For several years, the American television telecasted a show titled, “To Tell the Truth.”

>> The show features a panel of four celebrities whose objective is the correct identification of a described contestant who has an unusual occupation or experience.

This contestant is accompanied by two impostors who pretend to be the central character.

The panel question the three contestants; the impostors are allowed to lie but the central character is sworn “to tell the truth”.

After a round of questions, each panelist selects which one of the persons he believed to be the real “one”.

>> The panel rarely reach consensus.

The true identity of the “real one” was revealed by the moderator asking, “Will the real _______ please stand up. ”

This phrase become a well-known expression: “Will the real ___________ please stand up?!”

We are today placed with a similar task before us through the Gospel reading: To identify the real Jesus!

>> “Will the Real Jesus please stand up?”

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation of St Mark’s account of the Lord’s ministry.

Jesus is engaged in His proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

>> He is proving Himself to be a person who is of the supernatural and the extraordinary realm.

>> He teaches the Scriptures with deep authority and conviction…

… People hear God speaking in their lives!

>> He silences and expels the forces of evil and influences the nature…

… People experience the Divine force in their lives!

>> He infuses life into the dead and proclaims his great power…

… People come across the marvellous works of the Lord!

>> He exercises His healing over the sick and the suffering…

… People witness His glorious control and supremacy!

People are…

… swayed over His mighty works

… super-excited by His amazing wonders

… overwhelmed with His wonderful deeds

>> But such occasions are the times of great testing and trial for anyone..

The easiest moments of losing oneself is in the midst of immense success!

>> The most tempting times of losing one’s focus is when there are widespread victories!

The Lord was surrounded by immense recognition and successes.

>> The crowds were thronging around Him and His popularity ratings were soaring.

But, just as the tree of success must be deeply grounded & rooted in the soil of stability and firmness…

>> So also, the Lord was fully aware of His goals and mission.

And so the Gospel of St Mark would explicitly point out the actions of the Lord…

‘Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed’ (Mk 1: 35)

>> ‘He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come”‘ (Mk 1: 38)

The Lord points out to the people and to His disciples the priorities of His Life – Being in communion with His Heavenly Father and Spreading the Kingdom of God!

>> He doesn’t get over-awed with success!

>> He doesn’t get carried away by reputations!

He reminds His disciples and His people to seek the “real” Jesus!

>> He brings to the notice of His disciples and His people to long for the “real” Jesus!

It’s a moment for us to check and examine our own lives: Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

>> Is Jesus merely a source of healings and remedies in my moments of physical sicknesses…

… or has He also become the true balm and consolation in my spiritual health and well-being?

>> Is Jesus only like a call-centre agent whom I seek in order to fix some problems of life…

… or Has He also become genuinely the treasure and the priceless fortune of my Life?

>> Is Jesus simply a solution and answer when crisis hits my life and things go badly…

… or has He also become authentically the greatest powerhouse and thrust of my Life?

Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

>> Or is it merely…

… a Jesus of quick-fix solutions?

… a Jesus who is a problem-solver?

… a Jesus who is remembered in times of trials alone?

… a Jesus who is expected to give all answers to my confusions?

The people and the disciples, as we see in the Gospel, seemed happy and satisfied to seek Jesus who performs wonders.

Surely, wonders and sensational deeds are good.

>> But they are not to be an end in itself….

>> They are not to be made the primary motto.

Miracles and marvels ought to become a launching pad for a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Let us not reduce the greatness of Jesus to just miracles…

>> Let us not bring down the immensity of Jesus to just physical needs.

Let us rather, seek…

… the True and Living Lord for a wholesome & integral growth for eternity.

… the Compassionate and Powerful Lord to grow in holiness & sanctity.

“Will the Real Jesus of my life please stand up?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed!”

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One of the very beautiful descriptions of a “Prophet” goes thus:

>> A prophet is someone…

… who comforts the disturbed

… and disturbs the comforted!

This description finds its expression in the lives of Prophets in the Bible

They were people…

… who offered great comfort and consolation to those in difficulty and distress

… who reached out to the ones who needed a word of hope and happiness

At the same time, they were people…

… who out rightly condemned those who led a comfortable life – away from God and His Commandments

… who vehemently opposed the ways of those who oppressed the poor and constantly disrupted the lethargic lives of people.

Jesus is the “Prophet of all prophets!”

>> The perfection and the fullness of all prophets!

And so, undoubtedly, Jesus, by His Prophetic Ministry also greatly upheld the principle of being the one…

… who comforts the disturbed

… and disturbs the comforted!

The Gospel of the Day presents such an action of encounter…

… where on side a group of people, who are listening to Jesus, are comforted

… while on the other side, some are extremely disturbed by the Prophetic Presence of Jesus!

… between the Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God

… between the shackles of captivity and bondage and the power of release and liberation

Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and addressing the people. (Mk 1:21)

His prophetic teaching is full of power and conviction…

>> His prophetic teaching is filled with passion and fervour…

When one is deeply convinced of one’s beliefs, it overflows into one’s words and actions

>> When one is highly passionate about one’s faith, it overwhelms one’s deeds and life.

