“Being more docile to the voice of the Lord, so that we may mould our lives in perfect tune to God’s Will!”

(Based on 2 Tim 1:1-3, 6-12 and Mk 12:18-27 – Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An old man and his wife, who had spent their life, in the villages, were taken to the railway station by their son, who had a job in the city.

It was for the first time in their life that this old couple was seeing a train!

The husband was highly bewildered at the sight of that large locomotive.

He looked the engine over very carefully, and shook his head.

“Well, what do you think of it, father?” asked the son with eagerness

“She’ll never start,” was the firm answer by the disbelieving father: “she’ll never start.”

However, in a few minutes, the conductor waved, the bell rang, the locomotive puffed, the train moved slowly at first, then faster.

It was disappearing in the distance when the son inquired slyly: “”Well…what do you think of it now?”

The old man shook his head more violently than before and blurted out with greater assertion:

“She’ll never stop,” he affirmed; “she’ll never stop!!”

How often is this true of many people…
… Pre-Conceptions often close the mind; and one is unwilling to open anything new
… Prejudices often shut one’s understanding; and one becomes adamant in refusing to learn!

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!

Truth can never be forced upon..
Truth can never be thrust on anyone…
Rather, Truth with the freedom it allows, is taken in only by the one docile to it!

The Gospel of the Day presents another group of opponents -characterised by rigidity to accept the truth and blocked in mentality to be docile…
… who try to put down and prod our Blessed Lord in His teachings.

Yet, Jesus, who is source and perfection of all wisdom, fails to get bogged down – instead traps them in their own arguments…
… and leaves them faced with a mighty challenge to change!

The Sadducees came to Jesus to put forward a hypothetical riddle regarding the question of the Resurrection.

The Sadducees were the top people in the nation, the elite group of aristocrats who owned a lot of land, wealth and rank.

They were the power brokers in Israel’s supreme court, the Sanhedrin.
Even the high priests came from the families of the Sadducees.

They were selective in what they accepted from the Scriptures.

They rejected all the historical books.
They also rejected all the psalms and the other ‘writings’ like Job and Ecclesiastes.
Not one of the books of the prophets would they accept.
They were left with just the first five books of Moses.

Moses was their person of authority.

That is why when they come to Jesus, they characteristically begin, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us…” ( Mk 12:19)

They also rejected the resurrection of the dead.

“Men stay dead,” they said; human beings only have this life here and now.

That is what they believed; no judgment; with death, the soul perishes with the body.

We live in a world where we also encounter many of the “modern” Sadducees.

People who live as though there is no Resurrection..
People who deny giving any significance for life after this life
People who fail to uphold any teachings or thoughts that support a life after death

For such “modern” Sadducees,
… Life consists in basically enjoying the pleasures of this present life to the maximum!
… Life is not to be drowned in “boring” piety and “dull” devotions with a hope for the future!

Perhaps, some of us, may also share such thought-patterns of the Sadducees.

Yet, the Lord addresses us, just as He did to the Sadducees, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mk 12: 24)

The Scriptures clearly testify to the various references that are made to the fact of the “dead” not really being dead… rather, alive in the Lord

The power of God clearly testifies that God as the one who created creation out of nothing, also has the power to grant new life to those who are dead

The Gospel passage ends with the statement by Jesus, “You are greatly misled” (Mk 12: 27b).

Another translation would read, “You are quite wrong”

The Lord was not afraid to clearly and bluntly tell the Sadducees that they were wrong and misled in their understandings.

And perhaps, if we are in the category of being a “modern” Sadducee, the Lord uncompromisingly tells us also, “You are greatly misled”

We need to be open to the voice of the Lord, calling us to trust deeper, in the presence of a life after this life.

Let not our prejudices shut our understanding; and we becomes adamant in refusing to learn!

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!

Let us grow to be more docile to the voice of the Lord, so that we may mould our lives in perfect tune to God’s Will…
… and thus be able to enjoy a life of Resurrection – true happiness in eternity!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
The Law of the Gospel requires us to make the decisive choice between “the two ways”…

… and to put into practice the words of the Lord. (CCC # 1970)

“Being bolstered by the Powerful Personality of Jesus, to be all determined and full of convictions”

(Based on 2 Pet 3:12-15a, 17-18 and Mk 12:13-17 – Tuesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A little boy was pulling on some weeds with long deep roots…
… trying to get it out of the ground.

He pulled and pulled again…
… then decided to give one last jerk

And when he did…
… it came out – but he went tumbling over backwards!

Someone watching this said: “That was a tough fight, wasn’t it?”

The little boy – recovering himself and trying to get up, feeling a bit exhausted – replied: “Ah yes! It should have been!

After all…
… the whole world was pulling against me!”

How often does it happen that it seems the entire world is pulling against us…
… against our convictions and principles of life
… against our values and virtues of life

De we remain firm and determined, even it means undergoing some falling back and setbacks…
… or do we yield in to those forces – and quit and give up in life?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus – who is all determined and full of convictions – boldly encountering the “deadly trap” being laid before him by the leaders of his time…
… and how He remains unscathed and uncompromising in presenting the full force of the Truth!

The Gospel passage begins with the verse: “Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said.” (Mk 12:13)

The “they” in this verse refers to the chief priests, the scribes and the elders (Mk 11: 27b)

This group had already been silenced by the Lord…

In questioning Jesus of His authority, they found themselves facing a tougher question from Jesus. (Mk 11: 27-33)

Jesus also told a parable of the Tenants in the vineyard, which alluded to their closed attitude to accept Him as the Messiah of their lives (Mk 12: 1-12)

This group of chief priests, scribes and the elders, went away…
… with hatred in their against Jesus
… with a mind to plot further against Jesus

So, they got together two opposing parties, in their scheme to oppose Jesus.

