“Being intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experiencing His tremendous Love as we enter, with Faith and Hope, into the ‘Holy Week’”

(Based on the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion)

The cute story of little Johnny who was sick on one particular Palm Sunday is worth recounting.

His sickness had prevented him from going to Church that day and he had to stay home with his mother.

His father returned from church, that Sunday, holding a palm branch.

The little boy was curious and asked, “Why do you have that palm branch, Dad?”

With joy, Daddy replied, “You see, Johny… When Jesus came into town, everyone waved palm branches to welcome and honour Him; so we got palm branches today”

“Aww, Good Lord!” grumbled little Johnny, “The one Sunday I can’t go to church, and Jesus shows up!”

The innocence of Li’l Johny made him feel that He had missed the Lord when He came to town.

But when we think a little deeper, we also realise, that sometimes we are similar…
We fail to take notice of the Presence of the Lord very many times!

And it’s only when we “feel His absence” that we recognize the depth of “missing His Presence!”

Yes, “absence sometimes, can be a great reminder of the value of presence!”
(Just like it’s only when we lose something, we realise its value and significance! )

These are days when we are invited and challenged to revive the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Love…
… which “give us a disposition to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church – CCC #1812)

We are invited to check how much we value “His Presence”…

At every Holy Mass, the Lord, really, substantially and truly comes to us in the Holy Eucharist.

Have we failed to see Him and thus to experience the true effects of His Nourishment?

Every moment, we have His Holy Word in the Bible, through which the Lord reveals and teaches more about Himself.

Do we miss the chance to read and experience Him?

Every now and then, we encounter the Lord through different situations and in many people in need who are in despair and in trouble.

Do we miss the opportunity to serve Him and to learn from Him?

Today we are entering into one of the most important weeks of the Liturgical year – The Holy Week!

And we commemorate the start of this Holy Week, with the Passion Sunday, also known as the Palm Sunday.

On this Palm Sunday, we recollect the entry of the Lord into the town, riding on a donkey (Cf. Mk 11:7)

The donkey has a specific symbolism…

In the olden days, military officers engaged in war and battles would ride on the most efficient animals: the fast and furious warhorses.

But after the victory in the war, the victorious officers would parade into the city riding on… yes, a donkey.

That was the reason why the people shouted out when they saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

In the First book of the Kings 1: 38-4, we read of how Prince Solomon used the royal donkey of his father David, for the ceremonial procession on the day of his coronation.

The new Solomon, Jesus, the True Prince of Peace and the King of Kings today enters His city, Jerusalem on a donkey as well!

A new reign of peace was being signalled.
A new kingdom of love was being ushered.

Are we ready to welcome the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace into our lives?

He is not the glorious King of might and wealth…

But He is the Spectacular King who will reign on His throne of the Cross.

He is not the proud Emperor who parades much show and pomp…

But He is the Wonderful Lord who displays His compassion and love by His wounds!

Are we ready to welcome this King into…
Our lives?
Our homes?
Our hearts?

The Passion of the Lord is about to begin…

Are we going to be part of the people who crucify Him?
… or are we going to be people who repent of sins and seek to live a life worthy of the King?

Many of us would have read the following, with a picture of Jesus Christ crucified…
“I asked Jesus, how much do you love me?”
And Jesus answered, “This much”
And He extended His arms on the cross…

But there’s a sequel to this, which perhaps is not known much, but is worth reflecting on…
Jesus then asked me, “How much do you love me”
I picked up the hammer and the nails….
saying, “This is how much I love You!”
… and began to crucify Him!

The Passion of the Lord is a result of our sins…
The Crucifixion of the Lord is a consequence of our disobedience…

As Isaiah would say, “It was our infirmities that He bore and it was our sufferings that He endured” (Is 53:4)

He died for love of us.
He suffered to save each of us.

Are we going to remain stubborn and adamant and continue to be a people who shout, “Crucify Him”…
… Or shall we repent, fall on our knees, seek a transformation, and, with palm branches in our hands
… truly exclaim and acclaim Jesus as the Lord, shouting, “Hosanna to the King of Kings! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Many of us are just happy to be part of the “city crowd”…
… remain there and once in a way, shout Hosanna, and be happy!

