“Freeing ourselves from the ‘imprisonment of the past’ and, with God’s Grace, to live in love and holiness!”

(Based on 1 Sam 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23, 1 Cor 15:45-49 and Lk 6:27-38 – 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A nine year old girl was walking through the fields, a little away from her home…
… when two persons, appearing to befriend her, asked her to help collect fruits from the forest.

Brought up with the good habit of showing courtesy to elders, the girl hurried to obey.

But soon she realised that it was a trick to kidnap her!

“I saw two persons behind me,” she would recall later…
… “One of them briskly grabbed me with one hand, while the other one pulled out a knife and held it to my side.

He told me, ‘If you cry, you’ll die!
Follow us!’”

After a forced march, the girl was sold as a slave.

The captors gave her a name, in Arabic, which meant (ironically) “The Lucky One!”

Though this title was intended to be a sarcastic one…
… it came about to express the girl’s approach towards life.

In the coming years, she gladly accepted the name.

After her release, she amazingly, even thanked God for the good that had come, from her suffering.
“If I were to meet those who kidnapped me, and even those who tortured me,” she wrote, “I would kneel and kiss their hands.

For if these things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today!”

The name of the girl is St Bakhita – a Saint for those who are “prisoners of the past!”

(We celebrated her Feast Day on February 08)

She was able to heroically display the Christian virtue of forgiveness…
… especially to enemies – those who had persecuted her and had cause irreparable damages to her life!

In life, so often we get “imprisoned by our past!”

This is true especially from the perspective of relationships…

There are many who cause hurts and pains to us
There are many with whom we find it difficult to relate and extremely hard to forgive

The past clings to us in a mighty way…

“Enemies” are, undoubtedly, a reality in most of our lives!

What is our attitude and approach to these “enemies” in our life?

The Gospel of the Day is a bold challenge by Jesus to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you!” (Lk 6:27)

One of the sayings goes thus, “Divinity cannot be confined to one’s pockets or be contained in one’s purse!”

So vivid is this saying in the life of Jesus, the Fullness of Divinity.

Jesus does not permit to be limited to the finite purses of our expectations
He goes much beyond….
His teachings reach a new level…

This is what we come across when we challenge ourselves with the words of the Lord: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you!” (Lk 6: 27)

There are four explicit commands that are given:

Love
Do Good
Bless
Pray

All these four exhortations are very often in direct contrast to what we expect or what we wish

1. Love your enemies
   Our natural tendency towards our “enemies” is that of animosity or grudge or at the best, indifference

But Jesus says to go beyond… Love them!

Love them…
… in a way, that they are able to experience the Mighty Love that God has for each one of us!
Love them…
… in a way, that no hateful feelings get sown or nurtured in our hearts and we be free in our minds!

2. Do good to those who hate
   Our common inclination to those who hate is to say, “Why should I have anything to do with someone who is least interested in me and only keeps hurting me?”

But Jesus says to go beyond – Do good to them!

Do good to them…
… in a way, that our good actions – little or big, seen or unseen – become actions that evoke repentance and contrition!
Do good to them…
… in a way, that gestures of charity is a way to crush our own ego and pride feelings and makes us to be humbler, in imitation of Christ who totally humbled Himself!

3. Bless those who curse you
   Our first instinct to those who curse us to “give back still strongly” in return and wish the worst for the concerned person.

But Jesus says to go beyond – Bless them!

Bless them…
… in a way, that our holy wishes may move the heart of the one who offends us and we become a channel and active instrument to allow God’s forgiveness to flow
Bless them…
… in a way, that our words of grace may heal the vibrations of negativity and hatred and evokes the mighty power of God against the dark forces of Satan

4. Pray for those who abuse you
   Our immediate reaction to those who abuse is to abuse in return or to let out a volley of unfit phrases or violent actions and gestures

But Jesus says to go beyond – Pray for them!

