Category: Ordinary Days

17 Jun 2015 (Based on Mt 6:1-6,16-18)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

The peacock is considered to be one of the most beautiful birds.

The peacock’s tail contains spectacular beauty because of the large feathers – bright, gleaming colours and intricate patterns.

However, the peacock also has an ugly side to it…

When the peacock opens its showy tail, it exhibits the ugliness of its body beneath.

Behind the showy and attractive display, lies a repulsive sight!

This is a simple imagery of unattractiveness that is displayed when human beings also seek to flaunt their pride and vain glory.
• Any display of pride always results in exposing one’s unattractive face of life.
• Any show of conceit always ends up in revealing one’s cheap side of life.

Humility and honesty are two prime virtues that need to embellish the life of every Christian.

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of doing away with pride and instead, beautifying one’s life with sincere humility and truthful honesty.

Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount continues to target the key areas of one’s Christian living.

Today He speaks on the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

Jesus condemns these devout exercises becoming instruments to show-case one’s pride and exhibit pomp and self-glory.

• With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…
… “sound no trumpet”

• With respect to prayer, Jesus says…
… “shut the door and pray to your Father”

• With respect to fasting, Jesus says…
…”anoint your head and wash your face”

One of the fundamental aspects in the Spirituality of Jesus is His emphasis on the intention of the heart.
• Sin is when the heart rejects the working of the Spirit.
• Holiness is when the heart accepts the grace of the Spirit.

• When the heart consents to evil, sin occurs
• When the heart consents to grace, goodness is affirmed.

 An act of almsgiving happens, when the heart willingly gives – in generosity and with wholeheartedness
 An act of prayer happens, when the heart seeks communion with the Lord – in openness and with faithfulness
 An act of fasting happens, when the heart self-sacrifices and renounces – in sincerity and with willingness

When the intention of the heart is genuine and sincere, then one remains least bothered of external attractions and publicity…
… there is no desire to seek for attention and appreciation for one’s devout actions
… there is no inclination to want acknowledgement and recognition for one’s pious deeds

And this is the ideal to which Jesus invites us:
 A religion that spreads not simply on the basis of external shows.. but on the basis of genuine spirituality
 A faith that grows not merely on the strength of pompous deeds… but on the foundation of true dependence and trust in the Lord

Is my practice of religion resembling a peacock’s display of feathers – wanting to flaunt one’s pride and vain glory – but in the process…
…  exposing one’s unattractive face of life?
… revealing one’s cheap side of life?

Let us give heed to the wisdom from the book “Imitation of Christ” and seek to grow in humility and  dependence on the Lord:

“Do not think yourself better than others lest, perhaps, you be accounted worse before God who knows what is in man.
Do not take pride in your good deeds, for God’s judgments differ from those of men and what pleases them often displeases Him”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

16 Jun 2015 (Based on Mt 5:43-48)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

This following little story is known to us, perhaps in different forms…

A gentleman who was walking down the streets of a city was greatly interested too look at the street children – many of whom were carrying smaller children upon their backs – and managing at the same time to play their games.

“It is too bad,” said the gentleman to one little fellow, “that you have to carry such a heavy burden!”

“He’s no burden, Sir!” came the quick reply; “he’s my brother.”

The child who was carrying his younger sibling, did not count the pain or the difficulty in carrying; instead embraced the situation joyfully.

“He’s no burden, Sir… he’s my brother” – is a phrase that ought to strike a chord in our hearts.

As Christians, we need to make this journey…
… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!
… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Gospel of the Day is an powerful exhortation by Jesus to make this transition from considering people as a “burden” and “stress” and instead look at them as “brothers and sisters”, extending the Christian virtue of unconditional love to all.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, continues to pull down barriers of “comfort and cosiness” by challenging His disciples to rise above the normal standards of the world.

Today He speaks on the aspect of “Love”.

Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human person.

The dictionaries define love as being ‘a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person’ or a ‘feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection’.

Generally speaking, love is considered only to be a human ’emotion or feeling’.
It is something that is usually understood as being “felt” or “sensed” or “experienced”.

