“Pulling ‘both the oars’ of faith and works so that the ferry ‘of our lives’ may move across the river!”

(Based on Deut 6:4-13 and Mt 17:14-20 – Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Two men were once seriously disputing the relative importance of faith and works…
… when they came to a ferry (boat) over a river.

As they started across they asked the ferryman his opinion on the subject.

Was faith alone enough in life?
… or was also works of faith important for a good Christian life?

In answer…
… the boatman, who was a strong believer in God, pointed to his two oars.

“One,” he said, “I will call faith, the other, works.
If I pull only on this one oar – the right oar – I get nowhere, but go round in a circle.
Just so if I pull only on the left oar.

But when I pull on both oars, then the ferry moves across the river.”

That was indeed a very sensible explanation, describing the relationship of faith and works.

The Gospel of the day is the incident of how the disciples fail to heal the boy and how Jesus intervenes to cure and teaches the importance of possessing strong faith.

This Gospel passage is preceded by the Glorious event of the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-3)

These two incidents show contrasting dimensions…
On one side, immense glory being revealed and the Divine splendour being manifested

On the other, lack of faith being exposed and the failure in the Kingdom ministry

On one side, the three disciples basking in the light of heightened faith and devotion

On the other, the other disciples being lost in the darkness of inability to put the faith to effectiveness

How often is this the experience of our own lives too…

There are some moments when we experience the loftiness of God’s glory and power

There are other moments when we fail miserably to evoke His presence and are unable to feel His

There are some times when faith makes us to feel that everything is so glorious and wonderful

There are other times when our faith hits rock-bottom and our spiritual life loses its sheen and all seems so miserable

This is the reality of our lives – contrasting experiences of glorious faith at some instants and miserable lack of trust at other

But the Gospel of the day ends with an encouraging exhortation by Jesus to have a strong and sturdy faith – the faith the size of a mustard seed

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Mt 17:20)

When the disciples were unable to bring about a healing to the epileptic boy, the Lord sure did rebuke them for their “lack of faith”.

But after having healed the child, He does not linger with the reproaching or admonishing attitude…
…. instead as a loving friend and a caring master, gently but firmly encourages them to be stronger in their faith.

This is the approach that He has towards us too…

He knows that we have our weak moments and situations of disbelief and doubts
He knows that there are periods when our faith is merely on the lips and not really from the depths of our hearts
He knows that there are times when annoying circumstances encroach our faith-life and all our efforts in devotion meet with bitter conclusions

Yet, with firmness and fondness, Jesus invites us to keep seeking to grow in our trust in Him and have faith of the size of the mustard seed.

Let us pull “both the oars” of faith and works…
… so that ‘the ferry of our lives’ may move across the river of God’s Grace!

Let us today seek the intercession of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, also known as Edith Stein.

She was a German Jewish philosopher who converted to Catholicism…
… became a Carmelite nun
… finally becoming a martyr in the Nazi concentration camp.

Let her words inspire us:

“And when night comes, and you look back over the day and see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone…
… and all the reasons you have to be embarrassed and ashamed:
Just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands and leave it with Him.”

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit
“if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human fetus…
… and is directed toward its safe guarding or healing as an individual.
It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion…

… depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence. (CCC # 2274)

“Requesting for a stop at Calvary – to embrace the Cross of Christ!”

(Based on Deut 4:32-40 and Mt 16:24-28 – Friday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Dayton Ohio in America has an elevated railway.

One of the stations of this railway was near a great Roman Catholic burial ground named Calvary Cemetery.

The name of this station was Calvary Station.

The unique aspect of this station was that the trains did not stop at this station, except on request.

The reason?

For several years, in that part of the town, there were many more dead than living people.

Therefore, just after leaving the nearest station, the train guard would open the door and shout:
“Next station is Calvary! Train stops on request only…

Anybody for Calvary?”

Perhaps this a parable of life’s train!

At all other stations, life’s train stops – market-street station, school-street station, church-street station, home-avenue station etc…

But only at one station, there is a stop only when someone chooses to: the Station of Calvary!

