“Being faithful to the entrusted the duty of being zealous workers of the Kingdom of God!”

(Based on Eph 3:2-12 and Lk 12:39-48 – Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An incident is reported that took place a few years ago.

A former astronaut took over as head of a major airline company.
He was extremely ambitious to make his company the best airline service provider.

Once, when this new president was making an inspection of a particular department, he came across an employee…
… resting his feet on the desk, while the telephone was ringing continuously.

“Are you not going to pick up the phone?” queried the boss, with a sense of displeasure.

“That’s not my department!” answered the employee indifferently!

He had not recognised his new boss.

“I work in the maintenance section!” he replied.
“Huh!” quipped the president, “Not anymore!”

The casual attitude and the laid-back and easy-going approach of the employee cost him his job.

The new boss would not tolerate any people, who failed to show a sense of responsibility and commitment…
… which are essential and undeniable qualities in the pursuit of perfection and excellence!

What about us?
Is our Christian life characterised by responsibility and commitment?
Or do we have a casual attitude and a laid-back and easy-going approach?

The Gospel of the Day presents to us a strong reminder by the Lord to take our Christian life seriously…
… with its undeniable duties and its unavoidable sense of responsibility.

Jesus speaks of the coming of the Son of Man at an unexpected time…
… just as the coming of a thief is unknown to the master of a house (Lk 12: 39-40)

What are some of the characteristics of the coming of a thief to the house?

1. It happens in the quiet of the night….
   … so that no one becomes aware and the setting is perfectly safe
   There is a sense of ‘anonymity’
2. It takes place when none of the people in the house are expecting it…
   … thus leaving them completely startled and unprepared
   There is the element of ‘total surprise’
3. It happens in areas where there is emptiness or lesser security measures
   … thus creating greater potency to danger and sharper damage
   There is a factor of ‘missed opportunity to take care’

These then are the “loopholes” in our spiritual life, that can cause us to be off-guard…
… when the Lord appears in His Second Coming (just as the coming of the thief in the night)…

A sense of ‘anonymity’
An element of ‘total surprise’
A factor of ‘missed opportunity to take care’

Do we remain “anonymous” to the Lord…
… by remaining ignorant of His teachings and commandments – even though He addresses very often through the Bible and the Church?
… by failing to give heed to the repeated reminders by the Lord through various advices from our caring one, and the guidance we receive through sermons, reflections, messages and life-situations?

Do we get caught with “total surprise” at the Will of God in our lives…
… failing to see the providential hand of God in the struggles and hardships that we undergo?
… entering into a sense of despair and discouragement when things don’t happen the way we plan?

Do we become victims of “missing opportunities to take care”…
… by failing to do the many good works which we can perform, but fail, owing to our slackness?
… by taking the stance of being indifferent in situations of injustice and discriminations?

The Lord clearly warns even in the Book of Revelation…
… “If therefore you shall not watch, I will come to you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you.” (Rev 3:1-3)

Though this passage may cause a sense of fear and insecurity, we also need to consider, the converse…
… that if we are prepared and alert
… that if we are ready and vigilant
then the “coming of the Lord” becomes a joyful waiting and an expectant hope!

Nothing fears the one who is prepared, to meet the Lord!

St Paul encourages us through these words: “But you brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief!” (1 Thess 5: 2-4)

When we are in the Light of Christ…
… by a constant life of vigilant prayer
… by a faithful life of sacraments
… by a committed life to the Church

No darkness can overpower us; No fear of thieves can cause panic!

As Christians, each one us are entrusted the duty of being faithful “employees” of the Kingdom of God!

Are we going to “rest our feet on the desk”…
… with a casual attitude and a laid-back and easy-going approach…?

Or shall we be “armed and ever-ready to serve”…
… with a sense of responsibility and commitment…?

Be ready…

Our Boss – The Lord – may come anytime….!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – Take this and eat it, all of you”: Communion

Before so great a sacrament, the faithful can only echo humbly and with ardent faith the words of the Centurion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul will be healed.”
And in the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom the faithful pray in the same spirit: O Son of God, bring me into communion today with your mystical supper…
… I shall not tell your enemies the secret, nor kiss you with Judas’ kiss. But like the good thief I cry, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church.

Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest. (CCC #1386-1387)

“Growing in our love for the Word and living the Word, in all our daily activities of life, with St Luke, the Great Evangelist!”

(Based on the Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist)

A poor woman had lost her husband and was going through a great deal of agony and distress.

One day, her neighbour brought her a small, worn-out pamphlet.
She gave it to the sorrowful woman and told her:
“I found this lying on the street. Somebody must have dropped it.
I read it.
>> There is a wonderful story of a Man Who helps those who are unhappy.
I thought of you. It might do you help!”

The sorrowful woman took it.
>> She not only read it, but also had her life transformed by it!

The pamphlet was a copy of the Gospel of St Luke!

This Gospel with its powerful themes of consolation and comfort had brought peace and relief to the woman in sorrow.


Today, on this Feast day of the Evangelist St Luke, let us meditate on this beautiful gift which he has penned – the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St Luke.


St Jerome was of the opinion that, “among all the evangelists, St Luke was the most skilled writer of Greek.”


