(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 07: BE A LIGHT TO OTHERS!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:79) “To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
At the Birth of John (the Baptist), Zechariah exclaims the song of joy – BENEDICTUS – praising God for His Marvellous Mercy, prophetically revealing the Mind of God about the child, and calling all people…
… to become a Light that shines brightly in situations of darkness
… to experience the Peace of the Lord, and become a messenger of Peace to the world around

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

1. Share the Light of the Gospel – with virtues of Faith, Hope and Love – to everyone
2. Allow the Peace of Christ to flood your heart, even if externally situations are discouraging; and with this experience, to become a Messenger of Peace in the world

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

Light a Candle of Hope today, in the life of any one person, today, who is drowning in the darkness of disappointment
Make efforts to repair a broken relationship, by starting to pray for the Peace of Christ for that person

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, may the Light of Your Gospel shine brightly in my life, so that experience the Peace that flows from Your Heart, I may become a messenger of Peace, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being be willing to ‘go out of the way’ and doing things that are very beautiful!”

(Based on Isa 40:1-11 and Mt 18:12-14 – Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Advent)

A mother took her three children to a fine restaurant for a dinner.

It was a crowded Sunday and they could only get separate seats.

As food was served, the youngest daughter – 6 year old Mary – who was seated at the far corner of the restaurant…
… loudly enquired from her mother: “Mother, don’t people say grace before meals in this place?”

A wave of silence wrapped the entire restaurant!

The mother did not know how to react.

But soon enough, the manager of the hotel, who was at the counter, said in an assuring voice to the child: “Yes we do. You may start!”

All the people bowed their head in silence

Little Mary closed her eyes, joined her hands and bowing her head…
… in a loud and crystal voice prayed: “Bless us O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are going to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord… Amen!”

The child found it strange to observe that none of the elders were praying…
… So she went “out of the way”

And did something that was very beautiful
And taught others an action to be imitated

A child “goes out of the way”…
… in expressing love and affection by trying to imitate the kind acts of the elders
… in trying to help others – giving a hand at the household chores, or doing little works

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by the Lord to re-discover this “forgotten” child-like dimension of our lives: “To go out of the way”!

Jesus, speaking of this worthwhile quality…
… presents to us the image of a Shepherd who goes “out of the way”, in search of the lost sheep.

Jesus says: “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray…
… will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills, and go in search of the stray?” (Mt 18: 12)

The shepherd loves all his hundred sheep…
… yet, when one gets strayed, he makes “an out-of-the-way effort” to get the lost one back.

He does not give up on the strayed.

He doesn’t desert the lost.
He doesn’t abandon the one, gone from his circle.

This attitude of going “out of the way”…

“taking an extra pain”
“dripping an extra sweat”
… would seem weird and strange to the calculative, pragmatic and business-minded head of ours, in this modern period!

We might question:

Is it not a waste of time to go after the “lost sheep”…
… of an obsessed drug-addict or a habitual drunkard or a consistent smoker?

Is it just too futile to awaken a “lost sheep”…
… of a soul in slumber, where there is no focus on spiritual life, where there is slackness of prayer and sacraments and where worldliness and materialism have crept and conquered?

Is it of any use to go after the “lost sheep”…
… of a couple who are constantly bickering and a family which is broken up with regular fights and misunderstandings?

Is there any sense in trying to restore the “lost sheep”…
… of a community whose members seem disinterested, who are lethargic, who have their own personal and hidden agenda and who always back-talk and back-bite?

Is it just not meaningless to revive the “lost sheep”…
… of a society or a nation where corruption has taken deep-roots in hearts of people and all sincere efforts of transformation often gets dumped into the bin?

The True Shepherd however, in all such situations, of the “lost sheep” …
… “goes out of the way”

The Good Shepherd makes an extra effort in getting them back!

This Good Shepherd today invites us to be partakers in restoring the lost ones.

A critical danger in the process of “growing- up” is the tendency to lose our “natural child-like” qualities.

As a child, we were free to express our emotions…
… but when we “grow up”, we tend to hold them up all within (only to burst out one day!)

As a child, we were easily dependant on those who cared for us…
… but when we “grow up”, we become arrogant towards them and seek ‘independence’

As a child, we were able to enjoy and relax in the present moment…
… but when we “grow up”, we get caught up in the snare of the past and shrink with fear of the future.

