’s Gospel comes down heavily on such an attitude.
“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…
… because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

We are exhorted to give to those, who may never be able to repay back.

We are challenged to help those, who may never have a chance to return back the favour.

The Lord who said these words, shows us an example in the highest manner possible…
… in the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist is the best example and model…
… of such kind of a giving..

A giving without expecting back…!
A sharing without seeking back…!

Jesus, who gives Himself entirely in the Holy Eucharist, challenges us to do the same:
“I give myself to you as food and nourishment…
… even though many people fail to thank me!

Can you also give yourselves to nourish the lives of others…
… even if they fail to acknowledge?”

“I give myself to you in joy, happiness and peace…
… even though many despise and mock me

Can you also become a source of joy to others…
… even if they back-bite and spread calumny?”

“I give myself to you as a healing for sin and guilt…
… even though many hate and desecrate me.

Can you also become a healing-touch to the other…
… even if it means dying slowly to your self slowly die in the process?”

The onus is on us…
Can we truly pray and live…
That we may never seek..
… to be consoled, as to console,
… to be understood, as to understand,
… to be loved, as to love with all my soul…

The Lord, through the Gospel and through the example of St Martin de Porres, invites us to “pose with the broom”
… the broom of selfless service and altruistic assistance,
… the broom of humility and joyful self-forgetfulness,
… the broom of accepting our weakness and depending wholly on the Lord’s strength.

May the words of this humble saint, “Everything – even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden and waiting on the sick, could be a prayer – if it were offered to God”
… be an inspiration to all of us, to imbibe the honourable virtue of humility!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Sixth Commandment – You shall not commit adultery – Male and Female He created them

The virtue of chastity comes under the cardinal virtue of temperance…

… which seeks to permeate the passions and appetites of the senses with reason. (CCC # 2341)