The Gospel of the Day has Jesus, the Guard of our Life’s Train echoing the invitatory words, “Anybody for Calvary?”

Jesus tells His disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after Me, must deny Himself, take up His cross and follow Me” (Mt 16:24)

One of the finest aspects about Jesus, as a Person and as a Teacher, is the clarity and precision that He maintained in all His words and deeds.

He was clear and precise of what was His Mission on the earth

He is clear and precise also, of what is expected of His followers.

There is no pretense or deception in His talks.

There are no loopholes or strings attached in His demands

He makes it precisely clear that the one who follows Him must fulfil the three basic conditions:

Denying Oneself
Taking up the Cross
Following Him

1. Denying oneself – demands that one is willing to entrust the reins of one’s life totally to the Master.

It means a priority of the highest order that is reserved for the Lord and His Kingdom
It means a constant rejection of desires that cause the self to be greater than the Lord

2. Taking up the Cross – demands that one is wholeheartedly and readily willing to do one’s duty as a Christian, joyfully and steadily

It means an availability to be at the service of the Lord and His Kingdom at all times
It means a seeking and an acceptance of the Will of God at every moment of life

3. Following Him – demands that one keeps a steadfast focus on the Lord alone and keeping away anything that would cause a distraction

It means a faithful and an unflinched commitment to walk only on the path that the Lord demands
It means a radical letting go of anything that can be contrary to the Gospel ways and the Kingdom values.

But very often we find that these things are easier said, than done…

We wish to deny ourselves.

But too often….
… our selfish desires dominate over us and we get disillusioned
… we give in to making excuses or dilute the seriousness of our call

We wish to take up our cross.

But too often…
… we feel ourselves overburdened with responsibilities
… we fear the hardships of disciplining ourselves and shy away from it

We wish to follow Him.

But too often…
… worldly distractions and human affairs preoccupy us and our hearts get divided in our loyalty to the Lord
… our enthusiastic hearts get weighed down by scandals or lack of motivations or even opposing forces.

The Lord, through today’s Gospel gives a call once again – to embrace a life of the Cross!

The way of the Cross is the only true path for a Christian.

That was the way of the Lord.

That is to be the way of each follower too.

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian says, “To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ”.

A life embracing the cross is the hallmark of a Christian – in self-denial, in total commitment and with complete sincerity.

It’s a stumbling block for the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks (1 Cor 1:23)

But to those who believe, it is the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor 1: 24)

As our life-train chugs on, Jesus, the Guard echoes the call, “Anybody for Calvary?”

Are we willing to request for a stop at Calvary – to embrace the Cross of Christ?

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Dominic Guzman, the Founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).

St Dominic boldly followed this Call of the Gospel and lived an austere life in much humility and love of God…
… and promoted Devotion to the Holy Rosary.

He challenges us to “Arm ourselves with prayer rather than a sword…
… to wear humility rather than fine clothes”

Let us empower ourselves, like St Dominic, with the Armour of the Rosary.

Let us dwell, with Our Blessed Mamma, who perfectly lived the life of being a True Disciple of Jesus…
… who denied Herself, took up the Cross
… and followed Him wholeheartedly!

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Since it must be treated from conception as a person…
… the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed

… as far as possible, like any other human being. (CCC # 2274)

“Being enriched by Jesus, the humble Carpenter of Nazareth!”

(Based on Num 20:1-13 and Mt 16:13-23 – Thursday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A beautiful write-up found on the entrance wall of a library goes thus:

“Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50 years, Aristotle for 40 years and Jesus for only 3 years.
… yet the influence of Christ’s ministry, infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined years of teaching from these greatest of philosophers.

Jesus painted no pictures…
… yet some of the finest artists such as Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci received their inspiration from Him.

Jesus wrote no poetry…
… but Dante, Milton and scores of the world’s greatest poets were inspired by Him.

Jesus composed no music…
… still Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach and Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in the music they composed in His praise.

Every sphere of human greatness has been enriched by this humble Carpenter of Nazareth.

ARE YOU READY TO BE ENRICHED TOO?”

