A small boy had done something wrong.

>> Unfortunately for him, he got caught up by his elder brother.

Caught red-handed, the little boy found himself, in the midst of a room full of elders…

… stern and hard-looking – waiting to scold him!

(The elders wanted the boy to understand the seriousness of his offence)

The boy looked at each one – with a sense of remorse and guilt -and a tear-stained face.

Seeing no sign of any of the elders relenting, the little boy burst into tears and asked:

>> “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”

Forgiveness is a treasure, that is sought after by many people in our world today

>> So many are broken…

… so many are hurt

… so many are guilty

Maybe…

… they have committed mistakes, knowingly

… they have fallen into wrongs, without being aware

… they got trapped into situations of errors and faults

But each of them… asks us a question:

>> “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful testimony of a person who…

… found herself at the lowest ebbs of her life

… when everybody seemed to reject her

… and all seemed over and out!

Yet…

… was able to receive acceptance and forgiveness

… found herself to be called to renew her life

… and be given a chance, to live life anew!

All by the grace and power of the Lord, who intervened, and instilled a new hope and zeal in her…

… giving her an answer to the question: “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”

The incident in focus is the ‘infamous’ occurrence of the woman who was “caught” in adultery.

This is the story…

… of a tragic failure in life.

… of immense shame in life.

… of Generous Grace in life.

There are so many things to be pondered and reflected on, through this incident…

>> Think of the “mean” and “disgraceful” attitude of the people who “caught” this woman “in the act” (Jn 8:3)

… Were they fitted with “special probing and lusty” eyes, that devilishly gazed into “intimate exchanges”, that too on an early morning?

>> Think of the “self-appointed” role of these “moralists” who sought to restore the innocence of the land, without realising that, perhaps, their own eyes were filled with lust, their hearts drenched in obscenity and their lives soaked in vulgarity.

… How was it that their “clean” consciences and “true” intentions caught hold of only the woman, “caught in the act”, whereas, the man involved, was left, scot-free?

>> Think of the “deadly” trap that they were laying before the Lord, in seeking to find his opinion on the accused woman…

… How neatly they had trapped the Lord in a “most vicious” dilemma:

~~ If the Lord permitted death, it would be going against the Law of the land – of the Romans – since only the Romans were permitted to take the life of a person

~~ If the Lord did not allow to stone, He would be going against the Law of the Lord, which had ordered the stoning of the convicted adulterer to death.

>> If the Lord permitted killing, He would be going against His own teaching of mercy, and His fundamental mission of “coming to seek and save the lost”

>> If the Lord forgave her, He would be going against the principle of Justice, and that would be infringing the rights and duties of a Just God.

It was a near-perfect scene, for the religious leaders to dreadfully trap the Lord.

The woman had been caught “in the act” of adultery…

>> Jesus was now to be trapped “in the act” of breaking the Law…

The woman had been shamefully paraded and stripped of all her dignity…

>> Jesus was now to be gloriously humiliated and disrobed of His glory and majesty…

But all these were “mere” human thinking and wile wishes…

>> The wisdom of God is much greater than all human craftiness and cunningness

>> The mercy of the Lord extends much beyond all human wickedness and maliciousness.

In their wickedness, they failed to see, that they were testing the law with the Law-Giver Himself!

And so, the Benevolent Law-giver, bent down, and wrote with His finger…(Jn 8:6)

… just as He had, centuries back, written the Law on the tablet and given to Moses: “… tablets that were made by God, having inscriptions on them that were engraved by God Himself” (Ex 32:16)

>> He wrote, not a new law…

… but He wrote to make the law perfectly understood..

>> He wrote, not a new commandment…

… but He wrote to make understand the true spirit of the commandment…

“Let the one who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:7)

This statement shattered all those accusers who heard it!

>> Those who came to cast the stone had themselves stoned brutally, by the guilt of their sin!

>> Those who came to enjoy parading the nakedness of the woman, themselves were stripped naked, by their sin and shame!

Justice had triumphed!

>> Mercy had excelled!

>>> Love had won!

All had left, save the one accused and the One who was Love and Compassion!

>> The one accused, stood in fear and trembling before the One who recreates and renews!

And so she was given another chance…

… to realise the mistakes of her life

… to amend her life

… and to start anew!

Life may very often reduce us also to the same state as this one who was accused.

We may find ourselves crushed….broken…accused…abandoned…shamed!

>> But the Lord, still gives us a chance….

Whenever we find ourselves lost, abandoned, broken, helpless…

… And ask the question: “Oh, won’t somebody forgive me?”

>> Jesus answers: ” I forgive you, My Child!”

