“Choosing to ‘make life better’ despite the ‘bitterness that seeks to snare us!'”

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

A motivational speaker while addressing the fact of facing difficulties in life, said: “Life always presents to us situations of strife and struggle!
It’s left to us, how we act to it

We can either react negatively and become bitter…
… or we can respond positively and become better!
>> Struggles can make us bitter or better!

What is our response when we face the challenges of life
>> Do we become bitter?
… or can we become better?”


As people of faith, we are called to always “be better” and respond to situations…
… with genuine care and affection
… with passionate and uncompromising commitment

This is what we learn from the Biblical passages for the day
>> David, who responds to the death of Saul – supposedly an enemy…
… with intense pain and grief – a sign of genuine care and affection!
… >> Jesus, who faces the “ire of close people” including his relatives…
… due to His passionate and uncompromising commitment to the Kingdom!


The passage from 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27 begins with David receiving the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death…
… prompting profound grief and intense pain!
>> “Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him… they mourned and wept, and fasted until evening…” (Cf. 2 Sam 1:11-12).


Here are three important Divine Learnings we need to adopt, witnessing the deep grief that David expresses over the death – especially that of Saul.

1. Respond to “jealousy and enmity” with care
Despite the historical enmity between them, David’s emotional response reflects a profound sense of care and compassion for Saul.
>> Are we able to display the “face of care” even when faced with people who are jealous and hostile?

2. Acknowledgment of God’s Anointing
David’s lamentation reflects his reverence for Divine appointments and his respect for the choices of God. He acknowledges that “Saul is God’s anointed” and bestows his highest respect for Divine authority
>> Are we able to “accept the Lord’s anointed ones” and strengthen them with our prayers and cares, despite their failures, owing to human weaknesses and frailties?

3. Rising above personal grievances, and mirroring God’s view of relationships
Instead of celebrating Saul’s downfall, David mourns…
… illustrating a noble and forgiving spirit that transcends the animosity of the past.

It highlights the fact that even amid conflicting situations, “forgiveness that flows from the heart of God” can be a soothing antidote!
>> Are we able to rise above our personal feelings, and extend God’s unconditional forgiveness to the ones who have hurt us?


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus labelled as being “out of mind!”
>> “Again the crowds gathered, making it impossible for them, even to eat.
When His relatives heard of this, they set out to seize Him, for they said, ‘He is out of His mind'” (Mk 3: 20-21)

Jesus faces situations that can cause Him to “become bitter!”
>> But He remains undeterred and continues to walk the paths that showed Him to “be better”

He continued to preach and proclaim the Kingdom of Love and Mercy…
· Broken lives were mended by the balm of His Holiness
· Ruined minds were revived by the power of His teachings
· Shattered destinies were made whole by the cure of His touch
· Hardened hearts were touched by the softness of His presence
· Ruptured consciences were restored by the gentleness of His love


In situations of strife and struggle, we can either react negatively and become bitter…
… or we can respond positively and become better!
>> David did not allow himself to “get bitter” despite the death of his enemy!
>> Jesus did not allow Himself to “get bitter” despite the accusations of so many!

Instead, both responded “to make life better!”


Let us dare to walk and live the path of the Lord, Who chose to “make life better” despite the “bitterness that surrounded Him!”
>> Let us learn from the example of David, who chose to “make life better” despite the “bitterness that sought to snare him!”


Strife and struggles will always ensnare us
>> Are we going to be bitter…
… or can we be better?


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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN
>> One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter…
… he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law
… or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent. (CCC # 1862)
—————

“Seeking to grow in the ‘spirituality of living in love – with gentleness and kindness!'”

(Based on 1 Sam 24:3-21 and Mk 3:13-19 – Friday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A hostel warden had fallen into the disagreeable habit of yelling at the boys who were in his charge.

He thought this necessary in order to maintain his authority

Once, he was confined to bed for a week with severe laryngitis (inflammation of the vocal cords)

He could not speak above a whisper…
… and had to run the affairs of the hostel from his bed.

“Do you know,” he confessed afterwards, “I found that the children were far more well-behaved and good-natured when I could only speak to them in a whisper…
… than when I used to shout at them!”

The waters of gentleness and kindness always find a way to seep through the rocky terrains of tough situations of life!

And it is God’s Mighty Love that causes us to act with gentleness and kindness…
… and “to repay evil not with evil, but to do good to people!”