As He taught the people, Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit, who cried out,” What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mk 1: 24)

Where there is light, darkness cannot stand too long…

>> Where there is immense holiness, filth cannot remain for long…

>> When there is the Word of God being proclaimed, the powers of Satan begin to tremble…

Imagine this situation…

Jesus had been preaching for a while in the synagogue.

>> All people were in rapt attention & awe, listening to His gracious words.

But in the midst of them.. was this man, with an unclean spirit.

He also was patiently hearing…

>> But as the bold words flowed from Jesus, the spirit within this man began to disturb.

The Lord’s Voice…

… began to reverberate his heart and mind…

… began to pierce into the depths of his soul…

He began to get agitated.

>> He began to get restless.

>> He began to get frantic.

And finally, he could no longer tolerate and with a massive and shrieking voice, he cried, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?!”

The cry of the man is not something in isolation….

>> The cry of the man is not something which is unique….

This cry is often repeated by all of us too…

>> “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are living a life of coziness and comforts…

>> And we are encountered with situations of misery and helpless of other people..

We hear the words of the Lord to reach out to them in compassion and love.

>> But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are living a life in sin, bad habits and without even a sense of guilt…

>> And we are encountered by caring people who remind us of our need to give up such things…

We hear the words of the Lord to renew and mend our lives in purity and holiness.

>> But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are going through our life without proper sacraments and religious practices…

>> And we are encountered by constant exhortations to deepen our spiritual life…

We hear the words of the Lord to return to Him in humility and repentance.

>> But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

Often, we are happy to remain with the spirit of luxury, the spirit of casualness, the spirit of indifference, the spirit of lukewarmness, the spirit of pleasures etc…

We don’t like being disturbed.

>> We don’t like being questioned.

>> We don’t like being shaken up.

If we are, we get agitated and irritated… we resist and we get wild.

>> We even shout out: “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

But, in all such situations, the Lord wants to empower us with His powerful & bold words, “QUIET! Come out of him” (Mk 1: 25)

Yes, Jesus the Prophet, mightily challenges all of us!

He is the Great Prophet

… who comforts the disturbed

… and disturbs the comforted!

Our life is a constant warfare with the forces of the evil and the spirit of darkness.

It’s a battle that rages strongly…

>> It’s a combat that is highly engrossing.

But let us not be afraid…

The Powerful and Awe-Inspiring Lord is on our side!

>> Let us hold on to Him… and victory will be ours!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not be afraid when difficulties come your way.

>> Laugh in its face…

… and know that you are in the Hands of God!”

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The fish has been greatly associated with Christianity.

The early Christians used to associate each other with a code symbol named ICHTHUS.

ICHTHUS is the Greek word for Fish.

ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthus) was also an acronym for “Ίησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ”, (Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates as “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour”.

It is a symbol consisting of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish.

As per an ancient story, when a Christian met a stranger in the road..

… the Christian sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt.

>> If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company.

The fish has been sailing along the Christian waters for quite long!

And this journey of the fish in the Christian waters has its commencement in the Gospel of the Day – Jesus calls His first disciples, who were busy “catching fish”.

In the Gospel of the Day, Simon , his brother Andrew, along with the family of Zebedee – John, James and their father, were busy fishing.

>> The Lord, indeed, comes to meet and encounter us in the ordinary situations of our life.

Fishing was their means of livelihood

>> As they are engaged in these affairs of livelihood and occupation, they have a surprise visitor – Jesus!

He comes with a contagious fire of love in His heart & a gentle expression on His face.

>> He comes with a deep passionate look in His eyes & a soothing appearance in His personality

He calls out to the busy fishermen, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!” (Mk 1:17)

“Fishers of men??!”

All their life they had only known that its only fish that can be fished!

>> But this was strange to hear – that “people could also be fished”!

That trade of “fishing of people” would soon be taught to them by the Great Fisherman of Galilee…

>> Not with hooks of iron…

… but with hooks of conscience-appeal and heart-attraction

>> Not spreading nets of cloth, nylon or fibre etc…

… but with nets of goodness and love

>> Not travelling in deep waters of the sea…

… but navigating into the depths of human life

In the ordinary situation of life…

The disciples experienced the call to go beyond mere existential realities

>> The Lord introduced them to a Way to Eternity!

In the normal routine of life…

The disciples experienced the power to transpose their basic and ordinary needs

>> The Lord manifested to them the Higher Needs of Life!

For these fishermen-disciples, life had got into a sort of daily ordinary rhythm:

Going for fishing and trying their luck…

…Sometimes high success… many times immense failure…most of the times nothing exciting.

It was just a monotonous, repetitive and droning style of life.

Our lives too sometimes become a matter of routine and ordinary existence…

>> The same daily works and activities…

…Sometimes high success… many times immense failure…most of the times nothing exciting.

It is, very often, just a tedious, dull and boring style of life.

But in these ordinary moments, there are glimpses of the Extraordinary that is often revealed.

>> In the simple situations, there are rays of the Light of Eternity that often shines through.