Let us fall at the feet of our Compassionate and Merciful Saviour…

… and hearing Him telling us:

“Neither do I condemn you! Go, from now on… sin no more!

I forgive you, My Child!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Even though we commit many faults through human weakness, we should not become upset.

>> While detesting the fact that we have offended God, we can still experience a certain joy in humility, and a kind of delight in our miseries!

… Whenever you find yourself with more than you can handle, do not panic, but look to Christ!”

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An incident is told about a great Christian missionary who had pioneered the Christian work in a far-off island.

A group of well-wishers – some of them who wished to join this Missionary in his work – wrote a letter to him, asking:

“Have you found a good road to where you are?

>> If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you.”

The Christian Missionary however replied back:

“If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them.

>> I want men who will come if there is no road at all!”

The beauty of life is enhanced, when people are willing to take the “road less travelled!”

>> And this can happen, only “when one’s life is guided by convictions!”

It is convictions in life…

… that will help to experience true serenity and happiness.

… that will help to tide across the various storms encountered.

• Am I living a life of deep convictions in faith, which makes people to take notice of the Lord and help them come closer to Him?

• Am I filled with a deep passion for the Lord, which makes others to be attracted and fascinated to the Kingdom of the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, boldly facing and withstanding the various storms of difficulties, and thus emerging as an Epitome of passion and conviction.

Jesus is progressing in His ministry.

• On one side, there has been a increase in His popularity ratings…

… many sick being healed, many oppressed finding solace, many rejected finding consolation.

• On the other side, however, there has also been an augmentation in opposition to Him…

… many being offended by His radical call of transformation, many finding Him blaspheming, many snubbed at His uncompromising authority.

But Jesus remains unperturbed!

• He continues to preach the Word of God…

• He continues to openly declare His relation with the Father…

• He continues to publicly affirm His mission and purpose on the earth…

Jesus is the Epitome of convictions and passion!

>> Nothing could make Him to compromise His convictions…

>> Nothing could make Him to lay down His principles of life…

Neither threats, nor adulations… neither opposition, nor exaltation!

• Can I also seek to grow in my life of conviction in my faith?

• Can I also try to deepen my passion for the Lord and His Kingdom?

One of the very popular and yet, good-to-remind quote is:

“My life may be the only Gospel…

… that people may encounter

… that people may read

… that people may experience”

Let our live radiate powerfully and convincingly the message of the Gospel!

The beauty of Christian life is enhanced, only when we are willing to take the “road less travelled!”

>> And this can happen, only “when one’s life is guided by convictions!”

May our Blessed Lord grant us the Grace to always live and stand firmly for “Christian Convictions!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Have Jesus always for your Patron..

… His Cross for a mast on which you spread your resolutions as a sail

>> Your anchor shall be a profound confidence in Him, and you shall sail prosperously!”

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Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is considered to be one of the greatest presidents of the nation.

His presidency was under constant attacks and opposition, especially during the painful years of the Civil War.

However, thought he knew, there would be occasions for him to make mistakes, he had made one strong resolve: that he would never compromise on his integrity.

• He sought to make integrity as one of the hallmarks of his presidential term.

So strong was this resolve, that he once said:

“I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration…

… that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one Friend left…

… and that Friend shall be down inside of me.”

Abraham Lincoln chose not to compromise his integrity…

… because he realized that only that will ensure his friendship with the Lord…

… till the end!

He valued his integrity for Christ’s sake…

… than to compromise his principles and turn popular

He gave priority to his honesty for the Lord’s honour…

… than to dilute his ethics and gain cheap fame.

Our Christian Life is a constant challenge to stand against such prospects of gaining false fame and phony popularity, by compromising on one’s Christian ideologies and values.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment, even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

The context of today’s Gospel Passage – Jn 5:31-47 – is the aftermath of the Healing of the Crippled Man by the pool of Bethesda, on the Sabbath Day (Jn 5:1-18)

This incident had sparked a rage of opposition against Jesus…

• He was persecuted because the act of healing was done on the Sabbath (Jn 5: 16)

• His defense caused the Jews to kill Him, because Jesus equated Himself with God (Jn 5:18)

There was a strong wave of antagonism and hostility, against Jesus…

… that was pressurizing Him to compromise His teachings

….that was coercing Him to dilute His principles

But Jesus stood firm and rock-solid, in his mission commitment, even in the face of opposition, indifference and apathy from the Jews.

He therefore presents before the Jews, witnesses which would testify to Him, to His Divinity.

He uses the language of a courtroom – “witnesses” – to prove His credibility as the Divine Person

The Jews considered that two witnesses were needed for the veracity of a testimony or person.