But the Lord says: Leave the city and climb Calvary

“He who wishes to follow me, must deny, take up the cross daily and follow!” (Mt 16:24)

We must realise that Christianity without the Cross is impossible…

No Cross, no crown!
No wounds, No blessings!
No offering, no happiness!

We have the palms with us now – they are fresh and green.

But in a few days, they will turn dry.

Singing and shouting Hosanna is easy, when everything is fresh and green.

But can we keep the same spirit, even when things dry up…
… or will we end up saying, Crucify Him!

Let us truly make this week, a “holy week”…
… by making a confession of our sins, and making suitable amendments
… be deciding to read the Bible every day, without fail
… by spending time with Jesus, in personal prayer, every day
… by repairing some ‘toxic’ relationships – asking the “gift of forgiveness and healing of these relationships” from the Lord

Wish you a Blessed Palm Sunday…
… and a Glorious Holy Week!

Let us be intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experience His tremendous love…
… so that we too may worthily and honestly shout, on Easter Sunday, “Alleluia! He is risen!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN PERSON

What is at stake is the dignity of the human person…
… whose defense and promotion have been entrusted to us by the Creator

… and to whom the men and women at every moment of history are strictly and responsibly in debt. (CCC # 1929)

29 RESPONDING TO MORAL DILEMMAS IN DAILY LIFE

❇️ WHAT IS IT?

Responding to moral dilemmas is a crucial aspect of living out our Catholic faith in today’s complex world.

It involves navigating ethical challenges while upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church and maintaining moral integrity.

🌀 HISTORY & IMPORTANCE

💡 Catholic Moral Foundation: Our moral principles are rooted in Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium, guiding us in making virtuous choices aligned with God’s will.

💡 Relevance Today: In a world with evolving ethical norms, understanding and applying Catholic moral teachings are essential for personal growth, societal harmony, and spiritual fulfillment.

📜 LEARN FROM SAINTS & CHURCH TEACHINGS

🔶 Saintly Wisdom: Learn from saints like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II, who exemplified ethical living and moral courage.

🔶 Catholic Social Teaching: Explore the principles of human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good, guiding us in addressing social and ethical dilemmas.

🙏🏻 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

🔷 Holiness in Action: Responding to moral dilemmas is an opportunity to grow in holiness, in line with God’s commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

🔷 Witness to Faith: Our ethical choices and responses to challenges are a testimony to our faith, drawing others closer to the truth and beauty of Catholic morality.

🌐 PRACTICAL TIPS

💠 Prayerful Discernment: Seek God’s guidance through prayer and reflection when faced with moral decisions, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate the right path.

💠 Educate Yourself: Deepen your understanding of Catholic moral principles through the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), papal encyclicals, and pastoral letters.

💠 Seek Spiritual Direction: Consult with a knowledgeable priest or spiritual advisor for counsel and direction in navigating complex moral dilemmas.

💠 Act with Charity: Approach moral dilemmas with love and compassion, considering the well-being of others and striving for solutions that promote justice and mercy.

💠 Community Engagement: Engage in dialogue and collaboration within the Catholic community to address ethical challenges collectively and support one another in living virtuously.

💠 Be a Witness: Live out your Catholic values authentically in all aspects of life, inspiring others by your example and contributing positively to the world.

💠 Respond to moral dilemmas in a Catholic way

♦️ ABORTION: Uphold the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, advocate for alternatives to abortion, and support organizations promoting life-affirming solutions.
📖 Biblical Reference: Ps 139:13-14 – “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2270 – “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.”

♦️ EUTHANASIA: Affirm the dignity of human life, advocate for palliative care and compassionate end-of-life support, and oppose practices that devalue life.
📖 Biblical Reference: Exod 20:13 – “You shall not murder.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2276 – “Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect.”

♦️ CONTRACEPTION: Embrace natural family planning methods in line with Church teachings, promote responsible parenthood, and educate others on the beauty of marital love and openness to life.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 1:28 – “Be fruitful and multiply.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2370 – “Periodic continence, that is, the methods of birth regulation based on self-observation and the use of infertile periods, is in conformity with the objective criteria of morality.”

♦️ SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Advocate for the traditional understanding of marriage between a man and a woman, while respecting the dignity and rights of all individuals.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 2:24 – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2357 – “Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.'”