These two opposing parties were the Pharisees and the Herodians (Mk 12: 13)

Who are the Pharisees?

The Pharisees were primarily not a political party but a group of scholars and pious people.

They enjoyed a large popular following, and in the Gospels, they appear as spokesmen for the majority of the population.
They hated the pagan Roman occupation of Israel.

Their hope was for a new Judas Maccabee who would arise and throw off the Roman empire.

Many of the common people embraced their patriotic message.

Who are the Herodians?

Their name came from King Herod, who was a half Jew and had made a made a political deal with the Romans.

The Herodians held political power, and supported King Herod Antipas, the Roman Empire’s ruler over much of the land of the Jews from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39.

The Herodians favoured submitting to the Herods, and therefore to Rome, for political pragmatism.

The Pharisees were obsessed with their religious traditions…
… while the Herodians had little religion at all.

Yet, when Jesus spoke and opposed both formalism and love of worldliness…
… these two groups came together in their opposition to Him!

And they trap Jesus with a very cunning question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” (Mk 12: 14c)

If Jesus had said:
No, you should not pay taxes….
… that no true Israelite who loves God should willingly pay the tax as the Roman Coin with the image of Caesar and all of his titles claiming to be divine is blasphemous…

All of the common people would have said, “How godly man is He!”

But Jesus would have been arrested for sedition and treason.

On the other side, if Jesus had said:
Yes, you should pay taxes….
… that it is not bad since the Roman empire brings stability and economic prosperity…

All of the common people would have abandoned Him saying, “He is a betrayer of God’s law!”

Jesus would have been badly persecuted for misleading them from the path of God.

It was trouble either way…

But Jesus, the Lord of all wisdom and knowledge, found His way through the maze of human shrewdness by answering:
“Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mk 12: 17)

Jesus said that what is most important in life is one’s supreme allegiance to God!

Political demands, social commitments, familial duties, communitarian stipulations all have their place and position…

But above all, what needs to be given the prime importance in one’s life is: Allegiance to God!

We live in times and situations wherein there are many forces, philosophies and thought-patterns…
… that join hands in opposing the teachings of Jesus and the Church.

Jesus is still an enemy to many of the truth-denying realities in the world.

The Church is still opposed by many of the immoral entities of the world.

It is our duty to remain firm in our faith and render absolute allegiance to the Lord…
… in order to oppose and fight against such adverse and opposing factors in the world.

Even when it seems that the entire world is pulling against us…
… against our convictions and principles of life
… against our values and virtues of life

We are called to remain firm and determined, even it means undergoing some apparent falling back and setbacks!

Let us be bolstered by the Powerful Personality of Jesus, to be all determined and full of convictions…
… boldly encountering the “deadly traps” being laid before us by the forces of our times
… and with His Grace, remain, unscathed and uncompromising in presenting the full force of Jesus, the Truth!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPE

The Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, far from abolishing or devaluing the moral prescriptions of the Old Law…
… releases their hidden potential and has new demands arise from them

… it reveals their entire divine and human truth. (CCC # 1969)

“Living with ‘freedom with responsibility’ to ensure true success and proper satisfaction!”

(Based on 2 Pet 1:2-7 and Mk 12:1-12 – Monday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A catechism teacher was explaining the story of David and Goliath to the children.

And the end of the teaching, a boy stood up to ask a doubt.

“Why did David,” asked the boy, “take five smooth stones with him? Could he not have taken only one small pebble?

Did he have doubt in the Power of God?”

The teacher, impressed with the student’s doubt…
… after some thoughtful moments replied:
“Firstly your doubt about the 5 stones…

If you read 2 Sam 21:15-22, you can find that there were at least 4 giants that are mentioned – similar to Goliath!

Perhaps, David thought that if Goliath is attacked, these 4 other giants could also come forth.

And so he probably prepared himself to fight against them as well!

And with respect to the “smooth” stones…

Well…

You can shoot much more accurately with the proper ammunition.

He had faith, but he also used sanctified common sense. He didn’t simply say, “The Lord is going to do it anyway, so I’ll just pick up any old jagged rocks.”

No, he recognized human responsibility as well as Divine Providence and selected shiny, round stones that would speed straight to the mark!”

Well…
… it’s not known, how many of us would accept this explanation of the Catechism teacher.

But one thing is for sure: David not only depended on God’s Power…
… he also made sure, he executed his human responsibilities, by making use of his God-given talents, potentials and wisdom.

It is always “freedom with responsibility” that ensures true success and proper satisfaction.

Human tendency, however, it is, to often want…
… to enjoy, without having worked
… to reap fruits, without having harvested
… to take credit for oneself, even for things/people not belonging to oneself.

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful reminder by Jesus, through the Parable of the Tenants…
… that we are only stewards in this beautiful world of ours, which is owned by God
… that we are to be caretakers of the many duties entrusted to us, by the Almighty

Jesus puts forward the Parable of the Tenants.

The tenants were entrusted with the vineyard by the Master and were expected to provide the produce in due time.

They were entrusted fully with the taking care of the vineyard.

The Master placed a lot of trust in the servants.

He gave the freedom…
A responsible freedom…
…which could be meaningfully used and nurtured
…or which could be woefully misused and manipulated.

However, the tenants, who were trusted immensely…
… probably lost their focus on the real trust and diminished in their commitment and responsibility to their Master as well as their duty.