Jesus surely did consider “love” as an emotion and a feeling.
Therefore…
• He loved the company of people….
• He cherished affection of those who followed Him…
• He treasured relationships and fostered friendships with all…

But beyond these “external” dimensions of Love… Our Blessed Lord taught and showed a higher aspect of love.
• Love, not just being a “feeling ” but ” love as a “decision”.
• Love, not just being a “sensation” but love as a “commitment”

Therefore Jesus would say, “For if you love only those who love you, what recompense will you have?” (Mt 5: 46)

Love, when understood only as a “feeling” or an “emotion” can get reduced to being just an “object” or a “thing”
• Just as one exchanges goods with each other… love is also exchanged with one another.
• Just as one shares one’s belongings and possessions with one another… love is also shared with one another
• Just as one gives and takes things from each other… love is also given and taken from each other

This understanding of love is fine.
 But it is something quite common.
 It can even be seen as something universal

But the Lord presents a higher understanding of love and demands a much supreme expression of love from His followers: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5: 48)

Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling” and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment”.

 When someone hurts us, we don’t “feel” like loving…
But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is a “daring decision”

 When someone continues to be lukewarm, we don’t have any “emotions” of love…
But Jesus says, “Love that person”,  because love is an “absolute allegiance”

 When someone continues to cause pain, we don’t “experience” any love…
But Jesus says, “Love that person” because love is a “challenging commitment”

Now this teaching certainly irks our “normal” understanding.
• How can I possibly love someone who has hurt and killed me, mentally?
• How can I be expected to show love to someone who still hurts me, even intentionally?
• How can I be told to love people who have no regard for me at all and treat me as an object?

It seems to be an impossibility.
It seems to be absurd.

But look to the Crucified Lord, and we have the perfect example of this Love being lived in actuality!

Jesus on the Cross shows that love is to be a “daring decision”, an “absolute allegiance” and a “challenging commitment”!

• One may not be able to “show” love.. but can we still, atleast pray and wish for the good of the person?
• One may not be able to “talk” freely to the one who has hurt.. but can we still, atleast refrain from wanting bad to happen to that person?
• One may not be able to “resist” from having bad feelings when encountering one’s enemy… but can we still, atleast offer the person to the mercy of God?

This teaching certainly seems to be a big “burden” and a significant “stress”

But this is where, we need to make a journey…
… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!
… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Lord has walked through this journey.
He is still with us, to accompany us.
• This journey may be hard
• This journey may be hurting
• This journey may be painful
But the Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you!” (2 Cor 12: 9)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

15 Jun 2015 (Based on Mt 5:38-42)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

India honours Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the nation.

The New Testament made a great impression on him, especially the Sermon on the Mount, which went straight to his heart.

He would say to one of his disciples, “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that He taught His followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…”

“The message of Jesus as I understand it,” said Gandhi, “is contained in the Sermon on the Mount unadulterated and taken as a whole…

The Gospel of the Day presents this lofty teaching of Jesus on non-retaliation and the power of forgiving love.

It is significant to read that in this Passage of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus is instructing some of the core personal tasks that has to be taken up by each individual Christian.
• The Sermon on the Mount makes a personal obligation on each Christian
It is worth meditating and reflecting on each line of this Great Sermon, and examining to what extent am I living this lofty and powerful teaching of the Lord in my life.

One of the highly debatable and confusing teachings of Jesus is contained in today’s Gospel reading.

Jesus says, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5: 39)

This verse could easily raise a lot of doubts and questions…
• Did Jesus mean that Christian should be passive to evil?
• Did Jesus teach that we should suffer unnecessarily in the face of social evils?
• Did Jesus teach passivity and being lethargic when one encounters wickedness and evil?

The one direct answer to all such doubts is seen in the light of the life of Jesus Himself…
• He was always actively against evil and sinful activities
• He was a constant opponent to oppression, condemnation and human wickedness

Then what would have Jesus meant by those strong phrases of “resist evil.. and turning one’s cheeks?”

