Every form of mass media has some kind of an influence on its audience or users.

Some forms of mass media are more powerful and influential…
Some others are lesser…

There is a sense of identification that users have with the content of the Mass Media.

For example:
• A scene in a movie may make its audience to burst out laughing, to shed tears at an emotional scene or even induce anger at seeing a disturbing scene.
• A commentary or a nice song or jingle or a funny comment by the host in a radio program may make the listeners to smile, to be excited or to be just relaxed.
• A meme that is seen on the social networking site or a video or a picture that is shared through mobile social apps like WhatsApp, may make the user to reflect deeper or to feel happier or draw out of ignorance

The Gospels are also a great and effective form of Mass Media…
… sharing the message of God’s love to all
… spreading the news of the Kingdom to all
… reaching out the compassion of the Lord to all

One of the important composition of the Gospel is in the form of “parables”

The Gospel of the Day, presents the dynamics of Jesus using “parables” as an effective method of communication of the message of the Kingdom of God.

The passage begins with an enquiry by the Disciples:
“The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” (Mt 13:10)

The Gospel of St Mathew is generally structured comprising of The Five Discourses…
1. The Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7)
2. The Sermon for the Mission (Chapter 10)
3. The Sermon in Parables (Chapter 13)
4. The Sermon of the Church (Chapter 18)
5. The Sermon on Eschatology (Chapters 23-25)

The Thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew is the “Sermon in Parables”

Jesus was a master story-teller.
He presented the mighty mysteries of the Kingdom in plain parables.

The parables, however, had two contrasting aspects to it…

1. On one side, they were simple and revealed many things

 The parables of the Lord were based on everyday experiences of the people and local practices, customs and culture.

This contextualization helped the people to easily connect with the message that Jesus wanted to convey.

2. On the other side, they were complicated and concealed many dimensions

 The parables of the Lord would neatly conceal many of the complicated dimensions of the mysteries of the Kingdom.

This concealing caused many people to misunderstand, misinterpret Jesus as well as the message that He wanted to convey.

This dual aspect in the “parables” of Jesus…
• simple and revealing many things
• yet, complicated and concealing many dimensions

… had a dual effect…
• To many, it generated interest, a sense of wonder and made way for deeper reflection and personal transformation
• Yet, to many others, it failed to make any impact, or even made them to close their hearts in receiving the truth of the Lord

The Parables of Jesus, therefore, also sparked two types of hearers…

… Supporters and Believers
 Those who heard and understood the parables, and had their life transformed – growing closer to the Lord and becoming effective missionaries of the Kingdom!

… Opponents and Skeptics
 Those who heard, but with minds were closed to the message of the Parables, and had their hearts hardened – distancing themselves from the Lord and turning to be adversaries of the Kingdom!

The Parables of the Lord are delivered to each one of us too.

What effect do they have, on our lives…
 Do I remain open to its message and thus grow to be a supporter of the Kingdom and Believer in the Lord….?
 Or do I close my heart to its truths and thus reduce myself to be an opponent to the Lord and a skeptic of the Kingdom of God…?

Jesus used the “parables” as an effective method of communication of the message of the Kingdom of God…
… to share the message of God’s love
… to spread the news of the Kingdom
… to reach out the compassion of the Lord

Do I find a sense of identification with the message of the Parables…
… or do I remain closed and hard-hearted?

May the Gospel – and in particular, the Parables – turn out to be a powerful form of Mass Media, effecting transforming changes in us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

We sometimes find advertisements,  in newspapers or magazines, that invite the readers to apply for a job or a task.

These ads…
… attract those who are interested by mentioning the various packages and privileges
… inform regarding  various factors and parameters that makes one eligible for that post or duty.

The Gospel of the Day presents such an open-invitation – in a bid…
…. to attract all, to the Kingdom of God, by mentioning various packages and privileges
…  to inform, regarding  various factors and parameters that makes one eligible for the Kingdom of God

In the Gospel passage, we read that “The family of Jesus come to meet Him, while He was at ministry” (Mt 12: 46)

“Someone told Him, ‘Your Mother and Your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you” (Mt 12: 47)

But the Lord makes use of this context to put forward a very important truth:
• Spiritual bonding with God, the Father takes higher precedence over blood bonding.
• Spiritual relations are to be given a higher priority over the generational heritage and legacy.