♦️ GENDER IDEOLOGY: Affirm the complementarity of male and female, reject ideologies that deny biological realities, and promote understanding and compassion for individuals struggling with gender identity issues.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2333 – “Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity.”

♦️ CONSUMERISM: Cultivate a mindset of simplicity and stewardship, prioritize needs over wants, and support ethical consumer practices that respect human dignity and the environment.
📖 Biblical Reference: Lk 12:15 – “And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2407 – “In economic matters, respect for human dignity requires the practice of the virtue of temperance.”

♦️ SOCIAL JUSTICE: Engage in works of mercy and justice, advocate for the marginalized and vulnerable, and promote solidarity and inclusivity in society.
📖 Biblical Reference: Mic 6:8 – “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2447 – “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.”

♦️ RACISM, CASTEISM AND DISCRIMINATION: Stand against all forms of racism, casteism and discrimination, promote equality and respect for diversity, and work towards building a just and inclusive community.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gal 3:28 – “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 1935 – “The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it.”

♦️ CORRUPTION: Reject corrupt practices in all spheres of life, uphold honesty, transparency, and integrity, and support efforts for good governance and accountability.
📖 Biblical Reference: Prov 11:3 – “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2409 – “Even if it does not contradict the provisions of civil law, any form of unjustly taking and keeping the property of others is against the seventh commandment.”

♦️ ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: Embrace a stewardship mindset towards creation, support eco-friendly initiatives, and promote sustainable living practices.
📖 Biblical Reference: Gen 2:15 – “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”
🔹 Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 2415 – “The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation.”

Responding to moral dilemmas is not just a task but a call to holiness and integrity. By embracing Catholic teachings, seeking spiritual guidance, and acting with love and wisdom…
… we uphold the dignity of every person and contribute to building a society rooted in truth, justice, and compassion.

❇️ Keep the faith!
✅ Live in love!
✳️ Deepen your hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India
📧 reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

“Seeking the Lord wholeheartedly in all situations, knowing that everything in life happens for good, for those who love God!”

(Based on Ez 37:21-28 and Jn 11:45-56 – Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent)

There is an ancient story, familiar to many of us, in many forms…

A poor farmer in a village, owned a horse, which he used for ploughing and transportation.
One day, this horse escaped into the hills.

The neighbours sympathised with the farmer over his bad luck.
But the farmer replied, “Bad Luck? Good luck? Who knows!”

A couple of days later, the horse returned to the farm, with a herd of wild horses, following its trail.
The farmer locked these horses in the stable.

When the neighbours heard of it, they congratulated the farmer on his good luck.
But the farmer said “Good Luck? Bad luck? Who knows!”

The following day, the farmer’s son mounted one of these wild horses, but was thrown off, fracturing his legs.

Once again the neighbours called on the farmer to express their sorrow at his bad luck.
But the farmer replied, “Bad Luck? Good luck? Who knows!”

The following week, army officers arrived at the village to recruit all the able-bodied young men, because of a war that had started.

But, they of course, had to leave behind the famer’s young son, because of his fractured leg.

The neighbours once told the farmer, how much in luck he was.
But the farmer said “Good Luck? Bad luck? Who knows!”

The farmer maintained a position of neutrality and balance in the midst of all pleasant and unpleasant events of life.

However, very often, we are like the neighbours, who rejoice greatly when good things happen and curse immensely when things go wrong.

We fail to see that everything in life has a purpose.

As a result, negative experiences in life often crush us and cause immense disappointments.

When things don’t shape as we plan, we get greatly frustrated.
When people don’t behave in the way we expect, we get totally devastated.

But through today’s Gospel reading, the Lord invites us…
… to not get shattered or disappointed with life’s bad-turns or evil-leanings…

Rather, to gather strength and courage to fight the evil, arm oneself in faith and hope and seek to live a life of holiness and conviction…
… even in the midst of any setback or failure!

The Gospel of the day, on this eve of the Holy Week, introduces us to culmination of the sharp antagonism and hatred that was building up against Jesus.

Jesus had raised up the dead Lazarus (Jn 11: 1-43)

This event garnered a lot of attention…

Many people began to believe in the person of Jesus, as the Messiah and Lord.