The quality of our Christian Life, indeed, depends on the quality and understanding our relationship with our Blessed Lord!

The more we deepen our relationship with the Lord…
… the greater we will be able to radiate His Love and Goodness in our life!

The more we grow in our understanding of the Lord…
… the deeper will be the nourishing and enrichment that we will experience by His Grace!

The Gospel of the Day invites each one of us, to examine:

Am I understanding the Lord – and thus, is He a strength to me?
… or am I misunderstanding Him – and thus, is He a stumbling block to me?

Understanding or Misunderstanding Jesus will play the pivotal role in our daily spiritual existence!

On reaching Caesarea Philippi (Mt 16:13), Jesus poses a dual question to His disciples…
Who do people say that He is … and who do the Disciples say that He is.

This two-fold question of Christ… evokes two answers…

Jesus as being only Human
The people understand Jesus as John the Baptist, or Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets (Mt 16: 14)

Jesus as being only Divine
St Peter, as the Captain of the Group, with a heavenly revelation, declares Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God! (Mt 16: 16)

It’s interesting that after this question-answer session, the Lord Himself chooses to give an answer on who He is!

And this answer of the Lord is a key to our understanding or misunderstanding Jesus.

Jesus declares that He would be a suffering God….

He would be the Man to undergo many persecutions! (Mt 16: 21)

He is not only Human.
He is not only Divine.
… He is the Suffering God-Man!

Am I able to accept this reality-dimension of Jesus?

He is amazing in His Human teachings… He is wonderful in His Divine Deeds.

But He is also the Afflicted, the Maltreated, the Victimized and the Wronged.

He is classic in His Human examples… He is awesome in His Divine miracles.

But He is also the Suffering, the Persecuted, the Sacrificed and the Tortured.

He is not only Human.
He is not only Divine.
… He is the Suffering God-Man!

But like Peter, perhaps some of us shy away from accepting this Painful Reality of the Lord…
… “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you” (Mt 16: 22)

We love to follow Him in His exhortations…
We love to be enamoured in His wondrous doings.

But we back off…at the mention of His pains, difficulties, persecutions and anguish.

We like the sociable Christ…
… One Who gives equal status to all in the society and breaks sociological barriers

We like the political Christ…
… One Who is fearless to challenge the political corruption of the society

We like the revolutionary Christ…
… One Who demands to go beyond the comfort zones of our life

But do we embrace the Suffering Christ?
Do we accept the “Saviour” Christ?
Do we consent to the Crucified Christ?

It’s easy to misunderstand Jesus as only a mere human hero.

It’s easy to misunderstand Jesus as only an awesome Divine entity.

But it’s not so easy to understand and accept Him as the Heroic and Awesome and Suffering God-Man!

Understanding or Misunderstanding Jesus will indeed play the pivotal role in our daily spiritual existence!

Today, let us seek for the grace to accept and understand truly the Person and Divinity of Jesus.
Let us make Him the true strength of our lives.

Let us behold Him in the Eucharist.
Let us encounter Him in prayer.
Let us recognize Him in the Word!

Every sphere of human greatness has been greatly enriched by the humble Carpenter of Nazareth.

Let us also be ready, to be enriched by Him!

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception…

… the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child’s rights. (CCC # 2273)

“Let us always have the joy to proclaim:
‘In Jesus I rest. In Jesus I stay calm!'”

(Based on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord)

A Christian businessman had the following note stuck on his door: “I follow the ‘submarine spirituality!’”

One of his client – interested in this caption – asked him its meaning.

To that, the man replied:
“No matter how furious the storm upon the surface of the ocean…
… the submarine is able to submerge to the deep and finds a place whose calm no storm ever disturbs.

Deeper things of life are always calm and steadfast!

In Jesus I rest. In Jesus I stay calm.
In Jesus, I follow a submarine spirituality!”

Peace and calm are assured for those who are willing to “go into the depths” and allow the Lord to ensure the serenity of the soul

This is the experience of Transfiguration!

The Gospel of the Day (Lk 9:28b-36) – on this Feast Day – recounts the beautiful narration of the Transfiguration of Jesus…
… whereby the disciples are given a glimpse to experience “the Glory of peace and calm!”