A new and significant understanding is put forward by Jesus to define “His Family”
“… whoever does the Will of My Heavenly Father is My brother and sister and mother” (Mt 12: 50)

Thus, we see a wonderful ad that Jesus displays…

An ad…
…. to attract all, to the Kingdom of God by mentioning various packages and privileges
…  to inform, regarding  various factors and parameters that makes one eligible for the Kingdom of God

Here are the main aspects of this great ad…

 The Offer: Being a member of the Family of God

Jesus makes a open and loving invitation for all to be part of His Family.

We are given a privilege to be called the brothers and sisters of our Blessed Lord!

• What a great honour!
• What a wonderful favour!

 The Qualification: Seeking and doing the Will of God

The most essential and basic qualification to possess the offer of being a member of the Family of God, is to seek and do the Will of God.

Jn 1:12 says, “..to those who accept Him, He gave power to become children of God”

 The Privileges: Divine Peace and Happiness on the earth and promise of life eternal

The One who is part of the Divine Family, also is privileged to share in the life and happiness of the Divine Family!

Jn 6:40 declares, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

 Who can apply: Anyone, who is daring to sacrifice one’s personal agenda

The one who can apply for this “offer” of being a member of God’s Will is to possess a dare and courage: to let go of one’s personal desires in life, and seek to embrace what God wants of him/her.

Mt 16: 24 says, ” Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.

When should it be applied: At the earliest, in the first instance possible

The opportune time to take the initiative to participate in the Divine Family is “now”

In the parable of the ten virgins, in Mt 25: 1-13, the five virgins missed the opportunity to be part of the wedding feast, because of their delay and postponement.

2 Pet 3:9 says, “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay,” but He is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Our Blessed Lord would be delighted to have us as part of His Divine Family.

For this, He also gives out His ad…
… attracting us to the Kingdom of God
… informing us of the various factors  and parameters

Are we willing to positively respond to this invitation of the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

‘Sin-e’ means: without
‘Cere’ means: wax

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

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

In ancient Greek, when art flourished, it was a common practice to repair with “invisible wax”, any vase or statue that had, as a result of carelessness, been damaged.

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

Rather than taking the trouble of making a new bust, the sculptor would repair the features with “wax” so that the flaw could not be detected, unless by very close scrutiny.

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

If the statue was “sincere” i.e. “without wax” – it would remain firm; else some parts of it would drop down!

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

Am I a “sincere” person… “without the wax” of deceit, malice, corruption or guile?
• I need to come into the presence of the Sunlight – Jesus – to be examined!

The Gospel of the day presents an incident where the “insincerity” of a certain group of people was exposed in the warming and bright presence of Jesus, the Light of the world.

Some of the Scribes and the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you” ( Mt 12: 38)

Through St Paul, we get to know that it was, probably, a characteristic of the Jews to ‘demand signs’.
“For Jews demand signs, and Greeks look for wisdom” (1 Cor 1: 22)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, in today’s Gospel, we find that when the Pharisees and the Scribes, demand a sign, Jesus doesn’t yield to it!

What was the reason?

The demand of the Pharisees and Scribes was a demand for a sign “not in humility” or “to really cast off any doubt”
• Rather, this was a demand for a sign that exposed their obstinacy to remain in unbelief!

In fact, Jesus sees through their “insincerity”

He sees through the fact, that they were “with wax” – the wax of deceit, falsity and deception!
• And this their “wax” of trickery, began to melt in the presence of Jesus, the Powerful Light!

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

Note the two strong words that Jesus uses…
 Evil: pointing to a wicked heart that sought destruction and spoiling the lives of others

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

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

• I expect immediate answers to all my prayers, in the way I want
• I always want some miracles, as I choose, to keep the light of my faith burning
• I get depressed and feel totally lost when I do not get the signs that I expected in life
• I witness a lot of wondrous deeds around me, but still I remain obstinate  in my unbelief

Is my Christian life only a sign-seeking one…
 Or is my Christian life, rather,  a Saviour-seeking one?

