“Realizing that by our Christian vocation, we are constantly in touch with the Holy Spirit- ‘Fresh Waters’ of Grace”

(Based on the Solemnity of Pentecost)

An incident is told of a great ship that was stranded off the coast of South America.
Week after week, the ship lay there, in the still ocean waters with not a hint of a breeze.

The captain was desperate; the crew was dying of thirst.

The salty ocean waters stared at the members of the ship.

Finally, one day, on the far horizon, a steamship appeared.

As this tiny boat, approached them, the captain of the great ship called out:“We need water. Give us water!”

The steamship replied: “Lower yourselves, and life will be yours!”

The captain – an experienced person, and who knew that it was impossible to get potable water from the oceans – was infuriated.

But the steamship gave the same reply, “Lower yourselves, and life will be yours!”, and sailed away.

The captain was all by himself – feeling angry and desperate!

But a little later, when no one was looking, a cleaner boy of the ship, lowered a bucket into the sea and then tasted what he brought up: It was perfectly sweet, fresh water!

How was that possible?

The ship had been stranded, just out of the oceans, into the mouth of the River Amazon (Amazon makes up for nearly 1/5th of the earth’s fresh waters!)

For weeks together, they had been sitting on top of all the fresh water that they needed.

But it remained undiscovered!

So it is, often, with our Christian Lives as well!
What we are really seeking, is already inside us: Waiting to be discovered!

The Holy Spirit, Who has been dwelling within us, from our Baptism, gently whispers to us: “Lower yourselves, and life will be yours!”

Today, on this Great Day of Pentecost, we are invited to open our hearts to recognize the Power of the Holy Spirit…
… and to become aware of the inherent greatness in our vocation as Christians.

On the day of Pentecost, in the Upper Room, as the disciples were gathered in prayer, along with Blessed Mother Mary, “the Holy Spirit filled the entire house in which they were” (Acts 2:2)

It is to be noted that the word used to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit is the Greek word “aphno” which means “suddenly”
“And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind…” (Acts 2: 2)

The coming of the Holy Spirit was “sudden”.

This energetic entry of the Holy Spirit is a glimpse to one important characteristic of the person of the Holy Spirit: Vitality!

The Holy Spirit is a spirit of life… of energy… of vivacity… of animation… of dynamism!

Where the Holy Spirit is, there is the great movement of the will, the mind and the heart!

It was this “sudden” coming of the Holy Spirit that transformed the small group of Jesus’ disciples into mighty warriors of the Kingdom of God.

Fear was transformed into power…
Timidity was changed into boldness…
Uncertainty was converted into conviction…

Our own lives need an encounter of this “life-transforming” experience.

Is my Christian life, dull and slow – merely laced with routine actions of prayers and sacraments?
Is my life of faith, lethargic and tepid – simply being pulled on, without any particular awareness or lived without any enthusiasm?

Then, we need the mighty movement of the Holy Spirit to impress life and vitality to our life and our faith!

The Holy Spirit is undoubtedly one of the most shy person of the Blessed Trinity and therefore, also often, neglected in our daily prayers or devotion

The study and awareness of the Holy Spirit is certainly, in general, given lesser priority and importance in comparison to the other Persons of the Trinity.
The Feast of the Pentecost is very often not accorded the “solemn” tone in comparison to other feasts like Christmas or Easter

But let us realize, that in the Holy Spirit and in the celebration of this Feast, we have a great treasure to cherish and enjoy.

Each Christian ought to build an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Each Christian must become more aware of the role of the Holy Spirit in daily living

How wonderful it would be if we could inculcate a few practical resolutions…
… to grow in our intimacy and union with this Powerful and Dynamic Personality of the Blessed Trinity:

1. Wishing “Good Morning, Holy Spirit ” to Him as we begin the day, thanking for His protection and seeking His help through the day
2. Invoking a tiny chaplet, “Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and minds” as we begin a particular activity or work
3. Making a short examination of conscience at the end of the day, introspecting our lives in overcoming sin, being grateful for His guidance and seeking to grow spiritually in holiness, with the power of the Holy Spirit
4. Co-operating with the Holy Spirit to become effective agents of unity in our homes, our communities, our places of work and our churches.
5. Purposely creating a few seconds of silence in the schedule of our works or our activity or through the course of the day, and talking to the Holy Spirit, as a friend, in the cave of our heart
6. Listening to the still, gentle voice of the Holy Spirit in the depths of our being, speaking to us to be more active to read God’s Word in the Bible and to partake of the Sacraments more frequently especially Confession and Holy Eucharist.