One of the easy tendencies in life is to “get used to”…
… Get used to doing the same works and dealing with the same people.

A tendency of “monotony” creeps in

The danger with “monotony” is that…
… it can drain away enthusiasm from the works one does

This danger of “monotony” is a strong possibility even in our spiritual life.

We begin to take our faith for granted
We tend to view our devotions with casualness.
Prayers get boring.
The Holy Eucharist seems meaningless
Pious practices fails to generate any passion

The same danger was true even in the case of the Disciples.

The disciples had been with Jesus for a while now…

They had seen Him…
… performing many wonders
… teaching and addressing the crowds
… being the subject of many oppositions too

But slowly, as human tendency is – a feel of monotony would have begun to creep into their lives.

It is at this stage, that our Blessed Lord chooses three of His “core” disciples – Peter, James and John, and in their presence gets Transfigured! (Cf. Lk 9:28-29)

The Transfiguration experience was something very special and unique for these disciples…

They saw our Blessed Lord glisteningly shining – “His clothes became dazzling white.” (Lk 9:29)

They witnessed Moses and Elijah (Cf. Lk 9:30) – the great Lawgiver and the mighty Prophet – along with Jesus, Who was the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophet!

They heard the Divine Voice – “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him” (Lk 9:35) – from the cloud; reminiscent of God Yahweh who would speak to His people of old, from the clouds

The three disciples were being introduced to a new perspective of their Master.

They saw Jesus – not in the usual way – but arrayed in His Divine Glory and Honour!

Jesus had not become something that He was not…

He is always God and is always the Second Person of the Divine Trinity.

All this while, the eyes of the disciples were kept away from seeing the fullness of glory – only sparks of Divinity was revealed to them

But now, here was a moment, though short – the Transfiguration – when the chosen disciples could come face-to-face with Divine Glory!

The moment of Transfiguration had made them see things in a new light…

Jesus was still the same – but they now saw Him, for a short moment, with a Glorious Glow

That is the splendour and glory of the moment of Transfiguration…
… when woundedness is refined into beauty
… when sufferings are graced into meaningfulness

Have we had this Transfiguration Experience?

Surely, we have had…

But perhaps, many of us fail to recognise it.. or acknowledge it

A moment…
… when our words have touched and sparkled a sad soul.
… when we ourselves have been healed in our brokenness by some Divine intervention
… when we experienced the light of God’s healing, restoration, forgiveness etc through the Sacraments of the Church
… when a pulse of joy and satisfaction raced through our veins in having rendered, perhaps, a tiny but significant act of service and care to a needy person
… when, in our brokenness or deep pain or lethargy, an encouraging word has revived our bent spirits

Many are such moments of Transfiguration in our life…

The deeper we look, the more we find, that God has blessed us immensely with such “Transfiguration” experiences.

St Peter, later in his ministry, would acknowledge these glorious moments of the Transfiguration: “We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2 Pet 1:18)

It is these “Transfiguration” moments that will help us remain strong, even through the rough waters of troubles and struggles.

The power of Transfiguration on Mount Tabor helped to remain peaceful and calm…
… through the stormy moments of Crucifixion on Mount Calvary for Jesus!

The ‘submarine spirituality,’ whereby “no matter how furious the storm be upon the surface of the ocean
… the submarine is able to submerge to the deep, and find a place whose calm no storm ever disturbs”
… is the invitation to which each one of us are called to.

May this Feast of the Transfiguration help us to be reminded of the assurance of the Lord that:
“Deeper .things of life are always calm and steadfast!”

Let us always have the joy to proclaim:
“In Jesus I rest. In Jesus I stay calm.
In Jesus, I follow a Submarine Spirituality!”

Happy Feast of the Transfiguration!

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 Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them…
… the state is denying the equality of all before the law.
When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable…

… the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined. (CCC # 2273)

“Firmly securing and being safe with JESUS, the ROCK!”

(Based on Num 12:1-13 and Mt 14:22-36- Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Creation around us – created by our Good God – has many lessons to teach us.

