“Seeking the Intercession of St Francis of Assisi, in being an instrument of joy and peace!”

(Based on Bar 4:5-12, 27-29 and Lk 10:17-24 – Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

One winter evening, St. Francis of Assisi with brother Leo were walking across the streets …
… and the bitter cold made them suffer keenly.

St. Francis called to brother Leo, and he said:
“Brother Leo, even if we, in every country, give a great example of holiness and integrity and good edification, nevertheless…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.“

And when he had walked on a bit, St. Francis called him again, saying:
“Brother Leo, even if we give sight to the blind, heal the paralyzed, drive out devils, give hearing to the deaf, make the lame walk, and restore speech to the dumb, and bring back to life a dead man…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.“

And going on a bit, St. Francis cried out again in a strong voice:
“Brother Leo, if we knew all languages and all sciences and Scripture, if also to prophesy and to reveal the secrets of the consciences of others…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

And as they walked on, St. Francis called again forcefully: “
“Brother Leo, even if we could speak with the voice of an angel, and knew all about the treasures in the earth, and knew the qualities of birds and fishes, animals, humans, roots, trees, rocks, and waters…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

And going on a bit farther, St. Francis called again strongly:
“Brother Leo, even if we could preach so well that should convert all infidels to the faith of Christ…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

Now when he had been talking this way for a distance, Brother Leo in great amazement asked him: “Father, I beg you in God’s Name to tell me where perfect joy is!”

And St. Francis replied:
“When we, soaked by the rain and frozen by the cold, all soiled with mud and suffering from hunger, and we ring at the gate of our House…
… and the brother from inside comes and says angrily: ‘Who are you?’

And we say: ‘We are two of your brothers.’

And he contradicts us, saying: ‘You are not telling the truth. Rather you are two rascals who go around deceiving people and stealing what they give to the poor. Go away’

And he makes us stand outside in the snow and rain, cold and hungry, until night falls
… then if we endure all those insults and cruel rebuffs patiently, without being troubled and without complaining
… and if we reflect humility and charity
… Oh, Brother Leo,
… note carefully that perfect joy is there!

‘And if we continue to knock, and the brother comes out in anger, and drives us away with curses and hard blows like bothersome scoundrels, saying; ‘Get away from here, you dirty thieves-go to the hospital! Who do you think you are?

And if we bear it patiently and take the insults with joy and love in our hearts…
… Oh, Brother Leo, note carefully that perfect joy is there!”

And if later, we still cry loudly begging them to open for us and he grows still more angry and says: ‘I’ll give them what they deserve.’

And he comes out and beats us so much that he covers our bodies with wounds–if we endure all those evils and insults and blows with joy and patience, and bear the sufferings patiently for love of Christ…
… Oh, Brother Leo, note carefully that perfect joy is there!

‘And now hear the conclusion, Brother Leo.

Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to His friends…
… is that of conquering oneself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ.
‘I will not glory save in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.’”

Indeed…
… Perfect joy is only in the Cross!

This incident of St Francis of Assisi, might sound too ideal for us…
And the approach and attitude of the Great Saint might seem too utopian for us…

Still, it is possible to grow in our understanding of True Joy and Peace in God alone..
… and making the Cross as the True Source of our Solace and Consolation!

The Gospel of the Day, on this Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, invites us to reflect on the theme of “Joy in the Lord”…
… with two instances of rejoicing:

The Disciples rejoicing after their successful mission experience
Jesus rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and thanking His Father for His Infinite Wisdom

One of the essential hallmarks of a Christian is a ‘Life of Joy’.

This was the experience of the Disciples, when they returned back from the mission.

They realized that it was the Power of the Lord that enabled them to taste success and relish triumph.

So they rejoiced greatly, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your Name” (Lk 10: 17)

Do we also rejoice, by seeing the hand of the Lord in the success and achievements of our lives….?
… knowing that whatever we achieve, is ultimately not just due to our hard-work and efforts; rather, was the result of our co-operation to the grace of God!
… recognizing that all our talents and opportunities are gifted by God to exhibit His Glory and Honour!

We are called to rejoice in the Spirit.

St Luke would testify this in the words: “At that very moment, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…'” (Lk 10: 21)

This then is what we too are expected to imitate from the Lord: Rejoicing in the Spirit.

St Paul would beautifully explicate this, when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4: 4)

As it’s often said in Latin, “Gaudeo. Gaudete?”

“I rejoice. Do you rejoice?”

Our life is to be an inspiring exhibition of the Joy in the Lord and Rejoicing in the Spirit.