The Lord has blessed our lives with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

He longs to be empower our lives…
He earnestly wants to be in total control of our lives…

But for this, He needs our permission…
Permission in the form of…
… longing for Him
… making sincere efforts to live a life casting away sin

Let us realize that by our Christian Vocation, we are constantly in touch with “Fresh Waters” of Grace…
… by constantly giving heed to the call: “Lower yourselves, and life will be yours!”

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Spirit – the Pentecost!

Happy Birthday to our Mother Church!

Let us cherish the life offered by our Mother, in the Sacraments…
… and especially receive the sweetness of the Holy Eucharist more worthily and enthusiastically!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

The Old Law is the first stage of revealed Law.

Its moral prescriptions are summed up in the Ten Commandments. (CCC # 1962)

“Animated by the power of the Holy Spirit, let us be ‘special students’ of our Great Teacher, Jesus!”

(Based on Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 and Jn 21:20-25 – Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter)

The experience of teachers in a school with the students is pretty interesting.

Each student is unique in their character and nature.

The relationship with each student is also unique

Undoubtedly…
… some students tend to be more in the limelight… due to their high vibrancy and level of enthusiasm
… some students remain in the shadows… due to their soft and timid nature

But the teacher shares a unique relationship with all..
… with some more close, with some just normal, with some just casual

Sometimes the most naughty one, or the mischievous one gets special attention
Sometimes, the most silent one gets a special favour of affection and care

The Greatest Teacher, Jesus also had his class of students – his chosen twelve – the Apostles.

He shared a unique relationship with all of them, undoubtedly.

Yet, among the twelve, there were some with whom Jesus had a special bonding

One among them was very vocal, emotional and actively in the limelight…

The other was more silent, affectionate and passively in the backgrounds…

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the teacher in conversation with these two of His students, with whom He had a special bonding – Peter and John.

Peter was the one, very vocal, emotional and being active in the limelight…
John was the more silent, affectionate and remained passively in the backgrounds…

We are the end of the Gospel of St John.

Jesus had engaged Peter in a one-to-one conversation reviving His commitment to Him and the Kingdom by asking him, three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was also entrusted to be the Shepherd of His Church on the earth

However, Peter was also curious what would be the future of the other disciple.

His curiosity is a common human trait: a keen desire to know the future and the prospects of other people.

Sometimes this trait can also degenerate into jealousy…
Sometimes this trait can also be reduced to envy…

1. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard… those who came at the end received the same one denarii as the first.

The complaint of those who toiled the whole day was not just that they received a less pay; but more so, that why did the last ones…
… get a higher pay!

The generosity towards the others, made them to feel envious

2. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the prodigal son was given a grand reception on his arrival back.

The complaint of the elder son was not just that he never had enjoyed a luxurious time with his friends; but more so, that the younger sin who had committed many sins…
… was given a special welcome.

The generosity towards the younger son, made him to feel jealous.

Realizing the possibility of this common human trait, Jesus chides Peter who was over-curious to know of the future of John…
… instead He re-focusses Peter’s attention on what is most important: Following Him.

Therefore Jesus tells to Peter: “What concern is it of yours? You follow me” (Jn 21: 22)

The same advice is rendered to us also…

We sometimes tend to be too anxious about the life of the other… but fail to have a proper control in our personal lives!
We sometimes tend to be over-curious about the future of others… but fail to live our lives worthily!

The Lord advises us the same too, “You follow me!”

The vocation and life of Jesus, the teacher’s two special students – Peter and John is also a reminder of two ways or levels of Christian holiness

The Life of Peter… lived in witness to Christ by a life of martyrdom
The Life of John… lived in witness to Christ by a life of loving sacrifices in life

Each one of us are to…
… live in holiness, filled with love, like St John
… live in commitment, willing to give up even our lives, like St Peter

On this eve of the Great Feast of the Pentecost, let us prepare our hearts to receive the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Let us be animated by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, so that we too may be Christ’s faithful and dynamic witnesses…
… and like St Peter and St John, become “special students” of our Great Teacher, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

God, our Creator and Redeemer, chose Israel for himself to be his people and revealed his Law to them…
… thus preparing for the coming of Christ.
The Law of Moses expresses many truths naturally accessible to reason.