But many others, also began to have a greater bitterness towards this Man who was working wonders!

Many people grew in their following of Jesus and placed a greater trust and confidence in Him

But many others, had their flames of jealousy intensified and began to have greater plotting to finish off the “law-breaker” and “blasphemer”

The good that the Lord had done, was apparently turning out to be an evil for the Lord!

The “life-giving” action of the Lord would immediately result in a “life-taking” act on Him!

The event of blessing to Lazarus would apparently turned out to result in an occasion of curse on Him (since dying on the cross was considered to be a curse (Deut 21: 23)!

In the ensuing planning and plotting by the chief priests and the Pharisees, the High Priest said, “… it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11: 50)

Jesus had grown to be a big threat for them
Jesus had gathered up much popularity and had become a menace for the leaders.

Therefore, the High Priest suggested a “quick-solution”… to kill Jesus!

But, everything in life has a purpose…
… Because God is the ultimate ruler, preserver and nurturer of this universe!

They plotted death but God planned life

They were selfish but God made Him the Saviour
They sought for political gain, but God ensured spiritual gain.
They hoped to spare one nation, but God saved the whole world.
They intended the worst evil for Jesus but God turned it into the greatest good.
They wished to scatter all His followers, but God brought them together as one holy nation.

Our life also follows this same pattern…

The events we think are bad, also have a purpose in God’s mind.

The moments that we consider as cursed, also can be turned to a blessing by God.

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to accept this teaching…
… too difficult to understand this concept..

But we have a beautiful answer in this our painful moments: the Cross.

Look to the Cross and find strength from Him…
… who was abused though He was pure
… who suffered immensely, thought He was faultless.
… who underwent tremendous agony, thought He was sinless.

The Cross is the way of God…
… mysterious to us, but life saving for the world.
… baffling for us, but redemptive for the world.

What is most important is not to get discouraged or disheartened, rather…
… to seek the Lord wholeheartedly in all those situations
… to be faithful to the Lord in steadfastness and patience.
.. to be strong and joyful, finding strength in the love of the Lord.

Everything… yes… everything in life, happens for good!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – RESPECT FOR THE HUMAN PERSON

Social justice can be obtained only in respecting the transcendent dignity of man. >> The person represents the ultimate end of society, which is ordered to him. (CCC # 1929)

“Not being stone-hearted; rather having tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

(Based on Jer 20:10-13 and Jn 10:31-42 – Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent)

“We are strewn all over the ground.

Some of us are considered useless….
Some of us are just stamped upon…
Some are made use in some hard labour…

Some of us…
… well, some of us, however, are made use for some inhuman practices.

This includes making use of some of us, to hurt others
… to cause pains and wounds to others
… and some even to cause fatal deaths!

Our life is often long…
… but sometimes, such kind of painful moments and incidents, ooze out any bit of feelings we may have (though we are considered not to be having any sentiments!)

Are you wondering who we are?

Well…
… we are the family of stones!

Yep… Stones!

Strewn all over…
Sometimes useless, right?
Sometimes just stamped upon, right?
Sometimes just made use for hard labour, right?

But sometimes, some of us, the stones
… also become objects of injuring and causing pain to others

One such occasion was when, as you read in the Gospel of St John 8
… some of us were picked up by a gang of highly malicious, judgmental and selfish people, to cause death to a woman who was caught in an act of immorality.

We were ready to thrown on that woman.
We were set to become objects of brutality and terror.

However, that day, we encountered the most amazing personality.
He had glorious eyes.
He had a breath-taking voice.
He had a tremendous authority.

His name was JESUS!

And His one sentence, “He who is without sin, let him be the first to stone” dropped the jaws of all those blood-thirsty and cruel people.

We were all released from their hands.

We saw them all turning their backs and going home, in shame.
We also saw, the wonderful triumph of Mercy and Love and Compassion.

However, a few days later, some of us were soon back to find ourselves in the hands of those blood-thirsty men.

This time, the target was none other than that same charismatic person named Jesus.

You read about that in John 10:31, “The Jews took up stones again to stone Jesus”

We were left wondering why this innocent man was being targeted so badly.

He was after all preaching the Kingdom of God.

He was bringing the message of God’s Love and salvation to the world.
By His works, He was also proving Himself to be the Son of God.