The Lord invites us to get back the “lost” child-like faith and trust.

We need to realise that we are always little children to our Heavenly Father!
He loves to care for us… He longs that we depend on Him entirely!

Yes, children sometimes teach elders great lessons, isn’t it?

Let us be willing to “go out of the way”…

And do things that are very beautiful
And teach others actions, that can be imitated!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism

Christ, sent by the Father, is the source of the Church’s whole apostolate”; thus the fruitfulness of apostolate for ordained ministers as well as for lay people clearly depends on their vital union with Christ.
In keeping with their vocations, the demands of the times and the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, the apostolate assumes the most varied forms. But charity, drawn from the Eucharist above all, is always “as it were, the soul of the whole apostolate.”
The Church is ultimately one, holy, catholic, and apostolic in her deepest and ultimate identity, because it is in her that “the Kingdom of heaven,” the “Reign of God,” already exists and will be fulfilled at the end of time.
The kingdom has come in the person of Christ and grows mysteriously in the hearts of those incorporated into him, until its full eschatological manifestation.
Then all those he has redeemed and made “holy and blameless before him in love, “will be gathered together as the one People of God, the “Bride of the Lamb,” “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.”

For “the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (CCC # 864-865)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 06: REJOICE IN GOODNESS!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:58) “Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
When the time came for the birth of the child – a miracle after many years of barrenness – the neighbours and relatives of Elizabeth and Zechariah…
… rejoiced in the Goodness of the Lord as they thanked His amazing Providence and Protection
… recognised the Mercy of God which always accompanies and strengthens

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

1. Recognise goodness in people and situations; rejoice in them and appreciate them – for this is a Divine Attribute as we see God, in the Book of Genesis exclaiming by seeing the Good Creation, “It is good!”
2. Realise that God’s Mercy is always there to strengthen and protect, even in the weariest situations of life; hold fast to the Heart of God, and be optimistic in the Ways of the Lord!

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

Offer a situation of trouble/concern that you have, to the Heart of God, and seek for His Mercy
Appreciate 5 people today for their Goodness and Love in your life.

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, may I always recognise Goodness in others, live a life of joy, and offer all my concerns to Your Heart, knowing that Your Mercy will always protect and heal me, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being ready to ‘break through the roof’ of all adversities, to experience the God of blessings pouring down Graces!”

(Based on Isa 35:1-10 and Lk 5:17-26 – Monday of the 2nd Week in Advent)

There is a popular quote in Hindi, which goes so:
“Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain”

The meaning of the words are given below:

Bhagwaan (God) jab (when) deta hain (gives), chappar (roof) phaad (tear open) kar deta hain (gives)!

Therefore, literally, in English, this quotation would get translated as:
“When God gives, He tear opens the roofs and gives!”

The Gospel of the Day gives a similar scene of “The roof being torn open!”

Our Blessed Lord is engaged in His ministry of teaching (Lk 5: 17)

This is something that we can all learn from!

The Lord…
… though quite popular as a miracle worker
… though very admired for his mighty deeds of healing

Always gave a great priority to the “ministry of teaching”

He would always make it a point to “teach” the people

Very often, in our lives (especially those engaged in various Church ministries)…
… we neglect the aspect of teaching

We tend to run after works and ministries that are more sensational, popular and “glamorous”!

This verse of the Gospel is a challenge for us to renew our commitment to the “ministry of teaching”…
… about the Kingdom of God
… about ways to lead a Holy Life by prioritizing God above all
… about understanding the true meaning of God’s commandments

As Jesus is engaged in this “ministry of teaching”…
… a great number of Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem (Lk 5:17)

The house was fully packed, with people cramming to hear the Lord..
The house was, brimming with persons seeking the healing of the Lord..,

It was then that a group of people brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed (Lk 5: 18)

They came with much expectation to see the paralysed man, whole and well again.

They sought with an eager and earnest desire for the Lord of power and healings.

But as they approached the house… their hopes would have gone down!

The thick crowd of people would have slimmed their hopes!
The massive gathering at the door would have thinned their anticipations!

But it is when the chips are down, that one is given a chance to find strength one never knew one had…
… and put it toward the greater good.

The people came seeking for blessings…
They came seeking for the God of blessings…

But it seemed, that the firmament was closed to shower down blessings!

