Category: Feast Days

Apr 10 (Jn 8:31-42)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

There is a simple fable, perhaps known to many of us… of a swan….

The swan – white, beautiful and spotless – was pitying a poor pig, who was in its muddy environment.

>> It began to describe to the pig, that further up the river, there was a beautiful country – with green banks and rising slopes.

The swan invited the pig to join the happy company of the white swans that lived in that “pleasant country”.

The pig was pretty fascinated and was willing to go.

>> But it asked a question: “Is there any marshy swamp in that pleasant country?”

“Oh no!” replied the swan, “the land is free from all mud and mire”

“Ah Hmm…” said the pig with face cast-down, “In that case, I am sorry, I cannot accompany you!

I must stay here in the swamp!”

An invitation to move from the dirty swamp to a pleasant country was extended…

… but the offer was refused and rejected!

So true is this fable, with respect to our own experience in spiritual life.

>> We are constantly exhorted, to advance to live in holiness and purity…

… but we stubbornly choose to inhabit in sin, shame and ignorance!

>> We are often invited, to move into a life of spotlessness and sanctity…

… but we remain satisfied to dwell with the unclean and dirty things of life!

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation of the Jews getting into arguments with Jesus on the question of His Divinity.

>> The Lord invites them open their eyes to see and experience the Truth…

… but they close their minds, and choose to remain stubborn, in their own understanding

>> The Lord exposes before them the futility of being ignorant and the advantage of knowing the Truth…

… but they wilfully choose to remain stuck in their past knowledge and be unwilling to open their hearts to possibilities of change.

Jesus, the Truth-Incarnate, declares:

“You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free” (Jn 8: 31)

But the people retorted and answered: “… we have never been enslaved…” (Jn 8: 33)

They considered slavery from only a physical perspective!

>> They were extremely offended when Jesus considered them to be slaves!

But Jesus brings the focus into right perspective (as he does always!), and speaks of a deadlier form of slavery and a higher form of freedom…

>> A slavery to Sin…

… that causes one to be away from God and His people

>> A slavery to ignorance and error…

… that causes one to be closed to God’s Word and prevent His transformation to take place within

He invites to receive Freedom in Him…

… that enjoins with knowing and doing the Father’s Will

… that liberates one from the bondages of death, and leads into peace and joy!

The danger to remain stagnant in sinful or ignorant ways constantly lurks in our life:

>> The Truth of the Bible is often presented to us in appealing and interesting formats…

… but we often seek to remain ignorant or don’t show any interest to read and understand God’s Word

>> The beauty of the Sacramental Life and the Teachings of the Church is laid before our eyes…

… but we time and again, tend to be lethargic, casual and sometimes even, hostile to them

>> Our eyes often come into contact with the suffering lot of people, in and around us…

… but many times, we turn a blind eye to them and remain indifferent in our cosy lifestyle

Each of us needs a purification…

>> Each of us needs a movement…

A purification from our stubborn ways to a life of obedience and docility to God’s Word

>> A movement from a sluggish life of faith to being a fervent and committed Christian

Yes, Jesus is constantly extending His Nail-Scarred Hands to lead us to the “pleasant country” of holiness and sanctity.

>> Let us not deny his invitation and say:

“Ah Hmm…! I am sorry, I cannot accompany You!

I must stay here in the swamp!”

Instead, let us make a self-examination of our state of life…

… realize the need to have a purification and a movement…

… and embrace and live with Jesus, the Truth, “Who sets us free”!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ God will unfailingly be pleased with our patience and take note of our diligence and perseverance!”

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Dec 4th (Lk 10: 1-16 and Feast of St Francis Xavier)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

A story is told of a blind boy who was flying a kite.

 

He enjoyed this pastime along with others of his own age.

 

A passer-by, knowing him and wanting to mildly tease the blind-fellow, said:

‘Hey, boy! Do you know where is your kite?

You don’t know whether it is on the ground or up in the sky, do you?’

 

‘Oh yes,’ said the blind lad, ‘I do know! It is now quite a fair height up in the air.’

 

How do you know that?’ asked the passer-by, ‘you surely can’t see it.’

 

The boy replied, ‘I can’t see it, it is true, but I can feel the tug of the string!’

 

 

The ‘tug’ of the string help the boy to realise the presence of the kite and to sense its height in the air!

 

 

The awareness of the presence of the Divine power in our lives, is such…

>> One may not be able to always see the presence of the Divine, but the believer can surely experience its power and strength!

 

 

This experience of “the Divine tug of the string” keeps the life of the believer moving forward and helps to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by Jesus to grow deeper in this “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in our life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

 

 

 

After having summoned and authorized  the disciples, Jesus sends them ahead of Him, to the places of mission.

 

 

In the Gospel of Matthew, the same passage beings with the statement, “Preach, as you go…” (Mt 10:7)

 

Some other translations would read as “As you go, make a proclamation…”

 

 

This is such wonderfully practical, and yet at the same time, a phrase that is often overlooked: “Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

 

 

 

Preaching or Proclamation in our times, is often picturised with a limited understanding.