But none of these “clear-cut” evidences were able to convince those people.

They still believed that Jesus was a blasphemer.

And so they picked us up – yes, we the stones
… to indulge themselves in a blood-bath of the Blessed Man of claimed Himself to be the Lord and Saviour of the World!

Prophet Jeremiah also had a similar experience of being denounced by the people…
… and centuries ago, recounting his own struggle, had written these prophetic words about the Saviour: “For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side!
‘Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.
‘Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him!’” (Jer 20:10)

Our thoughts go out to those people who have such ruthless and stony intentions….

God had blessed them with such beautiful hearts.
God had showered them with so much of wisdom to discern and understand.

Yet, they failed to make use of these divine gifts and instead, had hardened their hearts!

What a pity, that those human beings had become like us
… stones!

Yes, just how could they become stone-hearted?

Stone-hearted
… that they failed to be open to the possibility of God’s hand at work.

Stone hearted
… that they were adamant to be closed to any explanation of the Lord.

Stone-hearted
… that they were stubborn to listen to the voice of God’s Spirit in their lives.

We, the stones, now appeal to you, dear readers, to be wary and examine your lives:
Are you also sometimes acquiring a nature like us, the stones…
… hard to the feelings of other people and failing to understand them?
… rigid to the inspirations of the Spirit of God and not letting Him work in your lives?
… inflexible to have changes and transformations in life, to attune oneself to God’s Will?

There are already many of us in the world…

On your streets, on your roads
… we are all, indeed strewn all over the place
… we, the stones.

But we sincerely beg you…
… not to let your hearts to become like us
… not to let your lives to be similar to our nature.

Let the world have more of, not stone-hearts…
… but tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

Let the world have more of, not hardened souls…
… but docile, open, submissive and humble lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – SOCIAL JUSTICE

Society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions…
… that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due
.. according to their nature and their vocation.

Social justice is linked to the common good and the exercise of authority. (CCC # 1928)

“Deepening our Faith in JESUS, the Bright Star – the Great I AM – Who always shines in our lives!”

(Based on Gen 17:3-9 and Jn 8:51-59 – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent)

It is said that during the First World War, in American towns any household that had given a son to the war…
… was entitled to place a star on the window pane.

A certain man was walking down a certain avenue in New York, accompanied by his little boy.

The lad became very interested in the lighted windows of the houses, and clapped his hands whenever he saw a star at the window pane of the houses.

As they passed house after house, he would say: “Oh, look, daddy, there’s another house that has given a son to the war!

And there’s another! There’s one with two stars!
And look, there’s a house with no star at all!”

After quite some time, they came to a some vacant places where there were no houses.

However, in the vast expanse, the evening star was seen shining brightly in the sky.

The little fellow caught his breath and with an excited exclaim said: “Oh, look, Daddy,” he cried, “God must have given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window.”

“He has indeed!’ said Daddy!

Yes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jn 3:16)

This Gift of God – Jesus, the Son of God – is the Person of controversy in today’s Gospel.

Not all people were able to digest this fact, that Jesus, could be fully divine.

It is such a debating discussion over the Divinity of the Lord that forms the chunk of the Gospel of the Day.

One of the constant companions of the Lord, all through His life was…
… being hated!

It was especially His declaration on having a Divine origin that generated greater sparks of hatred.

The debate continues between Jesus and the Jews.

The Jews had immense pride in calling themselves as the children of their Father, Abraham.

As the debate continues, the Lord puts forward the gem of His defense…the core of His revelation: “Truly truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn 8:58)

Those words of Jesus hit his critics, directly on the face…
“Before Abraham was, I AM!”

“I AM” was the title of God Yawheh!
“I AM” was the sole privilege of the Lord Almighty!

This was the name that was given by God to Moses: “I AM who am. This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you” (Ex 3:14)

It was pure blasphemy for any mortal to use it for oneself.

I AM – the Name…
… demanded fear as to none other
… commanded respect as to no one
… contained awesomeness as in nothing else

In the book of Genesis, we read God Yahweh – the Great “I AM” time and again encounters Abraham.

“Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations!” (Gen 17:3)

The Jews who were well aware of these incidents, were highly infuriated, when Jesus would call Himself as the “I AM”…
… not only claiming superiority over Abraham
… but equating Himself to be God!

And so, the Lord had to face the consequences of this “blasphemous” act:
“So they picked up stones to throw at Him” (Jn 8:59)

The life of our Blessed Lord expounds an important truth:
Where there is mention of Divinity…
… there are forces of the evil seeking to cast it away.

Where there is presence of the Divine…
… there are powers seeking to destroy the sacredness.

Jesus, the One hated the most, was the Most Divine.

Fulton Sheen picks up this beautiful aspect, to present a secular, rational and a logical reasoning to see the Truth in the Holy Catholic Church.

We quote him here….
“If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world;
… in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hated.

My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh.

If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world!

Look for the Church…
… that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world!
… that is accused of being behind the times, as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned.
… which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth.
… which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils.
… which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God.
… which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because He called Himself the Truth.
… which is rejected by the world as Our Lord was rejected by men.
… which amid the confusions of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ

And respect its Voice as the very voice of its Founder
And the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other worldly
Since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself.

But only that which is Divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved.

Therefore the Church is Divine.”

Our own lives sometimes becomes an object of hate when we stand for Christ, the Truth

The more we tend towards being Divine…
… the greater is the opposition we face.

Jesus, is the same, yesterday today and forever (Heb 13:8)

As His true followers, we too will have to undergo agony, pain, humiliation and even suffering….

Let us be firm in His grace and stand bold, facing the challenges to our faith

Let us grow in our love and commitment to the Holy Church and share in Her suffering.

Let us deepen our Faith that “God has given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window”…
… and may this Bright Star – Jesus – always shine in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – RESPONSIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

It is incumbent on those who exercise authority to strengthen the values that inspire the confidence of the members of the group and encourage them to put themselves at the service of others.
Participation begins with education and culture.

“One is entitled to think that the future of humanity is in the hands of those who are capable of providing the generations to come with reasons for life and optimism.” (CCC # 1917)

“Being faithful to the Lord, even when we know it is God’s Will that is permitting us to experience momentary suffering and struggle!”

(Based on Dan 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 and Jn 8:31-42 – Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent)

Valiant stories of courage and faith are always an inspiration!

One such beautiful incident is narrated in the 3rd Chapter of the Book of Daniel

This chapter describes how the Jews were forced to bow down before a golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar.

Three young men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – refused to do so, and held on to their faithfulness to God Yahweh.

This act of defiance infuriated the king and he warned them of severe consequences if they failed to do what he commanded.

At this, the three young, displaying immense courage and faith in the Lord responded:
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

But if not, be it known to you, O king…
… that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” (Dan 3:16-17)

The three young men were convinced of the mighty delivering Hand of the Lord…

But not only that; they also boldly offered themselves to the Will of God and declared…
… “even if it is the Will of God, that we should momentarily suffer in this fire, we will still be faithful to God!”

That’s Faith!
That’s Trust!

Holding on to the Lord, not only because you wish that God will answer your prayer, in the way you want, and in the time you want…
… but being faithful to the Lord, even when you know it is God’s Will that is permitting you, to experience momentary suffering and struggle!

Being convinced of the Truth and Beauty of God’s Will…
… they were willing to make every sacrifice – and go against every stubborn temptation!

Are we ready to open our eyes to this Truth of knowing and accepting God’s Will in our life?
Or do we remain stubborn and defiant in the ‘temptation to think and do as per our own wishes…
… and fail to experience the Divine Power of the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation 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…

Slavery to Sin…
… that causes one to be away from God and His people
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, inviting us to a life of holiness and sanctity.

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!”

Today, let us make a firm commitment – like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three young men in the Book of Daniel – whose life was a valiant story of courage and faith

And hold on to the Lord, not only because we wish that God will answer our prayer, in the way we want and in the time we want…
… but being faithful to the Lord, even when we know it is God’s Will that is permitting us to experience momentary suffering and struggle!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE – RESPONSIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

Fraud and other subterfuges, by which some people evade the constraints of the law and the prescriptions of societal obligation…
… must be firmly condemned because they are incompatible with the requirements of justice.

Much care should be taken to promote institutions that improve the conditions of human life. (CCC # 1916)