There could be, speaking in general terms, three responses to evil:
1. Opposing with violence
2. Bearing everything passively
3. A courageous non-violence

The first two responses are also popularly called as Fight or Flight
…either FIGHT against the evil… or take FLIGHT from the evil situations

FIGHT: oppose with evil and violence
FLIGHT: run away from the situation or passively be submissive

But the way of Jesus is a higher one… a much higher and bolder one: the way of ACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE.

The Greek word that is used by St Mathew, for “resist” is “antisthemi”

‘Antisthemi’ is not a passive or a weak term.
It was a classical Greek ‘military’ term.

It means…
… to take a stand against, to oppose or to resist
… to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,”.
… It means refusing to be moved (” being pushed back”)

This clearly shows that “to resist evil” is not merely a passive act of submission, rather is a firm, courageous and bold action of holding onto one’s convictions of truth and opposing every reaction to subdue truth.

This is further illustrated in the example that Jesus gives, “of turning one’s cheek, when hit on the right cheek”

In the culture of Jesus, the left hand was commonly used for unclean tasks, and only the right hand was considered appropriate for such actions as striking another person.

Now, its common sense to note, that if one hits with the right hand, it would hit the other person only on the “left” cheek.

Therefore, if the person is hit on the “right” cheek, as in the example of Jesus, it simply means, that one was hit with a “back-hand”.

What is the significance of a back-handed slap?
A backhanded slap, had a greater message than merely hurting or causing pain…
Instead, it meant to be an act of “severe” humiliation… of “terrible” insult!

A backhand slap, in the time of Jesus, was the usual way of admonishing inferiors:
Masters backhanded slaves; husbands, wives; parents, children; men, women; Romans, Jews.

What is the response that Jesus suggests for such an act of dreadful humiliation?
Not Fight… Not Flight.
Rather, a strong and bravely opposing act of courage: “turn the other cheek as well!”

It is a calculated response intended to invite the aggressor to consider his or her actions.
This bold action of turning one’s cheek robs the oppressor of the power to humiliate.

It is as if the oppressed person is saying,
“Try again if you want, buddy!
Your first blow failed to achieve its intended effect.
I deny you any power to humiliate me!”

This was how our Blessed Lord who gave this supremely lofty teaching demonstrated in His life… by dying on the Cross!
• The Cross was a powerful opposition to evil and sin.

The One who died on the Cross did not die a passive death…
Rather, He boldly preached against every act of oppression and mightily spoke against every form of discrimination!

As Christians, we need to be bold and courageous to “resist” every evil and sinful deed.
In Christ, we have a teaching that is not passive, but is “extremely” active and powerful.

To merely FIGHT or simply make a FLIGHT in the face of oppressions, is cheap and ordinary…
In fact, it is “no spirituality”.

But to “be bold in one’s convictions” and “to oppose” evil, even to the point of giving up one’s life, is a lofty, supreme and mighty spirituality.
• Jesus embodied this spirituality.
• Many great men and women in history have been inspired by it and lived it.

As Christians, the followers of the Bold Jesus, are we ready to embrace this “powerful” spirituality?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

14 Jun 2015 (Based on Mk 4:26-34)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

The Indian folklores of Akbar-Birbal are popular.

Here is one…

Once King Akbar asked his prime minister, Birbal, “Who is greater, me or God?”

This minister Birbal was very clever and prudent person.

Without hesitation, he answered, “You are, Your Majesty.”

Though the king was flattered, he asked, “How can that be?”

“Well, you see, Your Majesty “, replied the smart minister, “If you do not like someone, you can banish him from your kingdom very easily.

However, how can God banish anyone from His Kingdom?

Where can He send him?

The whole universe is God’s Kingdom!”

With one answer, the minister had achieved two goals:

• Pleased his King – by affirming his greatness by telling of the ‘power’ to banish

• Told the truth – by acknowledging God’s total sovereignty

This little incident speaks to us of the supreme Glory and Omnipotence of God and His Kingdom.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus teaching to us on the nature and characteristics of the Kingdom of God, with the help of parables.