 

Preaching or proclamation is often understood as that which takes place…

… only from the pulpit or during a service in Church

… only in the form of speaking and explaining the Word of God

 

 

But the words of the Lord are worth noting:

“Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

 

Preach, as you go about doing your daily duties and activities

>> As you go about your responsibilities and works, make a proclamation

 

Preach as you go around meeting different people by sharing His love and joy to all

>>  As you go about engaging in numerous actions, make a proclamation by sharing His presence

 

 

The act of preaching and proclamation of the Kingdom of God is to be reflected in our every action and movement…

… Whatever we do, may it become an act of proclaiming God’s abundant blessings!

… Whatever work we take up, may it become a moment of preaching God’s amazing providence!

 

 

Such an act of Preaching and Proclamation makes it mandatory that one grows deeper in the “awareness and dependence” on Jesus in the life as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

 

 

>>The act of proclamation needs the “awareness” that I am continuing the Great Mission work that has Jesus as the “Initiator”, the “Sustainer” and the “Finale”!

 

>> The act of preaching needs the “dependency” on the Lord to realise that the Lord alone can provide all the graces, strength and courage for the mission!

 

 

 

This is what was epitomized by St Francis, Xavier, whose feast we celebrate today.

 

>> This Patron of the Missions, was filled with a tremendous zeal for salvation of souls and contained in him a contagious enthusiasm of giving Christ to all.

 

 

One of his testimonial statement, while undertaking missionary activity in Japan, goes thus: “Sometimes I have lost my voice and strength altogether with repeating again and again the Credo and the other forms.”

 

 

 

May we give heed to the words of the Dynamic Missionary Saint…

 

>> “It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards a one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken”

>> “It is impossible to find a saint who did not take the two P’s seriously: prayer and penance”

 

… and seek to grow deeper in our missionary commitment!

 

 

Yes, one needs to feel the “tug and the pull of the Divine Lord”…when one goes through

… hardships and difficulties in being a missionary of the Kingdom,  in hostile situations

… problems and challenges as we seek to live a true Christian life in the modern world

… meaninglessness or emptiness as we go through the ‘deserts’ and ‘darkness’ in life

 

 

And it is this experience of “the Divine tug of the string” that keeps the life of the believer moving forward and to depend on the Divine Presence for strength in life!

 

 

Happy Feast of St Francis Xavier!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Nov 1 (Based on Solemnity of All Saints)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS2 Comments

Who is your favourite hero/heroine?

 

 

This is a question invariably most of us have either asked others and we ourselves have been asked.

 

Heroism is a much overblown idea in our society .

>> We live in a world surrounded by super heroes!

 

 

Hollywood and Bollywood and “other woods” give us movies about superheroes…

… who can leap tall buildings at a single bounce

… vanquish their enemies with a solitary gaze

… and reign supreme with their out-of-the-world capabilities!

 

 

Heroism, in our world, has been quite associated with power, fame, popularity etc…

 

 

They are super-exciting.

>> They are breathtaking.

>> They give an “ooh…wow” feeling!

 

 

Today, the Holy Mother the Church is geared up to celebrate Her Heroes!

>> Of course, Heroes with a difference….

 

Heroes, who really, made a difference!

>> Heroes who have achieved great heights of perfection, in God’s sight!

 

 

It’s a day of immense celebration of these superheroes of God… The Solemnity of All Saints!

 

 

One catchword that dominates today’s celebration is JOY.

>> There is much JOY in belonging to God.

>> There is much JOY is being saved in Christ.

>> There is much JOY in suffering for the Lord.

 

Being joyful does not mean, that all is perfect and without any faults.

>> Being joyful means, one has learned to look beyond those imperfections.

 

And this is Christian Holiness.

 

 

Christian Holiness is wholeness…

… a wholeness that’s experienced in one’s being, as a result of living life in perfect union with the Will of God.

 

 

Today the Church invites us to lift our gaze to heaven, and thank and praise God for the innumerable people who not only persevered in their faith while they lived on earth…

… but actually lived their lives in such a way that they built up Christ’s Kingdom in the world.

 

 

The saints are not superheroes in the worldly sense…

 

What sets them apart…

… is not their miraculous power….

… is not their popularity and fame.

>> Rather, what makes them saints, is their faith and their discipleship and their service to others.

 

 

The word “SAINT”…sometimes strikes an odd chord in our minds…

 

Saints are often considered to be people…

… beyond our reach and too holy for our lives

… for whom the path to sanctity was made easy and cosy.

… who are given a special boon from God to live a holy life.

 

 

But the truth perhaps, is quite contrary…

 

Saints are people who are truly very close to us and lived in simple and ordinary life situations like us.

Saints are people who had to struggle through many hardships and trials in the path to holiness.

Saints are people who co-operated with the grace of God and remained faithful to their commitment and call

 

 

Every Christian is called to a life of Holiness and to be a Saint…

 

How is this possible in our lives…?

>> The Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus, in today’s Gospel shows us the path… (Mt 5: 1-10)

 

Being a saint…

…by depending on God in all dimensions of our life and seeking His Kingdom above all

…by mourning over our sins and seeking to live a life in repentance.