These are stated and authenticated within the covenant of salvation. (CCC # 1961)

“Trusting in the goodness of the Lord and with hope in the mercy of the Lord, let us, tell the Lord, ‘Yes, Lord, I love you!’”

(Based on Acts 25:13b-21 and Jn 21:15-19 – Friday of the 7th Week of Easter)

A young man was supposedly crazy about his girlfriend.

He spent an entire evening telling the girl how much he loved her.

He said that he couldn’t live without her…
… that he would go to the ends of the earth for her
… yes, go through fire for her, or die for her.

But as he was leaving he told her,
“I’ll see you tomorrow night dear…
…. if it doesn’t rain!!”

A whole evening was spent on lavishing sweet words of love…

But as he left her…
…. he made conditions in his expression of love
… he put forward clauses in his demonstration of love

How often is our love also such..

We tell to people in our live that we love them…
… but fail to show it in actions
We tell to others that we care for them a lot…
… but do not show them in deeds

And how much more true is this in the case of our love of God…
… we profess our sentiments of love, but fall short of living it up in our commitment

The Gospel of the day presents St Peter grappling with his weaknesses in expressing his love for his Master…
… and Jesus, knowing very well the frailties of his chosen one, entrusting great responsibilities on him.

Jesus in His post-resurrection appearances to the Apostles, engages in a special one-to-one conversation with the Peter, the leader of the chosen ones…

It’s interesting to see the choice of the Lord for Peter as the leader of His chosen ones.

Peter was a fisherman by profession…

Like the waves, his faith and trust in the Lord would also often waver…
Like the winds blowing heavily, his zeal for the Lord would also often vacillate…

Yet, the Lord chooses him to be a “fisher of man” for His Kingdom…. expecting him…
… to be like the fish – finding life and vibrancy only by being in the waters of grace and mercy
… to be like the net – gathering up the children of God and keeping them together
… to be like the boat – not being stuck on the shores, but ready to launch into the deep waters of evangelisation

Peter had undoubtedly a lot of interest and zeal in the Lord… and in His Mission.

Yet by nature, he tended to be more emotional… indecisive…fluttering

And this caused him to deny the Lord three times, during the passion of the Lord..

But the Lord, in His infinite mercy, restores the brokenness in the relationship, with His healing love.

Our lives too, so often, resembles that of Peter.

We fluctuate in our commitments to the Lord…
We easily break many of the resolutions made to the Lord…
We very often go astray, despite having experienced much love from the Lord…

Yet, Jesus does not abandon us.

Like the Shepherd, who comes after His lost sheep…

Like a Potter, who remoulds His work when dis-shaped…
Like a Physician, who attends with patience for His ailing patient…

The Lord comes to us…
And with much hope puts forward the same question, that He asked Peter:
“Do You love Me?”

The Lord awaits an answer…

It will be easy to jump in and say “Yes, Lord, I do love you”.

But…

Let our answer, not just be triggered by emotional feelings…
Let our answer, not be simply impelled by a ritualistic custom…

Rather, from the depth of our inner-being…
… acknowledging our sinfulness and failures…
… realising our weaknesses and shortcomings…

Yet…
… trusting in the goodness of the Lord
… hopeful in the mercy of the Lord
Let us tell the Lord…
“Yes, Lord, You know everything….

You know, I love you!!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

The precepts of natural law are not perceived by everyone clearly and immediately.
In the present situation sinful man needs grace and revelation so moral and religious truths may be known “by everyone with facility…

… without firm certainty and with no admixture of error. (CCC # 1960)

“Deepening our union with the Father and enjoying greater freedom of happiness and joy”

(Based on Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 and Jn 17:20-26 – Thursday of the 7th Week of Easter)

A cute story of a little boy, who loved fruits.

This little boy fellow was once, tempted to pluck some cherries from a tree, which his father had strictly forbidden him to touch.