It is to St Luke that we owe some of the finest Gospel portraits…
>> The nostalgic infancy narratives of Jesus
… The Annunciation of Jesus (1: 26-38)
… The Birth of John the Baptist (1: 57-66)
… The visit of the shepherds at the Birth of Jesus (2: 15-20)
… The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (2: 22-38)
… The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (2: 41-52)

>> The distinguished and daring ministries of Jesus
… The Programmatic Speech in Nazareth, His hometown (4: 16-30)
… The raising of widow’s son at Nain (7: 11-17)
… The story of Martha and Mary of Bethany (10: 38-42)
… The Samaritan Leper (17: 11-19)
… The transformation of Zacchaeus (19: 1-10)
… The conversion of the good thief (23: 39-43)
… The encounter with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (24: 13-35)

>> The illustrious and much-loved parables
… The Good Samaritan (10: 29-37)
… The Prodigal Son (15: 11-32)
… Rich Man and Lazarus (16: 19-31)
… The Persevering Widow (18: 1-8)
… The Publican and the Tax Collector (18: 9-14)


The marvellous brush of the Physician St Luke has some unique thrusts as well…
… which are also great reminders to us, in our spiritual lifestyle.

1. A Gospel of Inclusive
St Luke’s Gospel has distinctive stories and incidents on how Jesus accepted and recognized the dignity of those, who were otherwise, left out in the society…
… the Samaritans
… the tax-collectors
… the public sinners
… the women

>> Am I a person who is willing to accept those who are rejected, abandoned and pushed-out of the society?
>> Do I exhibit “exclusivist” mentality by sticking on to only “my” culture, language, race, class etc and fail to celebrate differences?


2. A Gospel of Prayer
St Luke’s Gospel presents greatly the aspect of the prayer, by presenting many instances…
… of Jesus praying
… of Jesus exhorting on prayer
… of many Temple scenes

>> Am I a person who enjoys the taste of prayer?
>> Do I fail to have a regular and consistent time to spend with the Lord and discover and implement the Father’s Will in my life?


3. A Gospel of the Poor
St Luke displays his special love for the poor…
… through his many parables on the poor
… and the denouncement of riches…

>> And thus exalts them as the “favoured ones of God” and restoring their dignity and honour
>> Do I make radical choices to grow in my “poverty” i.e. my total dependence on the Providence of God?
>> Do I share my gifts, my talents and my riches, with those in need and find joy in this sharing?


4. A Gospel of the meal
St Luke’s Gospel has an interesting presentation of Jesus as most of the time being “at meal or on the way to a meal”
>> There are nearly 19 references to food, with 13 of them being exclusive to this Gospel.
The meal is a reference to the communitarian dimension in spirituality!

>> Am I a person who cherishes the presence of the other and be willing to celebrate life?
>> Do I also become aware that the Lord constantly calls us to share in His Meal – the Holy Eucharist and make my life, in turn, a Eucharist to the other?


The Gospel of Luke has also many other features and names…which we can pick up for our personal reflection:
>> The Gospel of the Holy Spirit…
>> The Gospel of the Blessed Mother Mary…
>> The Gospel of Joy…
>> The Gospel of Women…
>> The Gospel of Universality…
>> The Gospel of Repentance…
>> The Gospel showing True Richness… etc…


St Luke has left us a masterpiece with His account of the Life of Jesus!
>> Some of the most pictorial, most classical, most loved, most remembered and most cherished incidents and parables are from this Gospel…

The Gospel of St Luke, along with many more themes is a wonderful reminder of the Love and Mercy of God…
… calling us to live in joy and service.


May this Feast Day of this Great Evangelist…
… help us to grow in our love for the Word, by reading and reflecting daily
… and living the Word, in all our daily activities of life!


Happy Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – Take this and eat it, all of you”: Communion
>> To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment.
>> St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 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.”
>> Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion. (CCC #1385)
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“Depending less and less on material aspects of life, so that we can grow more and more close to the Lord!”

(Based on Eph 2:1-10 and Lk 12:13-21 – Monday of the 29th Sunday Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

Many things in life follow the principle of “Inverse Proportionality”

The Principle of Inverse Proportionality can be explained…
… that when the value of one unit increases, there is a decrease in the value of another unit.


The time taken for a journey is inversely proportional to the speed of travel…
… Higher the speed of travel, lesser is the time taken for the journey

The brightness of light that is seen is inversely proportional to the distance from the source of light
… The more the distance between the source, the lesser will be the brightness of the light that is seen


This principle of Inverse Proportionality can be also applied to spiritual entities…..

The greatness of a person is inversely proportional to one’s level of pride
… The greater the person, lesser is the pride of that person

The sanctity of a person is inversely proportional to the occasions of sins one indulges.
… The holier the person, the lesser will be the occasion of sins one falls into


This principle is also seen strongly in today’s Gospel Reading…

The closeness of a person to God is inversely proportional to one’s dependence on material things
… The closer the person is to God, the further one will be from material things and pleasures

The distance from the Kingdom is inversely proportional to the amount of worldly riches one possesses
… The closer one is to the worldly riches, the farther one will be from the Kingdom of God


In the Gospel of the day, we see the clear illustration of this fact through the story of the Rich Fool.

Jesus says: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Lk 12: 15)

“Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Lk 12: 21)


What makes this Principle of Inverse Proportionality to work in terms of Richness and the Kingdom?