…by living a life of firm gentleness and trusting patience in the midst of injustice and pain

…by becoming agents of justice and seekers of establishing truth

…by giving mercy and compassion to the needy and even to those who we feel, don’t deserve

…by preserving purity in our thoughts, words and deeds

…by striving for establishing peace and harmony even in conflicting situations

…by accepting suffering and becoming stronger in our struggle to establish God’s Kingdom

 

 

This Feast day is a chance for us to sneak into the personal diary of the saints…and to “steal” some tips for us to admire and imitate them…

 

>> The Saints’ Favourite Food: The Holy Eucharist

 

>> The Saints’ Favourite Dress: The Armour of Faith

 

>> The Saints’ Favourite Pastime: Doing anything with immense love of God

 

>> The Saints’ Favourite Symbol: The Holy Cross

 

>> The Saints’ Favourite Moments: Every time they discovered more the depth of God’s Love

 

 

The Church has a marvellous number of saints who are canonized.

 

On this special day, we also take our time, to raise our hearts in gratitude, for the many other holy men and women, who sparkle with sanctity, but have not been officially declared so.

 

A few may be known to us, in our family or friends circle…

>> But most of them, will remain unknown and unfamiliar and unheard.

>> But in the Lord’s presence, they dazzle and shine, in holiness and purity.

 

 

This galaxy of Saints beckon and encourage each one of us today to tread this path of holiness.

 

As St Augustine says, “Do you aspire to do great things? Begin with the little ones”

…Doing our simple works with much love of God.

…Living our Christian life with much faithfulness

….Seeing the deep presence of God in all areas of our life.

 

Let us live a life of self-sacrifice, renunciation and trust in God….

Let us live a life seeking to do God’s will at all times

Let us live a life laced with the tender Love of God in all our activities.

 

 

All the saints, the Superheroes of God, are looking deep into our eyes…and inviting us…”Come, dear Child…Be a Saint…”

 

What is our response?

 

 

Happy Feast to all the Saints in Heaven…the Church Triumphant!

Happy Feast to all of us, striving to be saints…the Church Militant!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

May 1 (Jn 6: 22-29 & Feast of St Joseph, the Worker)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

There is an old legend of a swan and a crane.

 

A beautiful swan alighted by the banks of the water, in which a crane was wading about, seeking snails.

 

For a few moments the crane viewed the swan in incredulous wonder and then inquired: “Where do you come from?”

“I come from heaven!” replied the swan.

 

“And where is heaven?” asked the curious crane.

 

“Heaven!” said the swan, “Heaven! Have you never heard of heaven?”

 

And the beautiful bird went on to describe the grandeur of the Eternal City…

>> She told of streets of gold, and the gates and walls made of precious stones; of the river of life, pure as crystal, upon whose banks is the tree whose leaves shall be for the healing of the nations.

 

With eloquence, the swan described the beauty of the other world…

… but none of it, strangely, seemed to arouse the slightest interest of the crane.

 

Finally the crane asked: “Are there any snails there?”

“Snails??” repeated the swan; “No! Of course there are not!”

 

“Then,” said the crane, as it continued its search along the slimy banks of the pool, “you can have your heaven. I only want snails!”

 

The crane was satisfied with the lowly earthly “snails” and failed to have any interest for the divine “heavens”

 

How often are we also like this crane….

… interested only in earthly affairs, and least attracted to the heavenly realms

… busy only with gathering earthly pleasures but rejecting offers for heavenly happiness

 

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus chiding the people for following Him, just for the sake of earthly desires, and instead, invites and exhorts them to seek for higher and heavenly longings in life…

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6: 27)

 

The people had witnessed Jesus’ great miracle of the multiplication of loaves.

>> Their hunger had been satisfied and appetites been gratified.

 

>> In Jesus, they found a person who was able to answer the bodily needs.

>> In Jesus, they found a person who was able to satisfy their material desires.

 

The people desired to crown Him as their King!

 

Is this not a trend in our society as well?

 

How often are the bread-givers and money-makers held in high esteem, even in our days…

… at the expense of people who are unable contribute much or do much work.

 

Think of the aged, the sick, the invalids in our own houses, communities and societies, who are unable to work or contribute anything materially…

>> How often do we neglect them!

>> How often do we put them down!

>> How often do we call them as useless!

 

We sometimes glorify people based only their work, their position and their activities…

>> The “being” of a person is often neglected… only the “doing” of a person is exalted!

>> The “essence” of a person is often not given value… only the “work” of a person is given credit!

 

But Jesus refrains from being a victim to this mentality of the society.

>>  He refuses to be their “Bread-King”!

>> He rejects to being their “Materialistic-Messiah”!

 

And so when people, come to Him, Jesus recognizes their motive in seeking Him…

… and He chides them saying:

“Amen, Amen, I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs but you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6: 26-27)

 

The Lord seeks to lead the people to desire and long for the higher realities of life.

 

And this is the wish of the Lord for each one of us too, that we…

… be interested not only in worldly affairs; rather, we be more attracted to the heavenly realms

… be busy not only with gathering earthly satisfactions;  but, we accept and embrace more of heavenly happiness

 

It is true that “to the hungry one, food and other material wants demand higher urgency”

>> But having said this… one must also be willing to accept, that beyond these material aspects, the human person has greater needs – on a spiritual sense, that of the soul, towards the transcendental realities!

 

What is needed therefore, is a proper prioritizing…

… Does God and the Heavenly realities mean more to me, than earthly desires?

… Does Jesus and His Virtues occupy primal position in my life, than the worldly values?