• The Torah says, “One witness shall not arise against a man for any sin or guilt that he may commit; according to two witnesses or according to three witnesses a matter shall stand.” (Dt 19:15)

Jesus, however brings in 4 witnesses…

1. The Witness of John the Baptist (Jn 5: 33-34)

2. The Witness of His Works (Jn 5: 36)

3. The Witness of God the Father (Jn 5: 37-38)

4. The Witness of God’s Word – the Scriptures (Jn 5: 39-40)

Our Christian Life is a constant challenge..

… to let go of our values and principles

… to compromise on our efforts and mission works

But we need to be inspired and imitate our Blessed Lord…

… Who was unwilling to let go of His Commitment and Dedication to the Mission

And like Jesus, we too have the help of “Divine Witnesses” to accord veracity to our testimony.

There will be moments when…

… we get into situations of being asked to be dishonest, lethargic and be untruthful

• We need to seek the Witness of John the Baptist…

… who remained uncompromising in living a life of truth, dare and boldness!

There will be moments when…

… life surrounds us doubts in the form of sicknesses and tragedies

• We need to seek the Witness of the Works of Jesus…

… which brought new life and healing to the hopeless, the lost and the dying!

There will be moments when…

…our life will be caught in a turmoil of confusions and uncertainties

• We need to seek the Witness of God the Father…

… Whose unconditional love and compassion, strengthens us and lifts us without fail!

There will be moments when…

… our convictions get challenged by the straying and deceitful philosophies of the world

• We need to seek the Witness of God’s Word – the Scriptures …

… Which can bring clarity and passion in our Christian life.

Let this Gospel Passage challenge and inspire us…

.. to remain ever uncompromising in our Christian Life.

• To stand for God and His Kingdom

• To live to share His Love and Mercy

And to say…

… “if at the end… even if I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one Friend left…

… and that Friend shall be down inside of me.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ If only God would seal my heart, so that nothing could ever enter there but His Divine Love…

… and nothing could open it, but charity!”

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“The seven habits of highly effective people” by Stephen Covey is one of the most popular best-selling book in the world.

The book speaks of seven prime qualities to tap success in life and to achieve one’s objectives and aims.

The first among these seven habits of highly effective people is “to be proactive” in life.

• Problems beset every person in this world.

• Difficulties surround all of us, in every society.

But, the one who is “proactive” in life, is able to get over these “paralyzing” factors of life.

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful presentation of this aspect:

On how to have our heads raised up, in hope and trust, despite many crushing and crippling causes in life.

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

• As he passed through the town, he came near a pool, named Bethzatha.

Jesus encounters a person there, who has been ill for a very long period… thirty eight years! (Jn 5:5)

We are not exactly told what illness was it…

• Probably a paralyzing illness… a cripple of the legs… or even a combination of many other sicknesses.

But one thing is known: this sickness made the person to not walk!

The sickness had immobilized him.

But more than his physical body, it seems, that the sickness had crippled also his mind:

• His way of thinking seemed jammed in having hope in life…

• His outlook to life seemed blurred to see optimism and hope…

• His perspective of people seemed to distort his confidence and trust…

When Jesus questions the man, “Do you want to be well?”, the man answers not with a positive affirmation or an optimistic assertion.

Instead he begins to get into a complaining and a pitiable mode, ” Sir, I have no one…. ” (Jn 5: 7)

• A ray of hope was offered to him…

.. but instead the man continued to see only the dark clouds.

• A glimpse of joy was revealed to him…

… but instead the man persisted on the sad aspects alone.

The long period of sickness had blotted his vision and faded his hopes.

But the Lord.. the ever-challenging God, does not allow the man to remain in this unfortunate and “look-on-me-with-sympathy-please” mode…

• Instead, Jesus charges him, “Rise, take up your mat and walk” (Jn 5:8)

And immediately the man became well, took up his mat and walked!

• The presence of the Lord vanished away the man’s doubts and lame excuses…

• The mighty word of the Lord purged away the man’s feelings of looking at life negatively…

The man became proactive…

… casting away his attitude of complaining to become a person of courage

… dropping off his crippling attitude of “none-to-help” and picking up the mat of power and grace

• Problems beset each of us in this world.

• Difficulties surround all of us, at various times and situations

But, the one who is “proactive” in life, is able to get over these “paralyzing” factors of life!

Jesus gives us this courage and the hope to be “proactive” in life, with His grace and mercy.

• Pro-activity is not a mere human attitude of determination…

… it is an action spurred by the mighty love and mercy of the Lord.

• Pro-activity is not a mere individual display of willpower and resolve…

… it is an approach, impelled by a tremendous faith and hope in the Lord.

You and I, very often may find ourselves in crippling situations of life.