Worldly possessions takes one’s heart away from possessing God as the Greatest Treasure…

Money and Richness causes one’s mind to not depend on God and on His Providence and Intervention…

Prosperity and Affluence makes one’s soul to stray away from the Hand of God and His Love and Care…


It is a reality and happening in our world today that….
>> On one side, the money in one’s hand is more…
… but the amount of happiness and peace is less

>> On one side, the wealth of the world is increasing…
… but the poor in the world are in no way decreasing

>> On one side, the capacity of buying is much high…
… but the actual acquiring of real satisfaction is too low


Are things all too negative?

>> Is the situation too grim and bad?
>> Is there not a way out of this crazy maze?

“For humans it is impossible…but for God, all things are possible!” (Mt 19: 26)


There is a BIG lesson in that verse for our world today…

All too often, human beings…
… have asserted supremacy and power in conquering the world…
… have claimed superiority and dominance over all realms of living…
… have boasted proud statements and haughty actions in claiming to be all powerful…


The power and capacity of human beings, certainly is much, but it is still with a limit.

Today, we are called to understand, accept and acknowledge this limit…
… this constraint!
… this boundary!

When we make an effort to share our riches with others…
… God is able to bolster our spiritual blessings!

When we learn to be detached from our attachments to money…
… God is able to attach Himself to our lives!

When we seek to grow less dependent on our wealth…
… God is able to be the One on whom we can rely totally!

When we try to give up our materialistic thinking…
… God is able to fill our inner desires and longings of the soul!


It may be hard for us to let go of our dependence on material wealth

But God will strengthen us!


Let’s follow the words of Holy Father Pope Francis:
“So often we today can find our faith challenged by the world & in countless ways, we are asked to compromise our faith, to water down the radical demands of the Gospel & to conform to the spirit of this age…
… LET’S PUT CHRIST FIRST!”


The Principle of Inverse Proportionality is a reality in our spiritual lives…

Let’s depend less and less on the power of money…
… so we can grow more and more close to the Lord!

Let’s give minimal control to the power of richness…
… so that we can give maximum control to the Lord!


Yes…
Less and less of me…
… and More and More of You, O Lord!


God Bless! Live Jesus!


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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – Take this and eat it, all of you”: Communion
>> The Lord addresses an invitation to us, urging us to receive him in the sacrament of the Eucharist:
“Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (CCC #1384)
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“Remaining firm and perseverant in our prayer life and reaching out in justice and giving comfort and consolation to the needy!”

(Based on Exod 17:8-13, 2 Tim 3:14-4:2 and Lk 18:1-8 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

An interesting incident is mentioned in the life of Jan Paderewski
>> He was a famous Polish pianist and a pioneer of the solo recital at music concerts.


It is said that when Paderewski was to leave his native Poland to play his first recital in London…
… he asked an influential compatriot to give him a letter of introduction, to a leading figure in Britain’s musical world
>> This was for any assistance, should anything go amiss.

The letter was handed to him in a sealed envelope.
Paderewski hoped that everything would proceed smoothly and he would not have to use the letter.

Well…
… he did not have to use the letter.
>> His debut was a great success and he soon began to climb the ladder of success.


Some years later, while going through his papers, he came upon the ‘letter of introduction’ and opened it.
>> He was surprised to read the content:
“This will introduce Jan Paderewski, who plays the piano, for which he demonstrates no conspicuous (visible/noticeable) talent.”


Life… is often such!

Discouragements lure everywhere!
Rejections prowl all around
>> Do we get bogged down by such discouragements and rejections?
>> Are we people who bring about discouragement and rejection to people?


The Gospel of the Day is the Parable of the Persistent Widow.


The Parable speaks of a judge and a widow.

The judge is characterized by some features:
>> He did not fear God.
>> He did not fear humans.
He was initially adamant in his refusal.

The Widow is characterized by some features:
>> She had a genuine need.
>> She was denied justice.
She remained persistent till the end.


We often have many and true needs.
>> But we do sometimes find ourselves, a bit depressed at the delays in receiving the answers to our prayers.

The parable encourages and exhorts us to remain persistent in our prayer life and not to get discouraged by God’s delays, which apparently appears as God’s denials.

Yes, God’s delays are certainly not His denials!
>> God’s pauses are certainly not His refuses!


At the same time, this parable invites us to switch roles:
>> To see ourselves as the Judge…
… and God as the Widow.


Widows in the first century found themselves at a very sad state.

They were quite literally unprotected.
Many became homeless and destitute after the death of their husbands.
>> Often they were at mercy of cunning men, including some religious leaders who would “devour widows’ houses” (Mk 12:40)

A widow couldn’t count on anyone to come to her aid.
>> She represents the hopeless….the unaided…the oppressed.


In Mt 25:35, Jesus identifies Himself with the one who was hungry, thirsty, naked, stranger and the imprisoned.
>> Jesus in the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger and the imprisoned…
… is the hopeless one …the unaided one …the oppressed one.


Jesus, like the widow in the Parable… comes knocking at our door:
>> Behold I stand at the door, and knock… (Rev 3:20)


As the oppressed and justice-deprived Widow, Jesus, knocks at our door – we, the judges.
>> What is our reaction and response to the voice of the needy and the helpless?


The cry of the one in pain and suffering reaches our ears…
>> Do I reach out my heart to them and seek to ease their troubles and hardships?