“You need not be afraid,” said his notorious companion, “for if your father should find out that you have taken them, he is too kind to hurt you.”

“Ah,” said the brave little fellow, “that is the very reason why I would not touch them;
For I know that my father would not hurt me. So I should not hurt him by my disobedience!”

The little boy knew the love of his Father towards him…
… and so he dared not hurt his Father.

He was not afraid of the punishment of the Father.
He was instead afraid of the hurt that would cause pain to the Father.

True love causes a holy and pious concern of not wanting to cause any offence to the one who is loved.

True Love casts away all fear!
True Love drives away every anxiety!

It is this True Love of the Father that was made known by Jesus to all of us.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus shedding greater light on His intimate relation with the Father and revealing deeper, the love of the Father for each one of us.

Jesus prays, “… so that they may be one, as we are one. I in them and You in Me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.” (Jn 17: 22b, 23)

The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in the Seventeenth Chapter of St John, is another insight into the intimate relation that Jesus had with His Father.

All His life, He sought to do only the Father’s Will
All His life, He sought to reveal the love of the Father to the world.

This was driven by the fact that Jesus was in intimate union with the Father.

To His disciples, Jesus wishes to leave this same legacy – the legacy of loving the Father intimately.

Jesus wishes to tell us that we have a Father who is deeply interested and caring for us.
Jesus wishes to convince us that our lives are secure in the Providential care of the Father.

However, our lives sometimes fails to display this trust and confidence in the providential care of the Father

Some of us may have a wrong notion of God being interested only in finding my wrongdoings and punishing me for the same…
Some of us may have the wrong notion of God being unapproachable, unavailable and inaccessible because of His Holiness and Majesty!

But Jesus drives away all such false impressions.

He tells us that the Father…
… is surely the keeper of justice, and may take us through a time of trials and difficulties.

But those are not to be seen as cruel punishments, but loving acts for improvements towards a holier life!

He tells us that the Father…
…. is surely the Lord and Master of the Universe, and is totally aware of even the calamities or hardships that befall our lives

But in all those hard moments, the loving Father keeps us safely in the palm of His hand, not allowing us, His beloved children to get hurt or harmed!

When we are convinced of this deep love that the Father has towards us, we would be able to orient our lives in a way that is worthy of our call as witnesses of Christ.

Jesus by His unity with the Father, enjoyed perfect freedom.

He invites us to also deepen our union with the Father and enjoy greater freedom of happiness and joy.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

The natural law also provides the indispensable moral foundation for building the human community.
Finally, it provides the necessary basis for the civil law with which it is connected
… whether by a reflection that draws conclusions from its principles…

… or by additions of a positive and juridical nature. (CCC # 1959)

“Avoiding the ‘chameleon character’; instead, adopting and growing in our ‘Christian conviction!’”

(Based on Acts 20:28-38 and Jn 17:11b-19 – Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter

A zoologist, working in a Catholic University, was interacting with a group of youngsters.

As they were discussing about living as a Christian in the world the zoologist – himself a Christian – noted: “There are many of us Christians who live like chameleons!”

(Chameleons are a species of lizards – known for their distinct range of colours, as they are able to shift in different hues and brightness, depending on the surrounding)

The professor went on to say:
“The chameleon takes the colour of its background and environment—tree, bush, or grass.

Many Christians are chameleon-like in the facility with which they can take on the colour of the world about them”

And he added, “And… just as it is difficult to distinguish the chameleon from the background, the colour of which he has taken…
… so it is very difficult to distinguish many Christians from the background of the world in which they live!”


Are we living ‘chameleon-like Christian lives’…
… changing our colours and choices in life, to suit the corrupt ways around us, rather than being faithful to Christian teachings?


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus praying to the Father: “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them safe from the evil one.

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)


The call of a Christian is to live as a people “set apart” for Christ.

The Lord wishes, desires, wants and makes it a must that the one who follows Him, must seek to follow Him fully, wholeheartedly and unreservedly.


But the Lord was also very much aware that this His desire for a people “totally set apart” would face a lot of challenges and crisis from the Evil One.

