George Washington was the first president of the United States and one of the founding fathers of the US.

He was well admired for his strong leadership skills that saw him win the first two national elections unanimously.

Once at a banquet, given to some of the officers, a distinguished French Officer asked Washington’s mother, how she had managed to rear such a splendid son.

The mother replied, “I taught him to obey!”

Obedience was the school that he had been trained in, in order to achieve excellence of life!

In Christian life too, obedience ought to be the school in which we are trained, to be effective apostles of the Lord…

…Obedience to the Voice of the Lord

… Obedience to the Will of the Lord

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by God to hear the voice of the Lord, to listen to Him and to be obedient to Him.

The Second Sunday of the Season of Lent presents to us the “Transfiguration Event” from the Gospel of St Mark.

The scene of the Transfiguration is indeed a powerfully visual and authoritatively impactful incident.

Jesus takes three disciples – the core team among the Twelve – Peter, James and John – and led them up a high mountain. (Mk 9: 2)

Why were these three chosen…

… and not others?

Well…

We can only make some guess-works… because the bottom-line is:

“They were ‘chosen'”

(And, Choice is always a gift, and not a merit!)

Peter:

• Probably as the one who is the Leader

• The one to whom the Lord entrusts to be the rock on which He would build His Church (Mt 16:18)

John:

• Probably as the one who had an intimate bond with the Lord

• The one who is referred to as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23)

James:

• Probably as the one who warranted a special privilege, being the first apostle to be martyred.

• The one who would be the first among the apostles to literally lose his life for Jesus (Lk 9:24)

These three also had a privilege of some “firsts”…

• Peter was the “First” Pope of the Church…

• James was the “First” Martyr among the apostles…

• John was the “First” witness to the death of Christ…

The choosing of the three also reflects Jesus as the New Moses!

Moses had chosen seventy(two) elders.

>> But when he went up to the mountain, there were three close men with him: Aaron, Nadab, and Abiu. (Exodus 24:1)

Jesus had chosen twelve apostles.

>> But when he went up to the mountain, there were three close men with him: Peter, James and John (Lk 9:28)

Jesus is the New Moses…

….through whom the New Covenant will be established!

… through whom the New Law will be written on the tablets of the heart!

Up on the mountain, witnessing the glorious and magnificent Transfiguration, the disciples behold their Master, Jesus in dazzling white…joined by Elijah and Moses. (Lk 9:3-4)

And then, they heard a Voice, from the cloud…

“This is my Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” (Mk 9: 7)

“Listen to Him”…is the commandment that is exhorted!

• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son, Jesus and grasp His teachings for life

• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son’s commitment in the path of suffering.

• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son’s trust in God’s Will at every moment

The same words are today echoed boldly and loudly to each one of us: “This is my Beloved Son! Listen to Him!”

• Life will take us through many deserts and desolations of difficulties.

• Life will put us through various storms and hurricanes of hardships.

But in all such moments, are we ready and open to listen to the Voice of the Lord?

Abraham in the Old Testament…the Father of Faith… went through such immensely agonizing and hard moments. (Gen 22: 1-3)

Asked to sacrifice “His Only Beloved Son” Isaac… His special one…

… Abraham was torn between listening to his own voice of affection for his child or to the voice of God

… Abraham was shredded between listening to his own reasonable mind or to the incomprehensible plan of God

• But Abraham chose to put his faith in the Lord.. and to listen

• He chose to trust absolutely in the providence of God… and to be obedient

Yes, when we are in the dry deserts of life, we are still asked to be totally obedient to God.

>> When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the Voice of the Lord.

The Lord will take us through…

… every crisis

… every desert

… every darkness

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8: 31)

Let us grow in our efforts to be completely obedient to our Master!

>> Let us pray for His grace to be truly listening and following the voice of our Master!

Are we ready to listen and obey the voice of the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The following story is known to us, perhaps in different forms…

A gentleman who was walking down the streets of a city was greatly interested too look at the street children – many of whom were carrying smaller children upon their backs – and managing at the same time to play their games.

“It is too bad,” said the gentleman to one little fellow, “that you have to carry such a heavy burden!”

“He’s no burden, Sir!” came the quick reply; “he’s my brother.”

The child who was carrying his younger sibling, did not count the pain or the difficulty in carrying; instead embraced the situation joyfully.

“He’s no burden, Sir… he’s my brother” – is a phrase that ought to strike a chord in our hearts.

As Christians, we need to make this journey…

… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!

… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Gospel of the Day is an powerful exhortation by Jesus to make this transition from considering people as a “burden” and “stress”…

… and instead look at them as “brothers and sisters”, extending the Christian virtue of unconditional love to all.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, continues to pull down barriers of “comfort and coziness” by challenging His disciples to rise above the normal standards of the world.

Today He speaks on the aspect of “Love”.

Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human person.

The dictionaries define love as being ‘a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person’ or a ‘feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection’.

Generally speaking, love is considered only to be a human ’emotion or feeling’.

>> It is something that is usually understood as being “felt” or “sensed” or “experienced”.

Jesus surely did consider “love” as an emotion and a feeling.

Therefore…

• He loved the company of people….

• He cherished affection of those who followed Him…

• He treasured relationships and fostered friendships with all…

But beyond these “external” dimensions of Love…

… Our Blessed Lord taught and showed a higher aspect of love.

Love, not just being a “feeling ” but ” love as a “decision”.

>> Love, not just being a “sensation” but love as a “commitment”

Therefore Jesus would say, “For if you love only those who love you, what recompense will you have?” (Mt 5: 46)

Love, when understood only as a “feeling” or an “emotion” can get reduced to being just an “object” or a “thing”

• Just as one exchanges goods with each other… love is also exchanged with one another.

• Just as one shares one’s belongings and possessions with one another… love is also shared with one another

• Just as one gives and takes things from each other… love is also given and taken from each other

But the Lord presents a higher understanding of love and demands a much supreme expression of love from His followers: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5: 48)

Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling” and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment”.

When someone hurts us, we don’t “feel” like loving…

>> But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is a “daring decision”

When someone continues to be lukewarm, we don’t have any “emotions” of love…

>> But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is an “absolute allegiance”

When someone continues to cause pain, we don’t “experience” any love…

>> But Jesus says, “Love that person” because love is a “challenging commitment”

Now this teaching certainly irks our “normal” understanding.

• How can I possibly love someone who has hurt and killed me, mentally?

• How can I be expected to show love to someone who still hurts me, even intentionally?

• How can I be told to love people who have no regard for me at all and treat me as an object?

It seems to be an impossibility.

It seems to be absurd.

But let us look to the Crucified Lord…

… and we have the perfect example of this Love being lived in actuality!

Jesus on the Cross shows that love is to be a “daring decision”, an “absolute allegiance” and a “challenging commitment”!

Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling”…

… and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment”.

>> One may not be able to “show” love…

… but can we still, at least pray and wish for the good of the person?

>> One may not be able to “talk” freely to the one who has hurt…

… but can we still, at least refrain from wanting bad to happen to that person?

>> One may not be able to “resist” from having bad feelings when encountering one’s enemy… … but can we still, at least offer the person to the Mercy of God?

This teaching certainly seems to be a big “burden” and a significant “stress”

But this is where, we need to make a journey…

… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!

… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Lord has walked through this journey.

He is still with us, to accompany us.

• This journey may be hard

• This journey may be hurting

• This journey may be painful

But the Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you!” (2 Cor 12: 9)

Let us trust Him!

>> Let us be courageous in Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The phrase “(to) raise the bar,” or “raising the bar,” is an expression used to convey the idea of gradually setting the accepted minimum standards higher in order to achieve an objective or level of excellence.

This term came into common usage through the tracks and field sports event of high jumping and pole vaulting.

Ø In these events, the athletes run and jump, to propel themselves over the obstacles (the bar).

Ø In each subsequent round of competition, the bar is raised, making the target more challenging.

The athlete who displays the greatest stamina and successfully crosses the highest bar wins the event.

Jesus is an amazing “Athlete” who raises the bar of Christian living.

>> He invites all His followers to also follow Him in living a “higher” standard of life.

The Gospel, shows the manner in which Jesus “raises the bar” of certain areas of Christian living…

Today He deals with the important dimension of anger.

Killing is considered to be a serious evil in every society and every religion.

Killing in its basic form is usually considered only in the sense of the physical body.

But the Lord today “raises” the bar” in the understanding of killing…

“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill’; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment’.

>> But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judgment….” (Mt 5: 21)

The Lord expands the understanding of killing beyond the physical body…

A person engages in killing… if, by anger…

…the social standing of the other person is upset

…the emotional state of the other person is wounded

…the spiritual balance of the other person is disturbed

We could understand anger from various perspectives…

1. Anger as Quick temper

Prov 15:18 says, “An ill-tempered man stirs up strife…”

It is said that speak when one is angry, one makes the best speech that would be regretted much!