One such lesson is mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, where it speaks about a small animal named badger

Prov 30:26: “The badgers are a people without power, yet they make their homes in the rocks!”

The badger is a weak, timid little animal – like a rabbit or hare.
It has no means of defense in itself

Though it like a rabbit, it can’t run like one.
Though it resembles a mole, it can’t dig deep like one.

When it’s foes – the vulture or the eagle comes in sight…
… it realises it cannot fight back in defense or run away fast!

So what does the badger do to find safety and protection?

Knowing that it is a “feeble fold,” it rushes straight to the rocks!
The badger repositions itself among the rocks, to remain safe and secure!

The badger lets the rocks to defend it…
… and the foes fight a miserable fight against the rocks
… and leave the badger in peace!

How beautiful a lesson is this to all of us, who often get attacked by the “foes of troubles, distractions, temptations and despairs of life!”

Weak as we are…
… we can find our refuge, protection and strength if we go straight to our Rock – JESUS!

Have we learnt this method of facing the challenges of life, by taking refuge in Jesus…
… especially in the “trying” moments of life?

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder and a lesson on this beautiful aspect of trusting and depending on the Lord – in every situation of life.

After the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus dismissed the crowds.

He made the disciples to get into the boat, while He went up to the mountains to pray (Mt 14: 22-23)

Here is a great lesson that Jesus teaches us…

There will be many success stories that would be woven in life.

Yet, all those occasions ought to lead us closer to God – the source of every success.

Every success in life ought to, not make us proud – instead, in humility, lead us to grow closer to God – in gratitude and for greater strength.

There will also be times when the sun shines bright and there are many admirers thronging our life.

Yet, all those occasions ought to make us realise that in God alone ought to be my true joy and satisfaction.

Every joy of life ought to, not make us lose ourselves in the thickets of achievements…
… instead, in meekness, help us to depend more on God – in trust and for greater faith.

As the disciples were lost on the sea, with the winds and waves turning against them, they saw Jesus walking on the sea (Mt 14: 25)

Jesus sought to drive away every ‘ghostly fears’ and assured them of His presence.

Peter, however, the leader of the gang took the initiative of going towards Jesus and walking on the water.
He even made his first steps on the waters.

But, when he saw the mighty winds, he got frightened and cried out, “Lord, save me” (Mt 14: 30)

Immediately, the Gospel says, “Jesus stretched out His Hand and caught him and said to him ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'” (Mt 14: 31)

Here was life throwing a mighty challenge to Peter:

Whether he could have his focus on God or not…
Whether to continue ahead in life or not…

As long as he had his focus on the Lord, things were fine

But the moment, he wavered in this “focus,” Peter began to sink

The boats of our Christian lives often pass through the stormy waters of problems and difficulties.

There will be many moments when our faith makes attempts “to walk on the waters” with the Lord.

As long as we keep our focus on Him, things would be fine.

But the moment there is a “deviation” in this focus – there will be the “sinking” experience!

Can we grow in our trust…
… in being always focussed on the Lord?

In the face of many challenges of life, we often are rendered to be a “feeble fold”

But let’s never lose heart!

As Prov 30:26 reminds us: “The badgers are a people without power, yet they make their homes in the rocks!”

Let us take refuge in Jesus, the Rock of our life!

When attacked by the “foes of troubles, distractions, temptations and despairs of life”…
… let us find refuge, protection and strength, by going go straight to our Rock – JESUS!

Are we ready to REPOSITION ourselves…
… and firmly secure and be safe amidst JESUS, the ROCK?

Today we also celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Mary Major Basilica.

St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centers of the Church.

(The other three being St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran Basilica, and St. Paul’s Basilica, outside the Walls.)

St. Mary Major Basilica is also the First Marian Shrine for pilgrims…
… which set a pattern for countless shrines
… where pilgrims gather to honor our Blessed Mother throughout the world.

Let us today specially seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother…
… to remain ever-faithful to the Lord, even in the face of difficulties and struggles of life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard…

… every human being’s right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death.” (CCC # 2273)