The First Reading of the Day (1 Sam 24:3-21) is a marvellous exhortation on the need to “repay evil not with evil, but with good!”

David and his men are in the Desert of En Gedi.

It is a wild place of cliffs, caves, wilderness and springs.

Saul – along with nearly three thousand chosen people – who were in search of David to have him killed…
… goes into a cave

David gets an opportunity to kill Saul, who had in fact, come to kill him!

Here was a neat chance to take revenge and settle scores.

David would even be instigated by his fellow men:
“The men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.” (1 Sam 24:4)

David, however, would deny “doing evil for evil!”

Instead, he follows the Divine Strategy of “doing good, even in the face of evil!”

He spares the life of Saul – who is the anointed of the Lord – and even goes on to make an oath of not harming him!

Here is David following the great Divine Strategy, and invites and inspires us to follow the same:
“Doing evil for evil is bad!”
Doing nothing for evil is better!
Doing good for evil is best!”

The Gospel of the Day (Mk 3:13-19) presents Jesus Who moves about with His Ministry of “failing to stop in the face of evil, and continuing to do good!”

Jesus, in the midst of a ministry, of people rejecting him, and failing to accept His words…
… refuses to give in to failure or to stop doing the good.

Instead, “He responds to evil, by doing good” and establishes a band of twelve chosen ones…
… who were to join Him and continue His Noble Mission of “doing good, even in the face of evil!”

The twelve disciples who are chosen (Mk 3:13-19) would be schooled in the Discipleship of the Lord…
… to “leave everything and adopt the Divine Strategy of ‘doing good, even in the face of evil’”

We are invited to grow into Christians who display the Love and Mercy of God to people…
… by a life of gentleness and patience!

David would beautifully display this dimension by sparing the life of Saul and giving us the great lesson of “respect and honour” that is due to all the anointed and consecrated ones!

Jesus, remarkably responds to hostile and antagonistic situations in His Ministry by establishing a “group of people who would be invited to become agents of the Lord’s Mercy and Compassion!”

Let us always remember that the waters of gentleness and kindness…
… always find a way to seep through the rocky terrains of tough situations of life!

And it is God’s Mighty Love that causes us to act with gentleness and kindness…
… and “to repay evil not with evil, but to do good to people!”

Let us seek to grow in the “spirituality of living in love – with gentleness and kindness!”

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

If mortal sin is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness…
… it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell
… for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back.

However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God. (CCC # 1861)

“Being attracted to the Presence of the Lord, to become more and more like Him!”

(Based on 1 Sam 18:6-9; 19:1-7 and Mk 3:7-12 – Thursday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A magnet is an object made of certain materials which creates a magnetic field around itself.

This magnetic field causes objects of certain properties to attract to itself…

The closer the objects are to the magnet, the stronger they are pulled to the attracting force.

Another interesting thing is that…
… objects attached to the magnet, over a certain period of time, themselves become magnetized and are able to attract other things to itself.

Divine Love constantly invites us to be attracted to Divine qualities…
… and to radiate the same in our lives.

The First Reading of the Day (1 Sam 18: 6-9, 37, 19:1-7) presents contrasting characteristics…
… the negative condition of jealousy: displayed by Saul, the king
… the positive quality of appreciation: radiated by Jonathon, his son

Saul is unable to digest the fact that the people sing higher praises of David and felt envious of his rising popularity:
“Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom? So Saul eyed David from that day on.'” (1 Sam 18:8-9)

Jonathon, his son, however displayed a lot of maturity and exuded a sense of goodness and appreciation

“Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul, saying to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have been of good service to you” (1 Sam 19:4)

Jonathan had responded positively to Divine Love, Which constantly invited him to be attracted to Divine qualities…
… and to radiate the same in his life.

The Gospel of the Day (Mk 3:7-12) is this wonderful presentation of Jesus Who radiates Divine qualities….
… and attracts many to by His Charismatic personality – like a magnet!

St Mark beautifully presents this attractive power of the Lord through the words:
“A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what He was doing, a large number of people came to Him…” (Mk 3: 7-8)

The popularity of the Lord was spreading far and wide…

His power over sin had many to look up to Him…
His authoritative teaching was astonishing to many…
His dominance over evil spirits was awe-inspiring for many…
His amazing healing power had caused a stir among people…

Like a magnet, the Lord was attracting many to Himself!

Like a magnet, the Lord was pulling variety of people to Himself!

