“Preparing to ‘dirty’ lives, to make our lives, ‘something beautiful for God!'”

(Based on 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19 and Mk 7:31-37 – Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

There is a beautiful little anecdote in the life of St Mother Teresa of Kolkotta, probably, known to many of us.

As Mother was cleaning the wounds of a leper, a man observed her.

The sight of the leprous wounds and the horrible stench caused that man to exclaim with disgust, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars!”

In reply, the saintly mother replied:
“Neither would I!
But I would gladly do it for Jesus!”

The love for the Lord and imitation of His descending love, prompted Mother Teresa to reach out her hands, even to the worst sores and the filthiest wounds!

Divine Love manifests its great power and reveals its glorious splendour, when it descends to even touch the lowliest, the least and the lost!

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful presentation of Jesus, who was willing to lower to an extent, even to “dirty Himself” in order to touch human lives!

This incident of healing the ‘man who was deaf and had a speech impediment’ is very unique in the fact of the manner in which the miracle was performed.

The Book of Genesis (Chapter 1) testifies to the fact that God created the entire world with His Word!

God doesn’t need a particular or a fixed procedure to work a miracle or a wonder
God doesn’t comply to human understandings of causing a divine phenomenon.

Perhaps, here is a reminder for us, in our prayer patterns…

In my prayers, do I also make my requests in such a way that I end up even commanding how and when God should answer the prayer?
In my intercessions to the Lord, do I act as “God” and even order God the style and manner in which He has to answer our prayers?

Keeping in tune with this principle of “God as His own unique styles and patterns”, Jesus, the Word performs a strange pattern in bringing about the healing.

The Gospel says, “taking him (the man who was deaf and with impediment in speech) aside, from the multitude privately, Jesus put His fingers into His ears, and He spat and touched His tongue, and looking up to heaven, He sighed…” (Mk 7: 33)

Here is a highly “unclean and unhygienic” style of healing…

Putting fingers into the ears…
Spitting onto the hands or the finger..
Touching the tongue..

Well… sounds quite disgusting, right?

(Even while reading this account, some of us might, perhaps, have a “Gosh! So horrible” feeling!)

But let’s be prepared to face this grand reality….
… this is our God!
… this is our Saviour Lord!

In Jesus, we celebrate a God who is willing to heal even our most painful wounds and cleanse our most sinful sores!
In Jesus, we cherish a God who lowers Himself even to the extent of dirtying His hands to purify and refine us!

Am I willing and ready to allow this Daring God, who would go to any extent..

to win us back to Him
to bring a wholesome healing in us
… to touch our hidden wounds, our shameful sores and our filthy sinful lives?

This is also a challenge and a call, to us Christians, to imitate our Blessed Lord in lowering ourselves…
… to reach out to the needy and the wanting
… to touch the hearts of the unclean and the corrupt

The beautiful quote of Blaise Pascal says, “The heart has its reason, which reasons know nothing”

Humanly speaking, it might be too unreasonable to enter into the portals of dirt and slimes in the lives of people.

But our Blessed Lord challenges us to imitate Him and offers His Heart of Love to be the “thumb rule” and the basic reason to reach out to all!

Are we prepared to “dirty” our lives in order to extend the charity and mercy of God to all…
… and thus, as in the title of the book on Blessed Mother Teresa, make our lives, “something beautiful for God
God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION

Socialization also presents dangers.

Excessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative. (CCC # 1883)

✝️ REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY – Feb 08, 2024: Thursday

“Overlooking all setbacks and defying the odds with deep convictions and trust!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 11:4-13 and Mk 7:24-30 – Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2

Many of us have grown up with an extra kid in the house!
We didn’t know it…
… but he was there at certain times!
>> His name was “Not Me.”

He always appeared when something wrong or bad happened.

Like when your mom asked:
“Who has messed up the front room and made this floor dirty?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has applied mud on the walls of the house?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has kept the tap water on and caused the water-tank to be almost emptied?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has broken the glass windows of our neighbours?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

This “unseen kid” often continues to accompany us…
… and shouts loud, when things don’t go well in life!


Our problems, often, find a scapegoat in this excuse called: “blaming”
>> Our defeats, often, find a cause in this contagion named: “blaming”

But the Gospel of the day presents an amazing personality who silences this “unseen kid of blaming” and wins for herself the favour of the Lord.


The Gospel passage is the incident of Jesus’ encounter with a Gentile woman who comes seeking for a cure for her daughter, from a demon.
“…a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about Jesus. She came and fell at His feet” (Mk 7:25)


This person who came to Jesus went through a string of ignominies and exploitations…

1. She had to face humiliations because she was a woman…
>> The Jewish society accorded a lowly and highly subjugated status to women

2. She had to face disgraces because she was a Greek…
>> The Greeks, who were considered pagans by the Jews, were treated with inferiority.