Pray for them…
… in a way, that the grace of God’s mercy and compassion may descend into the relationship
Pray for them…
… in a way, that the words of abuse may fizzle out in the blazing power of prayer and holiness

David, in the Old Testament, goes beyond the lures of the people around, and refuses to take revenge on Saul – even though he had the possibility to terminate his life

He chose to “not get imprisoned by the past”…
… and instead, gave priority to the Lord and His Will, by recognising the ‘Grace of Anointing bestowed on Saul’ (Cf. 1 Sam 26:8-9)

As St Paul reminds us, “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Cor 15:49)…
… let us imitiate our Blessed Lord Who “is kind and merciful!” (Ps 103:8a)

Life constantly seeks to “imprison us in our past”

But God’s Grace coupled with our willingness to co-operate with His grace…
… will allow us to “live in love and holiness”

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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

Jesus teaches that every oath involves a reference to God…
… and that God’s presence and His truth must be honoured in all speech.
Discretion in calling upon God is allied with a respectful awareness of His presence…

… which all our assertions either witness to or mock. (CCC # 2153)

“Drawing closer to Jesus, the Great Rock Who will help us to stand firm and become passionate in service of the Church!”

(Based on Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle)

A soldier working in the army – who was known for his bravery and never-give-up attitude – was asked by a journalist:
“What is the motivation for you to be so valiant and strong in your service?”

To that, the soldier replied: “Well, we have a saying in our army…
… and I try to follow that.
The saying is this: ‘If someone says, he is not afraid of death…
… then he is either lying
… or he is in the army!’

I have lived in this way of life…
… living this truth!”

As Christians, we are all soldiers of Christ!

Are we ready to have the courage to face any situation of difficulty, including death…
… and seek to be ever faithful to the Lord and His Church?

Today, we are invited to renew our love and commitment to the Church as we celebrate the Feast of the “See of St Peter” (Chair of St Peter).

This Feast celebrates Christ choosing St Peter to “sit” in authority as the visible leader of the Church on earth.

The “See of St Peter” or the “Chair of St Peter” in the words of Pope Benedict XVI is “a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors…
… to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity!”

This feast brings to mind the mission conferred by Christ on St Peter, the First Pope…
… and continued in an unbroken line down to the present Pope.

We celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle…
… and renew our assent to the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff!

We also pray very specially, on this day for our Holy Father Pope Francis…
… for His good health
… and to lead the Church in holiness – in total accordance with the Will of God.

The Gospel of the Day presents to us the Faith Statement of Peter, the leader of the band of the Apostles and Jesus declaring to him that:
“…on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!” (Mt 16:18)

The Great Rock entrusts to Peter, the rock and assures Him that the Church will always stay rock-grounded!

The Lord had and still has.. great Faith and Trust in His Church…..

But, personally, we need to ask: Am I sometimes shaky regarding the Church?

Today, let’s get to some of the basics of the Church.

The word “Church”….in Greek…is Ekklesia.

Ekklesia can be split to two words… “ek” = out of + “kaleo” = to call

This gives us an important meaning of EKKLESIA – THE CHURCH…. TO BE CALLED OUT OF….

The Church is a body, called out of the world…
… into being a Family and Fellowship in God!

The Church is a body, called out of materialistic and worldly gains…
… and be a sign of hope and salvation!

This gives us a clue to many aspects of the Church, which will help our understanding

The Church is not a mere building…
… the Church is the People of God.

We reduce the Church in our everyday vocabulary to a mere building made of stones and cement..

But, the Church is made of living stones (1 Pet 2:5)

And all of us need to contribute our mite in keeping alive this Church of God.

Do I give my share of talents and gifts to the Church…
… and do my best to promote the Church as being relevant for our modern times?

Do I make sacrifices and offer prayers for the Churc…
… so that she may stand strong amid many challenges?

Do I study, promote and encourage the teachings of the Church..
… and find beauty and wisdom in them?

