“Co-operating with our Master, Who calls us to ‘Dare to be Different!'”

(Based on Gen 32:22-33 and Mt 10:1-7 – Wednesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Jesus is strange!

And he loves to do strange things!

“Dare to be different” is a call which echoes very much through the corporate sector today, and also in many areas of our life!

And Jesus, certainly, is a model and an example for each one of us, in this ‘Daring to be Different’!

And this strange and daring Jesus – Who loves to do things differently –
… throws up a classic example for this, in today’s Gospel Reading, by choosing The Twelve…

Twelve strange persons to be His Daring disciples.

We could have a short litany of adjectives to describe or portray these Twelve…

Let’s get set with a mini-dictionary:

Ordinary, Mundane, Shy, Absent-minded, Introvert, Prejudiced, Inhibited…
Hated by society, Craver of power, Zealous in quick actions, Betraying Characters…
Sceptics, Unsteady Temperaments, Cynical…

The list is long, right?

Maybe, some of us, also very much possess these characters and traits!

Is it true?

But, with all these varied personalities and natures, Jesus, the Daring Master, chose His twelve, having these characters…!

The Lord loves to transform and change…

He changed the water into wine…
He transformed a few loaves of bread and fish as food for thousands…
He changed the raging sea to calmness and serenity…
He transformed sicknesses in people to good health and new vigour…
He changed the static and inhuman view of the Law to a dynamic and loving perception…

Yes, the Lord loves to transform and change…

And this Lord, who loves to transform and change…
… also worked wonders with the Twelve!

These Twelve, with their varied personalities and characters, were handed on the Charge to continue the Gigantic Task of their Daring Master: “To be the Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God”

To be with Him and to be sent out
To have authority over unclean spirits and drive them out
To cure every disease and illness and to preach!

These chosen lights were to cast their rays over the rest of humanity, in all nations.

Are we also hearing the Call of the Lord, to be the Ambassadors of His Kingdom, in the place where we are, in the state of life, that we are in?

Let us not be worried about our nature or temperament or character or weaknesses.

Yes, the Lord is strange…
… and He loves to do strange things

He is CRAZY over us!

The Lord also loves…
… to transform and to change

He is Willing to TRANSFORM us!

The only thing that He needs from us is
… our consent
… our willingness
… our openness!

Let no negative feelings come in the way of this Deep Desire of the Lord!

The Kingdom of God is a vineyard…
… it needs labourers!

The Kingdom of God is a net…
… it needs fishermen!

The Kingdom of God is a field…
… it needs sowers and reapers!

The Kingdom of God is a flock…
… it needs shepherds!

Yes, the Lord is calling…

Are we hearing?

Let this not remain a Missed Call!

Let’s pick up, and answer…
… and co-operate with the Strange Master, Who calls us to “Dare to be Different!”

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

If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful.
Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man…

… since one is bound to take more care of one’s own life than of another’s. (CCC # 2264)

“Recognizing, acknowledging and thanking the Power of God in life!”

(Based on Gen 32:22-33 and Mt 9:32-38 – Tuesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A commonly heard story goes thus…

A small town had been “dry” for years.
i.e. ‘without any bars or consumption of alcohol’.

But some of the business people, decided to build a bar in that town.

The local Christian group were however alarmed and concerned at this latest development

They decided that they would have an all-night prayer to ask God to intervene.

Work on the construction of the bar, progressed right up till the week before opening…
…. when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground!

The owners of the bar, enraged, filed a case against the prayer group – to sue them in court.

They claimed that the prayers of the group was responsible for the destruction of their bar!
They claimed that the people in the church were ultimately responsible for the ruin of the building – either through direct or indirect actions or means.

The prayer group members however appointed a lawyer to defend themselves

They vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building’s devastation in its reply to the court.

The judge after the initial examination of the case stated thus:
“I do not know how I am going to decide.

But no matter how this case ends, one thing is clear:

It appears that we have some bar owners who believe in the power of prayer…
… but an entire praying congregation that does not!”

How true is not this the case, even in our lives?

People who are expected to be having more faith…
… often are seen to live a life of unbelief and distrust in God

People who are “inside” the praying circle and the group of faith…
… often have difficulties to simply trust in the power and workings of God

The Gospel of the Day presents before us an incident where this contrast is brought forth…

A group of people – the Pharisees – who were intellectually deeper in the scriptures and were expected to know more about the Messiah…
… failed to recognize and acknowledge the Messianic Power of Jesus

The other group of people – simple and ordinary crowds – who followed Jesus and were effortlessly attracted to Him…
… publicly acclaimed and appreciated the mighty deeds of Jesus

The Gospel passage begins with the incident of a man – dumb and demoniac – who was brought to Jesus (Mt 9: 32)

When the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke ( Mt 9: 33a)

There were two reactions to this same incident: One was of marvel; the other was of contempt!