Their personal interests gained greater prominence over their entrusted duties.
Their selfish agenda gained the upper hand over the faithfulness to the Master.

This led to them to a total denial of all the emissaries and servants of the Master, who were sent to collect the produce.

This denial was extended even to the Master’s own Son!

This denial of the Son led to the letting loose of the anger and fury of the Just Master!

A squandering away of the responsible freedom, led to the downfall of the tenants!
A failure to give heed to the emissaries and servants caused them to face the Master’s rage!
A denial and rejection of the Master’s own Son, with a cruel intent, caused their destruction!

Are we also, as Christians, as tenants of the Heavenly Master failing in our responsibilities and duties?

The Lord has entrusted us with many responsibilities…

To promote and grow in our faith…
… by a faithful prayer-life, co-operation with the graces of God, keeping away from a life of sin etc.

To be faithful to the vocation and works we are called to do…
… by constantly renewing our resolve in the works we do, remaining focused on our calling etc.

To encourage others to increase in faith and in love of life…
… by being interested In their well-being, supporting them, teaching them etc.

The Lord presents Himself as the cornerstone…
… “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..” (Mk 12: 10)

Jesus is the cornerstone…
… of Salvation
… of the Church
… of His People

We need to find strength and support in this Cornerstone…
… the cornerstone to build a wonderful life in God and grow in holiness
… the cornerstone to stand firm and strong in faith to withstand every storm of life

Let us come to understand that in all our works and activities, we not only depend on God’s Power…
… but also execute our human responsibilities, by making use of his God-given talents, potentials and wisdom.

Yes, it is always “freedom with responsibility” that ensures true success and proper satisfaction.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

The New Law practices the acts of religion: almsgiving, prayer and fasting…
… directing them to the “Father who sees in secret,” in contrast with the desire to “be seen by men.”

Its prayer is the Our Father. (CCC # 1969)

“Cultivating a passionate love for the Eucharistic Lord and choosing to live for Christ!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi)

“I would like to say the Mass!”

These were the passionate words of Archbishop Dominic Tang, the archbishop of Canton who was imprisoned in China for 22 years…
… for his faith and loyalty to the Church and papacy.

Of these 22 years, seven years were in solitary confinement

This solitary confinement cell was not large enough to stand up nor to lie down and stretch your legs fully.

One day, Archbishop Tang was surprised with the news that he could leave his solitary confinement cell for a few hours to do whatever he wanted.

His persecutors wondered what he would ask for…
… but without any hesitation, Archbishop Tang, expressed his deep longing that had been suppressed for 22 years: “I would like
to say Mass!”

On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are exhorted to cultivate a passionate love for the Eucharistic Lord…
… just like Archbishop Tang, and to choose to live for Christ!

Our Christian Life celebrates God, who is Emmanuel – With us, God!

And this Emmanuel God, fulfils His promise, by dwelling in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.

On this Feast of the Corpus Christi, it is apt and meaningful to realize the worth and greatness of this Most Beautiful Treasure that God is gifting to Humanity.

As human beings, we all engage ourselves in many social gatherings, events, occasions etc.

And for all of that, we do make a lot of planning, preparations and arrangements.

The Holy Mass is the re-enactment of the Sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary, in memory of the Holy Institution at the Last Supper.

It is a momentous and splendid Divine Occasion and Event!

But often, this great event is accorded very little preparation.

No wonder, for some people, the Mass often seems boring and sadly, considered a useless ritual!

Very often, just before Holy Mass or just before entering the Church…
… we engage ourselves in very casual talks, in making fun
… and in being filled with worldly attractions and other external
distractions.

The Holy Eucharist is basically oriented toward four aspects
(a) Adoration and Worship of God
(b) To give thanks for His gifts and graces
(c) To ask remission of our sins
(d) To offer our petitions to the Lord.

At every Holy Eucharist, we need to become aware of these aspects.

We need to think:
Is my heart and mind really ready to embrace the Awesome Moments of the Lord’s Life – His Passion, His Death and His Resurrection, which is celebrated at Mass?

The Lord of the Universe descends on the Altar and is ready to dwell in our little hearts!

I need to realize the gravity of this Moment and prepare my heart to receive this Divine Saviour!

Do I take time to read and reflect on the Readings of the Mass beforehand?
Do I make a genuine examination of Conscience and truly repent, to receive God’s Mercy?
Do I become aware that, at Holy Mass, I am at Mount Calvary, along with our Blessed Mother…
… and ready to offer my life, along with Jesus, for the Salvation of the world?

St. Francis de Sales says:
“When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness!
… welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”

This Feast is a Feast for all the days of the year.

The Lord is present in the Blessed Sacraments in our Chapels and our Churches…
… all the days – inviting us to experience His Love!

Let’s delight in this love story, Venerable Fulton Sheen says, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host!”

Let this Feast help us to make practical resolutions…
… so that we can love the Lord in the Eucharist
… and thus, in turn, become a Eucharist in this our broken and fragmented world.

We need to reflect and examine:

Can I make extra efforts to prepare for the Holy Mass and also be aware of the Presence of the Lord, after Holy Mass?

Is it possible for me to spend daily some time, >> with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament? For those of us, where physically, it is
not possible to be with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, can I spare some time to be with the Lord, in prayer and devotion, in
whichever place possible…?

Can I show an extra devotion to the Lord, especially when we pass before some Chapels or Churches, and become a living witness to God’s infinite love in the Eucharist?

Can I see the Broken Body and the Blood of the Lord, in the broken lives of the people in my life – my family, my workplace, my community, my church, my society, my nation, my world?