Perhaps one reason we find ourselves in a cribbing position with respect to the Church…
… is because of our failure to understand its nature and also have our own misunderstandings and prejudices…

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who am I” (Mt 16: 13) he got varied answers…
… some surprising
… some unexpected

The Mystery of Jesus was so great…
… people failed to grasp who actually He was (He Is!)!

The Mystery of the Church is also great…
… that people fail to understand her and even form opposing opinions!

We may feel that the Church is too traditional and too conservative and too authoritarian…

But we fail to see that she has preserved much morals…kept safe human values and promoted holiness

We may feel that the Church is all too mistaken in many areas and has committed many blunders…

But we ought to know that the Church has a human dimension and despite it, the Spirit of the Lord leads

We may feel that the Church is just too bad with scandals and hypocrites and has lost all credibility…

But we need to realize that the evil one attacks those who strive for sanctity and tries to disrupt God’s plans

The Church undergoes the pain of many a misunderstandings…
… Christ too underwent the same.
The Church suffers the bad name of being called by many names….
… Christ too underwent the same.

From a negative aspect, what is a hospital?

Diseases, Blood, Pus, Screaming, Pains, Twisted bodies, Suffering..

But from a positive Aspect, what is a hospital?

Care, Healing, Love, Solace, Relief, Aid, Selfless Service….

Our Church can be understood in similar tones…

Weaknesses are plenty…
… yet, when seen from a Divine perspective, she is Holy!

All of us are concerned about the growing rejection of Church and Christian values in our society…

But we who are Baptized, and who seek the good of the Church…
… ought to join our hands and seek to revive the relevance and importance of the Church.

The Church has its weaknesses…
… but the Church needs committed preachers of the Word… in You and Me!
The Church has its moments of negativity…
… but the Church needs passionate lovers of God… in You and Me!

The Body of Christ while hanging on the Cross was weak…
… but “No bone of His was broken” (Jn 19:36)

The Church of Christ while living in the world maybe weak….but No bone shall be broken!
“… on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!”

Let the Great Rock help us to stand firm and become passionate in service of the Church!

And being ready to face any challenge or problem, let it be said of us:
“If someone says, he is not afraid of death or problems in life…
… then he is either lying…
… or he is a Christian!’

Happy Feast Day!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the second commandment: “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’

But I say to you, Do not swear at all. … Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. (CCC # 2153)

“Remaining committed to the Cross of Christ and celebrating Christianity with conviction!”

(Based on Gen 11:1-9 and Mk 8:34-9:1 – Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

There is a beautiful legend of a thorn bird.

It is said that the thorn bird sings only once in its life.

Leaving its nest, it searches for a bush…
… a bush with long and sharp thorns.

On finding such a thorny bush, the thorn bird pierces itself on the biggest thorn.

It is at that point, that it begins to sing.

And this sweet and beautiful singing, outmatches the lark or the nightingale or any other singing bird.

The world pauses in silence and wonder…
… as they hear the melodious voice, from the wounded and dying bird!

The legend clearly gives the message…
… that the most satisfying moments of life, can be purchased only at the price of great pain

Christian suffering and struggling – and triumph – is represented by the Cross.

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation of the Message of the Cross…
… an invitation to follow the Crucified Christ
… a challenge to faithfully carry the crosses of our life.

Jesus says, “Whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me!” (Mk 8:34)

Our Blessed Lord loves to jolt static minds and the inert understandings…

He doesn’t promise cushy comforts…
… He demands Commitment to the Cross!

Those who choose Christianity as a Life Style, ought to be:
Losers of oneself
Be carriers of the Cross
And then Follow Him!

Christianity, as a Life Style, has the Cross as its Basic Rule and it demands Commitment!

But the very mention of the word “Cross”, sometimes puts people off…

“Not again the Cross”
“Enough of pain and suffering”
“We go to Church to relax and be comforted; not simply to hear of the Passion and anguish of the Suffering Jesus on the Cross”
“We only prefer the glorious & victorious Christ!”
“Stop being pessimistic with sin & repentance… just be optimistic with joy and salvation!”