3. She had to face dishonour because she was a Syrophoenician…
>> A Syrophoenician denoted a mixed race – half Syrians and half Phoenician; thus denoting also a crisis in cultural and linguistic identity.

4. She had to face scandal because she had to approach Jesus who was a pure Jew…
>> Greeks and especially Greek woman had no interaction at all with Jewish men
She had to face crisis because her child was possessed with an unclean spirit…

5. A demon-possession in her beloved daughter would have chased away all her peace of mind.
>> She had to face challenge to her faith when the Lord addressed to her in an apparently disrespectful manner…

6. Being called as a “dog” would have put off the mind of a weak and frail person
“Overlooking all setbacks and defying the odds with deep convictions and trust!”


Well… this Syrophoenician Greek woman, had many things to complain in life…

She had a number of reasons to “blame” and get defeated in life…
>> She could have just “blamed” the society for their inhuman attitudes…
>> She could have just “blamed” the citizens for their class divisions…
>> She could have just “blamed” the civilization for their cruel outlooks…
>> She could have just “blamed” her stars and fate for what happened to her daughter…
>> She could have just “blamed” Jesus for His challenging and apparently resistant answer…
>> She could have just kept “blaming” anybody and anything….and get bogged down totally!

But this woman decides to silence this “unseen kid of blaming”
>> She decides to close her eyes to all humiliations and yet stand strong with a bold face!
>> She decides to overlook all setbacks and defy the odds with her deep convictions and trust!
As a result, the Lord rewards her immensely and her daughter was delivered of the demon!

Are we people who get easily afflicted by the contagion of “blaming?”
>> Are we people who are easily paralysed by the virus of “blaming?”


The Syrophoenician woman…
… by her tremendous faith and bold trust is a challenge to us.
… by her amazing determination and resolve is an inspiration for us.

Our society, our families, our own individual selves are often under the grip and possession of this contagion of “blaming”.
>> Let us approach the Lord for a deliverance…
>> Let us approach the Lord for a liberation…


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION
>> “Socialization” also expresses the natural tendency for human beings to associate with one another for the sake of attaining objectives that exceed individual capacities.
>> It develops the qualities of the person, especially the sense of initiative and responsibility, and helps guarantee his rights.(CCC # 1882)
————

“Remaining open to corrections and co-operating with the Lord in ‘being washed’ of every bit of corruption from our hearts!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 10:1-10 and Mk 7:14-23 – Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

“Mamma”, said the child, feeling quite disturbed, “I feel very upset today, ‘cos my teacher corrected me!”

The mother – who was washing dishes – looked at the child and told him, “look at what I am doing…”

The child looked at the mother, washing the dishes

Pointing to a set of vessels that had been left unwashed overnight – she said:
“Look at these vessels

It is very hard to scrub these – ‘cos the dirt is stuck for a long time

So the easy method, is…
… to dip them in hot water
… keep it soaked for sometime
… and then wash!”

Then taking the child close to her, she said, “That’s how it is in life as well!

Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…
We need a nice dip in the ‘hot waters of correction’
… remain soaked in the ‘feel of contrition’

So that we can ’emerge clean!’
Always remain, therefore, open to corrections!”

Are we persons who remain open to corrections…
… so that, feeling contrite, we can emerge clean?

The Gospel of the Day is a strong act of Jesus reminding the Scribes and Pharisees to undergo the process of “being washed”…
… and to be “scrubbed off” the long stuck dirt of duplicity and hypocrisy.

The Gospel begins with the statement, “Jesus called to Him the people and said to them…” (Mk 7:14)

Jesus calls together the multitude to Himself to speak something…

The background to this action of Jesus, is the context of the unfair remarks of the Pharisees and Scribes about Jesus and His disciples, in Mk 7: 1-14.

The scribes and the Pharisees had objected that Jesus’ disciples failed to keep up the tradition of the Elders to have the ritual washing before eating.

This exercise of ritual washing was more a ceremonial one.

They attached greater importance to external cleanliness over internal purity.
They accorded higher priority to hygiene outside than to transparency within.

They would not bother, hearts being corrupted…
… but they would not tolerate dirty hands!

But Jesus is in prime opposition to all such deceitful and corrupt human practices.

He flays the Scribes and Pharisees for their misplaced priorities.

And so, Jesus summoned the crowd and explained what is the meaning of real cleanliness and purity:
“Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile” (Mk 7: 16)

Indeed, a remarkable statement from Jesus, the Purest and the Holiest One!

It is not just our hands alone that matter; it is our hearts that matter most!

It is not just our medical hygiene that counts; it is our lives that needs consideration the most!

The Pharisees and the Scribes for a long time, had enforced importance only to external purity and outside cleanliness.

Their authority was to used to stamp the importance of rituals and traditions, which were meant to…
… only emphasise bodily cleaning, but avoiding transparency in life
… only highlight cleansing of external parts, but overlooking sanctity of heart and mind

But, Jesus comes in great opposition and places things in the right perspective.