• We may keep on lying down…

• We may keep on being a “complaint-box”

• We may keep on blaming people and situations…

Or…

• We may raise up our heads to see the Lord challenging us to walk…

• We may garner strength and courage and be bold to pick up our mats of suffering…

• We may imbue ourselves with the Lord’s power to never let anything cripple our minds..

Shall we be ready, “to rise, take up our mats, and walk?”

The choice is ours…

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We all have a vocation.

>> We believe that God has called us to this state of life to fill a special need that no one else can accomplish!”

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There was once a good woman who was well-known among her circle for her simple faith and her great calmness in the midst of many trials.

Another woman, living across the street, hearing of her, said, “I must go and see that woman, and learn the secret of her calm, happy life.”

She went, and, enquired the woman: “Are you the woman with the great faith?”

“No,” was the answer!

“I am not the woman with the great faith, but I am the woman with the little faith in the great God,” came the rest of the answer!

Yes, the secret of “staying calm and happy” is about having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

The Gospel of the Day presents an incident of a “person who stayed calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

Jesus is in the land of Galilee…away from his hometown. (Jn 4:43)

>> His own people in the hometown had rejected Him.

>> The known persons of His native place had failed to give heed to His mighty deeds.

And so He arrives, yet again, at a Gentile place… where they welcome Him wholeheartedly!

How true is this of many a human situation…

>> Those familiar to oneself, often fail to understand…

… but those outside, are able to give better respect!

>> Those known to a person, often, fail to see the value of the person…

… but those who are unknown, recognize the specialty of the person!

Familiarity, very often, breeds contempt!

In this Gentile land, a royal official whose son was ill – nearing death – approached Jesus, seeking for a healing.

He travelled a far distance – nearly 25 miles, from Capernaum to Galilee – and coming to Jesus, he asked, “Sir, come down, before my child dies” (Jn 4: 49)

The request of this official would perhaps, remind some of us of another person, who came with a similar problem….

.. The centurion, in Mt 8: 5-13…whose servant was at home, paralyzed.

This centurion had showed tremendous faith and was even greatly praised by Jesus.

But the royal official, in today’s Gospel, had a mixed bag of faith…

>> He had faith in Jesus, which made him to come a long distance to meet Jesus.

… his faith was however, prompted mainly only because of a need for a healing.

>> He had faith in Jesus, which made him to request the Lord for a healing.

… his faith, was however, limited by physical distance (since he asked the Lord to come to his house, unlike the Centurion (Mt 8:8)

Often our faith resembles this royal official…

… turning to the Lord only in times of afflictions and troubles

… having our own doubts on whether the Lord can really work miracle in the way I want

But we must also remember…

… hard and difficult situations, are willed by God, to allow for miracles and healings, which ought to become the springboard for a deeper and committed life of faith!

… the Lord has His own ways and means of working powerfully in our lives, and we need to have the openness and humility to receive them in His way and in His time!

When the Lord gave His word, ” You may go; your son will live” (Jn 4:50), this royal official, with a mixed bag of faith…

… began to understand the secret of “staying calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

The Gospel says, “… the man believed what Jesus said to him and left” (Jn 4: 50b)

>> Moments of immense difficulties and crisis often cripple us.

>> Times of tremendous hardships and pains often cause worries to us.

But, the Lord constantly invites us “to stay calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

>> It’s His grace that strengthens us.

>> It’s His mercy that empowers us.

Shall we also adopt and personalize this great secret?

… of “staying calm and happy” by having “a simple and a little faith, in the Great and Big God!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ The greatest defect that we have in our prayers and in all that happens to us, particularly in that which concerns tribulations…

… is our lack of confidence!

>> Faith is great or little according to the measure of our confidence!”

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Charles Dickens – an English writer and a social critic – is known to be one of the greatest novelists of all times.

He has created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters and his works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime; by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius.

>> His novels and short stories are still widely read today.

Someone asked Charles Dickens once, what was the best short story in the English language.

Without any hesitation, came his reply: “The Prodigal Son!”

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful rendition of this classic: “The Prodigal Son!”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is perhaps one of the most popular, the most loved, the most sentimental and the most meaningful of all the parables in the Gospel.

One of the lasting images that this beautiful parable impresses upon the readers is that of a Loving Father in patient waiting for the return of the son.

The Son had abandoned the love and protection of the Father.

• It could have been because of some misunderstanding…

• It could have been because of some pride and arrogance…

• It could have been because of some selfishness and egoism…

• It could have been because of some immaturity or peer pressure…

Whatever be the reason, a rupture had occurred in the beautiful relationship.

• The son sought to find enjoyment in many worldly pleasures…

…meanwhile the Father was left with a seemingly never-ending wait for his beloved!