The crowds – simple and ordinary – who were attracted to Jesus “marvelled and said: ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel'” (Mt 9:33b)

The Pharisees – knowledgeable and intellectual – who often looked to find loopholes in the ministry of Jesus and trap Him, said: “He casts out demons by the prince of demons” (Mt 9: 34)

The same incident – Jesus healing the dumb and demoniac man – was observed and experienced by two different groups…
… but they generated contrasting reactions and divergent responses!

One of them marvelled; the other mocked!
One of them had found a reason to praise God; the other found a reason to deride Jesus!

Is this not the case, often, even in our lives too?

Very often is this not the phenomena seen with respect to prayer…?

People who go to Church seem to be believing less in the power and providence of God…
… people who stay away from pious devotions, often acknowledge the influence of the Divine!

People who go regularly to Holy Mass and the Sacraments, often live superficial lives…
… people who stay away, seek to live better and more honestly.

What does this mean?

Not that we should stay away from our pious actions, devotions and our activities of faith

Not that people who don’t display faith have more reasons to live a good life

But these are reminders and alarms from the Lord…
… to examine our life and activities of faith!
… to check whether my prayer life is actually translated to a living trust in God!

Do the prayers that I make and the devotions that I engage in:

Cause me to believe and trust in the providential power of the Lord, knowing that He works out all things for our good…
… or do they just remain mere lip-services and an exercise and custom that I go through, without having any effect on me?

Do the Sacraments that I participate in – especially the Holy Mass and Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Cause me to have a life-transformational experience, every time, and become moments to encounter the Living Lord and His mighty love in my life…
.. or do they become routine rituals and casual ceremonies that I go through, without allowing the Lord to cause any effect or change in me?

Do the sermons that I hear, the reflections that I read and the Bible and other books that I meditate…

Cause me to reflect on my life, examine my conscience and let go a life of sin…
… or do they merely become aids to help me give pointers for ‘powerful’ sermons and feel a sense of external satisfaction, without taking decisions to also live a life of holiness and sanctity?

As Christians…

It is our duty to know more about the Lord and learn deeper about the elements of our faith…
… but we also need to grow in our life of holiness and live the faith in our practical lives

It is our duty to understand Scripture more and know learn about the Church and her teachings…
… but we also need to allow the Scripture ‘to read our lives’ and to help to love, spread and defend the Church and her teachings to others.

Which group of people are we in…

“Knowing theoretically much about the power of God and scriptures” but failing to recognize and acknowledge His power…?

Or simple and ordinary in our faith and belief – seeking to know more about God and scripture- but above all, recognizing, acknowledging and thanking the Power of God in life?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder..

… even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow. (CCC # 2264)

“Growing in our trust and faith in the Lord and ‘walking’ with Him!”

(Based on Gen 28:10-22a and Mt 9:18-26 – Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A little boy had to walk around two kilometres to his school, through the congested and bustling city.

His mother had arranged a servant to accompany the child – while going and coming back from school – to ensure the child’s safety.

For this the servant was paid 30 rupees a day.

But when the child reached Third Standard (Grade 3) of school, he rebelled and told his mother: “I’ll walk myself to school!

And if you give me 10 rupees a day, I will be extra careful.
The rest of the money we can save and we all will be better off!”

After sometime of pleading and begging, the little boy finally got his way.

For the next three years, he walked himself – back and forth from school.

Years later, at a family party, the boy bragged about his independence and boasted to his family…
… about how he had taken care of himself as a little boy, travelling alone to school.

His mother, on hearing the story, laughed and said: “Did you really think you were alone?

Every morning when you left for school, I left with you. I walked behind you all the way.
Every evening when you got out of school, I was there. I set my eyes on you and protected you.

I always kept myself hidden; but I was there and I followed you all the way home.

I was always there for you, especially when you needed me!”

Similar is the case of God as well, in our spiritual walk…
…. We are never left alone
… We are always followed by the Lord!

There are moments when we think we can manage alone
There are other times when we feel there is none with me, in our journey

But the Lord always walks with us…!

He is our “God who accompanies us, in our journey of life!”

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful incident of God walking with His people, especially in their moments of pain, loneliness and helplessness…

A God who accompanies…
… the official whose daughter had died: by bringing life and smile to his family (Mt 9: 18-19, 23-26)
… the woman with haemorrhage: by cleansing and restoring her to health (Mt 9: 20-22)

The Gospel focuses our attention on the “walk” of two persons:

1. The official whose daughter had died:
   “An official CAME FORWARD, knelt down before Jesus…” (Mt 9: 18)
2. The woman with haemorrhage:
   “A woman suffering haemorrhages CAME UP BEHIND Jesus….” (Mt 9: 20)

The official came walking ‘forward’

The woman came walking ‘from behind’

Both were persons in distress and despair

Both were suffering physical agony and mental anguish

Human life is characterised in these two persons…

The way “forward” is often an uncertain and blurred path, filled with distress and despair

The way “from behind” had often been an experience of physical agony and mental anguish

Loneliness plagues us in this walk of life…

Hopelessness often overtakes our walk of life!