He reminds them of the “need for correction!”

Perhaps, we are also in “need of a correction”…
… let us therefore make a self-introspection:

I may be appearing to be clean outside…
… but is my heart pure and holy?

I may be appearing to be an angel to the world…
… but am I a barn of sinful acts within?

I may be appearing to be very good to all…
… but am I full of anger, jealousy and greed inside?

I may be appearing to be successful…
… but am I decaying interiorly with unchastity and deceit?

Is it not time to cleanse my heart and life, which is perhaps…
… defiled with sin?
… impure with unhealthy thoughts?
… and sullied with evil intentions?

Yes… Sometimes when we are stuck with things that are not good…
We need a nice dip in the “hot waters of correction”
… remain soaked in the “feel of contrition”

So that we can be be “washed clean!”

We may feel sad for sometime… upset for a few moments

But let us always remain open to corrections…
… and co-operate with the Lord in “being washed” of every bit of corruption and malice from our hearts!

We are called to be open to the ways of the Lord, by seeking and accepting ‘the treasures of His Wisdom’…
… just like Queen Sheba would marvel at the God-given wisdom of King Solomon (Cf. 1 Kings 10:1-10)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION

Certain societies, such as the family and the state, correspond more directly to the nature of man; they are necessary to him.
To promote the participation of the greatest number in the life of a society…
… the creation of voluntary associations and institutions must be encouraged “on both national and international levels

… which relate to economic and social goals, to cultural and recreational activities, to sport, to various professions, and to political affairs.” (CCC # 1882)

“Concentrating more on ‘affirmative’ areas of people and situations, and thus having joyful countances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30 and Mk 7:1-13 – Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An elderly lady was known to always have a very pleasant countenance.

Anyone, who came in contact with her, would experience a sense of positivity.

They had never heard her criticizing or finding faults with people.

She was once asked by some of her neighbouring children on the secret of her joy.

She replied:
“I have always believed in avoiding to talk negative about people.

We need to be always good with the good.

But let us never be bad with the bad…

Because…
… we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging and criticising”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focussing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others, without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

The Gospel reading describes a group of Pharisees who criticize the disciples of Jesus for not following the “external traditions” and rituals.

They pinpointed the mistakes of the disciples…
… and exalted themselves

Jesus however reminds the Pharisees on an important aspect: Before judging and criticizing others…
… one ought to first examine one’s own behaviour and actions

Jesus reminded them that “true devotion consists not of mere external purity and rituals…
… rather is a way of life, with consistent and committed focos on the Spirit of laws, rules and regulations.

With this fundamental principle in mind, Jesus teaches us to avoid the tendency to “rashly judge and criticize others”

The Lord reminds us that our judging…
… should not be rash
… should not be a means to putting down other persons

Maybe a simple list could help us check our areas of “judging”

Do I…
… enlarge the negatives of others – their faults, mistakes and petty ways?
… come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?
… gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?
… have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?

Do I…
… tend to be harsh and even ruthless, when speaking the truth?
… add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?
… do away with an unkind comment by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”
… speak something critical and then try to cover it up?
… have pleasure in condemning others?
… recount the truth in order to hurt and not to help?
… put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgement”.

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:

When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

1. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action
   … it can be a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc
2. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

Many of us may have perhaps have a tendency to find the faults and failures of others.

Let us make a conscious and consistent effort to avoid negative talk about people.

May we realise that “we need to be always good with the good.

But let us never be bad with the bad…

Because, we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

Concentrating more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations…
… let us always have joyful countances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION

Each community is defined by its purpose and consequently obeys specific rules…

… but “the human person is and ought to be the principle, the subject and the end of all social institutions.” (CCC # 1881)

“Beautifying our lives, not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13 and Mk 6:53-56 – Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A pious religious traveller once found a precious stone…
… a precious jewel.

A short time later, this religious person met another traveller, who said he was hungry and asked the monk if he would share some of his provisions.

When the pious man opened his bag, the traveller saw the precious stone and, without much thought asked him if he could have it.

To his surprise, the man gave the traveller the stone.

The traveller departed quickly, overjoyed with his new possession.

However, a few days later, he came back, searching for the religious person.

He returned the stone to him and made a request:
“I request you to kindly give me something more valuable…
… more precious than this stone.

Please give me THAT which enabled you to give me this precious stone!”

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

What is needed in life, is not an external show…
… but rather, an internal glow!

The Gospel of the Day presents this theme of “external show not always a sign of internal glow.”

The passage begins with the statement of Jesus crossing over…
“And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret…( Mk 6:53)

This place – Gennesaret – is an interesting place.