Do we radiate joy…
… in our encounter with one another, and spread the cheer of life?
… even in the midst of hardships, knowing that we have a God who is deeply caring for us?
… thanking the Lord for His blessing, above all, for the gift of Himself in the Word and the Sacraments?

There is, without doubt, many reasons for us to be grumpy, to complain and to feel resentment in life.

But can we allow the Power of the Lord to enamour us, and realise that beyond all these, we have a reason to celebrate and to rejoice…
… knowing that ‘God is with us’, to ensure success in our journey of life, with our wholehearted co-operation
… knowing that the Lord is the greatest reason to be happy and the treasure of life Who deserves every glory

Let us today seek the Intercession of St Francis of Assisi, in being an instrument of joy and peace

“Make me Lord, a channel of your peace…!”

Happy Feast Day!

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

Respect for and development of human life require peace.
Peace is not merely the absence of war…

… and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. (CCC # 2304)

“Using the Gift of Freedom to gain life, blessings and happiness!”

(Based on Bar 1:15-22 and Lk 10:13-16 – Friday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

God is the Great Gift Giver!

He loves to lavish gifts on his creation…and especially on Human Beings, the Crown of His Creation!

Among the gifts that He has showered, one of the greatest gifts is… the Gift of Freedom!

God has bestowed this precious treasure of Freedom to each and every human being.

God regards the worth and value of this gift.
God respects our yes or no, to this gift!

The Gospel of the day presents to us a classic example of Freedom being lavished, but sadly being squandered away.

The towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were given the freedom and the choice to become part of the Kingdom of God…
… but they chose to reject and refused the Saving Message.

The Gift of Freedom is a double-edge entity:

The gift of freedom can be used…
… to obtain life!
The gift of freedom can be misused…
… to obtain death!

The gift of freedom can be abused well…
… to receive curses!
The gift of freedom can be utilized well…
… to receive blessings!

The triple cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum failed to use, utilize and employ constructively their freedom…
… rather, they misused, abused and exploited destructively their opportunity to find peace and salvation.

And Jesus has harsh words reserved for such kind of an attitude – “WOE TO YOU!“

The word “woe” in Greek is “oh-hoo-aai” or “ouvai!”

The figure of speech is onomatopoeia – it means what it sounds like.

It is a word of pain!
It is the sound someone makes when they are hurt or are grieved.

When the Lord proclaims a WOE over these cities, there’s a great deal of anguish amplified with a sense of pain.

The Lord was pained that these cities received wonderful opportunity to hear God’s saving message…
… but failed to turn to God in repentance.

The Lord was pained that these cities received exclusive occasions to receive God’s salvific graces…
… but failed to turn to God in humility.

Our Blessed Lord today challenges us to make an examination of our lives:

God lavishes many graces on me through regular chances to hear God’s word through the Bible, retreats, recollections, talks, spiritual magazines etc…

Am I using these chances to grow in my spiritual life?
… or am I wasting away many of such chances?

Is freedom used?
… or misused?

God showers many opportunities for me to avoid sin…
…. by giving me inspiring and holy thoughts
… by a constant urging to be good through my parents, superiors, family and community members and other people in my life…

Am I using these opportunities to foster my holiness?
… or am I frittering away much of such opportunities?

Is freedom used?
… or misused?

God bestows many occasions to become a powerful witness to His love and His Gospel through different means like…
… preaching the Word
… celebrating or participating in the Eucharist and in the other Sacraments
… helping others in their needs and difficulties, praying for various people
… living a integral life in the society based on the Gospel values etc.

Am I using these occasions to strengthen my Christian life?
… or am I throwing away many of such occasions?

Is freedom used?
… or misused?

The example of the three cities of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum is before us and the condemnation of Jesus, because of their lackluster response is also before us.

Freedom is the great gift of God…
… and God totally respects the use or the misuse of this precious gift.

Are we going to use this Gift to gain life, blessings and happiness…?
… or are we going to misuse this Gift to receive death, curses and sadness?

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

Hatred of the neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him grave harm.
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…

… so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. (CCC # 2303)

“Holding on to our spiritual friend – the Guardian Angel – who walks with us, always, and in turn, be a true friend to one another!”

(Based on Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12 and Mt 18:1-5, 10 – Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels)

The shadow once said to the body:
“Who is a friend like me?
I follow you wherever you go.

In sunlight or in moonlight, I never forsake you.”

“True,” answered the Body, “you go with me in sunlight and in moonlight.

But where are you when neither sun nor moon shines upon me?”

This simple anecdote is a beautiful insight on true friendship.

As it is beautifully said, “a real friend is one who walks in, when the rest of the world walks out!”