 

A true prioritizing and firm conviction alone can help us to be the true witnesses of Jesus, the Messiah.

>> Jesus is our model and example, Who, in His life, accorded the first and primal place to God and His Will.

 

The lives of the saints and the martyrs are also proof for this fact.

 

>> In the Acts of the Apostles, 6:8-15, we read of how St Stephen, the first Martyr of the Church, “was filled with grace and power, and could withstand any persecution”, because he had a made a choice for Jesus and His Kingdom, above all!

 

He rejected all worldly promises and desires that blocked his view of the Kingdom!

 

Are we going to be a people, merely fixed in searching, through the slimy banks, for ‘snails’ of earthly pleasures?

>> Or we going to be a people, who can transcend and rise up higher, to live our lives in the grandeur of Jesus and His Everlasting Kingdom?

 

 

Today is the First of May.

>> The Church commemorates St Joseph, the Worker.

 

As St. Alphonsus Liguori says, “We should, indeed, honour St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased to honour him by calling him father.

>> If the King of kings was pleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity, it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavour to honour him as much as we can!”

 

Let us seek the intercession of St Joseph, who was able to fulfill the duties entrusted to him, with a sense of immense trust and faith in the Lord…

… in order to seek for the higher and heavenly longings of life!

 

 

Happy Feast of St Joseph, the Just Worker in God’s Plan of Redemption.

>> Glorious Blessings of Jesus, his Precious Child – the Way, the Truth and the Life

>> Heavenly Intercessions of Mary – his loving Spouse and our affectionately protecting Mother

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Oct 18 (Feast of Evangelist St Luke)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

A poor woman had lost her husband and was going through a great deal of agony and distress.

 

One day, her neighbour brought her a small, worn-out pamphlet.

 

She gave it to the sorrowful woman and told her:

“I found this lying on the street. Somebody must have dropped it.

I read it.

 

There is a wonderful story of a Man Who helps those who are unhappy.

I thought of you. It might do you help!”

 

The sorrowful woman took it.

>> She not only read it, but also had her life transformed by it!

 

The pamphlet was a copy of the Gospel of St Luke!

 

This Gospel with its powerful themes of consolation and comfort had brought peace and relief to the woman in sorrow.

 

 

Today, on this Feast day of the Evangelist St Luke, let us meditate on this beautiful gift which he has penned – the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St Luke.

 

 

St Jerome was of the opinion that, “among all the evangelists, St Luke was the most skilled writer of Greek.”

 

It is to St Luke that we owe some of the finest Gospel portraits…

>> The nostalgic infancy narratives of Jesus

… The Annunciation of Jesus (1: 26-38)

… The Birth of John the Baptist (1: 57-66)

… The visit of the shepherds at the Birth of Jesus (2: 15-20)

… The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (2: 22-38)

… The Loss of Jesus in the Temple (2: 41-52)

 

>> The distinguished and daring ministries of Jesus

… The Programmatic Speech in Nazareth, His hometown (4: 16-30)

… The raising of widow’s son at Nain (7: 11-17)

… The story of Martha and Mary of Bethany (10: 38-42)

… The Samaritan Leper (17: 11-19)

… The transformation of Zacchaeus (19: 1-10)

… The conversion of the good thief (23: 39-43)

… The encounter with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (24: 13-35)

 

>> The illustrious and much-loved parables

… The Good Samaritan (10: 29-37)

… The Prodigal Son (15: 11-32)

… Rich Man and Lazarus (16: 19-31)

… The Persevering Widow (18: 1-8)

… The Publican and the Tax Collector (18: 9-14)

 

 

The marvellous brush of the Physician St Luke has some unique thrusts as well…

… which are also great reminders to us, in our spiritual lifestyle.

 

  1. A Gospel of Inclusive

 

St Luke’s Gospel has distinctive stories and incidents on how Jesus accepted and recognized the dignity of  those, who were otherwise, left out in the society…

… the Samaritans

… the tax-collectors

… the public sinners

… the women

 

>> Am I a person who is willing to accept those who are rejected, abandoned and pushed-out of the society?

>> Do I exhibit “exclusivist” mentality by sticking on to only “my” culture, language, race, class etc and fail to celebrate differences?

 

 

  1. A Gospel of Prayer

 

St Luke’s Gospel presents greatly the aspect of the prayer, by presenting many instances…

… of Jesus praying

… of Jesus exhorting on prayer

… of many Temple scenes

 

>> Am I a person who enjoys the taste of prayer?

>> Do I fail to have a regular and consistent time to spend with the Lord and discover and implement the Father’s Will in my life?

 

 

  1. A Gospel of the Poor

St Luke displays his special love for the poor…

… through his many parables on the poor

… and the denouncement of riches…

>> And thus exalts them as the “favoured ones of God” and restoring their dignity and honour

 

 

>> Do I make radical choices to grow in my “poverty” i.e. my total dependence on the Providence of God?

>> Do I share my gifts, my talents and my riches, with those in need and find joy in this sharing?

 

  1. A Gospel of the meal

St Luke’s Gospel has an interesting presentation of Jesus as most of the time being “at meal or on the way to a meal”

>> There are nearly 19 references to food, with 13 of them being exclusive to this Gospel.