One aspect that we need to note here is the usage of parables in the teaching ministry of Jesus.

It could be said that if Jesus had a grammar teacher, then, probably the teacher would have been extremely proud of this Student!

Jesus used a lot of metaphors, similes, illustrations and parables in His teachings.

Therefore we need to be aware and careful when we read and understand this ‘technique’ of the Lord:

• Such parables and examples were not to be taken in the literal sense, but in its figurative sense

•Such metaphors were presented by Jesus to emphasise on a particular aspect of a teaching

• Such illustrations were not meant to be closed-reflections; rather, they were to be means of allowing a person to explore and delve deeper into the mystery that was being explained.

The teachings connected to God and His Kingdom are mysteries…. divine and lofty.

• Metaphors and parables are the meaningful expressions of these mysteries.

They are never complete by themselves… Yet, they are rich and meaningful.

• They induce emotions.

• They help to situate culturally.

• They unite people together in a common search.

And this is the essence of true religiosity: fostering one’s search and longing for the Divine.

By presenting the parables, Jesus triggers our minds to open up to the vastness of the reality of God and to foster our desire to seek Him more, in our everyday living and circumstances.

• For a true seeker of God, every situation of life becomes a parable from God, revealing His Supreme Providence.

• For a genuine searcher of the Divine, every circumstance and person in life, becomes an illustration from the Lord, to know His Presence and Will

 Do I consider my life as a “beautiful parable” from God, and seek to find the Divine elements in it?

 Do I reflect on the circumstances of my life  – joyful, painful, sorrowful, sinful – as a “wonderful illustration” from the Lord, inviting me to see His Presence and fostering my own relationship with Him?

The two parables of the Day present to us, figuratively, some aspects of the Kingdom of God:

1. The Parable of the Kingdom of God as the seed that is sown, sprouted and giving a rich harvest, without being in the grasp of the awareness of the one who sows

What does this parable teach?

a. The duty of the one who sows, even if one is unaware how the growth-process happens

 Am I active and energetic in being an agent of the Kingdom of God – by speaking of Christ, by living His Gospel values, by freeing our lives from sin –  even if I fail to understand ‘how’ would this help in the growth process of the Kingdom?

b. The glory of the growth of the seed, taking its own time and conveying the message of patience and persistence

 Do I be patient when success doesn’t come to me immediately and do I continue to be persevering in my efforts – of prayer, of duty, of my responsibilities – even if  it takes a longer time than I expect?

c. The assurance that the growth of the seed, fostered by earthly elements, nevertheless, given by the power and grace of God.

 Do I be faithful to the duties that I need to do and then totally depend on the mighty hand of God in order to experience success and see the fruits of my labour? As the Psalmist says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain, who build” (Ps 127: 1)

2. The Parable of the mustard Seed as the Seed that is the smallest when sown, yet grows on to be the greatest of all shrubs, and becomes a shelter for the birds of the air

What does this parable teach?

a. The little things of life also have the potency to develop to give the greatest results, since God is the Author of such successes and accomplishments

 Am I convinced that even if my resources – be it talents or time or income or personnel or anything else – are too small or insignificant, they can still become powerful means for the growth of God’s Kingdom, if we are faithful and depend totally on His grace?

b. The external growth and triumphs that are achieved, in turn, ought to become a source of help and solace for the others (as the birds of the air take nest in the huge mustard shrubs)

 Do the achievements of my life – small or big- help me to become a person who reaches out in support and solace, to the needy ones?

c. An element of surprise and wonder is present in every act of nature – the little mustard seed, which would otherwise have been trampled upon as something too ordinary, amazes by its extraordinary growth

 Am I able to trust in the “surprising and astonishing” wonders that the Lord can perform in ‘any’ situation of my life ?

All of us are part of the Project ‘Kingdom of God’.

May we nurture and grow in this task that is entrusted to us, in the little or big way that God graces us, and thus bring glory and honour to our Supremely Glorious and Omnipotent God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

11 Jun 2015 (Based on Mt 10:7-13)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

108 is a free telephone number for emergency services in India, currently operational in around 17 States of the country.