The moaning of a broken family or a lost teenager or a spoilt child comes to us…
>> Do I pray for them and help them, in ways possible for me?

The sad tear of the abused or oppressed people with whom we work is seen by us…
>> Do I get out of my comfort-shell to make them feel comforted and consoled?

The disturbing reports of violence, corruption, injustice in society falls on our senses…
>> Do I remain indifferent to them and become saturated with such atrocities?


Yes… the widow – the hopeless, the unaided and the oppressed one… keeps knocking at our doors…
As a Judge…
… do I keep refusing?
… do I keep getting irritated?
… do I feel life as a botheration?


Life often has discouragements luring everywhere and rejections prowling all around
>> Do we get bogged down by such discouragements and rejections?
>> Are we people who bring about discouragement and rejection to people?


The Parable of the Persistent Widow is certainly a big lesson to remain firm and perseverant in our prayer life.
>> And when looked from another perspective is also a big challenge to become a people who reach out in justice and give comfort and consolation to the needy.


Knock….knock…
>> Do we hear the knock, seeking for help?


God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The Paschal Banquet
>> The altar, around which the Church is gathered in the celebration of the Eucharist, represents the two aspects of the same mystery: the altar of the sacrifice and the table of the Lord.
>> This is all the more so since the Christian altar is the symbol of Christ himself, present in the midst of the assembly of his faithful, both as the victim offered for our reconciliation and as food from heaven who is giving himself to us.
>> “For what is the altar of Christ if not the image of the Body of Christ?” asks St. Ambrose.
>> He says elsewhere, “The altar represents the body [of Christ] and the Body of Christ is on the altar.”
>> The liturgy expresses this unity of sacrifice and communion in many prayers.
>> Thus the Roman Church prays in its anaphora: “We entreat You, Almighty God, that by the hands of Your holy Angel, this offering may be borne to Your Altar in heaven, in the sight of Your Divine majesty, so that as we receive in communion at this Altar, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Your Son, we may be filled with every heavenly blessing and grace!” (CCC #1383)
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“Joyfully and courageously proclaiming the Lord to others, and bringing many more to experience the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Eph 1:15-23 and Lk 12:8-12 – Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

One day as a woman was crossing a street in a busy city railway station, an old man stopped her and said, “Excuse me, Ma’am, but I want to thank you.”

“Thank me?” she exclaimed.

“Yes Ma’m. I used to be a ticket collector, and whenever you went by, you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good morning.
I knew that smile must have come from inside somewhere.”

He continued: “Then one morning I saw a little Bible in your hand.
I realised the source of your joy!

And so I bought one too…
… and I found Jesus!”

The joyful witness of the woman, brought about a conversion in the life of that ticket collector.

What about us?

Are we also joyful and courageous, in giving witness to Christ and His Gospel Values in our modern society?

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by our Blessed Lord with a challenging tone, to be powerful and bold, in acknowledging His Presence.

Jesus says: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God;
But he who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God” (Lk 12: 8-9)

Christian Life is a life seeking to profess and proclaim the Lord…
… by word and deed
… with lips and actions
… through happy moments and struggles of life!

Do we do that?

Or are we sometimes…
… shy?
… afraid?
… reluctant?
… uncertain?
… or even negated?

We could reflect on some aspects of our life, whereby we examine, how much we acknowledge the Lord in our life

1. The Blessings of the Lord
   God has gifted each one of us with immense Graces and Blessings.

Do we acknowledge ‘the Blessings of the Lord’ in our Life?
… with a word of thanks and gratitude, everyday?
… by seeking to be, in turn, a blessing to others, by a life of service?

2. The Providence of the Lord
   Providence refers to the Protective care of the Lord, at all times, in every situation.
   When we look back into our life, we see how beautifully, God constantly leads us.

True, there are times when we have felt the “absence” of God or the Lord being “at a distance” from us, especially in situations of struggles and suffering

But, when look back later… we do find… “God had been joining all those ‘dots of loneliness’ and making a beautiful picture!”

Do we acknowledge ‘the Providence of the Lord’ in our life…
… by being more optimistic, knowing that our God will surely have His way, and make “rivers to flow, even in the deserts?”
… by not falling into anxiety or extreme worry; instead allowing ourselves to rest on His Caring Heart, knowing, that He is holding us tenderly in His Arms, as a Shepherd holds the tender lamb?

3. The Love and Mercy of the Lord
   Each of our life is a beautiful saga of God’s Love and Mercy

We have been created in love… we have been initiated to Salvation in His Mercy
We have been constantly encouraged by His Love… we have been continually lifted by, by His Mercy

Do we acknowledge ‘the Love and Mercy of the Lord’ in our life…
… by seeking to always do His Will in our Life and letting go of our own ego and selfish desires?
… by turning to Him in repentance, when we go away from His Love?
… by infusing more love into every action that we do, and thus witnessing His Face of Mercy to all around us?

4. The Authority of the Lord
   The Lord is the Supreme Authority of this entire universe.

It is His Power and Wisdom that sustains everything.

The presence of evil and sufferings around us, may sometimes, make us question His Power and Glory.