• The son drowned himself in the pleasurable waters of enjoyment and gratification…

… meanwhile the Father sought to keep floating on the waters of hope and optimism!

The Father kept waiting…and waiting…

• Every evening as the sun set… and as the darkness would engulf the land…

… the hopes of the Father would have diminished and a gloom darkened in his mind!

• Every morning as the sun arose….and as the bright rays enraptured the land…

…the expectations of the Father would have intensified and a glow lit his heart!

And thus the Father kept waiting and waiting for the son to return.

Finally, when the son returned, the long wait of the outstretched arms of the Father, waiting to embrace his beloved was over…

“… while he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him…”( Lk 15: 20)

The Father’s joys knew no bounds!

The son was considered lost… the son was considered dead…

But now here he is… found…and alive!

What a beautiful picture!

>> A son who comes back in repentance, clasped in a deep affectionate hug with his father who longed for the return of his beloved!

Our heavenly Father wishes to have this same picture, with each of us….

We have often gone away from the Love of our Heavenly Father…

…. by our sins and disobedience

… by our selfishness and egoism

… by our pride and worldly pleasures

… by our immaturity and misunderstanding

But He now waits in eager expectation and hope for our return to Him…

>> Shall we not run to the open and outstretched arms of our Blessed Father?

In turn, we are also invited, exhorted and challenged to become “an instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation”

May the forgiving love that we have received from our Heavenly Father be extended and widened to all the people in our life too.

Our Beloved Heavenly Father encourages all of us:

” All is forgiven. I accept you, as you are.

>> I love you!

>> Your Father!”

… and thus encourages us “to script the beautiful story of God’s Love and Mercy in our lives!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ God is merciful to those who want to love Him…

… and who have placed their hopes in Him!”

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A family had shifted to a new house, and the little girl of the house was given her own little room.

On her bedroom wall, just over the head of the bed on which she slept…

… was a picture of Jesus.

This picture was reflected in the large mirror of the dressing table…

… which was directly on the other side.

Thus, when the little girl woke up on the first morning in the new house…

… she could see the picture of Jesus (which was reflected on the mirror)

As she lay on bed, with her eyes opened, she exclaimed:

“Oh Mummy.. I can see Jesus through the mirror!”

To have a better look, the little girl, quickly kneeled up, to have a better look.

But in so doing, she brought her own body between the picture and the mirror!

>> As a result, instead of seeing Jesus, she now saw herself!

So she lay again, and saw the picture of Jesus once more.

She did this quite a few times over and over…

… seeing the image of Jesus as she lay down, and seeing her own image as she knelt up on bed!

Finally, she said:

” Mummy, when I can’t see myself, I can see Jesus!

>> But every time I see myself, I don’t see Him!”

How true it is this isn’t it…?

>> When our own self fills our vision, it clouds the view of Jesus!

Perhaps, very often, we are so full of ourselves, that we cannot see or recognise Christ!

The Gospel of the Day exhorts a strong message on this deadly vice of “being full of ourselves”

… in a single word – “Pride”.

Chapter 18 of the Gospel of St Luke begins with two parables, that teach on the aspect of Prayer.

• The parable of the Widow who was persistent (Lk 18: 1-8)

• The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18: 9-14)

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector have interesting comparisons with respect to the various gestures and actions that they take:

>> Both go up to the Temple area to pray…

• The Pharisee took up his position… the tax collector stood off at a distance

• The Pharisee spoke the prayer to himself… the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven

• The Pharisee spoke of his personal glories…the tax collector acknowledged being a sinner, in need of mercy.

Though the Gospel doesn’t speak of it, it seems that both, the Pharisee and the tax collector had taken a mirror with themselves, when they went to pray….

A mirror.. yeah!

But, the strange fact is that, both of them used the mirror in contrasting manners!

The Pharisee used the mirror and saw his many achievements and accomplishments…

… being unlike the rest of the sinful humanity like the greedy, dishonest or adulterous

… fasting twice a week

… pay tithes on his whole income

The tax collector, also used a mirror…but saw in it, his many failures and shortcomings…

… the moments when he had cheated others to have greater financial gains

… the times he had subjected himself to be a traitor by working against his own people

… the need to seek for God’s mercy acknowledging his sinfulness

Prayer is like a mirror…but it depends on one’s attitude and disposition what one sees…

• If one is filled with pride and self-conceit, one sees only one’s accomplishments…

… and thus pushes out God and replaces oneself as the source of all good works!

• If one is truly humble and modest, one sees one’s weaknesses and limitations…

… and thus acknowledge the dependence on God and on His grace in life!

>> Prayer could be made into a time of reciting the litany of one’s great achievements…

…or prayer could be made into a moment of seeking God’s mercy and compassion.