These are often, the “happening” buzz phrases and popular opinions
… even in our religious environs.

We like to be saved…
… but we fear the Cross of repentance of our Sins

We like to receive blessings…
… but we fear the Cross of living an honest life

We like to live a peaceful life…
… but we Fear the Cross of trusting in God’s Providence

We like to be called good..
… but we Fear the Cross of being Faithful to the teachings of Christ

We like to have joy…
… but we Fear the Cross of giving up attachments and belong totally to God

Yes, we often, Fear the Cross…

But Christ – Crucified on the Cross – promises His Choicest Rewards to the ones, who dare to take up the Cross…
They will find Life…
They will be rewarded…
They will find true joy and peace…
… says the Lord.

Have we really accepted Christianity as our Life Style?

Then let us embrace the Cross.

One important element of Embracing the Cross is translating our faith into a actual works of service.

In the words of St James:
“Faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead!” (Jas 2:17)

This requires us to permit the Grace of God to work in us, by our constant response and consent to the Will of the Lord…
… this will surely make us encounter struggles and difficulties.

But let’s always trust in the Grace of the Lord to strengthen us.

Life will often push us to thorn situations – painful and agonizing

But like the thorn bird…
… let us dare to embrace this struggle, and yet sing the most beautiful song!
… let us be courageous to go through the time of difficulty, knowing that the Lord wishes to play a beautiful melody through my life!

Let us remain committed to the Cross of Christ and celebrate Christianity with conviction!

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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

A person commits perjury when he makes a promise under oath with no intention of keeping it…
… or when after promising on oath he does not keep it.
Perjury is a grave lack of respect for the Lord of all speech.

Pledging oneself by oath to commit an evil deed is contrary to the holiness of the Divine Name. (CCC # 2152)

“Opening our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!”

(Based on Gen 9:1-13 and Mk 8:27-33 – Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

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?” (Mk 8:27)
“Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8: 29)

After having given various views of what the people felt, Peter, the leader, gives the answer: “You are the Christ” (Mk 8:29b)

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 Icontrol
… a liberator who would exercise supremacy and command.

So when Jesus spoke of a “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 (Mk 8:32b).

But Jesus had to set things right…
… and so He would rebuke Him back strongly: “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men!” (Mk 8:33)

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.

This was just as it was in the Healing of the Blind Man in the previous passage (Mk 8:22-25)

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.

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 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

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

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!

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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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

When it is truthful and legitimate, an oath highlights the relationship of human speech with God’s truth.

A false oath calls on God to be witness to a lie. (CCC # 2151)

“Allowing the Lord to lead us out of blindness and blurredness into clarity of faith and trust!”

(Based on Gen 8:6-13, 20-22 and Mk 8:22-26 – Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A sailor found himself in harsh and rough waters on the sea.

Survival seemed scanty…
… but he called on the Lord.

His prayers were heard, and he found himself washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

On the island, he again prayed intensely to God, to rescue him.

Every day he would scan the horizon for help…
… but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood (wood from the wreckage of the ship) to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after having wandered all around for food, he arrived home..
… Only to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rising up to the skies.

He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.

Stuck with disbelief, grief, and anger, he cried out: “GOD! How could you do this to me?
You saved me from the shipwreck, but only to abandon me on this island!
And now you have taken away my only means of survival.”

Early next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island!

It was a rescue ship…
… they had come to rescue him!

“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied!

The burnt hut – which the man had considered as a tragedy and a cruel act from God…
… turned out to be the signal, by which people could come to rescue him.

Even though he had received a rescuing hand, the first time, from the shipwreck…
… he needed a “repeat” intervention, to realise and deepen the awareness of the Providential Presence of God in his life.

What about us?

Are we also in need of a “repeat” intervention from the Lord…
… for a greater commitment and dedication to our life of faith?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful and unique incident of a blind man, experiencing a “repeat” intervention from the Lord…
… and obtaining total healing and cure.