Can I spread the Devotion of the Blessed Eucharist to other peoples, especially to lukewarm and tepid Catholics, that all may know and realize, the Presence of the mighty Treasure of Grace, Power and Love, in this Beloved Sacrament?

St Francis de Sales says, “We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day!”

Let us pray: “Make me Your bread to nourish the hungry; make me your wine to quenchyour thirst; and make me Your comfort
to all those who cry, Amen!”

May Blessed Mamma, the Mother of the Holy Eucharist, help
us to radiate, the Love of Christ to all people!

Happy Feast of the Most Holy Eucharist!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

The Gospel thus brings the Law to its fullness through imitation of the perfection of the heavenly Father…
… through forgiveness of enemies and prayer for persecutors

… in emulation of the Divine generosity. (CCC # 1968)

✝️ REFLECTION CAPSULE FOR THE DAY – June 02, 2024: Sunday

“Cultivating a passionate love for the Eucharistic Lord and choosing to live for Christ!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi)

“I would like to say the Mass!”

These were the passionate words of Archbishop Dominic Tang, the archbishop of Canton who was imprisoned in China for 22 years…
… for his faith and loyalty to the Church and papacy.

Of these 22 years, seven years were in solitary confinement

This solitary confinement cell was not large enough to stand up nor to lie down and stretch your legs fully.

One day, Archbishop Tang was surprised with the news that he could leave his solitary confinement cell for a few hours to do whatever he wanted.

His persecutors wondered what he would ask for…
… but without any hesitation, Archbishop Tang, expressed his deep longing that had been suppressed for 22 years: “I would like
to say Mass!”

On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are exhorted to cultivate a passionate love for the Eucharistic Lord…
… just like Archbishop Tang, and to choose to live for Christ!

Our Christian Life celebrates God, who is Emmanuel – With us, God!

And this Emmanuel God, fulfils His promise, by dwelling in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.

On this Feast of the Corpus Christi, it is apt and meaningful to realize the worth and greatness of this Most Beautiful Treasure that God is gifting to Humanity.

As human beings, we all engage ourselves in many social gatherings, events, occasions etc.

And for all of that, we do make a lot of planning, preparations and arrangements.

The Holy Mass is the re-enactment of the Sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary, in memory of the Holy Institution at the Last Supper.

It is a momentous and splendid Divine Occasion and Event!

But often, this great event is accorded very little preparation.

No wonder, for some people, the Mass often seems boring and sadly, considered a useless ritual!

Very often, just before Holy Mass or just before entering the Church…
… we engage ourselves in very casual talks, in making fun
… and in being filled with worldly attractions and other external
distractions.

The Holy Eucharist is basically oriented toward four aspects
(a) Adoration and Worship of God
(b) To give thanks for His gifts and graces
(c) To ask remission of our sins
(d) To offer our petitions to the Lord.

At every Holy Eucharist, we need to become aware of these aspects.

We need to think:
Is my heart and mind really ready to embrace the Awesome Moments of the Lord’s Life – His Passion, His Death and His Resurrection, which is celebrated at Mass?

The Lord of the Universe descends on the Altar and is ready to dwell in our little hearts!

I need to realize the gravity of this Moment and prepare my heart to receive this Divine Saviour!

Do I take time to read and reflect on the Readings of the Mass beforehand?
Do I make a genuine examination of Conscience and truly repent, to receive God’s Mercy?
Do I become aware that, at Holy Mass, I am at Mount Calvary, along with our Blessed Mother…
… and ready to offer my life, along with Jesus, for the Salvation of the world?

St. Francis de Sales says:
“When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness!
… welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”

This Feast is a Feast for all the days of the year.

The Lord is present in the Blessed Sacraments in our Chapels and our Churches…
… all the days – inviting us to experience His Love!

Let’s delight in this love story, Venerable Fulton Sheen says, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host!”

Let this Feast help us to make practical resolutions…
… so that we can love the Lord in the Eucharist
… and thus, in turn, become a Eucharist in this our broken and fragmented world.

We need to reflect and examine:

Can I make extra efforts to prepare for the Holy Mass and also be aware of the Presence of the Lord, after Holy Mass?

Is it possible for me to spend daily some time, >> with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament? For those of us, where physically, it is
not possible to be with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, can I spare some time to be with the Lord, in prayer and devotion, in
whichever place possible…?

Can I show an extra devotion to the Lord, especially when we pass before some Chapels or Churches, and become a living witness to God’s infinite love in the Eucharist?

Can I see the Broken Body and the Blood of the Lord, in the broken lives of the people in my life – my family, my workplace, my community, my church, my society, my nation, my world?

Can I spread the Devotion of the Blessed Eucharist to other peoples, especially to lukewarm and tepid Catholics, that all may know and realize, the Presence of the mighty Treasure of Grace, Power and Love, in this Beloved Sacrament?

St Francis de Sales says, “We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day!”

Let us pray: “Make me Your bread to nourish the hungry; make me your wine to quenchyour thirst; and make me Your comfort
to all those who cry, Amen!”

May Blessed Mamma, the Mother of the Holy Eucharist, help
us to radiate, the Love of Christ to all people!

Happy Feast of the Most Holy Eucharist!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

The Gospel thus brings the Law to its fullness through imitation of the perfection of the heavenly Father…
… through forgiveness of enemies and prayer for persecutors

… in emulation of the Divine generosity. (CCC # 1968)

“Rooting out pessimistic mind-sets and focussing instead on self-growth in holiness and humility!”