He knew that His followers would struggle much in living a pure life…
… in the midst of many impurity, uncleanness and contamination.
He knew that His followers would find it hard to preserve holiness…
… in the hub of wicked temptations, ensnaring enticements and luring persuasions


St Paul warns the Church at Ephesus to be aware of the many dangers that may allure them in the world…
… and to remain focussed and alert

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which He obtained with His own Blood.
>> I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things…
… to draw away the disciples after them.
Therefore, be alert…” (Acts 20:28-31)


We often find ourselves lost in this strange maze of the world….

We immerse ourselves too much in worldly activities and works….
… But, somehow at the end of the day, when lying down on our beds, we, perhaps, feel ourselves lost and not having a true sense of satisfaction!

We plunge ourselves to enjoy a lot of worldly pleasures, comforts and luxuries…
… But, somehow, after having been sort of saturated with those externals, we, perhaps, find ourselves still unhappy or experiencing a void!

We engage ourselves in an excess use of the social media, networking sites, chatting applications and remain attached constantly to modern communication gadgets…
… But, somehow, though we are in contact with many people, we, perhaps, realize that there is a grave presence of loneliness and not having genuine relationships of love and true care!


And therefore, Jesus, the ever-practical, sensible and realistic Master…
… Firstly, prays for His followers for strength and courage: “I pray for them…. Holy Father, keep them in Your name… “ (Jn 17: 9a, 11b)
… Secondly, reminds His followers on the need to set their hearts on Him because they belong not to the world: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)


This then ought to be our strength and hope, as we seek to live a Holy Christian Life in this world, often corrupted by sin and transgressions: Knowing that Jesus has prayed for us!
>> In His prayer, we find hope and blessings
>> In His prayer, we find encouragement and support


Setting our heart entirely on the Lord and not being totally attached to the aspects of the world
>> In His Love, we find meaning in our relationships
>> In His Presence, we ought to engage all our activities


Light passes through pollution, but doesn’t get contaminated!

Every Christian, a reflection of the Light of Christ, ought to be such…
… focused on the Lord, seeking to be pure and unsullied, in holiness and sanctity.


Let us avoid the ‘chameleon character” by compromising to suit the pleasures of the world…
… instead, let us adopt and grow in our “Christian conviction!”


God Bless! Live Jesus!


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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE MORAL LAW
>> The natural law, the Creator’s very good work…
… provides the solid foundation on which man can build the structure of moral rules to guide his choices. (CCC # 1959)
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“Being docile to accept God’s ‘strange yet protective’ Will working in our lives!”

(Based on the Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle)

There goes a legend of the early Church…

Some pagans, once forced a holy person to drink a portion of poison, as part of persecutions against the faithful.

This holy person had been imprisoned.

He drank it, and not only did he himself remain unharmed…
… but he also healed others who had been blinded by the potion.

When he left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain, for he had become invisible to them.

The holy person was St Mathias.

Today is the Feast of this Apostle, St Mathias.

He is the Apostle, chosen by lot, to go “into the place of the traitor Judas”.

The Acts of the Apostles describes:” that he may take his place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell.” (Acts 1:25)

St Mathias had one of the most unique privileges as well as one of the most awkward moments.

He had the unique privilege of being counted the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
He had the unique awkward moment of taking the position left blank by Judas, the betrayer.

It is usually hard to fill up empty spaces of vacancies and opportunities.

And it indeed gets too hard to fill up the vacancy of being counted among the exclusive Twelve Apostles.

This task gets too complicated especially if the vacancy was created as a shameful result of “betrayal” and “treachery”

St Mathias had to fill in the gap left by the “traitor” Judas Iscariot.

Yet, Divine Providence had it that St Mathias should replace Judas, to be “counted as one among the Twelve”.

Life sometimes is such…

We are asked to take up tasks that may seem highly uncomfortable
We are invited to draw up duties which may seem highly insulting

Are we willing to accept them, seeing God’s providential hand in them?
Are we ready to undertake them, knowing God’s Will is at work in that?

Let us trust in the mighty and assuring words of Jesus, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” (Jn 15:16)

St Matthias stands in the place of the traitor Judas

But not as another traitor…
… but as one who knows the treachery of human hearts and the need for Heavenly Grace.

The Feast of St Mathias is a reminder of this naked and frightening, yet remarkable and bold truth:

There is a possibility of being a traitor in all of us
… like Judas

But there is also the glorious chance of being His faithful apostle
… like St Mathias.