When Jesus arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to Him a blind man.

Jesus takes aside this blind man, and begins the process of healing…
… a process that takes place in two stages.

Jesus first places His Hands on him and enquiring whether he sees anything

The man replied: “I see people looking like trees and walking” (Mk 8: 23-24)

Then Jesus laid His Hands a second time…
… and he saw clearly, with his sight restored. (Mk 8: 25)

This two-step process of healing is a great reminder to us…
… that Jesus was in perfect control of the healing process
… that faith in Jesus is not a one-time event; rather a process that could extend to different stages

Jesus, the great Healer, Who had healed many, with His One Word, now also demonstrates…
… that when human beings go through a stage of “not seeing fully, but only men walking as trees,” He is still in perfect charge of the situation.
… that growing in faith in Him, is a gradual process.

The blind man, in the context of the Gospel of St Mark is also a figure of the disciples of Jesus…
… who were with the Lord for quite sometime
… and yet failed to understand Him and His ministry (Cf. Mk 8:14-21)
… and would gradually go through a process of growing in their faith in the Lord

Each of us in life go through such situations and moments in life…
… when we are blind
… when, even with a touch of the Lord, “we see people looking like trees and walking”

Problems and difficulties often clout our vision

Experiences of an encounter with the Lord do keep our faith alive, though feeble
… In all such moments, we need another “touch” from the Lord.

Yes, we are all in need of a “repeat” intervention from the Lord!

As Christians, who have been “in faith” for long time, there are possibilities…
… when our life of faith loses its charm and charisma
… when our resolutions and promises lose touch of its initial fervour and zeal
… when our commitment and dedication fail to have the required enthusiasm and passion

In all such moments of “blind moments” and “blurred vision”…
… we need a “repeat” intervention from the Lord!

Let us therefore, allow the Lord to touch us and experience His Healing Grace…
… to lead us out of blindness and blurredness into clarity of faith and trust.

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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

Rejection of false oaths is a duty toward God.
As Creator and Lord, God is the norm of all truth.

Human speech is either in accord with or in opposition to God who is Truth itself. (CCC # 2151)

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ!”

(Based on Gen 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 10 and Mk 8:14-21 – Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Two boys were playing in the snow one day; when one said to the other, “Let us see who can make the straightest path in the snow.”

His companion readily accepted the proposition, and they started.

One boy fixed his eyes on a tree, and walked along….
… without taking his eyes off the object selected.

The other boy set his eyes on the tree also…
… and, when he had gone a short distance, he turned
… and looked back to see how true his course was.

He went a little distance farther…
… and again turned to look over his steps.

When they arrived at their stopping place, each halted and looked back.

One path was true as an arrow, while the other ran in a zigzag course.

“How did you get your path so true?” asked the boy who had made the crooked steps.

“Why,” said the other boy, “I just set my eyes on the tree…
… and kept them there until I got to the end

While you stopped and looked back and wandered out of your course!

Well… That’s how our Christian Life is too…
… we must fix the eyes of our hope, our trust, and our faith upon Jesus Christ.

As the Letter to the Hebrews teaches:
“… Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb 12:2)

The Gospel of the Day presents an experience of the disciples…
… of losing their focus from the Lord
… an experience of “feeling lost” despite the fact that Jesus was with them

Jesus is off on the boat again, with His disciples, to travel to the other shore (Mk 8:13)

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread along with them, and they had only one loaf with them. (Mk 8:14).

Our Blessed Lord, meanwhile, began to make use of the time of journey, for rendering a teaching on True Discipleship.

Incidentally, He spoke on the need to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod…
… the leaven of malice and wickedness (1 Cor 5:8)
… the leaven of deception and misleading (Gal 5:8-9)

The disciples, however, got it all wrong.

Their minds were still focussed on the bread.

They were still figuring how out, how they missed to get bread.
They were still trying to see how they could all adjust, with one bread.

And so, when Jesus spoke of leaven – one of the main ingredients in bread – they thought that Jesus was chastising them, for not having taken bread.