(Based on Jude 17, 20b-25 and Mk 11:27-33 – Saturday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation…
… rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.
>> He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said:
“By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.
>> My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.

But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.
>> How is it with you?”


Well, we don’t know how did the fussy gentleman react to this bold and true reply of the preacher.

(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)


When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…
>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!


The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude…
… of the chief priests and scribes and elders towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus:
“By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mk 11: 28)


The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.


Chapter 11 of St Mark’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…

1. The entry into Jerusalem (Mk 11: 1-10)

2. The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mk 11: 11-14)

3. The re-entry to Jerusalem and cleansing of the Temple (Mk 11: 15-18)

4. The re-entry to Bethany, observation of withered tree and teaching on faith (Mk 11: 19-26)

5. The third entry into Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus’ authority (Mk 11: 27-33)


>> The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…
… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

>> The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…
… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple


These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.
>> In Jesus, they perceived a threat.

… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke, than to service of God

>> In Jesus, they sensed a danger.
… a danger to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

>> In Jesus, they identified a menace.
… a menace to their comfort-rendering style of spirituality and way of life.


And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task…
… and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord
>> Their hearts become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience
>> Their lives were rendered blocked to be willing to make necessary changes for the good.

Instead…
… they only found fault with the Lord
… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord


When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…
>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!


Is such an attitude prevalent among us also…
>> A mentality of harshly criticising…?
>> A tendency to inhumanly condemn…?
… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.


May we be able to root out all such pessimistic mind-sets…
… and focus instead on self-growth in holiness and humility.


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
>> The Law of the Gospel fulfills the commandments of the Law.
>> The Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, far from abolishing or devaluing the moral prescriptions of the Old Law…
… releases their hidden potential and has new demands arise from them
… it reveals their entire divine and human truth. (CCC # 1968)
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“Allowing the Graces of God in us to not get stagnant or decayed or rusted; instead, to be extended in loving service to God and His people!”

(Based on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

One of the greatest violinists of all time was Niccolo Paganini.
>> He had his first performance at the age of 11.

It is said that his great technical ability revolutionized violin techniques across Europe.

When he died in 1840, he had willed his violin to Genoa, Italy – the place of his birth.
>> But he had it done on a condition: that no artist ever plays his instrument again.

Glad to have the violin come into their possession, the people in the city of Genoa agreed to the request…
… and they put it in a beautiful case for everyone to see.

But, unfortunately, wooden violins have a certain peculiarity:
>> As long as they are handled, they show no wear…
… But if it remains unused, it begins to decay!

This is what happened to Paganini’s violin.
>> His once-exquisite instrument became worm-eaten and useless.


Wooden violins of other artists have been handed down from one gifted musician to another…
…. and they continue to bring great music to audiences.
>> But Paganini’s violin is a crumbling relic of what it once was!

Such will also be the case with a Christian…
… If one does not spend one’s life in service!


A Christian’s “unwillingness to serve” may soon destroy one’s capacity for usefulness!

Today, is the Feast of the Visitation…
… A beautiful incident of how Blessed Mother Mary became a person, who rendered Her life “in service” to God and others – and thus gave full bloom to the graces of God within Her!


This Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother has its origin in the medieval times.

It was observed by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its practice spread throughout the entire Church.

Previously it was celebrated on July 2….
… now it is celebrated on 31st May – between the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord ( Mar 25) and the Birth of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24), in conformity with the Gospel accounts.


One of the interesting term used by St Luke in his description of this incident (Lk 1: 39-56) is the word “HASTE”.

St Luke says: “In those days, Mary arose and went with HASTE…..” (Lk 1: 39)

Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and announced the Good News that She was to be the Mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1: 31)


Mary was “overshadowed by the Power of the Most High” (Lk 1: 35)
>> The Angel had also pointed to the mighty work that was done in the life of her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1: 36)


The Annunciation became the turning point in the life of Mary!

She was no longer the same…
… The simple girl had been exalted and chosen to be the Mother of the Most High God!
… She would no longer be seeking to do her desires; She would seek to God’s Will at all times!
… Her life would no longer be carried by her plans; Her life would be impelled by what God wanted!


The Child in Her, would now make Her to be “always in haste!”
… In haste: to serve others
… In haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God
… In haste: to have Jesus as the centre of Her life
>> The Holy Spirit completely possessed the Virgin Daughter of Nazareth and impelled her to act.


The beautiful incident of the Visitation of Mother Mary teaches us this beautiful lesson:

When Christ grows inside of us, we will be in HASTE….
… to reach out to others in service
… to spare no efforts to get out of our own comfort zones of pleasure, relaxing and lethargy
… to forget one’s own needs and be totally other-centred and radiate joy and hope to others


Mother Mary becomes the “Woman on the move” – on a continual and constant journey:
… She would embark on an hard trip to Bethlehem, while pregnant (Lk 2:4)
… She would again move – after the birth of the Child – along with Joseph, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:14)
… She would return back to Nazareth, under the instruction of the Angel of God (Mt 2:23)
… She would further travel to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and there would go in search of Her Beloved Child, when He was lost (Lk 2: 45)
… She would be travelling with Jesus in His ministry – may not be physically, but Her Heart and Soul completely accompanying Her Son
… She would, finally, even accompany physically, with Her Innocent Child on the Way of the Cross (Jn 19: 25)


Mother Mary lived the words of the poem which centuries later would be formulated by another great Saint – St Francis of Assisi:
“It is in giving that we receive…
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life…”


The Feast of the Visitation is a reminder for us examine some of the important aspects of our life…
… Am I a person allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and take complete possession of me – my words, my thoughts, my actions?
… Am I a person, having Jesus in me, impelled to reach out to the other in service? As St Paul says: “The love of Christ impels me” (2 Cor 5:14)
… Am I a person, who is daring to be a “person on the move” – moving out of my safe comfortable zones, moving out of conditioned and prejudiced mindsets, moving out to make my life of praise and honour to God?