But then they had a hope…similar to the words…” Bhagwaan jab deta hain, chappar phaad kar deta hain!”

Yes …”When God gives, He tears opens the roofs and gives!”

And so they decided to take on this same principle that God uses to shower His blessings:
“To tear open the roof!”

“But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus” (Lk 5: 19)

“Opened up the roof” has other translations…
… “dug a hole through the roof”
…“removed part of the roof”
… “uncovered the roof”

We would perhaps think the roof was some primitive, thatched roof.

But most likely, that was not the case…

As per the architecture then, this roof was more than likely a mud clay roof with tiles

To lower the paralyzed man through the roof, they literally had to do a major demolition of the roof.

Well… picture this…

You’re in this packed house – people crammed to the max…trying to listen to Jesus.

All of a sudden you start to hear some banging on the roof.

These people would have literally tore the tiles off the roof, made a hole & lowered the paralyzed man by a rope into the house.

Then the roof materials begins to fall in on you!

Well… imagine also the people’s responses…

They would have been astonished, amazed and some even angered!
They were there to listen to Jesus….they had come early…they had won their spot…

They were perhaps hearing their life-transforming sermon!

It’s at this point, that the “roof starts tearing down!”

But Jesus, the God of blessings, is immensely pleased and edified by their faith and trust!

Their “tearing of the roof” was blessed by “pouring down of blessings”.
Their “tearing of the roof” was rewarded with a “cleansing of sins”.

Many times, we too face similar barriers and blockages in our experience for the Lord.

Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of discouragements, disappointments and distresses?

Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of ‘end-of-the-road’ feelings and ‘hopeless situations’?

Are we willing to “break through the roof”…
… of problems which seem impossible and unsolvable?

Difficulties and barriers will always be many in life…

Hardships and challenges will often stare on our face…

But let us have the grit and the guts to be ready to “break through the roof” of all such adversities!

Then, we will experience the God of blessings also pouring down Graces on us… “Chappar phaad ke!!” (breaking the roof)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE APOSTOLATE

The whole Church is apostolic, in that she remains, through the successors of St. Peter and the other apostles, in communion of faith and life with her origin, and in that she is “sent out” into the whole world.
All members of the Church share in this mission, though in various ways. “The Christian vocation is, of its nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well.” Indeed, we call an apostolate “every activity of the Mystical Body” that aims “to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth

(CCC # 861-862)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 05: GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:25) “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favourably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Elizabeth exclaims these words of gratitude, as she and Zechariah – who went through much humiliation and ignominy – are blessed with a child. Elizabeth exudes immense joy and reminds us…
… of the need to remain faithful to the God Who is always very near us – even though, sometimes we pass through moments of agonizing silence and abject isolation
… of the aspect of the being hopeful, knowing that God will strengthen us in every situation of apparent disgrace and disappointment

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

1. Have faith that none of our prayers will go in vain before the Almighty Presence of God; the Lord in His Beautiful Time, will give us what’s most needed for our Salvation. Thus, every prayer ought to be “a prayer to allow His Eternal Plan to be fulfilled!”
2. We are never left alone in our moments of struggle; God’s Grace moulds us and shapes us, if we remain open to His Will.

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

Think of at least one incident of the past wherein we experienced God’s Grace and Presence in tough moments; offer a prayer of Gratitude and renew our hope for the present moments of struggle.

Sing/Say with faith: “God will make a Way, where there seems to be no way!”

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, increase my faith to know that you are with me in every prayer that I make, and that Your Presence is constantly moulding me in every situation of my life, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 04: ‘GOD’S WILL’ WILL PROTECT YOU!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:13) “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Zechariah – whose wife Elizabeth is barren – and going through much rejection and humiliation, receives the Good News of the Presence of the Lord.

The Angel of the Lord assures…
… their prayers, though delayed, in accordance with God’s Beautiful Plans, will never be denied – they will always be blessed in abundance, when God’s Will is prioritised
… their tears, though many, will be transformed to “rivers of joy and blessings” – as beautifully described in Psalm 56:8 about the preciousness of our tears: “You have…put my tears in your bottle…”

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Can I continue to hold on to the Lord, even though, some of my prayers seem totally unheard – trusting that God’s Will, when prioritized, will always give us the best?
Am I ready to invite the Lord to touch my heart, so that all my tears may be Graced, and I may in turn, become a ‘healed healer’ to others?