The magnetic and charming power of the Lord attracts us too..
… But do we remain willing to get attracted to this amazing force?

The Living Presence of the Lord in our midst is in the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist is the powerful magnet that can pull and attract many!

The tragedy in our life is that very often, this “magnetic” Eucharistic presence remains abandoned and forsaken!

It’s a pity that the Living Lord is hardly visited in the Blessed Sacrament!

Chapels and Churches often remain empty and forlorn…
Very few to visit Jesus to say Hello to Him, in the Eucharist!

We sometimes are reducing ourselves to a generation seeking only after mighty wonders!

We sometimes are making ourselves to be a people wanting only fascinating miracles!

But the Eucharist – the greatest wonder and miracle of the world often remains unnoticed!

There is nothing more sublime in this world than the Holy Eucharistic Presence!

There is nothing more beautiful than moments spent before the Eucharistic Lord!

Am I ready to get attracted and charmed by this magnetic presence of the Holy Eucharist?

The Lord waits for us…every moment…every day!
The Lord seeks for us…every second…every hour!

We may have different excuses to evade and avoid time before His presence…

Maybe too many works and occupations…
Maybe a feeling that it is too dry and boring to be with Him…
Maybe an attitude that social works suffice and go beyond all such pious devotions…

But no excuse and no theory can give justification to miss the Presence of the Lord!

It is possible that some of us may have the negative condition of jealousy: displayed by Saul

But we are invited to imbibe the positive quality of appreciation: radiated by Jonathon!

Jesus is the magnet who can infuse us with power and strength!

The closer we are, the more attracted we be!
The more we remain with Him, the more we become like Him!

May the Magnetic Power of the Holy Eucharist be sought more!

May the Magnetic Love of the Holy Eucharist be longed more!
And may, we, in turn, become a magnetic Presence of the Lord to others!
… Seeking the Eucharist, to be a Eucharist to the other!
… Loving the Eucharist to break and share oneself to the other!

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself.

It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace. (CCC # 1861)

“Having faith and trust, to follow the Word of the Lord and to be assured that His Providence will take us through!”

(Based on 1 Sam 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 and Mk 3:1-6 – Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A popular story with a minor variation goes as follows:

A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a branch of a tree on the way down.

The following conversation then proceeded:
“Is anyone up there?”

“I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?”

“Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can’t hang on much longer.”

“That’s all right, if you really believe you have nothing to worry about.
I will save you. Just let go of the branch.”

After a moment of pause, the many continued and sad:
“Is anyone else up there?”

The man failed to depend on the Lord when the “crunch situation” was encountered!

Faith and Trust in the Lord requires us to follow His Word and to be assured that His Providence will take us through!

The First Reading of the Day (1 Sam 17: 32-33, 37, 40-51) is a wonderful story of a young little man who trusted immensely in God in defeating a gigantic enemy…
… the story of God defeating Goliath through the instrumentality of David!

This popular story is a wonderful saga of faith and the Power of Depending on the Lord for everything.

On the other side, this story also teaches us that failure to have the Lord as the strength of life can paralyze and cripple our life with fear and inactivity…
… as we see in the life of Saul.

Saul being the king should have taken the lead to lead the Israelites against the gigantic Goliath

But he measured only his human capabilities and strengths in calculating the battle strategy

David however, first counted on the Lord, before gathering together his human skills and expertise!
“I cannot walk with these; for I am not used to them.” (1 Sam 17:39)
“You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied!” (1 Sam 17:45)

We understand an important truth here:
In our life, we are often on the battlefield, with Satan as the gigantic Goliath…
… challenging us in our faith
… laughing us at our face

Do we understand that if we hold on, in faith, it is the Lord Himself Who fights for us?

Do we deepen our conviction that our faithfulness will be rewarded by God with the victory shout?

Jesus in the Gospel had to fight the deadly battle with “the hardness of hearts of people!” (Cf. Mk 3:5)

Faced with a man who had a withered hand…
… the Lord had to encounter face-to-face with a Goliath – with the face of indifference, unbelief and animosity – in the Pharisees and the Herodians (Cf Mk 3:6)

The man with the withered hand was asked by Jesus to “Come forward” (Cf Mk 3:5)
… to come forward in the battle of life – in faith – to defeat the forces of unbelief!
… to come forward in the war against Satan – in trust – to slay the head of indifference and animosity!

Just as David would “come forward” in faith and trust – totally depending on the Lord’s power…
… we need to step ahead by taking complete refuge in the Divine Providence of the Lord!