 

The meal is a reference to the communitarian dimension in spirituality!

 

>> Am I a person who cherishes the presence of the other and be willing to celebrate life?

>> Do I also become aware that the Lord constantly calls us to share in His Meal – the Holy Eucharist and make my life, in turn, a Eucharist to the other?

 

 

The Gospel of St Luke, along with many more themes is a wonderful reminder of the Love and Mercy of God…

… calling us to live in joy and service.

 

May this Feast Day of this Great Evangelist…

… help us to grow in our love for the Word, by reading and reflecting daily

… and challenge us to live the Word, in all our daily activities of life!

 

 

Happy Feast of St Luke, the Evangelist!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Aug 22 (Feast of the Queenship of Mary)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS3 Comments

“Saare jahaan mein acha!” (“Better than all in the entire world!”)

This was the chorus we sang in unison and love….The Holy Trinity, the Holy Angels and all people of faith on the earth…..just seven days back…

… on the 15th of August – the Feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary!

Today we are back to chanting the same chorus and the same refrain with a deeper enthusiasm and stronger gusto…

… as we celebrate with heaven, the Coronation of our Blessed Mamma as the Queen of Heaven and Earth!

This Feast of the Queenship of Mary was instituted by Pope Pius XII at the conclusion of the Marian Year in 1954.

It was not…

… a new doctrine.

… or a new teaching

… or a new policy

.. or even a new understanding!

This declaration was merely an affirmation of the age old faith that has been celebrated down through the ages!

St. Ephrem referred to Mother Mary as the “Majestic and Heavenly Maid, Lady, Queen.”

>> St. Gregory Nazianzen called her, “the Mother of the King of the Universe.”

On this Feast Day of the Queenship of Mary…

… we are presented with the Reading on the Annunciation.

Let us travel with Mary, our Mamma and Queen….through this Life Transforming Event of Her life….

This incident will highlight the journey of Grace and Mercy that God worked, to raise Her to a Glorious State!

  1. The Simple Mary

Mary was a simple and unnoticed girl of the unpopular town of Nazareth.

>> She was an ordinary person betrothed to a man named Joseph.

She had…

… her dreams

… her wishes for a family life

… her desires for a peaceful life!

>> But God had bigger dreams for Her…

… a dream which would make Her the Blessed among all…

>> God had higher wishes for Her…

… a wish which would make the Nazareth Family a model for all…

>> God had bigger desires for Her…

… a desire which would fill her with Peace amidst every pain…

 

  1. The Troubled Mary

Mary was deeply troubled when she encountered Angel Gabriel.

>> The greeting of the Divine Being made Her simple heart to be filled with feelings of concern and disturbance.

She had…

… her concerns

… her share of uneasy feelings

… her moments of worry!

>> But God had greater cares for Her…

… a care which would make her a Mother to all those who have concerns…

>> God had finer feelings for Her…

… a feeling which would help her to Feel for those who go through life’s pains…

>> God had greater comforts for Her…

… a comfort which will lead Her to be a Comforter to the Uncomforted…

  1. The confused Mary

It was a moment of great confusion and perhaps even total puzzlement as to how could the words of Angel Gabriel be believed.

>> There was great uncertainty as to how could a conception of this sort take place and what made Heaven to grant Her this choice of being the Mother of the Son of God!

She had…

… Her confusions

… Her perplexity

… Her moments of Inner Turmoil.

>> But God had a deeper solution to Her confusions…

… He assured Her of the Presence of His Mighty Spirit…

>> God had an enhanced way out of Her perplexity…

… He calmed Her by opening Her eyes to His great works…

>> God had a deeper answer to Her turmoil…

… He relieved Her by reminding Her that all things are possible for Him…

  1. The willing Mary

The Fiat Moment – the time when Mary said the Big Yes to God’s Plan of Salvation!

>> It was a sacred time when Mary consented and became willing to allow God’s Script to work in Her unadorned Life!

She had…

… Her mysterious moments

… Her ‘what-next’ moments

… Her moments of indefiniteness!

>> But God had His superior light beyond all mysteries…

… She was to be the Woman of the Mystery of God’s Salvation …

>> God had His clear plan beyond all doubts…

… She was to be the Perfect Executor of Heaven’s Plans for humanity…

>> God had his superior design across all indefiniteness…

… She was to be the Refuge of all in Uncertainty…

Today, Is My Life…

… just too simple and ordinary?

… just too troubled?

… just too confused?

Then Mother Mary is a model to us…

… a perfect example

… a shining witness

… a great challenge to us!

In all our ordinariness, troubles and confusions. let us trust and have faith in God…

… just like Mother Mary

>> And seek to always say to God, ” Fiat – Yes, Be it done to me according to Your Will!”

Let us raise an Anthem of Thanksgiving, Love and Affection…

… to our Beloved Mamma, the Queen of the Heavens and the Earth… and of our hearts…

>> And in harmony & accord, with deep joy, acclaim Her to be –

“Saare jahaan mein acha!” (“Better than all in the entire world!”)

Happy Feast of the Beloved Queen Mamma united with Her son, King Jesus, to all of us, Her little princes! 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

July 10 (Feast of St Lawrence – Jn 12: 24-26)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

The forests of northern Europe and Asia are home to  a little animal called the Ermine.