Do I be obsessed with wanting only miracles…
 Or am I, rather, passionate and zealous about the Master?

Jesus invites us to be “sincere” – “without wax”.
• In His bright presence, all “wax” of duplicity and hypocrisy will melt
• In His glowing light, all “wax” of dishonesty and deception will dissolve

May we be closer to Jesus, the Great ‘Sun’ and live our Christian Lives, in “sincerity”, in zealousness and with deeper passion for the ‘Son’ of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Pandora’s Box” is a phrase which means a process that once begun, generates many complicated problems.

There is a Greek mythological story about the origin of this phrase – the “Pandora’s Box”

According to the Greek legend, the first woman of the earth, named Pandora was sent to the earth, by the gods, with a casket (box) in her hand.
She was forbidden to open this box.

However, out of immense curiosity one day she lifted the cover of the box and looked in.
But there came forth from the box, every conceivable plague for man’s body and his mind, and immediately they scattered themselves far and wide throughout the earth.

Pandora hastened to replace the lid of the box, but there was only one thing left – Hope!

Often our life can resemble this mythological tale, in that, we face a whole set of evils and troubles unleashed at us.   

The Pandora’s Box – of persecutions, of difficulties, of sadness, of daily tensions – gets opened often in our lives.
But Life still invites and challenges us to Move on with Life, in Hope, seeking to heal every negativity!  

Our Blessed Lord is our model and perfect example for this.

While on the earth, He had to face the trial of many Pandora Boxes – of cruel plots, of hurtful betrayals, of painful rejections – being unleashed at Him.
Yet, He remained firm and defiant in His Zeal and Passion for His Mission – His Mission of being a “Hope to the Gentiles”( Mt 12: 21)

The Gospel of the Day makes a vivid presentation of this struggle of our Blessed Lord was subjected to.   

The Gospel passage begins with the verse, “But the Pharisees went out and took counsel to put Jesus to death” (Mt 12: 14)

There could be perhaps, quite a factors that prompted the religious elders of the time, to make this move

1. Jesus did not correspond to their idea of being a Messiah   

The Pharisees and the religious leaders of the time, probably had a externally dominant visualization of the Messiah Who was to come…
• Someone Who was politically powerful
• Someone Who would be Restorer of their Religion
• Someone Who would firmly establish the Jewish Empire

But none of these seemed to be evident in the ministry and life of Jesus. 

2. Jesus seemed to be a thorn in their cosy structured and institutionalized pattern of life  

The long wait for the Messiah had resulted…
• In religion in being devoid of religiosity and instead being reduced to mere rituals
• In Spirituality losing its sheen of sacredness and instead being sunken to mere static statutes

This had resulted in creation of classes…
 Of the Ruling Class:  consisting of the Pharisees, the Scribes and other religious leaders and elders,
 Of the Ruled Class: consisting of the ordinary people, whose voices were often restrained, and had become mute followers of the tradition.

Jesus, however, by His Vibrant Teachings, His Mighty Deeds and His Uncompromising Life, disturbed all such cosy structures and comfortable religious life-style.

How often do we also turn anti against those who become a ‘Jesus’ to us…

• Those whose ideas do not correspond to our sinful or lethargic ways of life  
• Those who become a thorn in our cosy and institutionalized pattern of life      

We too may sometimes plot ways and means to end such forces..
… which trigger transformation in us
… which awaken our consciences to lead purer or holier lives

We are instead, invited to be like Jesus, our Blessed Lord.

He faced a mighty unleashing as from a Pandora’s box…
… deadly plots to end His Life and Mission
… uncharitable venoms of conspiracy to terminate His life

Yet, He remained firm and bold to remain ” the Chosen Servant, the Beloved in Him God delighted, the One who proclaimed justice to the Gentiles and in Whose Name, the Gentiles hoped (cf. Mt 12:18 -21)

Are we ready to “live our lives in hope” even though we may often experience the evils of the “Pandora’s Box” seeking to submerge us?

May Jesus, our Blessed Lord be our hope, our strength and our courage!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The dial of a clock is a beautiful illustration of the way God deals with human life.