St Ambrose says: “Delayed efforts are foreign to the grace of the Holy Spirit”

Charity is never idle!
>> Charity is always on the move …
… Sensitive to the needy
… Seeking to do good


May the Graces of God in us, not get stagnant, or decayed or rusted …
… instead may they be extended in loving service to God and His people…

And thus our life be a beautiful Magnificat: “My Soul magnifies the Lord my God, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”


As we thank the Lord for the gift of the month of May – especially with a special focus on the Rosary…
… May we, with Mamma Mary, live in holiness!


Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother Who moves us, constantly… towards Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
>> In the Beatitudes, the New Law fulfills the divine promises by elevating and orienting them toward the “kingdom of heaven.”
>> It is addressed to those open to accepting this new hope with faith – the poor, the humble, the afflicted, the pure of heart…
… those persecuted on account of Christ
… and so marks out the surprising ways of the Kingdom. (CCC # 1967)
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“Having our hearts opened, in perseverance and passion, to seek the wonderful experience of the Divine!”

(Based on 1 Pet 2:2-5, 9-12 and Mk 10: 46-52 – Thursday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time)

A man was sharing his experience of life with a group of youngsters:
“One night, a few years ago there was a total eclipse of the moon.
Everybody was talking about it.

Many even stayed up till the early hours…
… in the hope of witnessing it.

And I was asking myself: ‘Why all this interest in the moon, simply because it is disappearing?’

Of course, I don’t deny that it is a wonderful phenomenon.

But I am also convinced that most of those people wouldn’t see a full moon in the sky…
… much less stop to admire it!”

And the man said, “It brought to my mind the words of Emerson: ‘The fool wonders at the unusual; the wise person wonders at the usual.”

True vision not only admires at the unusual phenomenon of life…
… but also greatly esteems and appreciates the little beauties that are scattered all around!

Do we have the vision to appreciate the great miracles in and around us…?

Are we passionate and enthusiastic about the wonderful blessings we enjoy every day…?
… or ARE WE BLIND?

This vision to appreciate and be enthusiastic in life has its roots in an experience of the Divine.

It’s this experience that becomes a launching-pad to live a passionate life for the Lord and for His Kingdom!

The contrast is also true…

A lack of experience of the Divine makes the spiritual journey a lethargic one…
… sometimes makes it even non-existent!

The greater the experience that one has of the Divine, the higher will be one’s enthusiasm and interest in spiritual matters.

The Gospel of the Day presents the experience of the Divine by a blind person and his consequent expression of happiness and delight in the Lord.

Blind Bartimaeus experiences the Divine healing power and gives vent to his deep joy in the Lord by ‘following Him on the way’.

Jesus was passing through the land of Jericho.

As he was leaving Jericho, with His disciples, the news reached the ears of Bartimaeus.

He was blind.
We do not know how long was he so.
We do not know what was the reason for being so.

But we know one thing…
… that he would have heard about the wonders and fame of Jesus.

The very mention that “Jesus of Nazareth” was passing that way, made him to spring into pleading for mercy.

Just as the steps of the lover sounds sweet to the Beloved…
Just as the strains of music sound sweet to the singer…
So, the mention of the name, “Jesus” sounded healing and wholeness for Blind Bartimaeus!

With his might and strength, he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy” (Mk 10:47)

The crowd tried to dissuade him.
The people surrounding made efforts to silence him.

But nothing of this could prevent this determined person to cry out to his God!

Even though Bartimaeus was “physically blind,” he had the willingness to have “true vision!”

The people on the other hand, were “physically fine” but lacked the true vision…
… to see the great presence of God’s Power in their midst!

This persevering and passionate pleading of Bartimaeus was amply rewarded.

Jesus called him, and said to him, “Go your way, your faith has saved you!” (Mk 10: 52a)

This tremendous healing experience, fanned to flame the sparks of Divine Love within blind Bartimaeus!

He immediately received his sight and followed Jesus on the way (Mk 10: 52b)

This experience became a launching pad to nurture a life-long relationship with the Divine!

We too require a deeper experience of the Lord, to nurture and strengthen our spiritual life.

We sometimes remain blind to things of the spiritual dimension.
We sometimes feel rejected in our lack of progress in a holy life.
Yet, we are invited to cry out with full intensity, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Surely, this act of faith from our part, would meet with many oppositions…
… we may hear voices telling us that it is useless to cry to God and rely on His power
… we may be told that it is illogical and unreasonable to be banking on Divine assistance

But like Blind Bartimaeus, are we willing to transgress and traverse all such negative voices, and drown them with a wave of mightier faith…
… crying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Unless we undergo such a healing experience, our faith will remain shallow and our spiritual following will remain dispirited.

This healing is not just of the physical nature…
… rather it could be healing of the mind
… healing of the spirit
… or a social healing
… or an emotional healing.

The fact of being healed would make me more passionate about the Divine Healer!

The fact of being cleansed would make me more zealous about the Divine Sanctifier!

Yes, true vision not only admires at the unusual phenomenon of life…
… but also greatly esteems and appreciates the little beauties that are scattered all around!

We need to have the vision to appreciate the great miracles in and around us!
We need to be passionate and enthusiastic about the wonderful blessings we enjoy everyday!