The meaning of this place name ” Gennesaret” is a “Garden of a Prince” or the “Garden of riches”

This was a fertile crescent-shaped plain on the western shore of the lake of Galilee.
This plain of Gennesaret has been also called, because of its fertility and beauty, as “the Paradise of Galilee.”

The history of Gennesaret is glowingly described (especially by Josephus, the Historian) that would do make proud the local tourism office of the Gennesaret Chamber of‘ Commerce!

It is said of Gennesaret, that the “soil was so fruitful that all sorts of trees could grow upon it. The walnut, the palm, the olive and the fig, which usually require diverse conditions, flourished together here.”

“One may call this place the ambition of nature; it is a happy contention of the seasons, as if each of them claimed this country; for it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while.”

It is said, that the fruits of Gennesaret had such high repute among the rabbis that they were not allowed in Jerusalem at the time of the feasts, lest any might be tempted to come merely for their enjoyment!

Yet, with all these riches and glory, Gennesaret, had its own share of the sick and the suffering!

However fertile the land…
… there were still many who were badly ailing!
However fruitful the land…
… there were still many who were painfully ill!

The choicest of food couldn’t assure them perfection in health and life!

The choicest of fruits couldn’t guarantee them flawlessness in wellbeing and strength!

Yes…
… All that Glitters is not gold

Indeed, we need to understand…
… a book should never be judged by its cover
… the cowl (large hood) does not make the monk!

Though the people of Gennesaret enjoyed the best of nature’s gifts, they were “people in need” and “people ailing in suffering and sicknesses”

And so we find, that as soon as Jesus reached their land, the people of Gennesaret “scurried about the surrounding and country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was” (Mk 6:55)

They had their riches…
… yet they had to reach out to Jesus, the richest of all treasures!

They had their resources…
… yet they had to run to seek Jesus, the source of all supplies!

Our own lives may sometimes represent the Land of Gennesaret…

Rich in many aspects – financially, talent wise, relationally etc
Fertile in many aspects – having great visions and plans for future, systematic, disciplined etc
Fruitful in many aspects – popular, acceptable, having name and fame etc

Yet, like the people of Gennesaret, we too may be lacking some of the essentials…
… lacking good health and in need of the healing touch of the Lord
… lacking peace of mind, and in need of the serene spirit of the Lord
… lacking satisfaction in life, and in need of wholeness from the Lord

The people of Gennesaret were quick to respond to the coming of the Lord.

Though their land had plenty, they did not fail to humble themselves…
Though their land was rich, they did not fail to realize their basic needs..
Though their land was famous, they did not fail to assume lowliness…

Am I willing to respond thus to the Lord…
… in sincerity, in openness, in docility?
Am I willing to bend myself to the Lord…
… in humility, in meekness, in submissiveness?

Let us make our life a true “Gennesaret”…
… a Garden of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Joy and salvation!
… a Garden of Riches of holiness, sanctity and grace!

Life may often bless us with many external riches and outer treasures.

But unless one finds a contentment within, none of these will ever satisfy or suffice.

May our lives…
… truly reflect the ‘Paradise of God’s Reign!’
… be beautified not just with an external show, but more rather, with an internal glow!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION

By means of society, each man is established as an “heir” and receives certain “talents” that enrich his identity and whose fruits he must develop.
He rightly owes loyalty to the communities of which he is part…

… and respect to those in authority who have charge of the common good. (CCC # 1880)

“Discovering and being convinced of the greatness of Jesus and rendering our fervent submission to Him!”

(Based on Job 7:1-4, 6-7, 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 and Mk 1:29-39 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

It was the 19th century British essayist Mr. Charles Lamb and his wife Mary…
… who moved the 17th century playwright William Shakespeare from his undeserved obscurity to the limelight of fame.

The two selected 20 of Shakespeare’s best-known plays and set out to make them accessible to children and to pay enthusiastic homage to the original works.

Charles Lamb was once involved in a discussion of the question, “Who is the greatest literary genius of all time?”

Two names finally emerged: William Shakespeare and Jesus of Nazareth.

Charles Lamb put an end to the debate when he said: “I’ll tell you the difference between these two men.

If Shakespeare walked into this room right now, we would all rise to greet him…

But if Jesus Christ came in, we would all fall down and worship Him!”

The greatness of men may make us rise in respect…

The greatness of Jesus would compel us to kneel in worship and adoration!

“Let’s talk about Jesus” is a popular English hymn.

Today, for our reflection, let us talk about Jesus…
… the most influential person ever, in history!

H. G. Wells, a prolific English writer, summed up this difference…
“Christ,” he wrote, “is the most unique person of history.

No man can write a history of the human race without giving first and foremost place to the penniless teacher of Nazareth.

From poverty and obscurity to teacher to death on the cross, to ascended Lord – Jesus Christ is the growing figure of history.

He is unique – for while all others decrease, he increases!”

The Gospel of the day reveals the immensely charismatic personality of Jesus.