Everyone loves to have friends who make life more interesting and joyful by their presence.

The journey of life gets more easy and exciting with the presence of friends.

Our spiritual journey too follows this concept…

God, the author of life, in His all-powerful Wisdom, has blessed each of us with a friend.

A friend who accompanies us
A friend who strengthens us

This friend is “The Guardian Angel”

This friend walks with us, in sunlight and moonlight…
… and even when neither sun nor moon shines!

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of “The Guardian Angel“

The Church in her teachings affirms and assures that “from its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by watchful care and intercession of the angels.

Beside each believer, stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 336)

From the first moments of our existence, the Guardian Angel has been with us…

At our birth, the Guardian Angel was elated at the dawn of a new life…
At our Baptism, the Guardian Angel was pleased to have us join God’s Family…
At our Confession, the Guardian Angel was delighted to have us back to God’s holiness…
At our Holy Communion, the Guardian Angel rejoiced in us, receiving the Loving Lord…
At our Confirmation, the Guardian Angel was joyful in us, being strengthened in the Spirit…
At our Marriage, Profession/Ordination, the Guardian Angel was happy with our way of life..
At our final moments, the Guardian Angel will be with us to strengthen and console us…

At every stage and step of our life, God has blessed us with this beautiful companion to…
… “to guide and protect us through life and to lead us safely to our Eternal Home”

St Francis de Sales says, “Make yourself familiar with the Angels, and behold them frequently in spirit. Without being seen…
… they are present with you!”

The Lord wants each one of us to be walking in His presence and be safe from the snares of the Evil.

And for this purpose, He has blessed us with a Guardian Angel

An Angel is a being, a person – one who has an intelligence and a free will.

An Angel thinks… but clearer than we do!
An Angel loves… but dearly than we do!

How does a Guardian Angel guard us?

By gentle inspirations…

In the hard moments of doubts and confusion…
The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with words of clarity and understanding.

In dark situations of hopelessness and resignations…
The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with the light of God’s hope and strength.

In the narrow tunnels of losing faith and giving up…
The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with comforting words and counsels.

In unfaithful times of going away from doing God’s will through sin…
The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with strong urges to come back to God’s ways.

In daily moments of facing a choice of doing good or bad…
The Guardian Angel gently inspires us with showing what is more beneficial and valuable.

They do not force us.
They respect our free wills.

But the Guardian Angels do long for us to always walk in God’s power and presence.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is an opportunity for us to increase in our devotion and fondness for this “friend” whom God has blessed each one of us with.

The Feast of the Guardian Angels is also an opportunity for us to increase in our duty and responsibility…
… of becoming a guardian, a friend and a guide to one another.

There are many whom we know who struggle
… with difficulties… problems…
… with faith-issues… financial difficulties…
… with mental problems… emotional breakdowns…

Jesus, through the Gospel says… “See that YOU DO NOT DESPISE one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Mt 18:10).

“Not despising” someone not only includes avoiding putting down or humiliating or causing scandal to others etc…
… but on a positive sense, means to encourage, promote and strengthen one another.

God has blessed each one of us, with a true friend, in our Guardian Angel.

Let us grow in reverence and love for our dear spiritual friend.
Let us invoke the assistance of this friend in our works, while meeting people, while going to different places etc.

As St John Vianney would say:
“When we are walking in the streets…
… let us fix our eyes on Our Lord bearing his Cross before us
… on the Blessed Virgin who is looking at us
… on our Guardian Angel who is by our side.“

Yes, let us hold on to our spiritual friend who walks with us, in sunlight and moonlight…
… and even when neither sun nor moon shines!

And in turn, be a true friend – a ‘guardian angel’ – to one another!

Happy Feast to our Dear Friend, the Guardian Angel…
… and to each one of us!

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

Deliberate hatred is contrary to charity.

Hatred of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. (CCC # 2303)

“Following the Lord more sincerely and more passionately!”

(Based on Neh 2:1-8 and Lk 9:57-62 – Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1 – Feast of St Therese of Child Jesus, Patroness of Missions)

An very elderly priest was celebrating his platinum jubilee of his priestly ordination.

The 90-year old priest, during the felicitation program was asked:
“You have lived such an inspiring priestly life.
What advice would you like to give to the younger generation of Christians and especially priests?”

With a feeble yet firm voice, the nonagenarian replied:
“Just a simple formula…
Look to Jesus! Listen to Jesus! Learn of Jesus!”

What a lovely piece of advice, isn’t it?

Looking to Jesus…
Listening to Jesus…
Learning of Jesus….
… are simple yet effective means to follow the Lord, with deeper commitment and zeal.