May our hearts be opened, in perseverance and passion, to seek the wonderful experience of the Divine.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

The Law of the Gospel “fulfills,” refines, surpasses…

… and leads the Old Law to its perfection. (CCC # 1967)

“Treasuring the Lord, knowing that true riches consist ‘not in the abundance of possessions, but in the fewness of wants!’”

(Based on Sir 36:1-2, 5-6, 11-17 and Mk 10:32-45 – Wednesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time)

A rich man, who was known to be quite pious and devout in his Christian life was once encountered by a young man…
… who questioned his integrity and credibility, and wanted to prove that all his pious actions were quite hypocritical.

“How can you,” asked the young man, “claim to be a true Christian when you have so much of wealth?”

The rich person who was also extremely generous and had helped a lot of people replied: “Well, I do agree that God has blessed me with a lot of material things.
>> But at the same time, I believe that all these blessings are purely a gift from God…
… and so I reach out to the needy!

And above all, I strongly believe that my wealth consists not in the abundance of my possessions…
… but in the fewness of my wants!”


The rich man had discovered the true purpose of riches in life…
… and had also unearthed the true spirit of having riches: Not in the abundance of possessions, but in the fewness of wants!”

How beautiful a lesson is this for us Christians…
…. who live in the world, yet are called to be out of the world.
… who live amidst possibilities of wealth, yet are called to be detached from them.
… who live with the prospect of gaining immense power, yet are exhorted to not be attached


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus highlighting this essential element of Christian living: Being in the world, but living out of the world, with eyes firmly set on heavenly realms.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee approach Jesus and ask for a favour: “Grant to us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (Mk 10:37)

They sought for a prime place in the future Kingdom of the Lord.

They probably had the conception and understanding, that Jesus would rule in glory…
… and they being His chosen ones, sought for esteemed positions in this Glorious Kingdom.

They were certainly right that the Lord would surely one day rule in glory.
>> But they got it totally wrong in their understanding and perspective of the nature of this rule.


His was not to be a kingdom of arrogant display of power…
… rather one of serene majesty and mercy

His was not to be a rule of aggression and pomp…
… rather one of gentle splendour and grace.


The Lord had, as per St Mark’s Gospel, just made His third prediction, regarding His Passion, Death and Resurrection.
>> He was revealing the true nature and character of the victory that He was to gain.
>> He was exposing the manner in which His glory would be stamped upon all ages to come.

However, the disciples fell short in grasping these words of the Lord.

St Mark says that “they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid” (Mk 10: 32b).

Our lives are very often no different, from the ignorance that the disciples had and the wrong notion that was expressed by James and John.

We fall prey to seeking great honour and fame in being a Christian…
… but are unable to grasp the fact that ‘to be a Christian is to be living a life of simplicity’.

We yield to temptations of being obsessed to seek power and positions of futile vanity…
… and fail time and again to live up to the Christian virtues of humility and modesty.

We often become victims of engaging in dirty politics and authority-grabbing games…
… and become an anti-witness to the Lord who ‘came to serve, rather than be served’

We need to give heed to the words of the Lord who prayed that “we are in the world, but do not belong to this world” (Jn 17: 15)

A Christian life… ought to be hallmarked by detachment and separation…
… detachment from too much of worldly distractions and vain glory
… separation from sinful ways and evil tendencies

A Christian life… ought to be radiated with total focus and complete dedication…
… total focus on the Lord who ‘walked the talk’ by giving up His life in service
… complete dedication to the Kingdom of God which calls for a humble way of life

Let us learn this secret that being rich in the Lord consists “not in the abundance of possessions, but in the fewness of wants!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
>> If anyone should meditate with devotion and perspicacity on the sermon our Lord gave on the mount…
… as we read in the Gospel of Saint Matthew
… he will doubtless find there – the perfect way of the Christian life
>> This sermon contains all the precepts needed to shape one’s life. (CCC # 1965)
—————————

“Growing in the assurance that God is always holding us, and remaining calm and confident in this journey of life!”

(Based on 1 Pet 1:10-16 and Mk 10:28-31 – Tuesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

One day a person who was going through much spiritual and mental perplexity called up his friend.

He knew that his friend was able to remain sturdy and confident, even in the midst of troubles of life.
>> And so he desired to learn from him this secret to stay calm

“Tell me,” the anxious friend asked over the phone, “how is it that you can trust God so easily? How is it that you always got hold of God?”

For some time, the person was silent.
>> And then, taking a deep sigh, he replied, “It surely did take me a while to know and learn this.

But let me be honest with you.
>> Even now I have my moments when I don’t know if I have got hold of God…
… but one thing I have learnt over the years: ‘God always has a hold of me!”


It was this assurance that God was always holding him…
… that allowed this person to remain calm and confident in his journey of life.

Are we ready to grow deeper in this fact: that God is always having a hold of me…
… and this assurance that translates to a life of trust and confidence!


Our lives in the Lord, is a spiritual journey…
>> The greater assurance we have in the promises of the Lord, the more pleasant will be our journey
>> The stronger our assurances in the Word of the Lord, the swifter will be our progress in this journey towards the Lord


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring His assured promises to those who follow Him, sincerely and wholeheartedly.

Jesus tells to Peter and the other disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and the sake of the Gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age…
… and eternal life in the age to come” (Mk 10: 29)


This incident takes place right after the encounter of the rich young man with Jesus (Mk 10 17-22)

This man was proposed by Jesus to sell all his possessions and then follow Him.
>> The man, however, found it hard, to let go off his attachments, and instead let go of the Lord.