>> Prayer could be made into an occasion to boast of oneself and put down others…

… or prayer could be made into a moment to see the glittering light of God guiding us.

What is our attitude and disposition?

• Am I afflicted with the sickness of pride which makes me to flaunt only myself at the expense of the other?

• Am I distressed with the disease of arrogance which makes me to see myself as the greatest person in the world, casting aside all people and even God?

There is something of “this” Pharisee, perhaps, in all of us which needs to be shun…

>> There is something of “this” tax collector, which needs to be cultivated…

This “this”…

… is the need to cast away pride and the need to embrace humility and dependence on God!

Let us “lay ourselves low” in humility…and not be “knelt up” in pride…

… and thus realise:

” When I can’t see myself, I can see Jesus!

>> But every time I see myself, I don’t see Him!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Humility perfects us in what concerns God…

… and meekness in what concerns our neighbor!”

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An incident is said of a worker named Richard Weaver (He would later on become a popular preacher of the Word) who was working in a mine.

During the course of the work, unintentionally, he hit a fellow-miner.

The fellow-miner, however lost his cool and retorted: “I feel like giving you a hard smack on your face!”

“Very well”, said Weaver, “If that will do any good, you may do it.”

The man struck him.

Weaver turned to him the other cheek.

>> The man struck again.

This was repeated five times; and when Weaver presented his cheek for the sixth time, the man turned away, cursing.

Weaver cried after him: “The Lord forgive you, for I do; and the Lord save you!”

The following morning, as work started, this man was the first person that Richard Weaver met.

As Weaver approached him, he burst into tears.

>> “Oh Richard” he cried as he knelt before him, “do you really forgive me?”

Richard Weaver helped him get up…

>> As he rose… a changed and transformed man!

That’s the Power of Forgiveness!

The Gospel of the Day presents this Mighty and Power Message of Forgiveness…

… Forgiveness that goes beyond the rules of mathematics!

A common observation that is noticed among many children, is the fear and apprehensions of some subjects in the school or college.

>> Among these subjects, one which would top the list of subjects which causes tension and undue worry, is certainly, Mathematics!

· Many have a fear of this subject which deals with figures and numbers.

· Many have an aversion to this subject which deals with digits and numerals.

Well, it’s not known or certain whether Our Lord had any such aversion or fear or apprehension or even dislike for this subject, Mathematics!

But one thing is for certain…

… that the Lord sure loved to keep out Mathematics when dealing with important spiritual dimensions.

… that the Lord indeed would transgress the norms of Mathematics when engaged in vital spiritual aspects.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of this aspect of the Lord going beyond mathematical boundaries in dealing with the beautiful virtue of forgiveness.

The passage begins with the Lord’s chief and one-of-the-first apostles Peter, raising a query to his Master, ” Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? ” ( Mt 18: 21)

It was probably a genuine doubt of Peter, which arose from his own personal experiences.

He must have had some difficulties in forgiving, out of his wavering temperament, perhaps!

But he now puts forward to Jesus a doubt as to what should be the limit of one’s forgiveness.

· Peter sought to know what are the exact boundaries that one must limit oneself, while forgiving.

· He wanted clear-cut rules to define the maximum threshold and frontiers of generosity in pardoning.

But the Lord replies firmly, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy seven times” (Mt 18:22)

· The Lord does away with the mathematical rules in forgiveness!

· The Lord does not confine to the mathematical stipulations in forgiveness!

“Seventy seven times” would refer a number, unlimited and uncountable!

>> The frontiers for how many times to forgive are done away with…

>> The boundaries for how many times to forgive do not hold good…

As the Lord spoke these words to Peter, the apostle would himself have recalled…

“Once beside the sea of Galilee, when I encountered the Holy Master, I realized that I was drowning in the waters of sin… and I had asked pardon from the Lord.

Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man (Lk 5:8)”

These words of the Lord would have again echoed in the ears of Peter, later on, after the resurrection of Jesus….

>> Once again, beside a Sea… this time, the Sea of Tiberius, Peter experienced the forgiving power of the Lord in accepting back, though he had betrayed Him three times (Jn 21: 15-18)

Many times he had sinned against the Lord…

>> Many times he had caused pain and ache to the Lord…

>> Many times he had abandoned and betrayed the Lord…

But every time, the Lord forgave, wholeheartedly!

The Lord was truly the Master, “who practised what He preached”

>> The Lord was truly the Master, “who forgave unconditionally and without any limits”

This Lord, today seeks to impress on us too, this same attitude of forgiveness.

The teaching on forgiveness, is most certainly easy said than done!