The 108 Emergency Response Service is a free emergency service providing integrated medical, police and fire emergency services.

It’s interesting to see that there are different versions to tell why this number 108 is chosen as the ’emergency number”.

One explanation (which some of us would have seen in the form of sms’s or multimedia photos) is this ‘108’ is a number derived from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10, verse 8.

What is Mt 10:8? “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons”

This message of the Gospel reaches out as an aid and help in times of emergency to those in trouble and difficulty.

The Gospel of the Day contains this “emergency verse” in the mission commission that Jesus entrusts to his chosen Twelve.

Jesus has already inaugurated His mission of spreading the Kingdom of God.

This mission is characterised especially by reaching out to those in need and those in tribulations…
• To the sick, with the medicine of healing and comfort
• To the suppressed, with the balm of acceptance and love
• To the sinner, with the comfort of forgiveness and mercy

The chosen Twelve are also entrusted with this same commission of bringing the Kingdom of God to the lives of people: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons” (Mt 10: 8)

The Kingdom of God becomes a sign and symbol of bringing healing and wholeness to people.

This is the mandate that is entrusted to each one of us, as well, as Christians.

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Barnabas.
He is named as an Apostle in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:14), and was a companion to St Paul in his missionary journeys.

The name “Barnabas” means the “son of encouragement”.
And true to his name, he became a wonderful instrument of encouragement and consolation to the early Church.

The Gospel of the Day and the Saint of the Day invite us to adopt these traits in our life as a Christian: Being a source of encouragement in the “emergency” situations of the lives of people.

• Can I be a person who can be reached out, in consolation..
… when people undergo problems, crisis and face difficulties in life?

• Can I be a person who can be an encouragement…
… when people pass through the lowly valleys of discouragement and despair in life?

• Can I be a person who can be a healing balm and a soothing medicine…
…when people face immense heartbreaks and painful moments in life?

Jesus is an answer and solution in any “emergency” situation.
• It is in Him we find our strength.
• It is in Him we find our remedy.

May we too be “persons of encouragement” and be a source of healing, in situations and crisis of “emergencies”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

10 Jun 2015 (Based on Mt 5:17-19)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

A university student was seen with a large “K” printed on his T- shirt.

When someone asked him what the “K” stood for, he said, “Confused.”
“But,” the questioner replied, “you don’t spell “confused” with a “K”!

The student answered, “Well, you don’t know how confused I am!”

The confused state of mind led to be boy to display a totally confused and puzzled look!

How often is this true in our own lives as a Christian…
• We fail to have certain convictions in our faith… and the resultant life that is displayed outside, is one of confusion or uncertainty.
• We fail to be sure of what our life of faith is…and as a result, we fail to bring people to experience God’s love and instead, sometimes even lead others astray.

The Gospel of the Day is a peek into the conviction that Jesus had in His life of preaching and mission and a challenge for us to become persons who become fervent and convinced in teaching the commandments of the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfil” (Mt 5: 17)

One of the distinguishing features in the preaching and teaching ministry of Jesus was His deep conviction and certainty.

• Jesus did not speak as if He was blabbering on some unknown topic.
• Jesus did not mutter words as if He was whiling away time to talk on a strange issue.
Instead, Jesus was thoroughly convinced of what He spoke and taught.

It was this deep-seated conviction that made Him to say that He had “come not to abolish the law or the prophets”.

The message of Jesus contained newness and freshness.
• However, it was not a preaching that was entirely new
It was a teaching that was born in deep certainty and delivered with utmost conviction.

• He was the fullness of the teachings of all the Law.
• He was the fulfilment of the prophecies of all the Prophets.

This gave it a fresh crispiness.
This gave it a refreshing perspective.

Do we also possess a similar conviction and certainty in our Life of Faith, just as Jesus displayed?

The Lord demands such a requirement.