Are we open and docile to these “ordinary” and “simple” appearances of the Lord in our lives?

Simple fishermen became part of the Super Fishing Strategy of the Greatest Fisherman of the world!

>> You and I… are called to today, in the littleness and the ordinariness of our lives…

…to give witness to the One who renovates lives and transforms hearts!

… to get transformed & filled with the same passion and zeal of the Disciples!

Are we ready to go fishing with this Great Fisherman of Galilee?

Hail ICHTUS – Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS

Bengaluru, India

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS)– “ You can catch more flies with a spoon of honey than with a barrel of vinegar!_”

There is a story told about St. Patrick, a 5th-century Bishop, known as the “Apostle of reland”

Once he passed through a kingdom named Munster when the Prince King Aengus, came forth to meet him.

>> This prince had already obtained some knowledge of Christianity, and asked the grace of holy baptism from the saint.

Now a bishop always carries a crozier ( a stylish staff, symbol of the governing office of a Bishop) with him.

St. Patrick’s crozier had a metal spike, so that he could stick it into the ground.

When he began to baptize Aengus, he stuck his crozier into the ground beside him.

>> But the crozier did not go into the ground, it went instead right through Aengus’s foot!!

The prince did not even moan, but just went a bit pale….

>> St. Patrick, however, went on with the ceremony, not knowing what he had done.

After the ceremony, St Patrick turned to take his crozier from the ground.

>> He saw the ground splattered with blood!

He was horrified when he realized what he had done….

“Why didn’t you say something?” Patrick asked.

Aengus answered, “Well! I thought it was part of the baptism ceremony!”

The new convert didn’t complain of the deep pain & even the loss of blood, thinking it was part of the ceremony.

Well!!

>> We could perhaps laugh over it!

>> We could perhaps feel, “how immature he was!”

>> We could perhaps think that he was too naive in his understanding of Baptism!

But then, think of it, from another perspective….

>>> Is not pain an intrinsic element of Baptism?

>>> Is not shedding blood a real part of Baptism?

Is Baptism, today, become a mere ritual with celebrations and get-togethers?

>> Or is Baptism a life-transforming process, with its intrinsic elements of pain and sacrifices?

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus.

The liturgical season of Christmas, celebrating the self-revelation of God through Jesus, comes to an end with the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.

This incident of the Baptism of Jesus is greatly significant and important….

It is one of the few passages that appears in all the four Gospels.

>> It was the first public revelation of the Three Persons of the Trinity

>> It was the first official declaration of Jesus as the Son of God to the world

For Jesus…

… it was a moment of identification with us sinners.

… it was a moment of decision to begin His public ministry.

… it was a moment of approval when His Father called Him as His “beloved Son”.

Each one us, as Christians have been baptized in the Lord!

What does Baptism mean to us?

>> What has Baptism meant to us?

Baptism is a time when we call ourselves to have ” put on” Christ…

… a time of conversion…from the old to the new!

For a moment, lets borrow the idea of how the Jewish conversion would be effected…so that we could have a better and a deeper understanding of our Christian Baptism.

For a Gentile to become a full-fledged Jew there was a basic three-step process…

1. The first was to offer a sacrifice

A heifer or a pair of turtledoves was brought to the priest and given as a burnt offering to God. This meant some expense involved.

>> It required hardship, forfeiting and sacrifice oneself to become a new person!

2. The second was circumcision – the cutting away of a piece of flesh from a man’s body.

For a Jewish boy, this was done when he was 8 days old, thus the pain wasn’t remembered.

But an adult male, who wanted to become a Jewish proselyte, had to undergo this procedure, regardless of his age.

>> It required deep pain, immense agony and even shedding of blood to become a new person!

3. The third was baptism.

The person stripped off all of his clothes.

He then went into the water naked before the Rabbis…dipped himself under water making sure to fully immerse his entire body!

>> It required a lot of humility and self-sacrifice to become a new person!

Christian Baptism doesn’t have these external signs and actions as that of the Jews.

>> But the internal aspects are much more strongly present…and even more valid!

To be a Baptised Person in Jesus – a passage from the Old to the New, requires….

1. Sacrifice of oneself

…. Willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the Lord, in the form of money, talents, time, energy etc…

He who wishes to follow me, must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me (Mt 16:24)

2. Undergoing pain and suffering

… Openness to share the agony and grief of life through various life situations and being patient and faithful in all trials …

“The Lord your God will circumcise your heart… to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…” (Dt 30: 6)

3. Embracing a life of humility and dependence on God

… Readiness to overcome our pride, our selfish desires and interests and allow God’s grace and mercy to flow through us…

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1Pet 5:6)

The Catholic Baptism has some of the following elements, which are powerful pointers to recognise the worth and depth of this Sacrament…

1. Water

>> Recalls the many miracles from the Old Testament…

… Noah’s Flood for a new creation

… The Crossing of the Red Sea, by dying to the past and welcoming a new beginning

… Moses bringing water from the rock symbolizing the new life in Christ

… The cleansing of the leper Naaman in the waters of Jordan showing the purifying and sanctifying action.