>> To forgive….especially to forgive repeatedly, is certainly no easy task…

But it would require a deeper experience of the Unconditional Love of the Lord and our own determination, along with His grace, to reach out in forgiveness and pardon to our constantly erring brothers and sisters!

· Are we ready to cast away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extend the mercy of the Lord to others?

· Are we ready to do away with mathematical countings in pardoning others, knowing that we ourselves have received this favour from the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The priest at Confessional is the “angel whom God sends” to make forgiveness real…

… and enable Divine Reconciliation to be experienced.

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It’s interesting to note the phenomenon of an Eagle’s nest!

When a mother eagle builds her nest she starts with thorns, broken branches, sharp rocks, and a number of other items that seem entirely unsuitable for the house.

>> But then she lines the nest with a thick padding of wool, feathers, and fur from animals she has killed, making it soft and comfortable for the eggs.

By the time the growing birds reach flying age, the comfort of the nest and the luxury of free meals make them quite reluctant to leave.

>> That’s when the mother eagle begins “stirring up the nest.”

With her strong talons, she begins pulling up the thick carpet of fur and feathers, bringing the sharp rocks and branches to the surface.

>> As more of the bedding gets plucked up, the nest becomes more uncomfortable for the young eagles.

Eventually, this and other urgings prompt the growing eagles to leave their once-comfortable abode and move on to more mature behaviour.

Our life is often such!

We take for granted comfortable situations, merciful acts and providential events.

>> But when something unpleasant happens, we are unable to digest them

When something “bad” happens, we look for people to be blamed and scapegoats to be accused!

>> And most of the time, the Scapegoat turns out to be “God”!

God is blamed…

… for all negative situations that come up suddenly

… for all uneventful happenings and calamities

… for all tragic moments in personal and societal life

The Gospel of the Day opens our eyes to consider the “Jesus” way of looking and understanding such “uneventful” mishaps and “tragic” calamities.

Humanity is a daily witness to calamities, catastrophes, adversities and disasters.

>> Tragedies occur in the life of every human being.

Every now and then, we hear of many reports of unpredictable or unimaginable misfortunes occurring in the lives of people….tsunamis, floods, earthquakes….or bomb blasts, mass killings etc.. In our own personal lives too, we experience a lot of painful moments…

…. very often, unexpectedly.

In the face of all these horrors… we are faced with many doubts and questions….

>> Why do these things happen to the innocent?

>> Why doesn’t the Good and Loving God do anything about all this?

>>> Sometimes, we even take on a critical and judgmental attitude and say, ” Probably, God is punishing all these people for their sins or their misdeeds”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus also is presented with a couple of human tragedies and made to react on them.

>> The first tragedy is about the Galileans who suffered at the hands of Pilate (Lk 13: 1-3)

>> The second is about the people who dies when the tower of Siloam fell on them (Lk 13: 4)

>> The first one is about a disaster brought about because of the cruel deeds of human beings

>> The second because of the misfortunes in nature.

In both these cases, however, the people who died, were mere subjects to death…

>> They had an unfortunate death, without perhaps really being guilty.

And so the natural reaction of the people of the times was that, the people who died would have been greater sins, and they are being punished by God.”

“These people deserved death because of their sins” was the popular slogan of those times.

Perhaps, when faced with calamities, we too often take upon this judgmental attitude,

But here Jesus points out the great reality…

These calamities and disasters are not to be another occasion for us to pass judgments

>> Rather, they become golden opportunities for us to make a self-reflection on our lives.

Like the tree which is given one more year – to be dug around, to be given manure and to produce…these tragedies and events in life, present us with more time to examine, how do we live our lives.

Do we take our lives for granted?

Perhaps, we have a tendency to often think there is plenty of time in life.

>> And complacency creeps into our life.

But these tragedies point to us the fact, that after all human life is very short.

>> And in this short-lived life, we need to make the best use of God’s graces to repent and to lead a Holy life.

In Rev 22.7, Jesus says ” Behold, I am coming soon” .

As Christians, we believe in the Coming of the Lord.

>> No one knows the hour

>> No one knows the day

But, being prepared, being vigilant always, is a must, is a necessity.

Human tragedies and personal misfortunes are to be understood as God’s manifestations of Love for us, to have our lives set clearly on our priorities for God and His Kingdom

They are not to evoke fear or elements of judging

>> Rather, should prompt us to take life more seriously, and to make Real Repentance and live a Holier Lives.

One of the practical tip that we could easily practice is our Daily Examination of Conscience.

When we daily examine our conscience, and make efforts to amend our lives with true repentance, we are able to live the graces that are showered on us.

Also, a meaningful Regular Confession helps us not only to be forgiven of our sins, but also gives grace to lead a more holy and unblemished life.