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Ensuring that every prayer of mine, has the final declaration: “Lord, let Your Will be done in my life!”
2. Reaching out, today, to at least one person, who needs the assurance of God’s Love and Healing.

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, may all my intentions be wrapped with a joyful acceptance of Your Will, and may I become an instrument of your Love and Healing to the world, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Cycling our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission!”

(Based on Isa 30:19-21, 23-26 and Mt 9:35-10:1,5-8 – Saturday of the 1st Week in Advent)

One of the exciting things in life, which many of us have gone through, is learning a bicycle.

These days, bicycles come with a special set of training wheels that are attached to the back wheels.

The two little wheels attached to the back wheel are there to help provide balance and confidence to the rider.

But many of us, would have also learnt the bicycle in the old-fashioned way…
… the parent or a friend who ran alongside the one learning, until the rider got under way.

This person, who would be accompanying, would most often say three things, while learning this art of cycling…

1. Always keep the eye on the road…
   …to keep the focus
2. Don’t lean to the left or the right side…
   … to have proper balance
3. Remember, I am always there with you…
   … to feel the confidence and trust

These three principles would help the person to learn quick this art of cycling.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve…to learn the Art of Mission…

Like the art of cycling…the Apostles are also given some basic principles…
…the principle to keep focus
… the principle to have a proper balance
… the principle of confidence and trust

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

There were crowds of people following Him…
There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

The Heart of the Lord is moved in empathy for these people.

The Gospel says, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus
Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus
Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

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

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…
… He remained courageous and determined.

And so, He chose the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The Twelve were to be His extension – of His Teachings, of His Works

And so, He not only chooses the Twelve, but He also sends them on a mission
A mission…
…with an authority over unclean spirits
…to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace

In this art of mission, the Lord gives a few instructions and principles…
… and “also gave authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness” (Mt 10:1)

The Twelve were to learn…
… to keep focus on the preaching of repentance and bringing healing to people
… to have a proper balance by not getting discouraged in the face of any sort of rejection
… to have confidence and trust in the Lord Who was with them to provide what they needed

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…

Am I focussing on preaching only His Gospel and living only His life….
… or do I get distracted with other agenda and motives?

Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…
… or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…
… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

The art of missions is exciting

We may feel a little afraid at times…
We may sometimes even fall…

But we only need to follow some of the basic principles, coupled with His Grace…
… to be focussed on the Lord alone
… to be balanced in prayer and faithfulness
… to be trusting and being confident in His awesome power
And when we embark on this art of mission…
… Just like a caring parent, who is happy to see one’s child cycling confidently…
… our Heavenly Father will also look at us with much happiness and joy and be proud of us!

Are we ready to cycle our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE APOSTLES’ MISSION

Jesus is the Father’s Emissary!
From the beginning of his ministry, He “called to Him those whom He desired; and He appointed twelve, whom also He named apostles, to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach.”
From then on, they would also be his “emissaries” (Greek apostoloi).
In them, Christ continues His own mission
The apostles’ ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: “He who receives you receives me.”
Jesus unites them to the mission He received from the Father.
Those whom Jesus sends can do nothing apart from Him, from whom they received both the mandate for their mission and the power to carry it out.
Christ’s apostles knew that they were called by God as “ministers of a new covenant,” “servants of God,” “ambassadors for Christ,” “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
In the office of the apostles there is one aspect that cannot be transmitted: to be the chosen witnesses of the Lord’s Resurrection and so the foundation stones of the Church.
But their office also has a permanent aspect. Christ promised to remain with them always.

The Divine Mission entrusted by Jesus to them “will continue to the end of time, since the Gospel they handed on is the lasting source of all life for the Church. Therefore… the apostles took care to appoint successors. (CCC # 858-860)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 03: BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:26-27) “Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children…”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Zechariah and Elizabeth – faithful and sincere in every aspect – are faced with the ‘societal humiliation” since they are barren. Yet…
… they remain faithful to the Lord, performing all their duties with utmost sincerity
… they waited in hope before the Lord, knowing that God has His beautiful plan and time!

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Am I faithful to my life of prayer, even though there are various setbacks that I face?
Can I trust in the plans of God, even in moments of darkness, doubts and disappointments?

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Spend ten minutes in the Presence of God, offering all the struggles to the Heart of the Lord
2. Renew your hope in the Lord, by saying, “Jesus, I trust in You!”