2. Baptismal Garment

>> Symbolized purity from the stain of the original sin and the call to live in holiness and sanctity, clothed in white, washed in the blood of the Lamb.

3. The Baptismal Candle

>> Represents the Flame of Grace that is kindled at Baptism and the utmost care to be taken to keep it away from being extinguished by the wind of mortal sin.

>> It also shows the acceptance of Jesus, the Light of the World and His Word to be a “lamp for one’s feet and a light to one’s path” (Ps 118: 105)

4. The Oil of Anointing

>> The Oil of Anointing is the seal that we are blessed to be called the children of God and the members of the Holy Church

>> It is the initiation into the three-fold ministry – being a Prophet, being a Priest and being a Shepherd – just like Jesus.

5. God Parents

>> They represent the Church, committing themselves to the growth, guidance and guarding of the spiritual life of the Baptised person

Most of us have been Baptized when we were too little…

We were not aware….

>> But those who loved us and cared for us, were aware.

Baptism was a beginning… an initiation…into a life of grace…a journey with the Lord!

The Spirit of the Lord is within us…

>> And the call from deep within us is strong….

“Rise up from slumber, if you are sleeping…

As a Baptised Christian, you have a very noble vocation and an immense responsibility…

Christian Life is no joke

… it does not tolerate passivity

… it does not allow lethargy!

Look up..

>> Mother Church is waiting to embrace you in deep love with Her Sacraments…

>> Mother Mary and all the Saints and Angels are encouraging you to become a Saint…

Yes, You are a Baptized Child of God

…Consecrated to the Lord

… Holy to Him!

> Be true…

>> Be Faithful…

>>> Be Enthusiastic…

>>>> Be Proud.. to be a Christian”

Yes, let us re-kindle the fire and love of being a Christian….

Let’s renew our Baptism!

>> Let’s live our Baptism!

Happy Feast to all of us baptized with our Dearest Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When the daughter of a strange land was about to espouse an Israelite, the law commanded her to put off the garment of her captivity, to pare her nails, and to shave her head;

>> Even so the soul which aims at the dignity of becoming the spouse of Christ, must put off the old man, and put on the new man, forsaking sin…

… moreover, it must pare and shave away every impediment which can hinder the Love of God!”

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The Greek mythology has a character named Narcissus whowas renowned for his beauty.

>> He was exceptionally proud; so much that he even disdained those who loved him!

One day, Narcissus was attracted to a pool of water.

He saw his own reflection in the water and fell in love with it. He failed to realise that it was only an image!

>> Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, he drowned in the waters!

An obsessive love of his own-self drowned him!

A true appreciation, real honouring and genuine love of oneself is highly important & needed.

>> But when this self-directed love crosses the boundary, it can lead to obsession and fixation!

Are we in anyway getting drowned, knowingly or unknowingly, as a result of an excessive love for our self?

The Gospel of the Day invites and challenges us to ponder over this aspect by presenting the dramatically humble personality of John the Baptist!

One of the most supreme and vital messages that we learn from the life of John the Baptist is Humility – a virtue in direct contrast to the dangerous vice of Pride!

There are two kinds of pride: good and bad.

‘Good pride’ is our dignity & self-respect…

>> ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.

What is pride, as a vice?

>> In simple words, it could defined as “wanting our own way!”

Therefore, what is humility as a virtue?

>> In simple words, it could be defined as “wanting God’s Will!”

This is what we learn from the life of St John the Baptist.

He sought not his own way, but the way of the One who sent him.

>> He wanted not his light to shine, but the Light of Him who sent him.

The Gospel of the day has a scene of dispute arising…

John the Baptist, by his bold preaching and his radical life-style had attracted many disciples.

Some of these disciples come and tell John, “Rabbi, the One who was with you across the Jordan, to Whom you testified, here He is baptizing and everyone is coming to Him” (Jn 3:26)

These disciples of John…

… seem so resentful of Jesus that they don’t even mention His name!

… are distressed that Jesus and His disciples are more successful than they are!

… are irritated that their Master has not come up with any remedy yet!

There seemed anxiety in their voice…

>> There seemed anger in their tone!

John had preached about repentance…baptized…and had pointed to the coming Messiah

This should have been a time for John’s disciples to celebrate, now that Jesus was coming to the forefront!

But they forgot an important aspect of ministry: That we are doing all for HIM!

The disciples of John, perhaps, sought a “narcisstic” attention to their own ministry…

>> They, perhaps, adopted a “narcisstic” style in their works and activities…

Looking into just themselves and their interests….

>> Seeking to fulfil only their objectives and motives…

But John the Baptist – their master – remain unperturbed and undisturbed.

He displays an angelic countenance of humility!

As St Augustine says, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels”

Like a good coach, who drills discipline & restraint into “his men”, John tells his disciples, “Let’s get back to the basics!”

John reminds His disciples…

… that His ministry is not of his own, but received from God!

… that He is not to take centre-stage, but only the One greater than him!

… that He was not to be the Messiah, but only the forerunner of the Messiah!