The Lord invites us today, to wake up from our slumber of taking life easy and cool

>> He disturbs us in our comfortable and cosy life…

… and challenges us to make real repentance and lead a genuinely holy life.

Disasters, tragedies and misfortunes will keep happening.

>> But they are also a reminder for us to be eternally vigilant and keep guard over the sanctity of our lives.

Lets run in repentance to our Lord who seeks us…and Be His forever!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The first purification to be made is from sin.

>> The means whereby to make it, the sacrament of penance.

Seek the best confessor within your reach!”

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An incident is said about a former American astronaut who took over as the President of a major airline.

He determined to make the airline’s service the best in the industry.

>> He sought ‘commitment to work’, by all the employees in all the departments.

One day, as the new president walked through a particular department, he saw an employee resting…

… with his feet on a desk, while the telephone on the desk rang continuously. .

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to answer that phone?” the boss demanded.

“This isn’t my department, Am here, just to relax!” answered the employee, with a total indifference!

>> (He had not recognized his new boss, and so chose to answer with apathy!)

“I work in the maintenance department”, he went on to say.

“Not anymore!” snapped the president, “You no longer will work in my company!”

The President, with his liking for “committed work” and “achieving excellence”…

… made sure there was no room for “people with lack of commitment and zeal!”

As Christians, we are all co-workers of the Project Kingdom!

>> Do we work with commitment?

… or are we often found to be people of indifference, “lacking commitment and zeal?”

The Gospel of the Day is a strong message to examine one’s level of commitment to the Kingdom of God…

… exhorting to do away with any “personal agenda” or “selfish motives”

>> And seeks to impress the personality of Jesus…

… Who desires to be the ‘Centre of our Life’!

In the Gospel today, Jesus puts forward the parable of the tenants.

The tenants were entrusted with the vineyard by the Master, and were expected to provide the produce in due time.

>> They were entrusted fully with the taking care of the vineyard.

The Master places a lot of trust in the servants.

He gives the freedom… a responsible freedom…

…which could be meaningfully used and nurtured

…or which could be woefully misused and manipulated.

However, the tenants, who were trusted immensely…

… probably lost their focus on the real trust and diminished in their commitment and responsibility to their Master as well as their duty.

• Their personal interests gained greater prominence over their entrusted duties.

• Their selfish agenda gained the upper hand over the faithfulness to the Master.

This led to them to a total denial of all the emissaries and servants of the Master, who were sent to collect the produce.

>> This denial was extended even to the Master’s own Son!

This denial of the Son led to the letting loose of the anger and fury of the Just Master!

• A squandering away of the responsible freedom, led to the downfall of the tenants!

• A failure to give heed to the emissaries and servants caused them to face the Master’s rage!

• A denial and rejection of the Master’s own Son, with a cruel intent, caused their destruction!

Are we also, as Christians, as tenants of the Heavenly Master failing in our responsibilities and duties?

The Lord presents Himself as the cornerstone…

… “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..” (Mt 21:42)

In ancient practices of building, the cornerstone was the principal stone.

>> It was placed at the corner of the edifice or the building.

The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the whole building structure.

>> A cornerstone gives direction to the rest of the foundation.

>> It also is the support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability.

Jesus is the cornerstone…of Salvation… of the Church… of His People!

>> At the same time, Jesus can also be “a stumbling block”

As it is written in Romans 9:33, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,

And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame”

• To those who believe, Jesus is the cornerstone of their faith and their life.

• To those who do not believe, Jesus is the stumbling block in their faith!

Who is Jesus in our life?

>> The cornerstone? or a stumbling block?

The cornerstone to build a wonderful life in God and grow in holiness…

>> Or a stumbling block which causes us to be proud in our own merits and not depend on Him?

The cornerstone to stand firm and strong in faith to withstand every storm of life…

>> Or a stumbling block which makes us uncertain, hesitant and cause a collapse in life?

As Christians, we are indeed co-workers of the Project Kingdom!

The Master has entrusted the vineyard to us

… our homes, our places of work, our neighbourhood, our families and communities…

…. the people we meet daily, the problems we encounter constantly, the situations we are challenged with…

>> These are “our vineyard!”

Do we work with commitment?

>> Or are we often found to be people of indifference, “lacking commitment and zeal?”

Let us never have to hear from Our Master, “Not anymore! You no longer will work in my company!”

>> Instead…

… let us do away with any “personal agenda” or “selfish motives” as the workers of the Vineyard…

>> And seek to be impressed by the personality of Jesus…

… making Him the Centre of our Lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ He asks for your own heart!

>> Give it such as it is..

… Are we not aware that everything that is remitted into His Divine Hands is converted to good?”

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