We may have our moments when we “hang onto the branches of life” in our moments of struggles and crisis

As the Lord invites us to trust in His Word, we need to check if we fail to depend on the Lord when the “crunch situations” are encountered!

Yes, Faith and Trust in the Lord requires us to follow His Word…
… and to be assured that His Providence will take us through!

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

The promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offence, as can external pressures or pathological disorders.

Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest. (CCC # 1860)

“Trust the Lord’s Word in complete obedience and be open to the Ways of God”

(Based on 1 Sam 16:1-13 and Mk 2:23-28 – Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A very popular story is said of a speaker who started off his seminar by holding up a $20 note.

He asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?”

Hands started going up.

He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.”
He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.

He then asked, “Who still wants it?”
Still the hands were up in the air.

“Well,” he replied, “What if I do this?”
And he dropped it on the ground and got it more crumpled and dirty.

“Now who still wants it?”
The hands still continued to go up!

The worth of the money is not in the external aspect…
… but in the internal value!

So much more is the value of a human person…
… whose value is measured by the heart!

God gives this mighty message through the First Reading of the Day (1 Sam 16:1-13) when He reminds Samuel:
“For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7b)

The passage is about Prophet Samuel being asked by the Lord to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the successor king to Saul.

Samuel learns an important principle that reigns in the heart of God: External appearances can be deceptive; the real worth of a person is in the value of his heart!
“For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My Ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My Thoughts than your thoughts” (Is 55:8-9)

God values the love and commitment that a person has in the heart, than at just the external appearances.
“… only You know what is in every human heart!” (1 Kings 8:39)

Samuel was under the impression that one of the seven older sons of Jesse would be the future king.

But God always knows to spring a surprise!
He would place His Heart on the youngest lad, David – the shepherd boy
… “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor 1:27)

So often we get carried away by external appearances.
But the Lord invites us to see the way He does: Look at the heart!

David was tending the sheep, when he was called by God
His family would have never had a thought like this
All the people had totally overlooked him and never considered him as even a “possibility!”

So often it can happen to us, that…
… people don’t mind us
… people overlook us and even put us down
… people make fun of us and we are disgraced often!

But in all such “unlucky” or “unfortunate” or “unfair” situations of life…
… trust in the Lord and know that He loves, accepts and appreciates us, the way we are!

Jesus in the Gospel (Lk 2:23-28) exhorts the people to have a “heart spirituality” than a mere “law fulfilling religion!”

Learn to obey God more, not because you are afraid, but because you love Him much!

Let us deepen our conviction that the value of a human person…
… is to be measured by the heart!

Let us grow in our “heart spirituality”
… of understanding that we ought to defer judgment on people, by merely look at their externals – and instead, to leave space for the Mercy and Providence of God to reign in life!
… and of deepening the conviction that our worth is in the fact that God loves, accepts and appreciates us, the way we are!

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

Unintentional ignorance can diminish or even remove the imputability of a grave offence.

But no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man. (CCC # 1860)

“Trust the Lord’s Word in complete obedience and be open to the Ways of God”

(Based on 1 Sam 15:16-23 and Mk 2:18-22 – Monday of the 2nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A popular legend is told of a certain king who needed a faithful servant.

Two men were candidates for the office.

The king took both at fixed wages, and his first order was to fill a cane basket with water from a neighbouring well…
… saying that he would come in the evening and see their work.

After putting in one or two basketfuls, one man said:
“What is the good of doing this useless work?
As soon as we put the water in one side, it runs out the other.”

The other, however, answered:
“But we have our wages, haven’t we?

The use is the master’s business, not ours.”

“I am not going to do such fool’s work,” replied the other.
Throwing down his basket, he went away.

The other man continued until he had exhausted the well.

Looking down into it he saw something shining – a diamond ring.
“Now I see the use of pouring water into a basket,” he cried, “If the basket had brought up the ring before the well was emptied, it would have been found in the basket.
Our work was not useless!”

The obedient servant understood the importance of trusting in the word of the master…
… and he would reap the benefits of gaining the approval of the master!

Christians must believe that their Divine Master knows what is best, and obey His commands…
… and in due time, they will know and understand the worth of the Master’s Word!

Failure to obey the words and commands of the Lord will lead to our downfall…
… and this is highlighted in the First Reading of the Day (1 Sam 15:16-23) through the fall of King Saul.