Hence, He would say, that “whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 5: 19)

Our Christian lives are sometimes marked by an unwanted uncertainty and confusing convictions.
• We know a little bit about our faith…but not deep enough.
• We know a little bit concerning our teachings…but not in its depth.
• We know a little bit about the virtues we are to live…but not fully convinced of it.

As a result of this ‘unsure’ attitude and ‘confused’ mentality, we are unable to
… (1) live a true and honest Christian lives
… (2) witness and teach others our genuine faith

May the Saint of the day, Blessed Bogumilus be an inspiration for us to have a deeper faith and fervour in our Christian Faith.

This holy person from Poland was consecrated Archbishop of the Polish See of Gniezno.
Bogumilus recited the divine office with much care and devotion.

Each day before celebrating Mass, he would prepare by prostrating himself in prayer, extending his arms in the form of a cross.
It was thus that he asked the angels to present his prayers to God, and petitioned the Blessed Virgin Mary to obtain for him the purity of heart requisite to consecrate the Eucharist worthily.

He gave much of his time to mental prayer, which he punctuated with fervent aspirations: “May I love you, O Lord, my strength; O Lord, my pillar, and my refuge, and my deliverer.”

On his deathbed, Bl. Bogumilus experienced a vision of the Madonna and Child, surrounded by a throng of angels, inviting him to heaven.

May we not remain confused Christians; rather experience the love and mercy of the Lord, and make efforts to grow into being Convinced and Certain and Confident Christians!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

09 Jun 2015 (Based on Mt 5:13-16)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

Here is a lovely story of a humble little monk named Telemachus living out in the farming regions of Asia.

Telemachus had no great ambitions in life.
He loved his little garden, and tilled it through the changing seasons.

But one day in the year 391, he felt a sense of urgency, a call of God’s direction in his life – to Rome.

Rome was the heart and soul of the mighty empire.

The feelings of such a call frightened him, but he went anyway, praying along the way for God’s direction.

When he finally got to the city it was in an uproar! The armies of Rome had just come home from the battlefield in victory, and the crowds were turning out for a great celebration.
They flowed through the streets like a tidal wave, and Telemachus was caught in their frenzy and carried into the Colloseum.

He had never seen a gladiator contest before, but now his heart sickened.

Down in the arena men hacked at each other with swords and clubs.
The crowds roared at the sight of blood, and urged their favorites on to the death.

Telemachus couldn’t stand it.
He knew this wasn’t the way God wanted people to live or to die.

So little Telemachus worked his way through the crowds to the wall down by the arena. “In the name of Christ, forbear!”, he shouted.

Nobody heard him, so he crawled up onto the wall and shouted again: “In the name of Christ, forbear!”

This time the few who heard him only laughed. But Telemachus was not to be ignored.
He jumped into the arena, and ran through the sands toward the gladiators. “In the name of Christ, forbear!”

The crowds laughed at the silly little man, and threw stones at him.

Telemachus, however, was on a mission.

He threw himself between two gladiators to stop their fighting. “In the name of Christ, forbear!” he cried.

They hacked him apart!
They cut his body from shoulder to stomach, and he fell onto the sand with the blood running out of his life.

The gladiators were stunned, and stopped to watch him die.
Then the crowds fell back in silence, and, for a moment, no one in the Colloseum moved.

The site of the dead man, and the reaction of the crowd, led the emperor and his guests to silently stand, turn and leave the Colloseum.   

After a few minutes, the Gladiators put their swords down and they too left.  
All that remained in that giant stadium was the scrawny lifeless body of the young man.  

History claims that this was the very last gladiator game at the coliseum.   

The memory of that man screaming to the crowd, and the image of the blood thirsty lust of the crowd had changed the hearts and the minds of the Romans in that instant. 
Within an hour, the emperor issued an edict forbidding any future games of war within the Roman Empire.

• There was no more killing in the Colloseum.  
• There were no more gladiator matches in Rome. 
All because one man, stood up….and said “In the Name of Jesus, forbear!!”.

He, as a true Christian, became, the salt of the earth and light of the world.