This arduous walk of life, sometimes causes…
… some of us to give up and call it quits
… some of us to drown ourselves into addictions and unhealthy habits

Some even wish to make it “all alone” in life, thinking I can manage everything by myself
… abandoning even God!

But the official and the woman in the Gospel today show us the way:

When the path of life becomes tough with distress and despair…
When the journey of life is filled with physical agony and mental anguish…
… “walk forward” towards Jesus – surrendering the future – and plead for help and mercy: like the official!
… “walk from behind” towards Jesus – leaving the past – and touch Him: like the woman!

It is then that we experience and feel the power of the “God who accompanies us, in our journey of life!”

The “forward step” of the official towards Jesus, surrendering his future…
… helped him to experience the mighty touch of the Lord in the life of his daughter (Mt 9:25)
… life was restored; smiles were brought back; good news was spread all over!

The “behind” approach of the woman towards Jesus, letting go her past…
… helped her to experience the healing and sanctifying touch of the Lord (Mt 9: 22)
… bleeding was ceased; courage was praised; faith was blessed!

The incidents in today’s Gospel passage, invite us…
… to surrender our future to the Lord: knowing that He will render all things for our good, if we trust and co-operate with Him
… to let go of our past to the Lord: knowing that He will touch and heal us, of all our former wounds, if we seek Him with deep desire and longing

Yes, in our walk of life, the Lord tells us:
“Do you really think you are alone?

Every morning when you rise, I am with you. I walk behind you all the way.
Every evening when you rest, I am there. I set my eyes on you and protect you

I sometimes seem hidden; but I am there and I follow you all the way.

I am always there for you, especially when you need me!”

Let us grow in our trust and faith in the Lord and “walk” with Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality.

Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life. (CCC # 2264)

“Rising above our concerns, to find the Treasure of True Joy and the Wealth of Genuine happiness in God!”

(Based on Isa 66:10-14c, Gal 6:14-18 and Lk 10:1-12, 17-20 – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A theology professor was once asked in a class, “Father, do you think that Jesus ever laughed?”

The professor was amused at the question:
“Of course, I don’t think that the Gospel directly gives us an instance which mentions that Jesus laughed.

There are surely, many moments of joy which Jesus engaged in

There are also so many precious words that our Lord uttered which exudes joy – especially the Beatitudes”!

And then, with a sense of deep devotion, the professor continued: “And finally, I do want to say…
… More than being concerned if Jesus ever laughed in life

I am proud to say, that my Lord has blessed me with so much of love and care…
… that I can laugh!”

Each one of us are invited to reflect on the many wonders that our Blessed Lord has done in our life – wonders that make us laugh and feel happy…
… and thus radiate joy and peace by our lives!

The Gospel of the Day is the incident of Jesus sending His Disciples on a mission journey…
… with an expectation that they “be messengers of peace”

“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house’” (Lk 10:5)

Being a ‘messenger of peace’ required that the disciples be joyful and cheerful people…

They were to preach the Good News primarily by their life…
… And this life ought to have been a reflection of joy and peace!

The Lord also warns that there could be a possibility of being rejected (Cf. Lk 10:10)

However, the disciples were not to get discouraged or be bogged down by those experiences

We too are invited to be “messengers of peace”

And preach the Good News primarily by our life…
… making our life a reflection of joy and peace!

However, very often, we lose our sense of joy and plunge into disturbances, when encountered by the troubles of life.

Queries on why there is no joy or happiness may perhaps evoke some of the following replies:

“You don’t know the struggles what I’m going through.”
“How can you expect me to be cheerful when my marriage and family is falling apart?”
“God seems miles away from me, and you want me to cheer up?”
“My kids drive me nuts.”
“I’ve got cancer. How can I rejoice?”
“People have mistreated me and I’m not going to be happy until I get even.”
“If I had more money, I’d be happy.”

Do I identify myself with some of the above replies…..?

If yes, then we are challenged to rise above these our concerns…
… and to find the Treasure of True Joy
… and the Wealth of Genuine happiness in God!

Let us respond to the invitation of the Psalmist: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.” (Ps 66:1)

The Lord has indeed blessed us with many moments of protection and encouragement

Let these wonders help us to radiate joy in our life

And to say with devotion and joy: “I am proud to say, that my Lord has blessed me with so much of love and care…
… that I can laugh!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one’s own life; and the killing of the aggressor.

The one is intended, the other is not. (CCC # 2263)