>> It is characterized by its snow-white fur

 

Some countries have the state robes of the judges lined with this fur…

… the white fur being a symbol of honour and purity.

 

The Ermine would do anything to protect and safeguard its fur.

 

Fur hunters however, take undue advantage of this weakness of the Ermine.

 

They don’t keep a snare to catch the ermine

>> Instead the smear filth on the entrance and the interior of its house – usually in a cleft of a rock, or the hollow of a tree.

 

The dogs are then left behind the ermine…

… Frightened, the ermine runs towards its home, the only place of refuge.

 

However, it finds the entrance dirty and unclean.

 

It is unwilling to spoil the pure white fur coat.

And so, the ermine makes a choice…

>> To give in to the hungry and fierce dogs…

… than to spoil the purity of the white fur!

 

A choice is made – to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

 

Every Christian is expected to do the same…

… preserve the purity of one’s holiness, even at the cost of one’s life.

 

 

Today we celebrate the Feast of one such Daring Christian – St Lawrence…

… who yielded his life than to lose his pledge to Christ

… who let go of his earthly desires, to win the prize of heavenly salvation

 

St Lawrence lived the words of Christ who exhorted:

“He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world, will keep it for eternal life!” (Jn 12: 25)

 

 

The Gospel Passage of the day is preceded by a very vital and crucial verse in the Gospel of St John…

>> Jesus says, ” The Hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (Jn 12: 25)

The life of Jesus, as seen in the Johannine Gospel is a journey towards this climax aspect – The Hour!

 

What is “The Hour”?

 

>> The Hour is the hour of glorification

… the hour of His task as a Messiah, which is to be completed by His “lifting up” on the Cross!

 

It was the Hour when the Lord will conquer death, by submitting Himself totally to the Will of the Father!

 

Jesus never shied away from this Hour

>> He came into this world for this Hour

… Death was the goal of His Life, the gold that He was seeking.

 

He invites His followers to also make this choice…

… to lose one’s life, in order to gain life in Him!

… to die to oneself, in order to bear much fruit!

 

What are the implication of losing our life, in order to gain life in Him?

 

>> Letting go a life of sinful habits and tendencies…

… and making holiness and sanctity as our lifestyle

 

>> Seeking to put an end to our tendencies to self-boast or feed our pride…

… and instead, engaging in acts of humility and giving space for God’s Mercy

 

>> Letting go of our stubborn nature in reconciling with others…

… and trying to foster relationships based on self-giving and self-sacrifice

 

>> Seeking to avoid occasions of sin…

… and instead, creating opportunities for being consciously in the presence of God

 

 

By our Baptism, we have been blessed with the white robe of holiness and purity

>>  Our Sacramental life keeps it unstained.

 

The world, on the other hand, constantly seeks to malign this pure robe…

… by its lures of impurity and filth

 

Like the ermine, we are faced to make a choice…

>> To die to the hungry and fierce world…

… than to spoil the purity of holiness!

 

 

Yes, we need to make a choice – constantly, at every moment…

>> A choice to preserve purity, even at the cost of one’s life!

 

Let us be inspired by the life and example of St Lawrence.

 

May his courage and valour help us also…

… to yield our life than to lose our pledge to Christ

… to let go of our earthly desires, to win the prize of heavenly salvation

 

 

Happy Feast of St Lawrence!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Jul 29 (Feast of St Martha)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

Hello….check our phone please….

Do we have a Miss Call from Jesus?

The world is fast-paced.
>> Some of us are always on the move
>> Some of us are always on our feet

From very early dawn to very late dusk…
… we’re frenzied with activities & works & efforts & exertions.

Life gives us ample excuses to get busy, isn’t it?

Our cultures sometimes even measures our worth by how busy we are…
….determines our significance by how much we accomplish…
….assesses our importance by how well we meet the expectations of others!

We are often under the yoke of proving to be ‘Somebody’ by what “we do”…
…than by what “we are”!

In this busy dizzy frenzied life…
… The Lord calls our attention to Himself: “Check your phone please…. Do you have a Miss Call from ME??

We celebrate today the Feast of St Martha.

The moment St Martha is mentioned, our minds immediately paint a picture of a working lady, in the kitchen…
>> Perhaps a little irritated and vexed, that she alone has to do the serving for Jesus, the Guest.

She is also considered, often, in low tones, in comparison to her sister, Mary.

But on this her feast, we shall try to look closer into the life of this Saint…
… who sadly often remains touted only as an irritated and perplexed kitchen-lady…

>> And instead learn some important lessons from this Lovely Saint, for our Spiritual Life:

1. The Hospitable Martha

The first images of Martha is of one who loved to serve and attend to the needs of the Lord.
>> Jesus found a home and a resting place in this house of Bethany (Lk 10:38)

2. The Complaining Martha:
This popular image of Martha is a reality in this down-to-earth Saint. She is naturally worried, that she is left alone in serving the Divine Lord.

She even tends to demand the Lord to ask her sister, Mary to help her (Lk 10:40)

3. The Loved Martha

The Apostle of Love, St John, describes Martha as “the one who was loved by the Lord”(Jn 11:5)

4. The Sorrowful Martha

At the death of her brother Lazarus, Martha expresses deep sorrow and grief.