The reading begins with Samuel reminding Saul of the innumerable favours and blessings He had received from the Lord.

“Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel.” (1 Sam 15:17)

Saul was blessed with many blessings and protection from the Lord

And these favours therefore demanded a greater faithfulness from Saul!

Each favour from the Lord ought to be a reminder of our Sacred Duty to love Him more!

Each blessing from the Lord should be a sign of being invited to be more faithful to Him!

Saul, however, failed to display this obedience and faithfulness to the Lord.

God had commanded him not to retain any of the spoils of the battle that he was to have with the Amalekites…
… Saul would, however, not fully obey the Lord in this matter – and would retain the best of the spoils that he got

“And the Lord sent you on a mission, and said, ‘Go, utterly destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’ Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?” (1 Sam 15:18-19)

Even though Saul apparently had a good intention – to use these spoils as a sacrifice to God…
… God was not pleased with him, because what God demands is “an obedient heart than the choicest sacrifice!”

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the Lord?
Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is no less a sin than divination, and stubbornness is like iniquity and idolatry.” (1 Sam 15:22-23)

In the Gospel, we have the Pharisees and the Scribes who question Jesus on the aspect of fasting (Mk 2:18-22)

The Pharisees and Scribes were stuck on following their own ways of understanding the ways of God…
… and failed to have an openness and docility to the Will of God!

Each of us are invited to allow the “New Wine of God’s Word” to be filled in the “new wineskin of our minds – in obedience and openness!”

We are also warned to not try to patch up the “old garment of our disobedience” with the “new garment of God’s Commandments and Instructions!”

Let us remember, “failure to obey the words and commands of the Lord will lead to our downfall!”

Let us always trust that our Divine Master knows what is best…
… and thus obeying His commands, may we be blessed to discover the “shining ring” of God’s Love!

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

Mortal sin also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice.

Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin. (CCC # 1859)

“Listening to the Lord, and being His true seeker, with the right motives and proper intentions!”

(Based on 1 Sam 3:3b-10, 19, 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20 and Jn 1:35-42 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B)

A simple and commonly known story goes such…

A generous and a noble King once made a grand announcement to his subjects.

He declared that on a particular day, all the people could come into the King’s palace, and take for themselves from the palace hall, whatever they wished for!

An amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity indeed!

And so the day came… hundreds and thousands had gathered in the palace.

The people waited for the King’s signal to start picking up whatever they wanted in that hall.

The moment arrived… the King waved his royal hand to begin…

It was time to lay hands on whatever they wished to make their own possession.

The rush was maddening…

People ran helter-skelter, seeking for the most precious things…
… Golden vessels, silver goblets, jeweled showpieces, antique fancy items etc…

But in that crazy rush, there was one particular girl, a teenager, who thought differently.

She took this chance, to go and hug the Prince!

Bingo!!

That was the prized catch!

She now became not just the possessor of the love of her life…
… but also on the heir of the land!

She sought what was the most prized possession!

She went after, that which was the most treasured of them all!

What are we – you and I – seeking in life?

The Gospel of the Day has Jesus posing this fundamental question of our lives: “What do you seek” (Jn 1: 38)

The first chapter of St John has an account of two disciples of John the Baptist who are sent to follow Jesus by the words, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (Jn 1: 29)

John the Baptist is indeed an amazing person.

His life offers us immense qualities to imitate and follow.

1. He called people to a renewed way of life by turning to God in repentance

He teaches: The need to have a constant examination of our conscience…

2. He lived a life of intense asceticism and self-mortification

He reminds: Of the vanity of earthly glory and what things instead are of utmost importance…

3. He pointed out to Jesus as the Lamb of God and directs people towards Him

He teaches: The importance of focusing on Jesus in life and not on other people or things

4. He doesn’t feel jealous that all are following Jesus and confesses also of his unworthiness

He reminds: The power of humility and the joy of giving everything for God’s Kingdom

When Jesus sees them following, He turns…. (Jn 1: 38)

He turns around to see ‘a part of humanity that is seeking Him’.

And then Jesus poses this soul-probing question…”What do you seek?”

We too have been following Jesus for quite some time…

Maybe we’ve heard from others & so we follow Him…
Maybe we’ve experienced His caring presence & so we follow Him.

But the Lord once again turns, and asks us, who are following Him : “What do you seek?”

It’s not an interrogation to just obtain some information…

It is rather a question that is posed to determine what is the real focus and centre of our life.