He heals the mother-in-law of Simon Peter.

He healed many others who were with various sicknesses and diseases.
He cast out demons from many who were possessed and under bondages.

He became a sought-after person!

He became an attraction for many many people!

Jesus’ tremendous passion for the missions is indeed admiring…

We have said “Yes” to follow ‘this’ Jesus…
… Jesus who wants us to follow Him in healing the world
… Jesus who wishes us to become agents of casting out demons and unclean spirits
… Jesus who waits on us to preach and teach the Kingdom of God to all people anywhere

To be like Jesus, we need to imitate Him, not just in works… but above all in His Being!
… Totally committed to a life of prayer and union with God (Mk 1:35)
… Passionately zealous for the salvation of people (Mk 1: 32-33)
… Absolutely focused on the needs of the Kingdom of God (Mk 1:38)

Do I have my prayer life and communion with the Lord as the greatest thrust and push in all my activities, undertakings and ministries?

Do I have a deep desire and commitment to bring God’s love to all people and be passionate to share Him to all others?

Do I remain undistracted in the midst of all worldly attractions and forego personal pleasures by remaining focused on His Kingdom alone?

The world certainly faces a lot of darkness, pain and sufferings. (Job 7:1-4)

Our own world may be filled with shattered hopes, unfulfilled dreams, meaningless miseries etc

The world outside may be filled with terrible injustices, lacuna of peace, horrifying terrors etc

But the Lord assures that “He is the One who heals the broken-hearted”. (Ps 146:1)

Let us be filled with the power and spirit of Jesus, “the One whom we ought to preach by our lives” (1 Cor 9:16)

Let us discover and be convinced of the greatness of Jesus.

Shall we therefore, fall in deep adoration, ardent worship and fervent submission to Him…
… so that we can become agents of Him, who transforms the world continually?

Let us not have the woe of not preaching the Gospel! (1 Cor 9:16)

Let us share the blessings of the Gospel (1 Cor 9:23) and become all things to all! (1 Cor 9:22)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION

A society is a group of persons bound together organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond each one of them.
As an assembly that is at once visible and spiritual, a society endures through time…

… it gathers up the past and prepares for the future. (CCC # 1880)

“Growing in our conviction of our ‘belongingness’ to the Lord and being fearless and courageous in giving ‘external expression to our Faith!’”

(Based on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord – Day of Consecrated Life)

In a session, for a gathering of priests and religious – as part of the Day of Consecrated Life – the speaker asked:
“Can anyone please tell me in a word, what your idea of consecration is?”

An elderly sister, sitting right on the first row, stood up…

The speaker motioned to her… to answer

The sister – who had much experience in life working in mission areas- held out a blank sheet of paper…

And replied: “Consecration is nothing but to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet of paper…
… and let God fill it in, as He will
… and be joyful and at peace!”

That is indeed a beautiful way of understanding Consecration, isn’t it?

A total surrender to God’s Will and being joyful

A complete submission to God’s Ways and remaining at peace!

Today on this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord…
As Christians, we are reminded to grow in our “conviction of belonging to the Lord”…
… and to be fearless and courageous in allowing God to take complete control of our lives!

Today is also a day when we celebrate the ‘Consecrated Way of Life.’

Consecration is giving oneself to the Lord wholly.

Consecration is seeking to be pure – completely – in heart and mind.

The Gospel of the Day presents St Joseph and Mother Mary presenting Jesus in the Temple.
“When the days were completed for their purification, according to the Law of Moses, they took Him up to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord” (Lk 2:22)

We are on the 40th Day after Christmas, the Nativity of Jesus.

The Book of Exodus spoke of the need of this presentation and consecration of the first-born child…
“Consecrate to me every first-born that opens the womb…

If your son ask you later on, ‘What does this mean’, you shall tell him, ‘ With a strong hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the land of slavery….'” (Ex 12: 2, 14)

The act of presentation in the Temple…
… represented fulfilling of God’s command..
… recalled God’s deed of deliverance from slavery…
… reminded the deep love of God for His people…

The presentation of the Lord in the Temple, is also another reminder of the “ordinariness” of the Lord, in His incarnation…

Jesus was known as the child of “ordinary” human parents!

He took birth and grew up in “ordinary” conditions and circumstances!
He lived His life in an “ordinary” family situation!

By Baptism, all of us are also consecrated to the Lord…

Some of us, have also made a deeper consecration by the profession of vows…

The meaning of this consecration, also, derives from the consecration of the Lord…

We are “ordinary” by our sinful nature…
… yet the Lord exalts us to live a pure and holy life.

We are “ordinary” by our human nature…
… yet the Lord wishes to join with His Divine nature

We are “ordinary” in our deeds and works…
… yet the Lord wants to be His Kingdom partners

Our consecration…
… is a deep call and invitation to live a Holy Life
… is a loving obligation and sacred duty to be fully committed to Him

Each of us – whether single or in family life, whether a priest or a religious –
… ought to BELONG TO THE LORD AND TO HIM ALONE!