>> John reminds His disciples that He is only the friend of the bridegroom.. (Jn 3:29)

In our life, it is easy for us to lose our focus from the Lord and have a “narcisstic” style of preferences for our own selves…

>> We may tend to forget the blessings that the Lord has showered on us…

… and instead attribute all successes to our own talents and abilities.

>> We may lose sight of the Lord, the real purposes of our vocation and the mission…

… and instead seek to fulfil our personal agenda and motives.

It is easy to bask in the glory of popularity and fame.

>> It is satisfying to enjoy the sunshine of reputations and recognitions.

… but let them never lead us to have a “narcisstic” approach of just “looking into” ourselves.

Let us have the humility to acknowledge that it is God’s power being manifested in our works.

>> Let us have the acceptance that it is God’s graces that has lifted us to a high position.

Yes, “drown” not in the murky waters of pride, egoism and selfishness…

>> Rather let us “sail” together with the Lord over the clean waters of humility and meekness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let us not lower our eyes without humiliating at the same time the heart; let not others think we want the last place without truly desiring it.”

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Life sometimes is quite strange!

>> Often, when things go all well and it seems that everything is fine…disasters strike in life.

This is an experience of many of us in our lives.

Think of a man who is in his early thirties…

He has a wonderful wife, with two lovely children.

>> It’s a home with lot of joy and happiness…

One day, the man comes back home after work – he is a mason.

On coming back, he informs his wife of a tiny sore that has been nagging him for sometime

>> This sore had turned a bit reddish after the heavy days of work.

With much insistence and persuasion by the wife, the man agrees to show it to a doctor.

After the initial check up, the doctor tells them:

“Well, the sore certainly has grown a bit. I have some of my initial observations, but I need to work on them still.

>> Why don’t you stay up here in the hospital for a few days, so that I can further examine?”

And so they agree.

As days pass, the sore gets more infectious.

The doctor, now is ready with his well-studied and examined decision…” I am sorry to inform you…

… but you are infected with… Leprosy!!”

Hearing this, the man is terrified.

Leprosy, he knew, was not just an ordinary sickness.

>> It was a slow death sentence – distanced from family, distanced from society, distanced from self!

Imagine that situation of the happy living family!

The man is now to leave his wife and children; his land and work;

… He is to go and live with people who were afflicted with a similar disease.

>> This was the law of the land.

>> This was the regulation practised in this area.

The Law required the lepers to keep as far away from all healthy people as possible.

>> Whenever someone drew near who did not have leprosy, the leper was supposed to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!”

So, with a heavy heart and a crushed spirit, the man leaves his loving wife and two children.

>> He goes off alone… to rot!

>> He goes off alone… to die!

He couldn’t even have an animal for a companion.

>> If he touched even a dog, the dog had to be killed so that it did not carry the disease back into the city.

Life as a leper was just too horrible and miserable!

>> Life sometimes is indeed quite strange!

The Gospel of the Day presents one such leper…

… A man who was “full of leprosy” ( Lk 5:12)

One fine day, however, this leper looks up and sees a small group of people following a Man.

That man, the leader, he comes to know.. is Jesus.

The leper has heard about Jesus.

>> He would wish to hear Him.

But the Law did not permit to go close!

As the group passes their way, this leper man remembers what the Law taught Him..

>> And he begins to shout, “Unclean! Unclean! I have leprosy! Stay away from me! Unclean!”

But then a strange thing happens!!

Jesus keeps coming closer to him.

His shouts increases… louder goes his cries…”Unclean, Unclean!”

>> But Jesus keeps coming closer and closer… till He has reached the leper man!

The leper man has now been afflicted for many years.

He misses his family very deeply.

>> He knows he is at the edge of life… undergoing a slow death!

But…

… Before him, now stands, Someone, who he has heard, has tremendous power!

… Before him, now stands, Someone, who he has heard, can unshackle any bondage!

And so, with tears filling his eyes and dread filling his shocked face, he asks, ” Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean!” (Lk 5:12)

>> It was a cry of agony.

>> It was a wail of immense anguish.

He had suffered much.

>> He had been separated from loved ones for long.

Now he wanted a deliverance.

>> He wanted freedom from the captivity.

>>> He wanted a wholesome life in his loathsome existence!

And then comes the spectacular words of Jesus: “I do Will. Be clean!” (Lk 5:13)

The Lord touches him!

>> His body was touched!

>> His heart was healed!

>> His soul was cleansed!

Life was restored! Happiness was returned!

Do you and me also feel sometimes like a leper?

>> Situations of happiness being snatched away?

>> Moments of love and affection being afflicted?

>> Times of joy, serenity and calmness being affected?

Unloved? Rejected? Despised? Abused? Helpless? Hopeless? Dying?

We may be going through hard times…

>> We may feel that life is unfair to us…

>> We may feel that existence is meaningless…

But…

… The Lord wants to restore us!

… He wants to make us whole again!

>> Life is strange…

… but the Power of the Lord is more strong!

>> Life is complicated…

… but the Grace of the Lord is more compelling!

The Lord is here to touch us!