Jesus probably knew why many people were beginning to follow Him:

There would be many seeking Him…
… for bread alone.
… for getting healings alone.
… out of mere curiosity alone.
… for theoretical arguments alone.
… for their own personal desires alone.

And so Jesus poses this heart-penetrating question…”What do you seek?”

The Lord, with His deeply penetrating eyes gazes into the depths of our soul…
… with His soul-arresting charm fixes His eyes into the castle of our heart asks:

“My Child, what do you seek?”

Are you seeking just to have some of your earthly desires fulfilled…

Or do you seek Me in order to treasure me completely and possess eternity?

Are you seeking spirituality just for namesake and out of a societal and religious obligation…

Or do you seek Me because you are convinced of finding in Me, the real Truth and Joy?

Are you seeking transcendence in order to just have a relief in your pains and difficulties…

Or do you seek Me to also have a share in my agony and anguish of the Cross?

The First Reading of the Day presents the beautiful call of the young boy Samuel, who would go on to become one of the greatest prophets of Israel. (Cf. 1 Sam 3:3b-10, 19)

Though he was in the presence of God, Samuel is made to realise the need to consciously seek and listen to God’s Voice, and to respond: “Speak, for your servant is listening!”

With this same “listening attitude,” we pray with the Psalmist, “Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will!” (Cf. Ps 40)

Can I be a ‘real Seeker of God and of His Kingdom?’

Embracing Jesus, the Prince of Life, would ensure the inheritance of eternity.

Let us become a true seeker of the Lord with the right motives and proper intentions.

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent.

It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. (CCC # 1859)

“Be ready to meet the Lord even when ‘donkeys are lost or you are busy counting at the table!’

(Based on 1 Sam 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1 and Mk 2:13-17 – Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An old lady loved visiting antique shops.

One day while browsing one, she came across a beautiful old Singer-style sewing machine…
… the manual kind, mounted on a table with a foot pedal.

When she saw it she whispered a simple prayer: ‘God, I’d love something like that for my place.’

A couple of days later, as she was walking out her front door on her way to work when she saw a pile of junk by the roadside.

She stopped, stunned!

There in the rubbish stood an old Singer-style sewing machine…
… the manual kind, mounted on a table with a foot pedal.

On it hung a sign that said:
“In good condition— anyone can take.”

God is a God of surprises!

He visits us even in the most ordinary situations of life.

Are we open to meet and experience the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life?

The readings of the day present two people who encounter the Call of the Lord in their “routines of life!”
… Saul, who would become the first king of Israel
… Levi, who would become an apostle of Christ

The people of Israel had remained adamant and stubborn in their demand for a king…
… just like all other nations of the world (Cf. 1 Sam 8:19-20)

They would thus move away from the Kingship of the Lord – obstinate to follow their own wills

Yet, God doesn’t forsake them

He provides a king from among them – the Divine Wisdom of preparing the people to receive Christ as the Ultimate King

Saul is chosen in an ordinary and regular context of life.

The reading describes how Saul is sent by his father to search for “lost donkeys!”

“Now the asses of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the asses.” (1 Sam 9:3).

In the East, asses/donkeys are a valuable property – indispensable for farm-work and travelling.

They were valuable to their owners, since they were their mode of transportation.
They were even a symbol of peace and wealth (Esau sent to Jacob, his brother “twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys” – Gen 32:14 – in order to appease him)

As Saul moves from place to place, in search of “lost donkeys” he is encountered by Samuel, the prophet, who would be instructed to anoint Saul as the king of Israel.

‘When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall rule over my people.” (1 Sam 3:17)

The Gospel of the Day (Mk 2:13-17) presents Jesus, who is sent by His Father, to search for “lost sheep” and “sick patients!”

“Jesus said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’ (Mk 2:17)

Levi was “busy at table counting taxes”…
… with his own worldly interests and concerns
… surrounded by people who hated tax-collectors like him, and looked down on him, in contempt and rejection

It is interesting to see…
… that even in a situation of “donkeys being lost”, God can intervene in human lives!

Even though Saul was only looking for “donkeys”, God was in search of Saul!

It is interesting to see…
… that even in a situation of “counting the taxes at table”, God can intervene in human lives!

Even though Levi was only looking for “taxes”, Jesus was in search of Levi!

Do we find ourselves in situations of “lost donkeys”…
… searching for wealth and means of comfort in life?
… searching for peace and satisfaction in life?