Sometimes, the presence of pains and miseries in our life, may also make us doubt His Power and Authority

But can we recognize, that God, in His infinite Goodness and Wisdom, works out everything for our good (Rom 8:28)

Do we acknowledge ‘the Authority of the Lord’ in our life…
… by offering our lives to His Supreme Wisdom, and marching forward with Hope, knowing that “the One Who has begun His Good Work in us, will bring it to completion” (Phil 1:6)
… by seeking His Permission in all the activities that we engage in, so that His Grace will inform us, in the best and right path?

5. The Presence of the Lord
   The Presence of the Lord surrounds and encompasses us at every moment… at every step of our life.

This Presence is especially cherished and celebrated in the Sacraments, that the Church offers.

Do we acknowledge ‘the Presence of the Lord” in our life…
… by turning our hearts, in conscious awareness, to the Presence of the Lord, in the midst of our work and activities?
… by longing for and meaningfully celebrating the Sacraments that the Church offers?

As a Christian, surely, it is not easy to profess and proclaim.

But the Lord invites each one of us, gently and tenderly, to acknowledge Him in our lives.

It is when we grow in these “areas of acknowledgement” that we can joyfully and courageously proclaim the Lord to others…
… and thus bring many more to experience the Love of Christ!

Let the prayer of St Teresa of Avila, whose feast we celebrate today, become our own:
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours!

No hands but yours!
No feet but yours!
Yours are the eyes through which to look out Christ’s compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good;
Yours are the hands with which He is to bless now!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The Paschal Banquet

The Mass is at the same time, and inseparably, the sacrificial memorial in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated and the sacred banquet of communion with the Lord’s body and blood.
But the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice is wholly directed toward the intimate union of the faithful with Christ through communion.

To receive communion, is to receive Christ Himself, Who has offered Himself for us. (CCC #1382)

“Peeling away our mask of hypocrisy by casting away our fears and throwing ourselves into the care of our Loving God!”

(Based on Eph 1:11-14 and Lk 12:1-7 – Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A group of people visiting a magnificent church, came across a large clock in the sacristy.

What attracted the visitors, more than the clock, was the caption written beneath the large clock!

It seems that the clock was habitually too fast or too slow.

And so, a good old-sacristan realising that it was beyond repair, decided to write a caption on the placard.

The caption read: “Neither believe nor blame what my hands show!

The trouble lies deeper!
Therefore, even in life, ensure that you set your interior right, so that your externals display the truth!”

The hands of the clock displayed wrong timings…
… because the interior parts had some trouble!

So often are our external actions such in life!

We seem to be putting on a show outside…
… but the truth of the action can be known, only if the interior intention is true!
We seem to be good at displaying a clean image…
… but the sincerity of our deeds will be known, if we truly ensure purity from within!

We are into a reflection of this aspect of Hypocrisy yet again with Jesus’ insists on this evil tendency with a greater force & urgency.

Hypocrisy is a vice which is much hated by Jesus.

Hypocrisy is a vice which Jesus constantly asks to weed out.
Hypocrisy is a vice which often lurks its head in our lives, knowingly or unknowingly.

Hypocrisy is duplicity.
Hypocrisy is pretence.

It is trying to be someone, that one is not.
It is deceiving others by presenting a false self.
It is masking one’s real identity to show one to be someone else.

The word “hypocrisy” is a composite word in the Greek. It comes from the joining of two words:

Hupo is the Greek word for “under.” … Krino, is the Greek “to separate or judge.”
So Hupo + Krino = Hypocrisy means to “be under or stay under and separate or judge!”

This word was mainly used in Greek theatres and plays to describe those “actors who would speak their parts, behind a mask!”

Hypocrites in real life, extend this “acting” to their everyday life…

People who try to impress others, in order to hide their real lives!
People who act more spiritual and holy than they actually are!
People who behave to be too good before others, but a sham within!

Do I have any of such aspects of “hypocritical… acting” in my life?

Our Lord calls this vice of hypocrisy as a Yeast…

Jesus speaks to His disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy” (Lk 12: 1b)

Why Yeast?
Yeast or Leaven is something that is used in baking.

Yeast has the great property of Influence…

A little amount of yeast is enough to raise the dough or to leaven the batter.
It has a great characteristic of exercising a great amount of influence, though little in quantity!

Hypocrisy is such… though a little amount, it is highly influential, like the yeast…

Hypocritical people are able…
… to boast much about themselves and exert harmful controls!
… to make other people highly pessimistic and negative!
… to drain out the spirit and the enthusiasm in others!

Yeast starts slow, but grows very quickly…

It has the great characteristic of exercising its great influence in a timid manner, but rises very fast and swiftly.

Hypocrisy is such… though it starts slow, it spreads its influence speedily, like the yeast…

Hypocritical people appear subtle initially, but later it becomes almost a part of their nature!

How does Hypocrisy usually originate?

Usually from a Fear…

Fear of the people makes one to adopt a totally different disposition and character.
Fear of the situations makes one to adjust with a duplicate personality and behaviour.
Fear of one’s weaknesses makes one to alter the style of life and tamper with one’s nature.

That’s why the Lord, in today’s Gospel would strongly exhort, “Fear Not!”

When we banish the fear of many factors, we are able to be our real self.
When we cast away the fear of our material worries, we are able to live our true identity.

God is our Loving Father… a Caring Person… He wants us to grow in Holiness and Sanctity.