But Jesus now shows the disciples what is to be the main focus…

He makes them realise what was more important and needed.

The disciples were more concerned…
… with food and security.
… with material needs and concerns.

But the Lord reminds them to “become aware of the Power of His Presence”

He exhorts them to peel off…
… the layers of material anxieties
… the layers of earthly apprehensions.

The disciples were concerned that they had only one bread…

But they failed to see that they had the One and Only Bread of Life!

The disciples were concerned that their food may not be sufficient…

But they failed to see that they had the One who multiplied bread for four thousands and five thousands!

They failed to understand!

They failed to look beyond!

In our life journey, we too sometimes fall short of material and earthly needs.

Do we also get perplexed and anxious like the disciples?
Do we also fail to understand that the presence of the Lord matters much more than any other earthly aspect?

Let us realise and understand that even when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar…
… God and His Power is close to me!

In our Christian Life…
… we must fix the eyes of our hope, our trust, and our faith upon Jesus Christ, and realise…
… God is near me!

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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

An oath engages the Lord’s Name.

“You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and swear by His Name. (CCC # 2150)

“Being open and docile to the presence of the Lord in our lives!”

(Based on Gen 4:1-15, 25 and Mk 8:11-13 – Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The Song of Bernadette is a 1943 film which dramatizes the story of Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

St Bernadette, reported eighteen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Lourdes, France, from February to July 1858.

This movie begins with a prologue-dialogue, which goes thus…
“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary.

For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible”

This statement casts light on an important aspect of the nature of faith and belief:

To those who believe, miracles are an aid…
To those choose not to believe, no miracles can come to aid!

The Gospel of the Day is clear example of this aspect of the nature of faith and belief…
… the constant refusal and adamant denial of the Pharisees to believe in Jesus

We are in the eighth chapter of the Gospel of St Mark.

Jesus performed an amazing miracle of the multiplication of the loaves…
… for about four thousand people (Mk 8:1-9)

From there, Jesus proceeds to the region of Dalmanutha (Mk 8:10)

On reaching this place, the religious leaders namely the Pharisees, came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test Him (Mk 8:11).

But the Lord responded with a “sigh, from the depth of His spirit” (Mk 8:12)

What made Jesus to respond so strongly?

Is Jesus against asking signs?
Is Jesus against having doubts?

The answer to all the questions above is…
… not in the affirmative!

Jesus is NOT necessarily against asking signs…

The Bible is in fact, a witness to many people asking for signs from God…

Gideon asked for a sign from God (Judg 6:17)
Moses asked God what sign would prove to Pharaoh that he was sent by God ( Ex 4:1)
Elijah promises what Elisha had asked for, on the condition of a sign (2 Kg 2:10)

Jesus is NOT out rightly against lack of belief or unbelief…

The unbelieving Thomas, was chided, but not condemned by Jesus, after His resurrection (Jn 20:27-28)
The lack of faith of the disciples is saddening for Jesus, but He does not reject them (Mk 4:40)
The father, whose boy was possessed with a demon was blessed with a healing, on his acknowledgment of littleness in faith (Mk 9:24)
The emotionally unsettled and wavering Peter is given another chance to prove his loyalty despite his rejection and denial of faith in Jesus (Jn 21:15-17)

Then what is Jesus against?

Jesus is terribly against those people…
… who reject faith, despite many signs and wonders that are plainly presented
… who demand for greater miracles for merely curiosity and excitement
… who make use of the powers of God for personal satisfaction and gratification
… who remain stone-hearted, unmoved and indifferent despite clear indications and signals from God.

The Pharisees represented this class of people, whom the Lord had a terrible dislike and aversion…
… because of their attitude of indifference
… because of their outlook of rejection

Am I a person who constantly rejects signs and wonders from the Lord, and fail to grow in faith?

Do I remain obstinate and indifferent to God’s powers, and fail to be open to God’s movements in my life?