This is the call of the Gospel of the Day.
Jesus says, ” You are the salt of the earth” ” (Mt 5: 13)  and “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 14)

• In ancient Greece, salt was considered so valuable it was called, “theon”, divine.
• The Romans believed that nothing was of more value than salt except the Sun. Roman soldiers were even paid in salt.
• An ancient Near Eastern custom still practiced among some Arabs today is that a pact of friendship is sealed with a gift of salt.

This call of the Gospel has gained significant importance and urgency in our world today.

We live in times and generation when the need to be a “salt” and “light” has gained tremendous urgency…

• The world is losing a taste for things of everlasting value and instead relishes more of transient materials.
Can I be a “salt” in such situations giving the taste of eternity and goodness, to revive lives and to orient them towards the real joys of life?

• The world is fast degrading and losing values in various areas like moral life, social situations, cultural integrity and religious fervour.

Can I be a “light”, casting away the darkness of ignorance and shedding new illumination and radiance for the revival of sanctified lives?

• The world today, and even the Church, sometimes, is sadly deeply getting corrupted and there are strong strands of  infection and contamination affecting various core dimensions.
Can I be a “salt” which rubs in consciousness for transformation and change and be a healing agent to prick the conscience of people to lead an integral life?

• The world and even the Church, sometimes, is easy on closing the eye to the evils that are constantly rising, and fails to be a powerful voice for justice and peace
Can I be a “light” which casts its powerful rays on the dark shades of wickedness and expose the inhuman elements of the society, helping towards a harmonious and pleasant world?

“Salt” and “light” are symbols of purity.
To be the “salt” and “light” in the world, demands a high level of perfection and holiness  in our lives. 

May we be willing to rise up to the challenge of being the “salt of the earth” and “light to the world” even if it requires giving up many of our comfort areas of life, so that our Christian values can be preserved and the love of God may shine forth to the world!

God bless! Live Jesus!

08 Jun 2015 (Based on Mt 5: 1-12)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

There is an eating disorder named ‘Pica’.

Pica is the craving to eat what is not edible.

It is characterized by an appetite for substances that are non-nutritive such as paper, clay, metal, chalk, soil, glass, sand etc.

There are different variations of pica, as it can be from a cultural tradition, acquired taste, or a neurological mechanism such as an iron deficiency or a chemical imbalance.

‘Pica’ can lead to intoxication in children, which can result in an impairment in both physical and mental development.

Now in the spiritual realm, many of us could be affected by a ‘Spiritual Pica’.

• A Spiritual Pica would refer to a craving to enjoy what is non-spiritual.

• A Spiritual Pica would mean a strong desire to enjoy what is unholy.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus giving an antidote to this tendency by presenting the Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes are a beautiful proclamation and an exhortation…

… to set one’s hearts on the higher and nobler things of life

… to be delighting in the true and heavenly aspects in life.

Jesus, the Teacher went up the mountain, and after He had sat down, began to teach (Mt 5: 1-2)

When we go through the list of the Beatitudes, one of the standout aspects that we notice is the ‘tone’ and the ‘mood’ that is expressed by Jesus…

• There is a lot of joy that is expressed…

• There is a lot of peace that is radiated…

When seen from a worldly perspective, the Beatitudes present a grim and gloomy picture…

They speak of…

People who are poor… people who are mourning…

People who are too modest… people who are in want…

People who are merciful…people who are clean at heart…

People who are peacemakers…people who are persecuted…

From the worldly eyes, these are not people who are “great” or “happening” or “cool”

Instead, they are usually categories of people who are put down or who rarely come to the limelight or those who considered weak and fragile.

But, the Lord reverses this notion, and places these sections of persons in the category of being Blessed!

What is the reason?

• Blessedness for the Lord is an attribute that is solely associated with God and dependence on Him

• Blessedness for the Lord is a virtue that is directly a result of one’s faith in the Lord and reliance on His providence.

This is the greatness and paradox in Christian Life.

• One is invited to live a life of immense happiness and joy…

…but the result is not an achievement of one’s own merit, but is a fruit of one’s dependence and trust in the Lord.