We are all consecrated and offered to the Lord.

Let us hold the hands of St Joseph and Mamma Mary, and renew our consecration to the Lord.

This is a day…
… to renew our commitment and zeal for the Lord
… to rekindle the fire of our love and faith in the Lord
… to restore our initial enthusiasm and interest for the Lord
… to revitalize our knowledge and comprehension of the Lord

Life will constantly take us to situations where we will face tough and hard moments.

Can we allow the Lord to fill the “papers of our life” – the canvas of our life – the way He wishes…
… and bowing before His Holy Will – say Yes to Him – and live in joy and peace?

May we grow in our conviction of our “belongingness” to the Lord…
… and be fearless and courageous in giving “external expression to our Faith!”

Yes, let us pray: “Lord, I belong to You and to You alone, Amen!”

Happy Feast to all of us, who are consecrated to the Lord, by our Baptism…
… specially to the Consecrated, by virtue of the evangelical vows!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – THE COMMUNAL CHARACTER OF THE HUMAN VOCATION

All men are called to the same end: God himself.
There is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love.

Love of neighbor is inseparable from love for God. (CCC # 1878)

“Entrusting ourselves totally to the Lord and allowing even our flaws to bloom and bless others!”

(Based on 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12 and Mk 6:7-13 – Thursday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A common story is told of a water bearer who had two large pots…
… each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it.

While the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house…
… the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments
>> But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer:
>> “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you”.

The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”

The pot replied: “For these past two years I am able to deliver only half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house.
>> Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.

The water bearer without being disturbed said plainly:
>> “Today as we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the path along your side.”

As they went up the hill, the cracked pot took notice of the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path.

At the end of the trail, the bearer said to the pot:
>> “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?

That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.
>> I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.
>> Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house!”


As a Christian, each of us are expected to perform our role in mission
>> This requires that we be just the way we are…
… but totally offered to the Hands of the Master, knowing for sure that He will supplement all our flaws with His Grace!


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve on a mission…
… with the tender invitation to depend on Him totally.


The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.
>> There were crowds of people following Him…
>> There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

But of all these, Jesus had chosen the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)


The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.
>> Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus
>> Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus
>> Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus


But as the saying goes…
“Challenges are what makes life interesting…
… and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”


Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…
>> He remained courageous and determined.
>> He not only chooses the Twelve…
… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…
… with an authority over unclean spirits
… to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace


In this mission joureney, the Lord gave a few instructions and principles…
“… to take nothing for the journey…
… whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place…” ( Mk 6: 8-10)


The Twelve were to learn…
… to totally depend on the Lord
… to not get discouraged even in the face of apparent flaws and failures


Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…
… we have a duty entrusted to us – a duty for the Kingdom of God

Do I totally dependant on the Lord and have the Lord as my Courage and Strength…
…or do I tend to get self-reliant and too proud on my own talents and potentials, with no room for the Lord?

Do I get easily discouraged and disheartened when things don’t go as I plan or when I feel that I am not being “successful” in what I am doing…
… or do I know for sure that even with all my flaws and weaknesses, the Lord will employ me for His Glory, if I trust in Him?


Christian missionary life is a journey
>> There may be times when we feel we are not doing enough
>> There will be situations when we feel that I am not living up to my expectations

But the Lord, Who is holding us, over His Shoulders assures us:
“I have always known about your flaws…
… and I take advantage of that.
>> Just be the way you are – but offer yourself to me totally and trust in me – and you will participate in my plan of bringing Beauty to the House of God!”

Yes, the Lord plants flower seeds of joy, peace and love on the way
>> And if we entrust ourselves totally to Him…
… even our flaws, can become occasions to have these seeds to bloom and bless others!


Shall we – in the words of St Francis de Sales – “Be what we are, and be at its best”…
… offering our lives to the Lord wholly?


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE HUMAN COMMUNITY
>> The vocation of humanity is to show forth the image of God and to be transformed into the image of the Father’s only Son.
>> This vocation takes a personal form since each of us is called to enter into the divine beatitude…
… it also concerns the human community as a whole. (CCC # 1877)
————

“According the deserving status and recognition of the Lord’s presence in our lives!”

(Based on 2 Sam 24:2, 9-17 and Mk 6:1-6 – Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A distinguished actor had a large photograph of William Wordsworth (= a major English Romantic poet)…
… prominently displayed in his dressing-room.

A friend, who came to see this actor and observing the picture remarked with some surprise…
“Hmmm… I see!
>> So you are an admirer of Wordsworth?”

“Wordsworth? Who’s that?” enquired back the actor.

“Why, that’s his picture,” was the answer, as the friend pointed towards the image “That’s William Wordsworth, the literary giant. This picture would surely have cost you a fortune!”