He went away sad!
>> Peter, as the leader of the disciples, however, contrasts this “possessive and worldly” tendency of the rich young man by telling Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you” (Mk 10: 28)


Perhaps, there was a growing concern among the disciples, as to whether their radical decision to commit themselves to the Master would go in vain!
>> Perhaps, there was an apparent fear within the disciples, as to whether their decisions to leave their professions, their families and their aspirations to follow the Lord would go fruitless!


How often does metimes sink in hopelessness, thinking whether our expressions of faith would end up in meaninglessness!

Sometimes even fearful thoughts and anxious emotions may cross our mind…
… will the various sacrifices and pains that I take up for the Lord, go in vain?
… will my unshed tears, my unspoken prayers and painful sighs, end up in futility?
… will the efforts I make to grow in love and nourish others in faith, lead to fruitlessness?

But the Lord assures us, that none of these efforts – small or great, noticed or unnoticed, seen or unseen – will escape the penetrating eyes of the Lord and go unrewarded.

All our actions, done in love has an assured reward!


What is however, most essential, is our total focus on the Lord and unflinched commitment to Him.

The Lord most certainly assures us of rewards and gifts.
>> But, in this pursuit, may we not stray or lose focus of Him!

Our lives ought to be impelled by the love for the God of rewards…
… than merely the rewards of God!
>> Our lives must be lived in faithfulness to the God of gifts…
… than being fascinated only to the gifts of God!


May the Lord Himself be our greatest reward…
… our finest gift!


When we grow in the assurance that God is always holding us…
… we can remain calm and confident in this journey of life.

Yes… GOD IS ALWAYS HAVING A HOLD OF ME!


Are we ready to grow deeper in this awareness?


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL
>> It is the work of Christ and is expressed particularly in the Sermon on the Mount.
>> It is also the work of the Holy Spirit and through him it becomes the interior law of charity.” (CCC # 1965)
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“Being possessed by the Lord, so that we may have a wonderful life of eternity with the Lord of all treasures!”

(Based on 1 Pet 1:3-9 and Mk 10:17-27 – Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A story is told about Phythius, an ancient King of Lydia ( Lydia – a place in the present day Turkey).

Phythius was very wealthy, but also very greedy, and he would spend as little as possible.

His wife – the Queen – was however, greatly determined to cure him of this “wealth mania!”

One day when he came home hungry from a long hunt, she told the slaves to place before him dishes that were filled with gold…
… gold that was fresh from the royal gold mines.

The King stared down at his gold-filled plates, admiring them for some time, and then he asked for some food.

“Food?” his wife asked, feigning surprise, “But surely they have brought you what you love best in the world, haven’t they?”

“What are you talking about?” the King replied, as he lost his temper, “Gold can’t satisfy my hunger.”

“No?” the Queen answered, “Is it not foolish then to have such love for something that cannot be useful so long as you hang on to it?

Believe me; gold is truly of service only to people who exchange it for the good and useful things of life.”

The rich young man in the Gospel of the Day also faced a similar “wealth mania”…
… and was reminded that “riches come to have true value, only when given in service, to the needy”

Are we also facing a “wealth mania” in our lives?

The young man in the Gospel approaches Jesus to ask, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10: 17)

When Jesus gave him a list of commandments, that needed to be followed to help ensure a passage into eternal life, the man replied, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth” (Mk 10: 20)

We underline a few aspects of this young man…
… he did desire for a life of eternity and followed the commandments
… he did nurture a sense of being pious and devout, to please the Lord

However…
… he probably failed to live up to the intentions of the commandments
… he possibly got lost into only keeping the letters of the commandments; not the spirit!

He got attached to doing God’s commandment…
… but failed to break his attachments with the riches of the world.
He possessed the good will to follow God’s teachings…
… but failed to let go of the possessions of his life.

The Lord realized this “pitiable” condition of the young man.

He was wealthy in the world…
… but was unable to be rich before God
He was obedient to the laws…
… but was unable to be obedient to give up his attachments.

Therefore, the Lord, knowing this state of the young man – devout yet not properly focused – “looked at him, loved him, and said, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come, follow me'” (Mk 10: 21)

This young man could represent any one of us…

We seek to be pious but find it hard to let go of our possessions
We seek for holiness in life but go through a struggle to give up our attachments
We seek to follow the Lord wholly but stumble to give ourselves entirely to the Lord

Yet, the Lord does not give up on us…

He looks on us…
He loves us…
And He invites us, to have the proper focus in life!

It is not material possessions that ought to occupy our hearts; rather, our hearts needs to be possessed with the Love for the Lord.

It is not worldly treasures that should be our prime motto in life; rather, a life, dedicated to the Kingdom of God and helping the needy with the resources we have.

Our life is totally in the control of the Lord.

Our material possessions will be of no avail, when we leave this world.
Our hands will not be able to hold any riches when we depart from this life.

Let us instead be possessed by the Lord, gather the precious stones of His grace and love by works of charity and hold on to Him…
… so that we may have a wonderful life of eternity with the Lord of all treasures!

Let us give heed to some of the wise and noble sayings of Holy People who have described the necessity to be detached from the riches of the world…

St Bede the Venerable: “He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.”
St Alphonsus Liguori: “Those who desire nothing from this world are masters of the whole world.”
St Gregory the Great: “Be not anxious about what you have, but about what you are… Make use of temporal things, but set your heart on eternal things.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE NEW LAW OR THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL

The New Law or the Law of the Gospel…
… is the perfection here on earth of the divine law

… natural and revealed. (CCC # 1965)