Do we find ourselves “busy at table counting taxes?”
… busy with many worldly concerns and worries?
… busy in being surrounded by people who reject and hate us?

Then let us know and understand that even in such ordinary situations of “lost donkeys” and being “busy at table counting taxes”…
… can become occasions when God wants to anoint us with His Oil of Graces and Gladness! (Cf. 1 Sam 10:1)
… can become moments when God wants to address you and tell you, “Follow me”! (Cf. Mk 2:14)

God is looking for you…
… even if you are not thinking much about Him!

Jesus wants you to follow Him closer…
… even if you are not much ready for it and busy with the affairs of the world!

Yes, God is a God of surprises!

He visits us even in the most ordinary situations of life.

Are we open to meet and experience the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life?

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft.

One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger. (CCC # 1858)

“Remain open to the Presence of the Lord and do what is right always!”

(Based on 1 Sam 8:4-7, 10-22a and Mk 2:1-12 – Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A social worker – known for his many deeds of selfless service – was being honoured at a public function.

On being asked, what was his philosophy that made him to reach out to the needy, despite the many challenges, persecutions and oppositions, he answered:
“My philosophy is simple!

I have always trusted in the maxim: ‘What is right need not be popular always…
… and what is popular need not be right always!

Holding onto this philosophy has always helped me…
… not to waver in my decisions with wrong influences – even when there was immense pressure
… not to be discouraged when I know it was right – even when the whole world did not agree!”

Do we hold on to doing what is right…
… even if we those are not popular?

The people of Israel in the Old Testament chose popularity over doing what was right…
… and thus would go against the Mind of God!

The First reading is this account of the people of Israel demanding for a “king”…
… in order to ‘identify themselves with all the surrounding nations’ and thus gaining in popularity and reputation

“…Now appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations.” (1 Sam 8:5)

Israel was called “to be holy!”

“You shall be holy to me; for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” (Lev 20:26)

The word for “Holy” in Hebrew is “Qadosh”

“Qadosh” literally means “to be set apart for a special purpose!”

Thus, the people of Israel were to have a distinct identity among all the nations of Israel, with the Lord God as their Only King (“The Lord will reign for ever and ever” – Exo 15:18)…
… and they His Chosen People – set apart to walk in His Paths!

“And I will take you for my people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (Exo 6:7)

But the people failed to hold on this “right” perspective of their calling…
… and sought after “popularity” and identification as the other nations!

“No! but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations…
… and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles!” (1 Sam 8:19-20)

What about our lives?

Do we allow “right things and right deeds” to have priority…
… do we give greater preference to the “popular ones” even if they are not right?

As Christians, we are called “to be different from the world” and not allow ourselves to be diluted and corrupted by the wrong influences of the world
… “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17:16)

Do we allow the Lord to be the Sole and Sovereign King of our lives?

The Israelites by demanding for a king were rejecting God – “…they have rejected me from being king over them.” (1 Sam 8:7)

Every time, we run after things which may be popular, but not right in the eyes of the Lord…
… we are rejecting the Kingship of God!

Every time, we go against the Virtues of the Kingdom in order to “please others or to fulfil our selfish desires”…
.. we fail to allow God to reign over us!

Every time, we disobey the commands and wishes of the Lord in order “to remain in good stead and in the well-liked and trendy books of others”…
… we end up dethroning God, as the King of our lives!

The Gospel of the Day (Mk 2:1-12) presents some of the Scribes who remained closed to the “right things” that Jesus did – healing of the paralytic: spiritually and physically…
… and were unwilling to usher in the Reign of God in their lives!

When hearts are closed, one fails to see the Presence of God – just like the people of Israel and the Scribes

When minds are unwilling to learn, one becomes rebellious and agitated – just like the people of Israel and the Scribes.

Let us hold on – firmly and with conviction – to the philosophy: ‘What is right need not be popular always, and what is popular need not be right always!’…
… and allow the Lord to always be the King of kings of our hearts, so that “we can sing forever of the Love of the Lord!” (Ps 89:1)

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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN

Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man:

“Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother.” (CCC # 1858)

“Staying close to God, the Source of our strength!”

(Based on 1 Sam 4:1-11 and Mk 1:40-45 – Thursday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

“Beep, beep” came the sound of the mobile phone

The beeping sound indicated a very low level of the battery.

After a couple of minutes, another clicking sound came…
… with a message, “Your phone is going to shut down because the battery is over!”