But He also knows that our double standards in life and our pretence in many areas of our life…
… is a block to His Grace in us.

We all wear masks, and the time sometimes comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.

The Lord today invites us to peel away our mask of hypocrisy by casting away our fears, by throwing ourselves into the care of our Loving God, our Beloved Father in Heaven!

Let us “ensure that we set our interior right…
… so that our externals display the truth!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE PASCHAL BANQUET

The Mass is at the same time, and inseparably, the sacrificial memorial in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated and the sacred banquet of communion with the Lord’s body and blood.
But the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice is wholly directed toward the intimate union of the faithful with Christ through communion.

To receive communion is to receive Christ himself who has offered himself for us. (CCC #1382)

“Shaking off the Pharisaic tendency of duplicity and dishonesty!”

(Based on Eph 1:1-10 and Lk 11:47-12:1 – Thursday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

It is said about a famous writer who would climb a ladder to his attic, where he worked until dark.

His devoted wife was left alone in the room below.

One evening at dinner, the wife asked why he had never expressed appreciation for the food she lovingly prepared for him.
“Woman,” the writer-husband retorted, “must you be paid for everything you do?”
With that, he stamped off to his attic workshop.

Years later, when his wife died, the man found her diary.

On tear-stained pages, he read this recurring refrain:
“Oh, I wish you would say a kind word or give me a compliment now and then…
… about the things I try to do to make you happy!”

So many times it happens thus in life…

We render assistance in many ways to people…
… but they fall short of being grateful to us
We sometimes even hear them being negatively critical about us, and defaming us.

But perhaps, after our death, these people might acclaim how wonderful a person he/she was!

We often become a people who fail to appreciate when a person is alive…
… but shower praises after his/her death!

Jesus, in the Gospel of the Day speaks of a similar attitude and tendency among the Pharisees.

In His continued attacks on the hypocrisy and duplicity of the Pharisees, Jesus condemns them for building memorials of the Prophets who were killed and murdered by their ancestors. (Cf. Lk 11:47-48)

The Prophets of the old, lived as the true men of God and constantly called the people to a life of repentance and being faithful to God.

But these prophets were very often persecuted, attacked and even killed.

The Prophets, who were the voice of God, while living, had their voices were silenced and drowned by the wicked people…

But after their death, they used to be quoted and cited in many scholarly and erudite circles.
An attitude of ungratefulness while living…
… but false appreciation after death!

The Prophets, who called the people to live as per their true conscience, had their lives terminated and ended by the wicked people…

But after their death, they had fine memorials and beautiful tombs built in their name
A tendency of indifference while living…
… but vain glorification after death!

The Prophets, who became the champion of justice and truth, had their efforts ceased and their labours aborted by the wicked people…

But after their death, they had many oratories and exquisite lectures in their name.
An approach of passivity while living…
… but fake interest after death!

Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their deception, as they too become sharers of the blood of the True Prophets and the Men of God!

Jesus’ attacks on this Pharisaic attitude is a strong reminder and warning to each one of us too…

To realize the worth and value of people, while they are alive…
… and not just heap up empty words of praise, after their death!
To realize the importance of recognizing the true spirit and teachings of people around us…
… and not become too late in realizing their significance!

Life is too short to miss appreciating people for their genuine efforts and contributions.

Life is too short to not give people the worth for all what they are in our lives.

A fresh flower given when alive is far worth and appreciable than a bouquet given at the grave!
Appreciate people when they are around…

Enthuse people when situations are favourable…
Encourage people when time and space permit us…

Let us shake off the Pharisaic tendency of duplicity and dishonesty

Instead clothe ourselves in genuineness and truthfulness…
… by appreciating and realizing the value and worth of people in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

“That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that ‘cannot be apprehended by the senses,’ says St. Thomas, ‘but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.’
For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 (‘This is my body which is given for you.’), St. Cyril says: ‘Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Saviour in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'”
“Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore
Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,
See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart
Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.
Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;
What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;

Truth Himself speaks truly or there’s nothing true.” (CCC #1381)

“Rooting out every Pharisaic tendency from our lives!”

(Based on Gal 5:18-25 and Lk 11:42-46 – Wednesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Heard of a slam-book?

A slam book is a notebook which is popular among the school and college students.

This slam-book is also known as a friendship book or a profile book.
It is a book to know the friend better and to also pen some of the thoughts and feelings about a friend.

The book consists of a number of questions which gives various details and information.

Some of the questions include, “What is your favourite food?”, “Which places have you visited”, “Who are your favourite friends?” etc.

Another question, quite common, in most slam-books is, “Which attitude or quality do you hate the most??

If Jesus were to be handed a slam-book, and posed the question:
“Which attitude or quality do you hate the most (about human beings)?”
… probably, the answer that we would have received would be: Hypocrisy!

Hypocrisy in human beings is perhaps the most hated attitudes of Jesus.

Today’s Gospel has the condemnation of the hated-vice of Hypocrisy of the Pharisees: “Woe to you, Pharisees…” (Lk 11: 42, 43 46)

Religion ought to be a bridge that helps the people to have an easier access to God.

But the Pharisees fractured this bridge with an inconsistent insistence on rules on traditions!

Religion ought to be the network that makes the people to come closer to God.

But the Pharisees broke this network by an inhuman insistence on various practices!

Religion ought to be a link that makes the life of the people more free in God’s presence.