>> Lets stretch out to Him…

… our hands!

… our hearts!

… our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “During the night we must wait for the light.”

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A carpenter is a person who works with wood.

The carpenter uses various tools and implements in order to cut, shape, chisel, carve and cut into the pieces of wood.

>> Gives new shapes… repairs the broken ones…polishes the rough edges etc…

The Gospel of the Day is an encounter with such a Carpenter.

Well… he is no ordinary one….

>> He is the Great Carpenter of Nazareth.. JESUS!

Jesus is in His hometown of Nazareth.

>> He walks into the synagogue, as was His custom.

>> He is handed over the book of prophet Isaiah and reads a prophetic passage.

All were amazed at His gracious words and they began to ask each other, ” Isn’t this the Son of Joseph” (Lk 4:22)

Yeah, Jesus was the Son of Joseph, the carpenter!

>> And this Child of Joseph, was Himself also a carpenter!

>> The people would have murmured this statement to belittle Jesus.

>> The people would have referred Him so, because of their bias and prejudice.

>> The people perhaps called Him that way to show that He was just ordinary – one of them.

But what the people murmured or muttered or grumbled was indeed true…

>> Even later on, the people would refer, “Is He not the carpenter, the son of Mary…” (Mk 6:3)

Truly, Jesus is the Carpenter…

>> Not just an ordinary one, but the Great Carpenter of Nazareth!

The Jewish people were in great expectation of a Messiah.

>>Their concept of a Messiah would have been one who is very powerful, kingly, majestic etc.

But Jesus, the Messiah doesn’t ornament Himself with all such expected grandeur.

>> He doesn’t robe Himself with a showy magnificence or armour Himself with majestic works.

He takes the role of a Carpenter.

>> He identified Himself with the common people…

>> He became one with humanity with hard labour and gritty toil.

On one of the tombstones, in Great Britain, there is an epitaph written for a man named Thomas Cobb.

>> It says, “Here lies Thomas Cobb, who mended shoes to the glory of God, for 40 years.”

Yes, glory and honour can be rendered to God in any activity- small or great, menial or expert!

What is my understanding about the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me?

>> Am I aware that in all works – small and great, I can be giving glory to God?

>> Do I perform all my tasks, with a Sacred Sense that it’s an extension of God’s creative works?

A carpenter’s work is to fashion new things from ordinary wood and also to repair things that have been damaged.

The Great Carpenter of Nazareth is wanting to do the same in our lives…

>> He wants to create us anew and refashion our lives.

>> He wants to give new shape and utility to our brokenness and damaged parts of life.

Are we ready to let the Great Carpenter of Nazareth to work in our lives?

>> Hammer in some of the nails of discipline and virtues?

>> Chisel away sin and other unwanted portions of our life?

>> Polish some places of life that have lost its sheen and shine?

>> Drill in some screws to tighten the lethargic and sluggish areas of life?

>> Level some habits in us that can hamper the balance of our spirituality?

>> Measure some of our activities to determine how much exactly is needed?

In Mt 12:20 we read, “… a bruised reed, He will not break..”

We all of us have our brokenness in life… damages in relations… bruises in thoughts..

>> But the Great Carpenter assures that He will not let our bruised reeds be broken!

> He wants to mend us..

>> He wants to repair us…

>>> He wants to fashion us anew!

As a stanza in one of the lesser-known carol titled, “Behold a little Child” goes…

“Christ, Master Carpenter,

We come rough-hewn to Thee;

At last, through wood and nails,

Thou mad’st us whole and free;

In this thy world remake us, planned,

To truer beauty of Thine Hand.”

Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is upon this Great Carpenter of Galilee, “…to bring glad tidings to the poor;

Liberty to the captives; Recovery of sight to the blind;

Let the oppressed go free;

To proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Lk 4: 18-19)”

Knock…Knock… The Carpenter is already here…

>> Let’s open the door to Him…

… no matter, even if the door is also damaged!!

Let us entrust our lives into the care of the Great Carpenter of Nazareth….!

God bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Be patient with all, but especially with yourself. Do not trouble yourself about your imperfections.

>> Always have the courage to pick yourself back up and begin again every day…

… for there is no better path to success in the spiritual life than always to begin again and never to think that you have done enough.”

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Played with li’l children?

When elders play some game with little children, we usually change some rules of the game.

>> It could be a game of cricket, or football or just passing the ball etc…

We relax some of the rules to make it easy for the child to enjoy the game a little more.

>> Sometimes for fun, we even, play badly, so that the child may win…

>> Sometimes, we even make some adjustments and act as if we don’t know how to play well..

>> Sometimes, we even play, as if we are losing very badly so that the child may enjoy more…

We do a bit of “acting” and do some pretense, in order to see the reaction of the children.

Well…

.. for the Lord, we too are li’l Children…

>> And no doubt, He too loves to play some tricks with us, His kids!