The Lord is constantly speaking to us through various blessings and miracles

Let us be open and docile to Him!

Yes, let us realize, that…
“To those who believe, miracles are an aid…

To those choose not to believe, no miracles can come to aid!”

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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

The second commandment forbids false oaths.
Taking an oath or swearing is to take God as witness to what one affirms.
It is to invoke the divine truthfulness as a pledge of one’s own truthfulness.
An oath engages the Lord’s name.

“You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and swear by his Name. (CCC # 2150)

“Making an offering to the Lord so that our life-journey is assured to be in safe hands!”

(Based on Jer 17:5-8, 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20 and Lk 6:17, 20-26 – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A highly rich and influential person was privileged to be one of the special guests to undertake a 21-day cruise on a Majestic Battleship.

This ship belonged to the former Emperor of the land…
… and had been modernized with immense facilities and luxurious features.

The man was highly impressed with the comforts that were provided on board.

Among the many things that made a pleasant impact on him was also…
… the Sunday Morning Mass that was attended by all the sailors and attendants, who were not on duty.

It was more so, since the man himself was not so particular about the practise of faith.

At the conclusion of the celebration of the Holy Mass, the man asked one of the sailors:
“Are you obliged to attend these Sunday Morning services?”

“It’s not exactly about obligation, Sir!” replied the sailor…
… “but our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by this our offering to the Lord!”

Those sailors and attendants had made a conscious and deliberate choice to practise their faith…
… and to surrender themselves to the Higher Power for safety and protection.

Our lives are also similar to such cruises…
… sometimes going through calm and quiet waters
… sometimes struggling in disturbed and turbulent waters
… sometimes encountering even dangerous storms and violent gales

Do we make a constant choice for the Lord and live ourselves in surrender to Him?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful teaching of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke…
… with a call to “hope and trust in the Lord always!”

The beatitudes are assurances of blessing and joy to all those who make a conscious choice for the Lord and His Kingdom!

Jesus says, “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God” (Lk 6:20)

One of the great messages in this verse is the Message of Hope!

The Greek word used for “poor” is “ptochos”

Ptochos means…
… reduced to beggary or asking for alms
… destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour
… helpless, powerless to accomplish an end

It’s interesting to note that this word “Ptochos” has its origin in the word “ptosso” which means “to crouch”

Therefore, the “poor” literally means, “one who is crouching”…
… a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down

It’s a position that is very often defied and despised, in the worldly standards, which emphasizes on being proud and haughty!

Thus, when the Lord says, “Blessed are the poor,” it is a tremendous message of Hope…
… to those who find themselves at the peripheries of life
… to those lost in the miseries of life and find no hope – materially, spiritually, mentally, socially

Of course, the word “poor” does not mean…
… that one simply becomes timid and passive or be simply submissive to any social evils without any resistance
… that one adopts an attitude of being “always hands folded” in surrender or “faces cast down” in defeat

“Poor” instead refers to the fact that one has God has one’s greatest strength and treasure

Being “poor in the Lord,” contradictory as it may sound, is the greatest richness that one can have.

Being “poor in the Lord” gives the greatest confidence to a person, who realises that being in God, one can never fail!

How true is the saying, “One who kneels before God, can stand before anyone!”

One who is aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses and yet offers oneself entirely to the power of God…
… such a one, in the eyes of the world may be “poor”… but is “Blessed” in the sight of God!

Prophet Jeremiah assures us: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water…
… that sends out its roots by the stream
… and does not fear when heat comes
… for its leaves remain green
… and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jer 17:7-8)

It takes courage to be a Christian who is committed and passionate!

Yes… “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord!” (Ps 40:5a)

Let us realise that our life in the Lord “is not about obligation…
… but our journey is assured to be in safe hands, by our offering to the Lord!”

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 Ten Commandments – The Second Commandment

God’s Name is great when spoken with respect for the greatness of His majesty.

God’s Name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending Him. (CCC # 2149)