But the Pharisees ruptured this link by burdening the people with wrongly prioritized customs!

People had to pay a tithe – a share of one’s produces or earnings, usually one tenth. (Lk 11: 42)

This tithe was extracted on all objects and things including the tiny and the minutest ones like mint, rue (a garden herb used for medicinal and cooking purposes) and every garden herb.

But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Love of God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to a fulfilling of doing certain practices and customs with the finest details and the minutest perfection, but completely overlooked the most basic aspect of Loving God!

The offering was much more important than the One to whom it was offered!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees loved the good places of seating in the synagogue and being greeted in the marketplaces.

They loved to been seen in places of prominence and to be publicly acknowledged and appreciated. (Lk 11: 43)

But there was no insistence or obligation placed on giving the rightful place to God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to enjoying places of honour and relishing the public acclaim of the common people, but completely overlooked humbling oneself and giving the glory and honour to God!

The seat and the acclaim was much more important than the One to whom it all was fully due!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Pharisees are compared to an unseen grave over which people walk unknowingly. (Lk 11: 44).

It was a ritual impurity for the Jews to touch the graves, and Jesus compares the lives of the Pharisees as a source of causing impurity and defilement to the people who came in contact with them.

There was an insistence and an obligation on fulfilling their various inhuman customs.

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to many practices which was sharp in its display of duplicity and unjust weightage given to external fulfilling of the Law, at the cost of the inner dimensions.

The law was much more important than the One gave the Law!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

The Scholars of the Law imposed many commands on the people and burdened their lives but failed to show any compassion to help them by their lives. (Lk 11: 46)

But there was no insistence or any obligation placed on the Compassion and Mercy of God!

Religion for the Pharisees had been reduced to merely carrying out some routines in the name of following God and was highly imposed though they were highly burdensome and impractical.

The practise of the commands was much more important than the One who commanded utmost honour!

Strange indeed, isn’t it?

These various dimensions of the Pharisaic attitude is very much possible to creep into our own lives.

We could be people…
… for whom the offering is much more important than the One to whom it is offered!
… for whom the places of honour seat and the acclaim is much more important than the One to whom it all is fully due!
… for whom the law is much more important than the One gives the Law!
… for whom the practise of the commands is much more important than the One who commands utmost respect and honour!

Let us seek to root out any of these Pharisaic tendencies from our lives!

The Lord loves to fill the slam-book of our lives.

May He not be made to write his most-hated virtue of Hypocrisy in this book…
… instead proudly fill the slam-book of our lives, with his choicest words of love and affection!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

It is highly fitting that Christ should have wanted to remain present to his Church in this unique way. >> Since Christ was about to take His departure from His own in His visible form, He wanted to give us His Sacramental Presence…
… since He was about to offer Himself on the cross to save us, He wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which He loved us “to the end,” even to the giving of his life.
In His Eucharistic Presence, He remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave Himself up for us, and He remains under signs that express and communicate this love
The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship.
Jesus awaits us in this Sacrament of love!
Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in Adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world.

Let our Adoration never cease! (CCC #1380)

“Being ready to wipe away stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives!”

(Based on Gal 5:1-6 and Lk 11:37-41 – Tuesday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A young couple moved into a new neighbourhood.

The next morning while they were having their breakfast, the woman saw her neighbour hanging some clothes to dry.

“That laundry is not very clean,” she said. “She doesn’t know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbour hung clothes to dry, the young woman repeated her observations about the dirty laundry.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband: “Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”

The husband said:
“I got up early this morning…
… and cleaned our windows!”

All the while, the woman had been making critical and disparaging remarks…
… while her own windows had “the stains of hypocrisy and corruption!”

So often we too are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful lesson to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…
… and to live in genuineness.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have a meal in his house.

We are unsure of the motives or the reason for this Pharisee to invite Jesus for the table sharing…

Maybe he just wanted to grow in his friendship with Jesus…
Maybe he wanted to check how this great preacher would conduct himself in his house…
Maybe he wanted to show off to his friends of having invited a great Rabbi to his house…
Maybe he wanted to break the ministry of Jesus and trap Him in doing some aberrations…

In any case, the Pharisee certainly expected Jesus to follow the rules and customs of the traditional Jewish meal.

But he notices that Jesus has failed to wash his hands before dinner.

This washing of the hands was a ritual purification process.

The insistence on this act was not for the sake of hygiene, but for ritual purity!

This omission of the sacred tradition came as a big shocker for the host Pharisee.
He would have thought about Jesus: “This Rabbi is doing it all wrong!

Why can’t He follow our age-old customs?
He is insulting me before my other guests!
How dare He behaves so, in my own house!?”

But this is where Jesus, in His unique style of courage & conviction comes into confrontation with the attitude of the Pharisee…

The Pharisee was surely His host…
… yet Jesus dares ‘to have the courage to challenge the ways of insincerity and corruption…’

Standing up for convictions and principles was a value that Jesus always upheld.

Being bold to always promote and defend goodness was a virtue that Jesus always supported.

Jesus lashes out with a righteous anger, “So then, you Pharisees, you clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside yourselves, you are full of greed and evil. Fools…!” (Lk 11: 39)

The Pharisee got offended because Jesus failed to wash his hands before meal.

But Jesus got offended because they failed to have a true cleansing of their hearts.