The hands on the dial of the clock are God’s Hands – passing over and over again…
• the short hand, being the Hand of God’s Discipline
• the long hand, being the Hand of God’s Mercy

• The short hand – the hand of Discipline…
…. passes slowly, but surely
… strikes at each hour too

• But the long hand – the hand of Mercy…
… passes much faster and surely too
… showers down sixtyfold of blessing for each strike of discipline

And another interesting aspect….?

Both the hands are fastened to one firm and secure point  – the Beautiful Heart of the God of Love!

God’s discipline in the form of trials is a surety in life…
• But much more abundant in life, are His mercies that are scattered regularly all through…
And both these dimensions – Discipline & Mercies – stem forth from the Immense Love of God!

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful presentation of Jesus as the God of Love who, though is a Disciplining God, displays His Heart of abundant mercy and invites His followers to become People of Merciful Love!

The Gospel passage begins the incident of the Disciples being caught by the Pharisees plucking the heads of grain and eating them, on the Sabbath Day.

The Pharisees who were the strict proponents and protectors of the Law, found it a great offence when they found the disciples were doing an “illegal and unlawful” act, as per their Sabbath prescriptions.

Therefore they accuse, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath” (Mt 12:2)

But Jesus is quick to point out the folly that the Pharisees were falling into…
 The folly of being crime-finders than being mercy-givers!
 The folly of becoming petty-accusers than being generous-forgivers!

Jesus brings out two practical examples to show the “duplicity” and the “unkind” attitude of the Pharisees:

1.  David’s ‘grave’ violation of the Sabbath was acceptable whereas the Disciples ‘minor’ act was condemned!

 David unlawfully ate of the tabernacle showbread which was reserved only for the priests.
But this “not lawful” act of David was not condemned

 The Disciples on the other, actually did not break the Law…
The Hebrew law had made provision for those in need to eat when they passed through a field of grain (Dt. 23:25; cf. Ruth 2:2-3)

But over the years, the tradition had evolved a series of ‘violations’ that were considered violations of the Sabbath Law.

One of these ‘violations’ was ‘ plucking and eating’ the grain – that the disciples did.
However, this act was most certainly not for commercial gain, as envisaged by the Law

Therefore, in reality, the Disciples had not really done anything “unlawful”
Yet, they were condemned!

2. The daily duty of the priests on the Sabbath was considered as being “normal” whereas the ‘exceptional’ act of the disciples to satisfy the basic human need of hunger was considered ‘aberrant’!

The work done by the Priests who served on the Sabbath Day, was acceptable.
However, the action done by the Disciples was considered violation of the Law!

Jesus makes another statement here, “I tell you, something greater than the Temple is here” (Mt 12: 6)

What was Jesus, in fact, also saying?

“You permit the priests of human-made temples to work, but you do not allow the Disciples of the Living Temple to work?

Is that not showing your duplicity on one side, and your lack of knowledge of the Messiah on the other?!”

And therefore, Jesus makes that bold and firm statement, echoing the prophet Hosea (6:6):
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice!” (Mt 12: 7)

Jesus passed through a field where condemnation was scattered; but He sows the seeds of mercy all around!

Today, you and me, are invited to do the same…
To become people who show mercy and compassion, rather than being “judgmental” and “overly-critical” people!

We are invited to be like the Lord, as illustrated in the ‘dial of a clock’:
 Having a hand of discipline that passes only slowly…
 But also having a hand of Mercy that traverses more often…
But both, being fastened tightly to a Heart, full of compassion and love!

We may live, passing through the fields of unjust condemnation and outright critics.
But like the Lord, may we become persons, who sow the seeds of Mercy and Compassion!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A little girl child was to undergo a risky surgery.

She was placed upon the table and the surgeon was about to render her a dose of anaesthesia.
“Before we can make you well, dear, we must put you to sleep”, said the surgeon to the li’l girl.

With a cute smile, she said sweetly, “Oh, if you are going to put me to sleep, I must say my prayers first.”

So she got on her knees and said the child’s prayer.

“Now I can go to sleep”, said the sweet child.

The surgeon, later, testified that this action of the child moved his heart greatly…. and he himself, prayed, that night, for the first time, in thirty years!

The power of the little child to influence was amazing…even on a person who was much older to her!