>> Her simple humanness comes to the light once again. (Jn 11:19)

5. The Trustful Martha

Though her brother died, the coming of Jesus to her home, was a great occasion for Martha to express her trust and confidence that the Lord can work wonders and great signs. (Jn 11:22)

6. The Believing Martha

Martha rose to the occasion when Jesus demands an expression of faith…

>> Parallel to Peter’s Faith Confession (Mt 16:16), Martha articulates her belief & conviction (Jn 11:27)

7. The Bold Martha

An often overlooked fact is that Jesus was often under the ire of the Pharisees and the Elders of the Law – some of them even plotting to kill this ?emerging Reformer and Restorer” of the Law.

Jesus was at a constant risk to His life.
>> And yet, the Bold Martha is courageous and daring to accept the Lord into her home and to render him a shelter and a safe haven.

St Martha serves an inspiration to us, involved in much work and yet seeking to find a home in the heart of the Lord…

She becomes a model to us…
>> Having human frailties and weakness…
… and yet wanting to tread the path of Holiness.

St Martha proves to be an example to us who gets discouraged by worries and brokenness in life…
… and yet wanting to honour to the Lord with a life of faith and strong belief.
The key is … “To Pay Attention To The Lord”

St Martha perhaps..
… had one Missed Call from the Lord: ” Martha Martha, you are anxious about many things” (Lk 10:41)….

>> But the next time onwards..she was ready to answer…!

Hello….check our phone please….

“Do we also have a Miss Call from Jesus?”

Happy Feast of St Martha!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Jan 1 (Solemnity of Mother of God & The New Year)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS3 Comments
A medical thermometer, also known as the clinical thermometer, is used to measure the temperature of the body.
 
This device helps us to check the heat in the body…
 
>> When the heat goes up, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say that we have fever.
 
>> When the heat goes low, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say we that have gone cold.
 
>> When the heat remains average, and the thermometer level indicates so, we say that we are normal.
 
 
The thermometer helps us to examine and check our physical health and vigour.
 
Our spiritual life also needs such kind of a thermometer to check our spiritual health!
 
The heat levels however, give a different indication, unlike the physical bodies…
>> When we are filled with God’s power and enthusiastic, the thermometer shows a high level.
>> When we are cast down with problems and spirits are low, the thermometer shows a low level.
>> When we are bland and just pulling on with life, the thermometer shows a lukewarm level.
 
 
 
What is the level on our Spiritual Thermometer at this point of time??
 
 
 
We are on the first day of the New Year…and on the 8th day after Christmas –  the Octave Day.
 
 
We notice that the hustle & bustle of Christmas, the celebrations & merriment of the Festival are slowing waning down…
>> The Crib and the Christmas Tree and the stars which were brightly shining have faded away…
>> The large number of people in Church for Christmas have reduced to a slender one today…
>> The joy and devout mood of the faithful which was on high, seems to have reduced…
 
 
Is the message of Christmas slowly being left behind…?
 
But the Church still dynamically and emphatically keeps up the True Spirit of Christmas.
 
 
This Octave Day of Christmas, fittingly celebrated as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a reminder to this fact…
 …that Christmas is not a one day event; rather a celebration for life.
…that spiritual exercises and movements can’t be limited; rather need to overflow everyday
 
 
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a dogma of the Church and the devotion to Mary is one of the great treasures of the Church.
 
However, often there are many doubts arising and controversies created over Mary, being considered and called as the Mother of God.
 
 
But the logic is pretty simple and easy to understand actually…
 
Premise 1: Mary is the Mother of Jesus
 
Premise 2: Jesus is fully God and fully Man
 
Conclusion: Mary is the Mother of Jesus, the fully God and fully Man.
 
And therefore, Mary is the Mother of God!
 
 
>> In honouring Mamma Mary with this title, we acknowledge and give glory to Jesus, fully God and fully Man.
>> In addressing Mamma Mary with this identity, we proclaim and declare emphatically the divinity and humanity of Jesus.
 
 
 
The Motherhood of Blessed Mamma has many implications for us…
 
>> We are assured of a Maternal protection and care in our journey towards the Lord, when we face crises, problems and difficulties.
 
>> We are challenged to respond to God’s inspirations, just as She said “Yes” to God’s call to be a partner in the salvation of the world.
 
>> We are invited to be faithful and committed in being united with Jesus, in the face of any hardships and troubles that come our way.
 
>> We are exhorted to totally committed and focussed on Jesus and Him alone and to make His Life as the aim, the goal and the foundation of our life.
 
 
On this first day of the New Year, the Lord invites us to check & examine our Spiritual Health on the Spiritual Thermometer….
 
>> Am I fervent and zealous in my commitment and consecration?
 
>> Am I passionate and ardent in my Love for Jesus, my Lord?
 
>> Am I charitable and caring in my dealings with my brothers and sisters?
 
 
Blessed Mamma, the Mother of God invites us to hold Her hands and march forward joyfully and fervently on the Path of Faith & Love.
 
 
Wish you a Very Happy Feast of  Blessed Mamma!
 
Wish you a Blessed and Holy New Year 2016!
 
 
Yes, may we always Live Jesus!
God Bless!

Dec 28 (Feast of the Holy Innocents)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFS2 Comments

Christmas is a time of great celebration and festivities.