The Pharisee got upset because Jesus failed to uphold the sacred tradition.

But Jesus got upset because they failed to uphold the values of inner purity and holiness.

The Pharisee felt insulted because Jesus failed to honour their customs and practices.

But Jesus felt insulted because the table-meal failed to reflect true love and sharing.

Jesus was not afraid to encounter the Pharisee in his wrong thinking.

And today He encounters us and challenges us to ‘live in genuineness’

Maybe we are bold in being relaxed in some of our comfort and pleasure zones..
But Jesus exhorts us to renew our lives with a life of holiness and purity.

Maybe we are quite okay with aspiring for many gadgets and objects of passing joys and desires
But Jesus urges us to focus on the real necessities of a good life.

Maybe we are satisfied to beautify our external life, even if it means being greedy and selfish
But Jesus spurs us to repent by living a self-sacrificing and a self-controlling life.

The ‘lion of Pharisaism’ is deep rooted in many of our personal lives, our family lives and in our community lives…

Having the focus only on external factors… but neglecting the inner dimensions…
Giving importance to only outer shows… but totally forgetting the internal aspects…
Being obsessed with doing many things… but totally ignoring the necessity of being holy…

The Lord today reminds us that often we are extra vigilant and watchful when it comes to judging others…
… while we allow excuses and justifications to all our misdeeds and wrongdoings

“Are we ready to wipe away the stains of hypocrisy and corruption from the windows of our lives?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit

The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass.
As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species.
It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way…

… that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. (CCC #1379)

“Opening our eyes to see the many wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives!”

(Based on Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 and Lk 11:29-32 – Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Thriller Movies have a great audience….
Reality Shows have a wide range of popularity…
Programmes with sensational appeal have a massive demand…

Our age loves to be tingled with breath-taking visuals and magnificent signs.
>> Check out the number of videos and movies and songs we have on our gadgets…
>> Look at the wide range of photos that we shoot and the selfies we click (which perhaps never we may see again!)

The demand of our external senses is very high in our generation…


A fallout of this excess is also reflected in our Spirituality and our Religious Outlook….
“We seek for greater external signs and wondrous miracles, even to believe in God!”

And the Lord thunders in today’s Gospel Reading, “This is a wicked generation… it is asking for a sign…” (Lk 11:29)


Signs are not bad.
Symbols are not without meaning.
External expressions are not unwarranted.
>> They certainly do have their proper place and a meaningful nature.

In fact, the Bible is not alien to signs and wonders…
>> Moses’ rod became a serpent;
>> The Red Sea parted so that God’s people could cross.
>> Water flowed from a rock when Moses struck it.
>> Manna fell from the sky to feed God’s people.
>> Baalam’s ass spoke.
>> Aaron’s rod blossomed.
>> The sun stood still at Joshua’s command.
>> Gideon’s fleece became wet and dry according to his request to the Lord.
>> Elijah pronounced a drought upon the land… And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain…

The examples are many more…


But…
… when outward signs fail to generate any positive emotions, they divorce from their intention!
… when symbols cease to be a passage for inner understanding, they fail in their purpose!
… when signs stop being an aid to increase in faith, they lose their meaning!


And this is the reason that Jesus condemns the Pharisaic mentality of Seeking for a Sign…
>> They sought a sign – in order to test, but not to believe!
>> They asked a sign – in order to satisfy curiosity, but not to trust!
>> They demanded a sign – in order to scheme evil talks, but not to have faith!

Signs become mere external fancies.
>> Miracles become mere magic shows

The Gospels are not alien to such false and untrue demands either…
>> At the Birth of Jesus, King Herod sought to see Baby Jesus…
… not to worship, but to kill Him!

>> At the Temptations, Satan tempted to change stones to bread…
… not to believe, but to lure Him!

>> At the Trial, King Herod Antipas hoped Jesus to perform a sign…
… not to save Him, but to mock Him!


Jesus condemns all such unnecessary demands for a sign and external phenomenon.
“… but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah the Prophet!”
>> The Prophets of Old, performed many miracles.
… Jesus also did.
>> The Prophets of Old, even performed the great miracles of raising the Dead.
… Jesus also did.
>> The Prophets of Old, were never able to raise themselves from the dead.
… But Jesus rose!

Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the fish, so was Jesus in the belly of the earth!
>> But Jesus rose….and that has become indeed, the Greatest Sign of all times!

The Pharisees demanded a sign…
>> Jesus answered with a sign – the greatest of them all – His Resurrection!

And yet…
… DID THEY BELIEVE?

The answers can be speculated.

But the question is…
>> Am I believing?
>> Am I believing and living, the Power of the Resurrection in my life?
>> Have I reduced the reality of Jesus being alive, to a mere expression of the lips?
>> Do I display this Sign that Jesus is Risen, by my words, in all my activities and by a joyful life?


Let us not be carried away by mere External Glitz and Glamour…
>> Let us open our eyes to see the many wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives!
>> Let us become aware to see that He is Risen, and Alive and Working… in amazing ways… in our Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!
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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE EUCHARIST IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – The presence of Christ by the power of his word and the Holy Spirit – Worship of the Eucharist.
>> In the liturgy of the Mass, we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord.
>> “The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it…
… reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care
… exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession.” (CCC #1378)
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