Quick temper sometimes…

…. forms part of our temperament

… comes even unknowingly

… is instigated by other’s actions

Yet, in all this, one ought to…

… rise quickly from remaining in the state of anger.

… become conscious of the occasions which can excite anger

… see that the temper is not fed or nurtured or intensified

2. Anger which leads to stubbornness

Eph 4:26: “…. do not let the sun to set on your anger”

Sometimes, the anger within is allowed to grow so much…

…that we get habituated to getting angry for even tiny and trivial matters

…that we lose our peace of mind, and sometimes even become indifferent

…that we choose not to budge from our position or viewpoint and remain adamant

Yet, we need to make efforts…

… to try to overcome our ego and seek to make amends with the person

… to lower oneself in humility (even if we are right) and ease the situation of annoyance

Anger needs to be sanctified…

… channelized in the proper way!

One may feel a ‘just’ anger at….

… the immense corruption in the world and even in religious circles

… the forces of evil that seem to root away even faint traces of hope

… the indifferent and unchanging attitudes and temperaments of people which is sickening.

Yet… even these ought to get channelized properly

…even these ought to be routed in the right manner

Yes… even our just anger needs to be sanctified and purified in the burning furnace of God’s Love.

Anger is indeed…

… a major tendency that is a cause of distress for many of us.

… a prime inclination that is a root of sin for many of us.

Let this season of Lent be a time of making genuine, practical and realistic efforts in the fight to sanctify and purify our anger.

Yes, the Lord is “raising the bar” higher… of holiness, of sanctity, of perfection.

Undoubtedly…

… it is painstaking

… it requires deeper attempts

… it requires committed determination!

But the Lord assures His grace to help us and His Love to encourage us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The famous incident of President Abraham Lincoln during the US civil war goes thus…

The President met a group of church leaders for a prayer-cum-breakfast.

At one point during the breakfast, one of the leaders remarked: “Mr President, let us pray, that in this time of the Civil War, God is on our side”

But Abraham Lincoln, replied with a much-greater insight…

… “No gentlemen. Let us pray that we are on God’s side!”

It was a reminder by the President that religion ought not to be a tool to get God to do what we want…

… but a way of life, to open our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!

Are we on the side of God?

>> Or are we on the other side, and expecting God to bend Himself to our ways and styles of life?

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful reminder of the Lord to examine our lives…

… and check, “if we are on the side of God!”

On reaching the villages of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus put forth the two-question examination to His disciples:

>> “Who do people say that I am?” (Mt 16:13)

>> “Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 16: 15)

After having given various answers to the first question, Peter, the leader, gives the answer:

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God” (Mt 16:16)

Although, Peter had given the right answer, the following statements by Jesus on His Passion, Death and Resurrection, scandalized Peter!

>> Peter had a set and standard understanding of a Messiah- as did the Jews of his time…

… a leader who would wield power and control

… a liberator who would exercise supremacy and command.

So when Jesus spoke of a “Suffering-Servant-Leader” (Mk 8: 31)…

… One Who would suffer

… One Who would subjected to the mercy of the other

>> Peter could no longer stand himself!

He began to rebuke Jesus (Mt 16:22)

But Jesus had to set things right…

… and so He would rebuke Him back strongly: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do!” (Mt 16:23)

Though Peter had made a correct statement about Jesus…

… it was still only a partial sight!

>> He still needed a “second intervention”, in order to see fully.

In the Gospel of St Mark 8:22-25, we have an incident of the “healing of a blind man”

>> In that, the blind man initially could only see “people walking, like trees” (Mk 8: 24)

But after the “second touch” from Jesus, he was able to see fully.

Something similar happens here…

>> The “blurred sight” of Peter is healed, after a “second touch” by Jesus.

Jesus was reminding Peter, by the strong rebuke…

… that Christian Life is not about “we wanting our way; it is about we seeking and doing God’s Will in life!”

Yes, Christianity is a Way of Life, that constantly asks us: “Are we thinking as God thinks, or are we thinking only the way, humans do?

>> “Are we on the side of God?”

In our everyday life, we come across plenty of opportunities, when we need to make this discernment:

>> Either to be on the side of God…

… or to go against Him!

We need to examine seriously our prayer life…

>> “Do we seek God’s Will in prayer…

… or do we seek to impose our will on Him?”

>> “Do we place our worries and problems before our God (Who knows all!)…

… or do we also command Him, on how and when these problems ought to be solved?”