The Gospel of the Day is this call of the Lord to follow Him more closely…
… and to introspect our motivations and motives in being a Christian

The Gospel passage presents three people who seek to follow the Lord.

These three, present before us…
… three aspects of hurdles/barriers in following the Lord.

These are:

Comforts
Convenience
Distractions

1. A “comfortable style” of following the Lord

The first person comes up to Jesus and says: “I will follow you wherever you go” (Lk 9: 57)

But Jesus reminds him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to rest His Head” (Lk 9: 58a)

This man had probably heard or seen the Lord…
… as a mighty miracle-worker
… as a popular preacher
… as a laudable leader

These were “comforts” that would be assured in following Jesus

And so, the man chose this “comfortable style of following the Lord!”

But the Lord prohibits from seeking Him for the sake of comforts alone!

2. A “convenient style” of following the Lord

The second person is asked by the Lord to “Follow” Him (Lk 9: 59b)

But he replies, “Let me first go and bury my father” (Lk 9: 59b)

“Bury my father” was a Jewish (Arabic) way of saying….
… one must stay in one’s house till the death of the father and settle the inheritance of the property.

The man was yielding into to conveniences in following the Lord…
… “when I am convenient in my family, I will follow You”
… “when I am convenient in my personal life, I will follow You”

3. A “distractive style” of following the Lord

The third person said, “I will follow you Lord, but first let me say farewell to my home” (Lk 9:61)

But Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plough and looks to what is left behind, is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9: 62)

This person had the goodwill to follow Jesus…
… but was distracted in his motivation.

We need to introspect our motivations and motives in being a Christian…

Is my following of the Lord of a “comfortable style”…
… looking for only the comforts of prosperity and material riches…?
… being close to the Lord only in times of comfort…?

Is my following of the Lord of a “convenient style”…
… seeking to be with the Lord only when I “feel like”
… adjusting my relationship with God as per my needs and conveniences

Is my following of the Lord of a “distractive style”…
… easily straying away from the path with worldly attractions
… failing to do the Will of God owing to distractive habits and tendencies

The Lord longs to have us following Him…
… more sincerely and more passionately!

Let us always….
… Look to Jesus!
… Listen to Jesus!
… Learn of Jesus!

The Saint of the Day – St Therese of Child Jesus – invites us to be strong in our resolution for the Lord…
… and to be “child-like” – with immense trust in the Power and Providence of the Lord.

Her child-likeness had God as the Centre of her world…

God meant everything for this Little Saint.

Is God the centre of my world…?

The Little lover of God invites us…
… to adorn all our words with love
… to embrace all our actions with love
… to beautify all our thoughts with love…

It could be…
… speaking with friends
… interacting with fellow workers
… discussing some business matters
… enjoying with family members..

It could be…
… doing household works
… handling massive finances
… studying various subjects
… performing some spiritual activities

It could be…
… thinking some philosophical views
… reflecting about some people
… considering about some situations
… imagining some circumstances
… dreaming some visions

Whatever… whatever!

Whatever be our words..or actions…or thoughts….let them be embellished in LOVE!

Love demands fidelity in the countless mundane ‘little’ things of daily life

The Little Flower dares to throw “petals” at the Loving Lord…

These petals are even considered “worthless petals” by the world – a little sacrifice, a gentle smile, a kind word, an appreciative action!

Sometimes, these “worthless petals” are nothing more than a faithful effort.

But this fact of “having tried”, a good will “to do good”…. all these petals please the Lord!

Let us join the Little Saint to tread the Little Way.

As we enter into the new month of October – the month of the Holy Rosary – as a child, let us hold the hands of Mamma Mary…
… and be inspired by St Therese – the Li’l Big Saint – to love deeper the Big Big God of Love!

Let us “live Love to give Love!”
Let us “live Jesus to give Jesus!”

Happy Feast of the Beautiful Little Flower!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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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

Anger is a desire for revenge.

“To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone who should be punished is illicit,” but it is praiseworthy to impose restitution “to correct vices and maintain justice. (CCC # 2302)

“Using the Gift of God’s Grace to gain life, blessings and happiness!”

(Based on Zech 8:20-23 and Lk 9:51-56 – Tuesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1 – Founder’s Day of the MSFS Congregation)

The year 1821.

The Parish of Le Chatelard, in the Archdiocese of Chambery, France.

Two fervent and austere priests, spent a week in praying, preaching and inviting people for a Mission Service.

But the parishioners remained indifferent.
There was an air of unwelcome apathy.