The Gospel of the Day is an example of how the Lord loves having “some fun” with us, His little KIDS…

The Lord has performed a stupendous multiplication of the five loaves and two fish among the five thousand men. (Mk 6: 34-44)

He then makes His disciples to get onto a boat, while He retires to enjoy His precious moments with His Abba Father on the mountains, to pray. (Mk 6: 45-46)

>> It’s at that time, the disciples, who are out in the sea, travelling on the boat, face a great storm.

As the disciples are struggling against the waves that hit them and the gushes of wind lashing against their boat, Jesus comes walking on the sea, towards them.

St Mark’s Gospel is very particular in mentioning a strangely overlooked statement: “He meant to pass them by” (Mk 6: 48b)

>> Another translation of this sentence would read, “He intended to pass them by”!

Now, that’s strange, right?

The disciples are struggling for life and are in deep danger…

… And does the Lord wish to just pass them by?

The boat is to capsize and it’s a terrible resistance against the forces of nature…

… And does the Lord just want to pass them by?

Did He not see them?

>> Or does He not care?

Well…

… this is where we introduce the aspect of the Lord having some “fun” with His children!

On another occasion also, Jesus would do something similar…

On the road to Emmaus, with the two disciples, when they reach close to their destination, Jesus does a similar “prank”

>> “As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus gave the impression that he was going on further” (Lk 24:28)

Yet, on both occasions…

… when Jesus is called up, He responds positively.

In the boat, when the disciples saw the Jesus intended to pass them by, they cried out in fear.

>> And this prayer… of fear and worry… was heard by the Lord, and He responds!

On the way to Emmaus, when the two saw that Jesus was going away, they requested his presence.

>> And this prayer… of earnestness and desire…was heard by the Lord, and He responds!

Similar situations here…

>> The Lord in a sort of a “prank”… intends to pass by.

It seems that He is apparently not so interested in their concerns…

>> Yet, when they call out to Him…

… He responds!

Just like elders while playing with children, who “act” for some time….

… Jesus’ “acting” of being disinterested or “not knowing what to do” pays off…

>> The disciples reach out to Him in earnest prayer…and a miracle is performed!

> The Lord seems to pass by, not because He is not interested in us.

> The Lord acts as if He is passing by, not because He does not care for us.

It is rather just His way of making us to also reach out to Him in prayer

>> Divine disposition does not do away with human actions….

>> Divine help does not rule out human initiatives.

We are not to sit back and wait in passivity for God’s help…

>> We are to call out on Him, in prayer, in faith, in love!

Our lives sometimes have to face the consequence of this “prank” or “acting” of the Lord.

>> We struggle in the boats of our life, against dreadful storms of problems…

>> We row hard with all our might, and sometimes feel that it’s going to be the end of our life…

>> We get frightened and are afraid that somehow the waves will have the better of ourselves…

And the Lord, just “seems” to pass by

>> But when we cry out in deep anguish and fear…

… the Lord hears!

Our anxiety and fears itself becomes a prayer in the Presence of the Lord!

Is our life passing through deadly storms of faithlessness and isolation?

>> Are the dreadful waves of hardships and miseries assaulting us?

Does it seem that the Lord is “just passing by”?

Lift up the sagging and weary spirits…

… The Lord is very much with us!

Let’s open our hearts and lives to Him…

… and hear Him say: “Take courage, it is I… Do not be afraid!” (Mk 6:50)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day.

>> Either he will shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”

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One of the easiest doubts that crops up in our day to day experience is the “doubt in our abilities”.

>> How can I do the job?

>> How can I be expected to study so much?

>> How can I ever be able to succeed in such a situation? Etc… etc…

Such a doubting of our abilities can leave many of our plans and aspirations to be at a standstill…

The Gospel of the Day brings us face-to-face with such kind of a situation – a situation of “doubts in abilities”

It was a late evening…

The Lord had finished preaching the Word of God to a large crowd of people.

>> The disciples sensed that it had got too late and requested the Lord to send the people away, so that they could fetch some food for themselves.

“This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat” (Mk 6: 36)

But the Lord had different plans… as always!

>> The Lord loves to challenge us in our comforts…

>> The Lord loves to let loose our lethargic leanings…

>> The Lord loves to instigate our insipid inhibitions…

He tells the disciples, “Give them some food yourselves” (Mk 6: 37)

This statement came as a shocker for the disciples….

” Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” (Mk 6:37)

>> The disciples were not prepared to accept the challenge of the Lord…

They perhaps thought from a financial point of view… It would be too expensive to feed so many!

… And doubting their ability, they thought – “How can it be possible?”

They perhaps thought from a sociological point of view… It would be too impractical to handle so many!

… And doubting their ability, they thought – “How can it be possible?”

They perhaps thought from a comfort point of view… It would be a botheration for us to look after so many!

… And doubting their ability, they thought – “How can it be possible?”

>> Logic sometimes tells us that some things are too hard.

>> Reason sometimes prompts us that some situations are too bad.

>> Brain sometimes puts forward that some circumstances are beyond our control.

But the Lord invites them to look at the strength of their ability… which is He Himself!

>> When problems come, we often “doubt out abilities” because we look only into ourselves…

We fail to look to the Lord, who is the solution to our problems.