Sometimes, we do have tendencies, to pull God into our boundary…

… instead of we moving to God’s side!

Today, the Lord clearly reminds us, as He rebuked Peter…

… to constantly be on the “side of God”.

Like Peter…

… we may have our own justifications to think the way we do

… we may have our own fears in encountering a Suffering God

But the Lord, is clear and constant in His presentation of Christianity: “Seek to be on the side of God”

… “Think the way, God Thinks!”

Yes, let us allow the Lord to mellow our hearts…

>> So that we can understand that religion ought not to be a tool to get God to do what we want…

… but a way of life, to open our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The English word ‘sincere’ comes from two Latin words : ‘sin-e’ and ‘cere’.

‘Sin-e’ means: without

>> ‘Cere’ means: wax

So ‘sin’e’ + ‘cere’ means “without wax”

Sincere, therefore, literally means, being “without wax”

In ancient Greek, when art flourished, it was a common practice to repair with “invisible wax…

… any vase or statue that had, as a result of carelessness, been damaged.

Sometimes while chiseling the bust in marble, if the chisel slipped out the Sculptor’s hand, some edge of the statue would be chipped off.

Rather than taking the trouble of making a new bust, the sculptor would repair the features with “wax”…

… so that the flaw could not be detected, unless by very close scrutiny.

However, if the client happened to be a knowledgeable person, he would carry the finished statue into the open before paying for it, and examine it carefully in the sunlight!

If the statue was “sincere” i.e. “without wax” – it would remain firm…

… else some parts of it would drop down!

“Sincerity” of the statue was thus examined in the presence of sunlight!

Am I a “sincere” person… “without the wax” of deceit, malice, corruption or guile?

• I need to come into the presence of the Divine Sunlight – Jesus – to be examined!

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus presenting an “insincere” tendency of the modern generation…

… seeking for external signs to believing in God

The Gospel begins with the verse:

“ When the crowds began to increase, Jesus said to them: This generation is an evil generation. It seeks a sign…” (Lk 11: 29)

Through St Paul, we get to know that it was, probably, a characteristic of the Jews to ‘demand signs’.

“For Jews demand signs, and Greeks look for wisdom” (1 Cor 1: 22)

When we scan through the pages of the Bible, we actually see, God Himself giving many signs to His people…

>> God put a mark on Cain, after he had killed Abel, so that no one should kill him at sight (Gen 4: 15)

>> God gave the sign of the ‘rainbow’, as a sign of the covenant, so that the waters would never become a flood, to destroy all mortal beings (Gen 9: 13-15)

>> God empowered Moses with many signs, when Moses had to present himself before Pharaoh, in a bid to ask him “to let go” of the Israelites ( Ex 3: 12)

>> Two hundred and fifty men were consumed, by a fire from the Lord, after they had unworthily offered incense to God (Num 16: 35)

>> God gave a sign to Gideon, when he asked for it, humbly, as a confirmation in his entrusted task (Judg 6: 17)

>> God gave a sign at King Saul’s anointing (1 Sam 10: 1-13)

However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus opposes to “seeking an external sign”

What was the reason?

The demand of this “external sign” was “not in humility” or “to really cast off any doubt”

• Rather, this was a demand for a sign that exposed their obstinacy to remain in unbelief!

In fact, Jesus saw through their “insincerity”

He sees through the fact, that they were “with wax” – the wax of deceit, falsity and deception!

• And this their “wax” of trickery, began to melt in the presence of Jesus, the Powerful Light!

Therefore Jesus comes down heavily on them and says, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign…” (Mt 12: 39)

Note the two strong words that Jesus uses…

>> Evil: pointing to a wicked heart that sought destruction and spoiling the lives of others

>> Adulterous: pointing to an unfaithful heart that reduced relations to a mere pragmatic nature, and was characterized by cheating and disloyalty.

Is my life also characterised by constantly wanting “only external” signs from God…

• I expect immediate answers to all my prayers, in the way I want

• I always want some miracles, as I choose, to keep the light of my faith burning

• I get depressed and feel totally lost when I do not get the signs that I expected in life

• I witness a lot of wondrous deeds around me, but still I remain obstinate in my unbelief

Is my Christian life only a sign-seeking one…

>> Or is my Christian life, rather, a Saviour-seeking one?

Do I be obsessed with wanting only miracles…

>> Or am I, rather, passionate and zealous about the Master?

Jesus invites us to be “sincere” – “without wax”.