The actor looked at the photograph with a bemused gaze!

“Is that old guy, a famous poet?” he exclaimed in astonishment!
>> “Oh! Who bothers about these old guys! I just picked up that frame from my storehouse, to fill the empty space on my wall!!”


The picture that was hung on the wall failed to acquire its deserved status and recognition …
• due to the ignorance of the actor
• due to his contempt for and prejudice towards old guys


How often do we reject the precious and important people and aspects of life…
… due to our ignorance…. our contempt of things… and our prejudiced mindsets!


The Gospel of the Day is presentation of this “rejection” experience of the Lord in His hometown.

The Lord arrives in His hometown.
>> On the Sabbath, He taught in the synagogue.


The Gospel mentions a juxtaposition of feelings of the listeners…

First, there is a great expression of marvel and wonder:
“Where did this Man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to Him? What deeds of power are being by Him?” (Mk 6:2)


But this feeling quickly vanishes…

The feelings of wonder and amazement get distorted to feelings of contempt, condemnation and outright rejection:
“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not His sisters here with us?” (Mk 6:2)


What was the cause of this sudden and dramatic change of mood of the listeners?
• It was simply because Jesus was “just one of them!”
• It was simply because Jesus was “too acquainted to them!”


Familiarity often breeds contempt!
• When one is too close to the Divine, one has to be also aware that there are greater possibilities of losing the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted”

• When one is constantly handling Divine objects, there is also the greater chance of losing the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent”


How many of us are prone to this danger….

Priests and the Religious constantly handle Divine objects and perform many spiritual exercises…

• Daily Holy Mass… Frequent recital of the Psalms in the Divine Office Prayer… Regular Adorations and administering and receiving of the Sacraments… Recurrent handling of the Bible, liturgical articles, reading and hearing Church teachings and life of saints….
>> Do all these help one to deepen one’s relationship with the Lord…?
>> Or do these cause one to lose the “sense of awe and wonder” and sink into the dangerous waters of “taking things for granted”… ?


Many Christians are engaged in a number of spiritual activities on a regular basis…
• Holy Eucharistic celebration… novenas… recital of the Rosary and other pious prayers of devotion… forwarding of devotional messages, pictures and videos through emails and Whatsapp and social networking tools…
>> Do all these help one to grow in spiritual life….?
>> Or do these make one to lose the “awareness and thrill of the mystery” and get lost in the thickets of “being lethargic or unenthusiastic or even indifferent” … ?


The people failed to recognize the worth and value of Jesus due to “too much familiarity”.
>> However this familiarity was only “external and peripheral”…

Such kind of a familiarity had, in fact, caused them to be ignorant, contemptuous and prejudiced…
>> Ignorant… of the fact that amidst them was the Promised Messiah who was to save the world!
>> Contemptuous… of the fact that “one of them” could actually possess so much of wisdom and power!
>> Prejudiced… of the fact that “this ordinary Son of a carpenter” could ever be the Son of God!

Yes, how often do we reject the precious and important people and aspects of life… due to our ignorance…. our contempt of things… and our prejudiced mindsets!


We are invited today to “open our eyes” and to realize the worth and preciousness of God’s grace that we have been blessed with…

Each of us… personally… as a family… as a community… and as a Church, have been blessed and graced with immense favours and kindness from the Lord.
• True that we have much to complain in the maze of the many crisis we undergo..

Yet amidst all this…
>> Can we lift up our hearts in thanksgiving and gratitude for the Lord’s Guiding Presence with us, always…
… and learn to grow deeper in our love for Him?


Let us seek the intercession of St John Bosco, on his Feast Day…
… and do our best “to accord the deserving status and recognition to the Lord’s presence in our lives!”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE PROLIFERATION OF SIN
>> “Structures of sin” are the expression and effect of personal sins.
>> They lead their victims to do evil in their turn.
>> In an analogous sense, they constitute a “social sin.”(CCC # 1869)
————

“Letting go of every ‘Fear’ in our lives, by having deeper ‘Faith’ in the Lord!”

(Based on 2 Sam 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30–19:3 and Mk 5:21-43 – Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Here is a story of a mother and her little four-year-old daughter were getting ready to retire for the night.

The child was afraid of darkness.

The mother, alone with the child, felt a little fearful as well.

When the room lights were put off, the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside the window.

“Mother,” she asked with innocence, “is the moon, God’s light?”

“Yes, my child” said the mother “God’s light is always shining.”

The next doubt was, “Will God blow out His light and go to sleep?”

The mother smiled at her and replied, “No, my child. God never goes to sleep.”

Then out of the simplicity of a child’s faith, she said that which gave reassurance to the fearful mother: “Well, so long as God is awake, I am not afraid!”

The assurance that God was with them, made the little child courageous and strong!