 There is great sincerity and openness in the actions of little children.
 There is immense authenticity and truthfulness in the deeds of little ones.

It is this childlike faith and simplicity that finds an expression of appreciation from our Blessed Lord in today’s Gospel.

Jesus says, ” I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes” (Mt 11:25)

When we go back to the first book of the Bible –  Genesis – and to the Garden of Eden, we encounter the first temptation scene – between the serpent and Eve.

It is interesting to note the words, when the serpent tempts Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, and Eve puts forth the reason for not eating:

• The serpent says, “… God knows well that the moment you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad” (Gen 3:6)
• The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes and desirable for “gaining wisdom” (Gen 3:7)

This then was the first temptation: To Know – seeking for wisdom; seeking for knowledge.

However the Lord says that wisdom is hidden from the wise and the understanding, and instead revealed to the babes, to those childlike.

What makes the Divine Wisdom to hide from the wise and reveal to the childlike instead?

We could consider a couple of reasons….

1. The wise depend on their own strength; the childlike have a sense of dependency

One of the qualities or rather a condition of little children is their “helplessness”!

Little children are helpless…
… to be taking care of even their basic needs
… to be able to meet their basic emotions

They therefore have a sense of dependency!

2. The wise have over-confidence in themselves; the childlike trust on others

Another of the quality of children is their basic sense of “trust”

They tend to easily trust the others…
… in meeting their needs and in having what they desire
… in being protected and being taken care safely

These two great qualities of the childlike are what helps the Divine wisdom to be revealed to them:

• A sense of dependency: Depending on God, the Father in every moment of life
• A sense of trust: Trusting in the Lord for every need and believing in His providence

The Gospel of the Day makes us to examine our own lives and check the level of childlike qualities that we possess…

 Do I possess a sense of Dependency on the Lord…
… or is my reliance only on my own self-worth and abilities?

 Do I possess a sense of Trust in the Lord…
… or do I fall into constant anxieties and apprehensions?

May we seek to depend and trust more in the Lord, with a childlike faith, so that the Lord may rejoice in us and He – the Wisdom – may reveal Himself more and more to us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There is an incident in the life of Queen Victoria.

As a queen, she enjoyed many luxuries and comforts.

She too, however, had to go through many family problems, especially, concerns as a grandmother.

One of her grandson was highly reckless in the usage and spending of money.

Once, as his birthday was approaching, the grandson wrote to his grandmother, Queen Victoria, reminding her of his approaching birthday.
He cleverly suggested that “money would be the best and the most acceptable birthday gift”.

In reply, the Queen grandmother wrote back a “letter of advice”- in her own hand – sternly reproving the young boy for his life of extravagance and urging him on the practise of economy.

However, the young boy’s reply to this letter, staggered her:
“Dear Grandma,” said the letter, “thank you for your kind letter of advice. I have just sold the same letter for five pounds!”

The young grandson spared no efforts to even “auction and sell” the prized ‘letter of advice’ of the Queen, and got for himself some extra money!!

The young fellow wasted away every chance that was offered to him, to live a good life.
Instead, the privileges that were offered to him were converted to opportunities for indulging in more and more occasions of sin!

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus condemning such an “unrepentant” and “arrogant” attitude of some cities, in amending their ways and in turning back to the Lord.

Jesus raises a cry of sigh, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done to you, had been in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long back” (Mt 11:21)
“And you, Capernaum! Will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades” (Mt 11: 23)

These three towns – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – had a unique common feature.
These three were called as the “Orthodox Triangle”.

These towns consisted of “traditional” Jews – Jews who took the Law of Moses very seriously!

• They had a benefit of a “faith that was traditional and deep-rooted”

These towns also consisted of “privileged” people – people who had the great privilege of being witnesses to many miracles, events, preaching and deeds of the Lord Jesus.

• They had the privilege of a “faith that was encouraged and boosted by the wonderful deeds of Jesus”

In spite of these great opportunities and advantages that were offered to them, the people in these towns “failed” to live a life of repentance!
And this is what the Lord condemns them for…
 They had the benefit of a traditional faith…. but it did not move their lives to be lived in holiness!
 They had the privilege of a faith that was nourished and encouraged… but it did not make them to purge their lives of sin and seek to live worthily in the presence of God!
The people of these towns wasted away every chance that was offered to them, to live a good life.
Instead, the privileges that were offered to them were converted to occasions for indulging in more and more opportunities for sin!