The mobile had stayed away from the charger for too long!
>> It lost its ability to function the way it was created and designed…
… because it stayed away from its source of power for too long!


Christian life is so much more similar
>> “We lose the charge and power when we stay away from God, the Source of our Strength!”

We cannot keep pushing our life too long on a “low battery mode”…
… and also thus wonder, why are things not going on well in my life?


Am in danger of “being shut down” due to “low-battery life?”
>> Is my life today in need of “recharging” by dwelling with the Source of our life?


The 1st Book of Samuel today gives us an important lesson on the danger of being away from the Source of our life…
… through the example of Hophni and Phinehas, the priestly sons of Eli, the priest.


The Bible describes them as people who “had no regard for the Lord”
>> “The sons of Eli were worthless men; they had no regard for the Lord.” (1 Sam 2:12)


They abused their office of priesthood in a number of ways:
>> They took more than their share of the meat from the animals that were brought to the sanctuary as sacrifices (Cf 1 Sam 2:13-14)
>> They often took their portion at the wrong time during the sacrifice (Cf 1 Sam 2: 15-16)
>> They lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting (Cf 1 Sam 2:22)

Even though they were warned by their father Eli, these sons failed to give any regard and respect to his admonitions. (Cf. 1 Sam 2:22-25)


Continual and wilful disobedience to rules and laws – even minor ones – always takes one’s heart away from God…
… leading gradually to a fall from one’s commitment.


The reading of the day presents the disturbing incident of the Ark of the Covenant being captured by the Philistines and the death of Phinehas and Hophni (1 Sam 4:1-11).


The incident teaches some important and crucial spiritual reminders:

1. Depend not on human wisdom; rather trust in God’s Word

The Israelites lost around four thousand people on the battlefield against the Philistines (Cf 1 Sam 4:2b).

On returning back, as they evaluated the defeat, they made a consultation only among themselves…
… even though Samuel, the prophet of God was available (Cf 1 Sam 3:19-4:1)
>> They least bothered to find what was the Mind of God or to seek for His Guidance!


In our moments of decision-making and of evaluation, do we only take refuge in human knowledge and wisdom…
… or do we allow ourselves to consult the Mind of God and to learn from Him – primarily through prayer?
>> As the book of Proverbs says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.” (Prov 3:5)


2. Do not misuse/manipulate Divine Graces in one’s own personal ways and means

Without knowing the mind of the Lord, the Israelites decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant in their midst, for gaining victory.
>> The purpose to bring the Ark was not to honour or glorify the Name of the Lord, nor to ascribe dependence on the Lord…
… rather, when they ran out of all human resources – as a last resort – they sought to manipulate Divine Graces in their own way.


This is a great reminder for all of us to follow and obey the Holy Rubrics and Instructions of our Faith and Liturgy as instructed by the Church …
… instead of “creatively using or avoiding” rituals and ceremonies as per our own conveniences
>> Giving Supreme Glory and Honour to God in humble submission to the teachings of the Church ought to be the motto in everything that we do!


3. Do not expect God’s Holy blessings without repenting and turning to Him
>> When the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the camp of Israel, the two priests – Phinehas and Hophni – were accompanying.

These priests were very much in sin and transgression…
… and yet, without repenting they would handle the Divine Ark!


Seeking to receive God’s Holy Sacraments in a state of sin and without repentance can cause harm…
… instead of receiving blessings.

St Paul echoes this fearful reality when he says: “Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
>> For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” (I Cor 11:28-30)


Do I prepare myself well in order to receive the Blessings of the Lord…?
… especially an honest examination of conscience – with repentance – for the Sacrament of Confession
… a meaningful and sincere preparation for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist


Each of us are invited to live a deeper and closer relationship with the Lord at all times
>> As the leper, in the Gospel (Mk 1:40-45) would beseech the Lord, “If you will, you can make me clean”…
… may always first seek and allow God’s Will in our life, in order to receive His Healing and His Blessings


Let us remember that in our life, “we lose the charge and power when we stay away from God, the Source of our strength!
>> Let us avoid the danger of “being shut down” due to “low-battery life and instead “recharge” ourselves by earnestly praying: “Redeem us, Lord, because of your mercy!”


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 GRAVITY OF SIN: MORTAL AND VENIAL SIN
>> For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met:
>> “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter…
… and which is also committed with full knowledge
… and deliberate consent.” (CCC # 1857)
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