The two priests, however, had to make a choice: of either continuing preaching or of “shaking off the dust!”

The priests – who were hopeful, zealous and committed – set out, in imitation of Jesus, their Master…
… to the foot of the mountains to pray for the conversion of people.

“They have gone to pray & fast for your conversion”
… was the reply the curious parishioners received on enquiry of their whereabouts.

Grace worked…
Intercession proved powerful!

The two saintly priests were called back by the people…
… and the mission in the Parish resumed with much deep fervour and enthusiasm!

One of the two missionaries was Fr Peter Marie Mermier.

(The other was his companion, Fr Joseph Favre)

Fr Peter Marie Mermier is the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS)…
… known as the Fransalians!

This daring founder – a dynamic missionary – had many incidents in his life, which made him to experience the power and presence of the Spirit in the missions.

As it is said, “When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time!’”

Yes, nothing can shake a Missionary who is firmly grounded on Jesus, the Rock…
… and has eyes gazed on the Jesus, the Crucified!

Today – on the Founder’s Day of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS) – the death anniversary of the Venerable Servant of God, Fr Peter Marie Mermier (Sep 30, 1862)…
… the Gospel of the day presents Jesus, Who has made a choice-for-life in moving towards the mission of His life.

“When the days for His being taken up were fulfilled, He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51)

The Gospel of St Luke presents the whole ministry of Jesus as a linear journey…
… a movement from Galilee to Jerusalem.

All the events and actions of Jesus are oriented towards Jerusalem.

This verse – Luke 9:51 – signifies a mega shift in the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Jesus leaves the northern area of Israel called as Galilee and moves ahead to the southern area of Israel called as Judea.

Just as the Israelites had the Exodus Event, which marked the beginning of their salvation as a nation…
… Jesus too will have the Exodus Event which culminates in Jerusalem, which will mark the beginning of the salvation of the whole world!

This verse – Luke 9:51 – marks the beginning of the Exodus Event in the life of Jesus.

The verse reads, “… He RESOLUTELY determined to journey to Jerusalem”

All of us walk the Road to Jerusalem…

Life…
… with its hard challenges and unexpected troubles
… with its spiritual difficulties and luring temptations
… with its doses of unforgiveness and bad temperaments
… with its continual showers of unpleasantness and irritations
… with its allurements to bad habits and hard-to-give up pleasures
… is indeed a Road to Jerusalem!

But unless we make a strong resolute decision to walk through this Jerusalem Road…
… salvation and victory and happiness can never be ours!

When Jesus decided to go ahead with resoluteness in His decision, He met with rejection!
“… they would not welcome Him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem” (Lk 9:53)

This is the reality of the world.

When one makes a determined decision for life, one is faced with many challenges.
When one makes a strong resolution for life, one is faced with many oppositions.

Like the disciples, James and John, very often, the answer to this rejection is sought in the form of vengeance and violence and wrath.

It is the easier way
… but it is a destructive way!

Jesus answers this rejection with a better and a powerful weapon: self-sacrifice.

The Son of Man came not to destroy, but to save through a call to repentance.

It is the hard way.
… but it is a saving way!

The answer to life’s problems is not in reacting, but in being pro-active!

Today we specially seek the intercession of St Jerome

(St Jerome who was very well-versed in Scripture, is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin…
… the translation that became known as the Vulgate – and his commentaries on the Scriptures.

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” are the famous words of exhortation of St Jerome, the doctor of the Church)

May his words, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best”
… be an inspiration for all of us!”

Let us also be inspired by the words of Ven. Fr Peter Marie Mermier
“The most virtuous (people) avoid sin and great faults…
… but they are careless in the practice of virtue.”

“It is not enough to avoid evil but it is necessary to do good
… The love of God is efficacious.
There is nothing as strong and as active as love. It is a devouring fire!”

And with respect to prayer…
“The ministry of a priest without prayer, is a barren ministry, without any effect, even harmful; it is a ministry of death!
… instead of enlightening, it blinds;
… instead of healing, it kills!

But the ministry of the one who prays, is a ministry of life!”

Jesus, today, invites each one of us to have a resolute determination in walking the Road to Jerusalem.

History is a witness to this great saga of great people who have walked this hard path…
… including Jesus
… including St Jerome
… including Fr Peter Marie Mermier

Let us know for sure, that the Grace of God will strengthen and boost us in this hard path!

Happy Founder’s Day to all the FRANSALIANS – Missionaries of St Francis de Sales (MSFS)

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

By recalling the commandment, “You shall not kill,” our Lord asked for peace of heart…

… and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral. (CCC # 2302)