Is my life also resembling these three towns?

 I may be a “traditional” Christian…
… having ‘inherited’ my faith in the Lord from my family and my background
… having heard and even practising many acts of faith and devotion

 I may also be an “encouraged” Christian…
… having got many opportunities to hear and witness the powerful works of the Lord through many talks, retreats, miracles, sacraments etc
… having the privilege of constantly encountering the living presence of the Lord in the lives of many people.

But do these factors get “personalized” and make me “to live a life of holiness and repentance”?

• I may boast that I am a Christian by birth
• I may claim that I am doing many great works in the ministry of the Lord
• I may assert that I have experienced many miraculous Divine interventions in life

But do all these make me to “repent” of my sins and help me seek to “live a life of sanctity”?

The message of the Gospel is clear: “Repent, and believe, in the Lord!”

The faith-inputs that I receive, ought to, first and foremost, cause a transformation in my life – seeking God’s Will at all times and remaining firm to avoid any occasions of sin.

The Lord through today’s Gospel is a writing a “letter of advice to us” – to examine our lives and to make the necessary changes, in order to live a holier life.

• Are we going to take serious heed to this “letter of advice” and make suitable changes?
 Or are we going to “auction and sell off” this “letter of advice” and nullify the loving message of the Gospel?

God bless! Live Jesus!

There is an interesting word in Japanese.
It is called “Dokkiri”!

“Dokkiri” comes from “doki” which means a heartbeat or pounding of the heart.

Thus, “Dokkiri” is a word which means “something like a surprise that makes one’s heart pound, usually like a scary surprise”.

“Dokkiri Camera Show” was something quite popular as a street prank for surprising people on the street by doing something scary to make them scream or react in a heart-stopping manner.

Well, the Gospel of the Day begins with a statement that seems something like a “Dokkiri” – surprising enough to make one’s heart, skip a beat!
Jesus says, “Do not think I have come to bring peace on the earth…!” (Mt 10: 34)

Now that is indeed, quite a surprising statement, isn’t it?

Come to think of it:
 Jesus is the Prince of Peace…
 He is the Lord of all consolation…
 He is the mighty source of serenity…

But now we hear something strange…
It’s something like a “Dokkiri” effect that Jesus renders – “Do not think I have come to bring peace on the earth…!”

We usually bracket Jesus in a framework which is very sweet, gentle and lovable…
• Sweet to forgive others…
• Gentle in accepting the rejected of the society…
• Lovable in healing in sick and feeding the hungry…

But the image that we now get of Jesus is pretty different and straight-forward…
• He speaks of being a cause of division
• He speaks of bringing not peace, but a sword

The Messianic understanding of the Jews was very much earthly and restricted to this-world.

The Scriptures spoke greatly regarding the coming of the Messiah:
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and His Name will be called Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”  (Is 9:6)

The Jews had a notion of great external peace and prosperity when the Messiah comes.
Probably, the disciples of the Lord also had the same understanding.

But Jesus goes on to say that His coming would also result in “a divisive experience”…

This is the “sword” that the Lord speaks of…
• A “sword” that would divide the people of God from the people of the worldly ways
• A “sword” that would separate the values of the Gospel from the standards of the world
• A “sword” that would cause oppositions & persecutions  to rise against the Kingdom of God

Every follower of Christ will have to undergo this “sword” experience.

 When we remain firm in the teachings of Christ, there will rise many voices against us
 When we hold fast to practising the virtues of Christ, there will be many who desert us
 When we be steadfast to the Will of God, there will arise many opposing satanic powers

There are many Christians who, perhaps, may not like this “demanding” Christ.

But, Jesus is not afraid to cause a “Dokkiri” effect in our lives – surprising us with a challenge that causes us to make radical changes!

May we submit ourselves to this “Demanding” Christ and make suitable changes in our lives, so that we may truly experience the “real” peace and harmony that comes from the Lord alone!

God Bless! Live Jesus!