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, help me to remain faithful to you, even in my moments of struggles, knowing that Your Divine Providence, will always help me encounter the ‘ray of joy, beyond the clouds of disappointments,’ Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being inspired by St Francis Xavier and experiencing ‘the Divine tug of the string’ for strength in life!”

(Based on Solemnity of St Francis Xavier – Patron Saint of Missions)

A story is told of a blind boy who was flying a kite.

He enjoyed this pastime along with others of his own age.

A passer-by, knowing him and wanting to mildly tease the blind-fellow, said:
“Hey, boy! Do you know where is your kite?
You don’t know whether it is on the ground or up in the sky, do you?”

“Oh yes,” said the blind lad, “I do know! It is now quite a fair height up in the air.”

“How do you know that?” asked the passer-by, “you surely can’t see it.”

The boy replied, “I can’t see it, it is true, but I can feel the tug of the string!”

The ‘tug’ of the string help the boy to realise the presence of the kite and to sense its height in the air!

The awareness of the presence of the Divine power in our lives, is such…

One may not be able to always see the presence of the Divine, but the believer can surely experience its power and strength!

This experience of “the Divine tug of the string” keeps the life of the believer moving forward and helps to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life.

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by Jesus to grow deeper in this “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in our life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

After having summoned and authorized the disciples, Jesus sends them ahead of Him, to the places of mission.

The act of preaching and proclamation of the Kingdom of God is to be reflected in our every action and movement…
… Whatever we do, we need to make it as an act of proclaiming God’s abundant blessings!
… Whatever work we take up, we need to make it a preaching of God’s amazing providence!

Such an act of Preaching and Proclamation makes it mandatory that one grows deeper in the “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in the life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

The act of proclamation needs the “awareness” that I am continuing the Great Mission work that has Jesus as the “Initiator”, the “Sustainer” and the “Finale!”
The act of preaching needs the “dependency” on the Lord to realise that the Lord alone can provide all the graces, strength and courage for the mission!

This is what was epitomized by St Francis Xavier, whose feast we celebrate today.

This Patron of the Missions was filled with a tremendous zeal for salvation of souls and contained in him a contagious enthusiasm of giving Christ to all.

One of his testimonial statement, while undertaking missionary activity in Japan, goes thus: “Sometimes I have lost my voice and strength altogether with repeating again and again the Credo and the other forms.”

The following quotes of this Dynamic Missionary Saint is also an inspiration for all of us…

“It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards a one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken”

“It is impossible to find a saint who did not take the two P’s seriously: prayer and penance”
… and seek to grow deeper in our missionary commitment!

Yes, one needs to feel the “tug and the pull of the Divine Lord”…when one goes through
… hardships and difficulties in being a missionary of the Kingdom, in hostile situations
… problems and challenges as we seek to live a true Christian life in the modern world
… meaninglessness or emptiness as we go through the ‘deserts’ and ‘darkness’ in life

And it is this experience of “the Divine tug of the string” that keeps the life of the believer moving forward and to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life!

Happy Feast of St Francis Xavier!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CHURCH IS APOSTOLIC

The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:

• she was and remains built on “the foundation of the Apostles – the witnesses chosen and sent on mission by Christ himself”
• with the help of the Spirit dwelling in her, the Church keeps and hands on the teaching – the “good deposit,” the salutary words she has heard from the apostles

– she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ’s return, through their successors in pastoral office: the college of bishops, “assisted by priests, in union with the successor of Peter, the Church’s supreme pastor” (CCC # 857)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 02: GOD IS PERSONALLY CARING FOR YOU!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:28) “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
This is the greeting of Angel Gabriel to Mary, reminding humanity…
… of the immense of love of God for every individual person!
… of the continual Presence of God in every situation of life!
… of the Divine Invitation of the Lord, to a life of holiness and purity

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Am I growing in the conviction that God loves me just as I am and am I aware of His Faithful Presence with me?
Do I respond affirmatively to the invitation of the Lord to be Holy and Pure?

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Identify three incidents in life wherein I have experienced God’s Love and Presence, and thank the Lord
2. Be inspired by Mamma Mary, and ask for the gift of purity – in thoughts, words and deeds

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, as I thank You for Your Personal Care for me and Your constant presence in all the situations of my life, help me to deepen my life of holiness and purity, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!