• In His bright presence, all “wax” of duplicity and hypocrisy will melt

• In His glowing light, all “wax” of dishonesty and deception will dissolve

May we be closer to Jesus, the Great ‘Sun’ and live our Christian Lives, in “sincerity”…

… and in zealousness and with deeper passion for the ‘Son’ of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Old Betty worked for several years as a maid, in different houses.

She was once asked the meaning of the Biblical verse “Pray without ceasing” and what it meant for her life.

“Well, it just means what it says,” said Betty.

“When I wash my face in the morning, I pray to God…

… that many sinners may be washed in the blood of Christ during the day.

When I put on my clothes, I pray to God…

… to clothe me with Christ and with His humility.

When I take up the broom to sweep, I think of the woman who swept the house for the lost piece of silver, and I pray God…

… to sweep the world and to save lost sinners.

When I clean the vessels and they begin to shine, I pray to the Lord…

… to brighten my soul.

When I wash clothes, I pray that God…

… may wash away the filth from human hearts and all may remain fresh in His grace

When I wipe the windows and scrape the rust from the front-gates, I pray that God…

… may cleanse the society of the dirt of inhumanness and take off the rust of indifference”

And thus Betty went on mentioning the things that gave her an opportunity of approaching God in prayer.

How beautiful and a practical life of prayer, isn’t it?

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful exposition by Jesus on Prayer.

The Lord highlights the essential dimensions that constitute real prayer and goes on to give the blueprint of an Ideal Prayer by teaching the “Our Father”.

Jesus says, “And in praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Mt 6:7)

In the context, when we look closely into this verse, we see that Jesus is pointing to the important principle in the pagan religions: the spoken word is most important for effectiveness of any prayer or sacrifice.

Prayer had assumed the nature of being a formula or a procedure that had to be strictly followed for its efficacy.

The pagan understanding was all about “pleasing the god” and “tapping the Divine power” by one’s words and verbal formulae.

>> Historically it is reported of an occasion when the presiding magistrate at a Roman pagan festival forgot to include the “Roman people” among the list of beneficiaries in his prayer; the festival had to be started all over again!

It is therefore the attitude towards prayer and perception of God that Jesus condemns.

And this is a strong and relevant message that the Lord seeks to drill in our minds: Prayer is not to be reduced to being a formulaic key to unlock the power of the Divine!

It’s not our many words that makes God to grant His grace

.. Rather, it is by His Will and His graciousness that we receive His blessings.

Then what is meant by prayer?

The blueprint of prayer – The Our Father – that Jesus teaches gives us the answer.

Prayer is…

• Acknowledging His greatness

(Our Father, who art in heaven)

• Ascribing glory and honour to Him

(Hallowed be Thy Name)

• Seeking His Kingdom to come

(Thy Kingdom come)

• Longing for His Will to be done in our lives

(Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven)

• Putting forward our needs and offering our aspirations to His Providence

(Give us today our daily bread)

• Choosing to actively being reconciled to all people to receive His forgiveness

(and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us)

• Imploring to keep away from sin and all evil inclinations and desires

(and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil)

Our whole life ought to be translated to acts and deeds of prayer.

In this context, it also good to provide the Catholic understanding and logic of some of the prayers, which are perhaps considered as repetitive (eg: The Rosary, Novenas, Litanies.. etc)

Are all these standard prayers mere “heaping up of empty phrases…?”

>> No!

The Bible teaches us many examples of repetitive prayers…

>> The angels continually – day and night – sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8)

>> Psalm 136 repeats the words “for his steadfast love endures forever” nearly 26 times in 26 verses!

>>Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed in the “same words” three times (Mk 14: 32-39)

>> Jesus, in fact, also commends the fact of continually praying, through the example of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18: 1-14)

Thus, it is seen that the Bible has many examples of repetitive prayer.

>> Therefore, the repetitive Catholic Prayers like the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, Litanies etc… are scripturally well-supported

>> When prayed with honesty and devotion, they become means to allow the heart…

… to praise God and understand His mighty works

… to grow in His love and come to a deeper awareness of His Providence

… and pray with Mother Mary and the Saints and intercede to them for our intentions

When we understand prayer as being a “relationship” and being in “His loving presence”, prayer becomes a joyful, a continual and a meaningful devotion.

May His grace help us to make every moment of our life, an act of prayer in order to grow in greater closeness and union with the One who loves us the most!

>> Let prayer become a joyful action..

>> Let prayer become a continual devotion

>> Let prayer become a powerful commitment.

Yes, in our day-to-day life, let us “pray without ceasing!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!