There are elements of betraying God, within each of us…
… like Judas

But there are also graces of being passionately committed to the Lord…
… like St Mathias.

May St Mathias intercede and inspire us…
… to be docile to accept God’s ‘strange yet protective’ Will working in our lives
… to be bold to take up the challenge of filling up gaps caused by betrayal and uneasiness
… to be aware of God’s mighty Providence guiding every action of the Church and the world

Happy Feast of St Mathias, the Apostle

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

Theft is surely punished by your law, O Lord…
… and by the law that is written in the human heart

… the law that iniquity itself does not efface. (CCC # 1958)

“Not being discouraged by the problems of life; instead, considering them as golden opportunities to grow stronger in the Love of the Lord!”

(Based on Acts 19:1-8 and Jn 16:29-33 – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter)

Space scientists in the 1960s and 70s made several efforts to help astronauts (cosmonauts) to have a safer and healthier stay in space.

The major hurdle to this was the fact that no matter how well prepared physically the cosmonauts or astronauts were for the trip…
… even a short stay in space had a massive negative influence on their health.

Weightlessness (antigravity) and lack of movement (hypokinesia) caused immediate retardation of the whole body space traveller – muscles, bones, peripheral and central nervous systems degenerated within several hours to a large extent.

Upon return to Earth, the astronauts had to readjust to Earth’s gravity and experienced problems standing up, stabilizing their gaze, walking and turning.

They needed long-term intensive rehabilitation to get back in shape.

To counteract this, a running suit laced with elastic bands was utilized.

The function of this elastic band, was to resist every move that the cosmonaut would make.
This resistance would force them to exert extra strength.
This worked!

When they had resistance, their muscles were stronger and it prepared them for recovery back into the earth’s atmosphere.

The greater pressure they exerted, the stronger their physique and the faster it helped them to get back to normalcy.

How true is this of our life as well!

The easier our life, the greater the possibility of our spiritual fibre being weak…

The more comfortable our living, the higher the chances of being lax and lethargic…

Strength of any kind grows, only by exertion!

And therefore, the Gospel of the Day will present Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples and we, His followers to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.
Jesus tells, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16: 33)

The Lord in His final discourses to the Disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.

Jesus is not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth.

He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.

He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)

Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.
He is bold to tell them, “…Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)

Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.

Sometimes…
… we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”
… we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”
… we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”

But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.

Rather, we need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.

When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.
… But when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances to relax our relationship with Him

When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord
… But when life is too cosy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life

When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God
… But when life goes on smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life

Adversities in life act as elastic bands that cosmonauts or astronauts use…
…. They function in a way, to resist our every good action and aspiration…

Resistance ought to make us exert greater effort and have a stronger dependence on the Lord!

The greater the adversities, the stronger ought to be our dependence and trust in the Lord.
Strength of any kind grows only by exertion!

St Paul is a beautiful example of a person who never got discouraged by the troubles of life.

After having prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believers at Ephesus, who had never even heard about the Holy Spirit… (Acts 19:1-7)
… St Paul went on to preach and boldly proclaim the Kingdom, in the synagogues: “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8)

Let us not get discouraged by the problems of life…
… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

The natural law is immutable and permanent throughout the variations of history…
… it subsists under the flux of ideas and customs and supports their progress.
The rules that express it remain substantially valid.
Even when it is rejected in its very principles, it cannot be destroyed or removed from the heart of man.

It always rises again in the life of individuals and societies. (CCC # 1957)

“On this Ascension Sunday, being invigorated with the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation, and becoming ‘doctors of healing and love’ in our world of suffering and pain!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord)

A very poor family by the name of Carpenter, lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

The oldest boy was given education in the city, with the help of some family friends, who generously financed his studies when they realized he wanted to become a doctor.

The boy Carpenter, graduated with honours…
… but declined all job offers to practice medicine in the city.

He decided to go back to the mountains, where there were many sick people and few doctors.

For many years he ministered to the sick. Some paid, most couldn’t.

He gave his very best and helped everyone he could.

In his old age, he was in broken health himself and almost penniless.