>> When difficulties encompass us, we often “doubt out abilities” because we think that we are the master of everything…

We fall short of recognizing the power of God, which is, in fact, our true strength

>> When crisis befalls us, we often “doubt out abilities”, because we get totally tensed and worried within ourselves…

We do not look up and see the hand of God, waiting to lead and guide us

The Disciples, who were “doubting their abilities”, finally let themselves into the ways of the Lord…

>> And then the miracle happened!!

>> When we entrust everything into God’s hands, miracles occur…

>> When we have faith in the mighty Providence of the Lord, wonders take place…

> Before the Lord… logic can dissolve!

> Before the Lord… reason can be floored!

> Before the Lord… brains can be put to shame!

Yes…

… Life will continue to challenge us with problems, wherein we “doubt our abilities”

… Life will always ambush us with painful difficulties, wherein we “doubt our abilities”

Let all those moments…

… be a chance for us to allow the Lord to multiply His blessings in us.

… be an opportunity for us to let the Lord to increase His grace in us.

As St Paul of the Cross tells us, ” Let us throw ourselves into the ocean of His goodness, where every failing will be cancelled and every anxiety turned into love.”

Let us throw ourselves entirely into the care of our Divine Compassionate Shepherd!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.”

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One of the subtle, taken-for-granted, yet successful techniques in life, is “withdrawal”.

(This “withdrawal” is NOT in the psychological sense of alienating oneself or going into an isolated state of mind)

This technique of “withdrawal” is seen in many areas of life….

While playing chess, as part of a clever strategy, one “withdraws” some of the pieces, in order to have a better control over the game.

>> This withdrawal is in order to alter the line of attack…

>> This withdrawal is to plan a new approach to win the game…

While driving a bike through heavy traffic (especially through the Indian roads), one “withdraws” one’s vehicle for some time, by slowing down…

>> This withdrawal is to allow a little more space ahead, so that we can overtake faster…

>> This withdrawal, by slowing down for few seconds, helps to find more empty spaces to go ahead faster…

Withdrawal, as a technique, is not a sign of weakness or surrender…

>> Rather, it’s a tactic to plan better and enhance organizing.

Withdrawal, as a technique, is not an indication of admitting defeat or submissiveness…

>> Rather, it’s a method to make more progress and find better ways out.

The Gospel of the Day begins with a mention of ‘withdrawal’ by Jesus…

“When He heard that John had been arrested, Jesus withdrew to Galilee” (Mt 4:12)

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus had already begun preaching about the message of repentance.

King Herod, in Jerusalem, had to also face the “naked truths” of the preaching of John.

>> Living in immorality, King Herod had been strongly condemned for his actions, by John

>> Practising adultery, King Herod had been angered greatly by the bold exhortation of John

And so, King Herod had John the Baptist arrested.

>> The “Voice” had been stifled!

>> The “Voice” was suppressed!

St Matthew, however, says, that on hearing of John’s arrest, “Jesus withdrew”.

>> Was it a withdrawal out of fear?

>> Was it a withdrawal because Jesus got intimidated by King Herod?

Surely No!!

Why was it not an action of fear?

Because….

… Galilee, the place where Jesus withdrew, was equally a dangerous place since it was also under King Herod?s rule

… Jesus would display a far greater exhibition of courage, bravery and boldness than even John, by His ministry of Authentic Preaching and Awe-inspiring wondrous deeds.

… God in His Divine plan wanted Jesus to perform much of His ministry in the Gentile region of Galilee.

>> Galilee was certainly not the most obvious place for the Messiah to begin His ministry.

>> Galilee was part of the Northern Kingdom of the nation, which was ruled by ungodly kings…

 

The population was mixed in race and looked down upon by the Jews of Judah & Jerusalem.

> The people of Galilee were considered to be somewhat pagan in their spiritual life.

Yet, as part of His Divine strategy, Jesus “withdraws” to this most improbable place of Galilee to launch His ministry of Spiritual Revolution of the world.

Life sometimes makes us to “withdraw”…

>> In a situation of trouble and crisis, we need to sometimes “withdraw” into our selves and find time with the Lord, in order to assess and evaluate our circumstances.

>> In our dealings with others, we need to sometimes “withdraw” some of our words, expressions and feelings, in order to preserve and strengthen our relationships.

>> In our careers or future planning, we need to sometimes “withdraw” so that we can give sometime for ourselves and thus be able to perform better.

Life is not always rosy and life is not always a cakewalk.

>> Difficulties and struggles are ready to very often pounce on us.

>> Crisis and situations of terror are waiting to grab us by the neck.

Just like our Dear Lord, who is the perfect strategist and the ideal planner, we too need to take control of our lives, by giving time for “ourselves” even if needed to “withdraw” at certain times.

>> This withdrawal is not a retreat into depression…

…  rather a time of preparation with the Lord.

>> This withdrawal is not falling into anxieties…

… rather a time of charging with the power of God

Let us become a powerful witness to Jesus, the Light of the Nations!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS

Bengaluru, India

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) “ Bloom where you are planted!”