• One is encouraged to enjoy a life of peace and delight…

… but the  outcome is a not an accomplishment proceeding from sheer hard-work or personal efforts, but is a grace obtained because of one’s faith, love and commitment to the Lord.

However, many of us, fail to look upwards and gaze higher…

… instead our aims remain sometimes peripheral and stuck to being worldly.

We get afflicted by a ‘Spiritual Pica’….

… craving to enjoy what is non-spiritual.

… a strong desire to enjoy what is unholy.

The Lord today challenges and invites us to go beyond such materialistic tendencies and instead become a person of being truly Blessed.

May we seek the intercession of Blessed Mariam Thresia, who by her saintly life shows us the way to true blessedness and holiness of life.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Reflection Capsule for 06 June 2015 (Based on Mk 12: 38-44)

Fr Jijo Manjackal MSFSLeave a comment

A money-collection drive was being been conducted in a particular Church for a particular intention.
The people were free to put in as much contribution as they wanted for the noble cause.

One gentleman stood up and announced a rather large contribution, and the people applauded greatly.

A few moments later, an old lady stood up and announced her donation.
But it was greeted with silence.

The priest, however, in reply to the cold response of the people, stood up and said emphatically, “Ladies and gentleman, I believe I hear the applause of the nail-scarred Hands!”

The people understood what the priest meant, and slowly but surely applauded the old lady’s generosity.

The Gospel of the Day presents such a similar act of appreciation by Jesus over the apparently “tiny” yet really “great” contribution by a widow to the Temple Treasury.

The passage of the day is the culmination of the 12th Chapter of the Gospel of St Mark.

This has been a volatile passage…

1. Jesus tells the parable of the Tenants (Mk 12: 1-12)
… thereby giving out a sharp message to the Jews to accept the Messiah and not forfeit the many graces and blessings that they had been blessed with.

2. Jesus gives a fitting response to the question of paying taxes (Mk 12: 13-17)
… thereby exhorting the concerned people to not get stuck to earthly obligations and instead gear one’s life in total allegiance to the Lord Creator

3. Jesus corrects the false notion regarding the teaching on Resurrection (Mk 12: 18-27)
… thereby challenging to live a life in worthiness of eternity and to have the correct and deeper faith in the Living God and His Teachings

4. Jesus makes clear the greatest commandments (Mk 12: 28-34)
… thereby inviting all to understand that there is only one true God and He deserves all the love and affection of our being and this love ought to be expressed in love of neighbour.

5. Jesus points out from Scripture that He is the Messiah, the Lord (Mk 12: 35-37)
… thereby opening the eyes of the people to read Scripture with greater openness to the Spirit and an invitation to accept Him as the Lord of their lives.

These five pronouncements finally concludes with Jesus denouncing the action of the scribes especially in devouring the lives of the poor widows.

Jesus says, “The scribes devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers” (Mk 12: 40)

• Widows were an easy trap to be cheated…
• Widows were easy pickings to be exploited…

However, the chapter ends with a beautiful counteract…
A widow – symbol of all the other widows, who have been cheated, or oppressed or facing humiliations  – comes in to the Temple and drops in her ‘everything’ in the treasure!

This is indeed a powerful symbol of faithfulness and duty…
• She is a symbol of being oppressed – yet she is heartily generous
• She is an object of being condemned – yet she is mightily liberal

And she becomes a symbol of self-giving and total-emptiness.

This poor widow becomes a great challenge for us in our lives…
• Life may bite us hard with cruel luck and bad destiny…
• Life may oppress us through various elements in the society…
• Life may cheat us in the form of many people or circumstances…

Yet, through all this…
Like this poor widow,
• Can I be firm to still give to God in gratitude?
• Can I be faithful to do my responsibilities even if unrewarded?

May the Blessed Mother Mary, who Herself was a poor widow, and gave Herself entirely to the Lord…

And Jesus, who like the poor widow, gave Himself entirely to His people and in doing God’s Will…
… be our inspiration, our strength and our hope!

God Bless! Live Jesus!