Two small rooms above the town grocery store were his home and office.
At the foot of the creaky stairs leading up to his office was a sign with these words: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”

One morning someone climbed those stairs to find their devoted doctor dead. The entire community was plunged into grief. They wanted to erect some kind of monument to him.

But they decided to simply write these words on a large tombstone: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”

Today, on this Ascension Day, the Church proudly displays the placard of hope and salvation: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

But unlike the doctor boy who died, Jesus – the Divine Doctor of our souls – is alive…
… and continues to heal people and bring salvation to all people!

Yes, “Jesus, the Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

The Solemnity of the Ascension proclaims the day when Jesus ascended to the heavens, as a culmination of the glory of the Resurrection:
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mk 16:19)

We are also reminded today of the Mission mandate of preaching His Good News to everyone: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news[a] to the whole creation.” (Mk 16:15)

The Ascension of Jesus completes the resurrection.

The Resurrection is victory over death.
The Ascension lifts humanity to heaven.

Acts 1:10-11 says, “And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?’”

While it is quite natural for us to seek Jesus, who apparently “has gone far away from us,” the reality is that Jesus is now closer to us – closer than we can ever imagine!

It is as if they are saying to us, “Don’t misunderstand this moment. Don’t deny yourselves the gift that is being given you.”

The Ascension of the Lord is not about His absence but about His Presence.
It is not about His leaving but about His Presence that is assured and promised to all of us

It is not about a location but about a relationship.

This Feast is a beautiful invitation to every Christian on the way to live: By looking upward!

To transcend the needs of this world, and to have our highest priorities on God
To go beyond the pilgrim journey of this earth, and prepare meaningfully for eternity.

St Paul reminds us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God!” (Col 3:1)

Every moment, every hour and every day – Jesus tugs at our hearts, and invites us to “look upward”…
… and to have our focus on Him, Who was Crucified, but now is Risen and seated at God’s Right Hand!

The Psalmist states, “Blessed [are those]… in whose heart are the highways to Zion! (Ps 84:5)

We need to make an examination of our lives and make suitable changes for the good…
Is sin enslaving us?

Let us rise with His Mercy – in holiness and purity of life!

Is regret and remorse discouraging us?

Let us rise with His Healing – in joy and hope!

Is anger and jealousy pulling us down?

Let us rise with His Grace – in gentleness and gratitude!

May this Feast of the Ascension invigorate the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation…
… and spur us to be “doctors of healing and love” in our world of suffering and pain!

Yes, “Dr Carpenter is Upstairs!”

Happy Feast of the Ascension!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

Application of the natural law varies greatly…
… it can demand reflection that takes account of various conditions of life according to places, times, and circumstances.
Nevertheless, in the diversity of cultures, the natural law remains as a rule that binds men among themselves…

… and imposes on them, beyond the inevitable differences, common principles. (CCC # 1957)

“Experiencing the Amazing, Everlasting, Impartial, Outstanding and Unconditional Love of God!”

(Based on Acts 18:23-28 and Jn 16:23b-28- Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter)

A Catechism teacher was explaining her students in Class 2 about the Love of God.

As she was explaining, little Monica, suddenly exclaimed: “Miss, I now understand the vowels!”

The teacher – surprised – asked her, “But how does Love of God make you understand the vowels?”

And the little one said, “Because as you said, the Love of God is Amazing, Everlasting, Impartial, Outstanding and Unconditional!

So, the Love of God is… AEIOU!”

Yes, the Love of God encompasses all superlative adjectives!

There is nothing we can to do make God love us more!
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less!
His love is A.E.I.O.U.!

Every person longs for love…
Every person longs to be cared for…

The Gospel of the Day is a testimony of Jesus affirming the assuring and loving presence of God, our Heavenly Father.

Our Heavenly Father, is deeply in love with us, His children…
… and never ceases to express His caring affection to us, at every moment.

Jesus declares these beautiful words, which ought to be inscribed in golden shades, on the canvas of our hearts:
“… the Father Himself loves you…” (Jn 16: 27a)

This is indeed one of the mightiest and loftiest truth that we all need to know, experience, be convinced of, and live constantly in its assurance…
… the truth that “The Father Himself loves us!”

Every person longs for love and longs to be cared for…

Human love, however, sometimes fails to answer to this basic and essential need.