The time after Christmas is often a phase of getting through with many cakes, sweets, food…
>> The foodstuff prepared for the occasion often exceeds the required amount and thus, it needs a few more days to consume it fully….

Something similar also happens in the spiritual realm…

For many people, the spiritual significance of an event like Christmas cannot be absorbed and completed in a day.

It’s like trying to comprehend the grandeur of some magnificent places like the St. Peter’s Basilica at Vatican or the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Niagara Falls or other greater and dazzling sites, in one walk-through.

It’s not too easy.
>>We have to return back to those experiences, in order to grasp greater, the beauty and the splendour.

So it is with the spectacular event of the Nativity..

We need more time to comprehend about the Christmas Night, more time to understand the Virgin Birth, more time to realise that God came down to earth as a tender Babe for our salvation etc…

As a result, the Church gives us seven additional days to contemplate these divine mysteries.

These extra days on the liturgical calendar, along with the feast day – eight in total – is called as The Christmas Octave.

Every day of the Christmas Octave is filled with meaning that reflects back on the Nativity – not just the birth of Christ, but the impact, the reality and the consequence of that birth in the lives of different people.

It’s interesting to note that each of the three days following the Feast of Christmas, commemorates a different type of martyrdom…

1) Dec 26th – the Feast of St Stephen – the Martyrdom of the Will, Love and Blood:
>> By His powerful witness, St Stephen was stoned to death in act that was completely willed by him, totally offering his Love for Jesus & shedding his blood.

2) Dec 27th – the Feast of St John – the Martyrdom of the Will and Love:
>> By a life of immense faithfulness & total dedication, lived with a tremendous passion and fervour, St John suffered the martyrdom of the Will and of Love.

3) Dec 28th – the Feast of the Holy Innocents – the Martyrdom of Blood:
>> On coming to know of the birth of Jesus, King Herod ordered that males under the age of two should be executed. These little babies, too little and young to form a will and a desire to love, became martyrs of Blood. (Mt 2:16)
>> Their innocent blood came in defence of the blood of their Divine Contemporary – Baby Jesus, who would grant salvation to them by His Precious Blood!

On this fourth Day of the Christmas Octave, Dec 28th, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of The Holy Innocents – the martyrs of Blood

The news that a new King of the Jews was born, caused great ordeal for King Herod (Mt 2: 3)
>> He became all the more furious, when he heard that the Magi had deceived him (Mt 2:16)

The easiest solution found was to kill all the males under the age of two.

To react negatively, in a situation of hardship, often seems to be the easiest way out.
>> But it is an extremely cheap and low way of going about

But Herod fell into this snare of “negative reaction” and had little babies killed.
>> These little babies, too little and young to form a will and a desire to love, became martyrs of Blood. (Mt 2:16)

St Augustine would say, “they are the first buds of the Church killed by the frost of persecution; they died not only for Christ, but in his stead!”
The number of children killed is uncertain.

There are a number of views on the actual number of children who were killed.
>> The Byzantine Liturgy (Greek) says that Herod killed 14, 000 boys
>> The Syrian Liturgy speaks of 64,000.
>> Another scholarly study suggests that Bethlehem was a very small town, at the time of Jesus, with a population of maybe 300. The number of children below the age of two could be very less – maybe six or seven.

But the fact remains, that it was a tragic gravely foul and grievously painful.

The death of the little children is a reminder that our earthly life is a pilgrimage…
… to be oriented for the eternal life in heaven
The dreadful massacre of the innocent children can easily cause a question to arise in us:
>> Why did God allow the helpless death of the children before their own parents?
>> Why did these little children have to be murdered, for saving the Divine Child?
>> Could not God have planned a noble way of saving Him?

Such questions can easily cause our faith to be disturbed or even be scandalised by the ways of God
But it brings home an important truth: Our earthly life is a pilgrimage.
>> No one knows how long we will live – some die in infancy, some in their old age; some die prepared, some suddenly and tragically.

This is the reality that we find in the world – we like it or not, we accept or not.
It therefore, is a call for us, to nurture life in the best way possible …
>>> Our own lives by living in holiness and fidelity to the Will of God
>>> Preserving, nurturing and enhancing the lives of others – including the little infants in the wombs.
This commemoration of the Holy Innocents is a reminder to open our eyes to see the tragedies of the world and become courageous torchbearers of justice

This passage of King Herod and the Holy Innocents, might sometimes seem to be like…
… “the unwarranted bone” in the tasty meal of Christmas
… or the “jarring note” in the melodious music of Christ’s Nativity.

We often like to live in “cosy and comfortable” situations – even if it means, closing our eyes to the stark and tragic realities of life

But it is the obligation of every Christian to “get out of every comfort zone”…
… and enter into the “suffering sections” of the society, and give them hope, consolation and life.

The “cry of the mothers of the innocent children”…
… Mt 2:18 – “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation”…
is also a “Carol”, that is heard every Christmas

Yes, may we deeply understand that Christmas – the birth of Christ, ought to not simply be a “festival of fun or frolic”…
… but also should lead us to hear the many “cries of innocents” today – the oppressed and the abused, the voiceless and the helpless, the sinful and the lonely etc.

Salutations to the Holy Innocents and Glory to the Divine Babe, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!