A deep faith casts away every fear…
A strong belief puts aside every panic…

The Gospel of the Day is a wonderful journey, with Jesus, in this movement from “Fear” through “Faith”…
… Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death, is led from the “fear of death and hopelessness” through “faith” to experience the miracle of restoration of life
… The woman with haemorrhage for twelve years is led from the “fear of shame and depression” through “faith” to experience the miracle of cleansing and wholeness of life.

The Gospel passage of the day is one of the many “sandwich” passages in the Gospel of St Mark.

“Sandwich” stories are a literary technique in which the narration of one story begins…
… but is interrupted by another story, before finishing the first one.

Some of the examples of these “sandwich stories” are…

In Mk 3: 20-35, we have…
Mk 3:20-22: Jesus’ family members set out to seize Him

Mk 3: 23-30: Jesus speaks to the Pharisees on their accusation of Him
Mk 3: 31-35: Jesus family comes to meet Him

In Mk 6: 7-33, we have…
Mk 6: 7-13: The disciples sent on a mission

Mk 6: 14-29: Herod’s opinion on John the Baptist and the narrative of the beheading.
Mk 6: 30-33: The disciples return from the mission

In Mk 11: 12-25, we have…
Mk 11: 12-14: Jesus cursing the fig tree

Mk 11: 15-19: Jesus cleansing the Temple
Mk 11: 20-24: Jesus’ teaching on the withered fig tree

In Mk 14: 1-11, we have…
Mk 14: 1-2: The Conspiracy against Jesus

Mk 14: 3-9: The anointing of Jesus at Bethany
Mk 14: 10-11: The conspiracy plan by Judas to betray Jesus

Such kind of “sandwich” layers illustrates points for reflection by showing ..
… similarities and contrasts between the outside and the inside layers.
… the first and the last as “the bread”‘ and the centre one as the “filling” of the sandwich!

Today’s Gospel also follows this “sandwich-story” structure… Mk 5: 21-43
Mk 5: 21-24: Jesus is pleaded by Jairus to heal his daughter

Mk 5: 25-34: The woman suffering from haemorrhage is healed
Mk 5: 35-43: Jesus heals the daughter of Jairus

There are many similarities and contrasts between the “bread” – the outside layers and the “filling” – the inside layers in this ‘sandwich’ passage…

Age:

Jairus’ daughter is 12 years
The woman was suffering from haemorrhage for 12 years

Description of the Condition:

Jairus’ daughter at the point of death
The woman at the point of utter hopelessness

Status of the person:

Jairus is the daughter of a ruler of the synagogue
The woman with the problem of bleeding is an old widow

The support system for the suffering one:

Jairus’ daughter has many people to mourn – to weep and wail loudly
The widow is all alone in her suffering and agony

The place:

Jairus’ daughter is in her room, in the house
The woman with the haemorrhage is out on the crowded street

The mode of healing:

Jairus’ daughter is healed with a word, “Talitha Koum”
The suffering woman was healed by a “touch”

The title used by Jesus:

Jairus’ daughter is called by Jesus as ‘Little Girl’
The suffering woman is called by Jesus as ‘Daughter’

Some of the key messages of both these stories invite us to reflect on our own life…

1. Emphasis on Faith
   Jairus, the father of the sick child, as well as the suffering woman display a tremendous faith and trust in Jesus

Do I also put my trust and hope in the Lord, even when situations are “dead-like” and there seems no hope in life?

2. Acts of humility
   Jairus, as well as the suffering woman, make acts of humility, by falling at the feet of Jesus and pleading for mercy and help

Am I able to let go of my egoistic tendencies and be ready to fall at the feet of the Lord, seeking for His mercy, compassion and help?

3. The Lord being in perfect control
   Jairus, as well as the suffering woman experience the charismatic power and control that Jesus displays even when throngs of pain, suffering and death are surrounding him.

Do I realise that even if there are crowds of humiliation and shame around me or mourners of discouragement and despair wailing loudly in my life, the Lord is still in perfect charge, if I surrender and offer my life to His tremendous power?

The “sandwich stories” of the day are a great invitation for us to move from a “Life of Fear” to a “Life of Faith”, trusting and putting our hope in the Lord and in His Mighty Power.

It is to be also noted that after the cure of Jairus’ daughter, the Lord asked her parents to “give her something to eat” (Mk 5: 43)

This could also be a reminder for us, in our spiritual life, that after moving from a “Life of Fear” to a “Life of Faith”…
… we also need to sustain and nourish it by eating and consuming of the “Life of Fullness” in the Most Holy Eucharist!

Let us let go of every “Fear” in our lives, by having deeper “Faith” in the Lord and enjoying the “Fullness” of healing and happiness!

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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE PROLIFERATION OF SIN

Sin makes men accomplices of one another…
… and causes concupiscence, violence, and injustice to reign among them.

Sins give rise to social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness. (CCC # 1869)