Sometimes people around us get too busy, to even care for us…
Sometimes, people from whom we expect love, fail to understand our need…
Sometimes, people who ought to care for us, fall short of their responsibility….

All this could leave a feeling a hurt within us.
All this could imprint a wound of sadness inside of us.

But in such moments of feeling lonely and desperation, especially…
… Jesus assures and promises us that we are not abandoned or left lonely

Instead Jesus emphatically proclaims that just as He was loved by His Father, we too are loved by our Heavenly Father!

It is confidence in this tremendous love of the Father…
… that will make us to seek whatever we wish in life, knowing that our prayers will be answered, in the way and the time, that He, My Father wishes! (Jn 16: 26)

His Love will make me delight in His Will, letting go of my personal desires!

It is conviction in this unconditional love of the Father…
… that will make us to enjoy a deep sense of joy and bliss, knowing that in any situation of gloom or sadness or tension or worry, He, My Father, is taking me through! (Jn 16: 24)

His Love will make me want to do only His Will, setting aside my individual wantings!

Our Heavenly Father, our Abba is in deep love of each one of us…

The Crucifix is the proof of this “mad love” of the Father.

May we, with His grace, deepen our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father.

He is busy – busy expressing His tender love to us
He is busy writing – writing His letters of His precious love to us

Let us deepen our experience of the Love of God as… AEIOU

Amazing
Everlasting
Impartial
Outstanding
Unconditional!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

To replace the natural law with a contrary law is a sacrilege…
… failure to apply even one of its provisions is forbidden

… no one can abrogate it entirely. (CCC # 1956)

“Realising that pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”

(Based on Acts 18:9-18 and Jn 16:20-23- Friday of the 6th Week of Easter)

An elderly man was sharing his experiences to a group of youngsters.

Among the many things that he spoke, he also touched upon the topic of “pain and suffering”…
… and said:
“My dear young people, I have gone through much pain in life

And these painful experiences – though hard initially – became sources of great blessing and grace, when I realised their value, and signs of God’s wonderful Presence”

And he went on to add, “Remember always…
God whispers to us in our pleasures
… speaks in our consciences
… but shouts in our pains.

Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world!”

Yes, pain is to be understood as vital for the promotion, perseverance and progress of anyone wanting to lead a life…
… in deeper and closer union with the Lord!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring the reality of the presence of pain, suffering and sorrows in spiritual life…
… and yet those factors being pathways and passages to experience deep joy and bliss!

Not negating the actuality of the darker side of life, Jesus also mightily displays the large canvas of life which is enveloped in the light of happiness…
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16: 20)

Jesus was making His Apostles aware of the realities of His passion and death.

He had came into the world to die!

Death was the goal and fulfilment of His life.

To the delicate and fragile minds of the Apostles, the Lord gives a very practical analogy: the pains and the bliss of motherhood…
“When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish, because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child…
… she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16: 21)

This analogy of the Lord sheds light and hope for our sufferings and pains in life too.

Mothers know the pain of giving birth to a child.

To others, this pain, though not experienced, can be vaguely understood as being a very painful experience.

The pain is too excruciating…

Jesus says that the hardships, sufferings and trials that we undergo in life are such.

But the moment, the child is delivered and the mother sees the innocent face of her tender babe, the whole scenario of emotions changes…

The excruciating pain is replaced by a thrilling excitement and exhilaration!
The nerve-wracking ache is replaced by a heavenly joy and happiness!

And Jesus says that, such will be our joy too, if we are also faithful and loyal to the Lord, in pains and sufferings!

This is indeed a higher spirituality…
… a higher level of holiness

To cherish joy, even in the midst of pain
To radiate happiness, even in the thick of sorrows.

It is to this elevated floor of sanctity that the Lord invites us.

He is with us to hold our hands to climb up to this floor.
He is wanting to embrace us in love, as He beckons us to come nearer to Him.

When life stings us with pain…
When problems beset us into agony…
… With hope, trust, faith and strength,

Let us realise: “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

For there is a true law: right reason.
It is in conformity with nature, is diffused among all men…
… and is immutable and eternal
… its orders summon to duty

… its prohibitions turn away from offense. (CCC # 1956)