“Being united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord- renewing our consecration this day to Him and persevering to live love – in purity, faithfulness and truth!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

There was an elderly Christian lady who was extremely popular with the kids, due to her kind and simple way of talking.

Once, while interacting with them, she asked: “Do you know, kids, that there is a big difference between the Divine attitude and the human attitude!”

And she went on to say:
“The Divine attitude is to ‘give give, give and forgive!”
“The human attitude is usually ‘get, get, get and forget!”

This is indeed so true! God always loves to give and forgive

We, however, often tend to only get, and then finally, we forget!

True love, by its nature, moves out of oneself…
… and gives in total self-giving to the other… to the one who is loved!

Are we ready to make a journey towards having this Divine attitude of self-giving?

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – in which is displayed the greatest expression of Love…
… a God who madly loves humanity and gave Himself up, in entirety for us, Whom He loves!

Love is one of the most used words in any language.

There is much literature available in any language on Love – poetry, novels, short stories, dramas, epics…

But Love is also one of the most misinterpreted, misunderstood & misused words.

The word ‘love” in our modern world, is highly commercialized & sensationalized, and very often, ends up losing its real meaning.

It’s in this context, that today we celebrate the Feast of Love – symbolized in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

The Sacred Heart of Jesus shows us what is True Love!

Love is not just a passing and fleeting dimension of feelings or words or emotions or sentiments…

Love, affects our core!

Love, as expressed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is Merciful, Sacrificial and all-embracing.

1. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – a Merciful Heart
   The Lord condemns sins, but loves the sinner!
   There is hope for the worst sinner and acceptance for the fallen saint!

Love is indeed merciful!

2. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – a Sacrificial Heart
   The Heart of the Divine Lord was pierced for love of us.
   Though He knows we are sinners and we are betrayers…
   … yet, the Love of the Lord knows no bounds.

He sacrifices Himself, for us.
He died, that we may live.
He wounded Himself, that we may be healed!

Love is indeed sacrificial!

3. The Sacred Heart of Jesus – an all-embracing Heart
   The world indulges in the categorization of people based on class, status, caste, language etc…

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, destroys all such pitiable discriminations and inhuman inequity, by expressing love to all!
There is light and love and joy and peace to ALL people!

Love is indeed all-embracing!

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a reminder and a challenge to each one of us to possess this Heart… His Heart… The Sacred Heart!

Is my Heart…
… Merciful? … Sacrificial? … all-embracing?

We live in times when heart diseases and ailments are on the rise…

Physically: Heart attacks, holes in the heart, congestive heart failures, narrowing of the arteries…
Emotionally: Broken hearts, fearful hearts, anxious hearts, discouraged hearts, lonely hearts, rejected hearts…
Spiritually: Unforgiving hearts, sinful hearts, unrepentant hearts, lukewarm hearts, lustful hearts, unfaithful hearts…

We all, possess one or more aspects of these hearts.

Perhaps, we need a ‘spiritual heart surgery’
… a change of heart – to be more like the Heart of Jesus!
In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “A new heart I will give you…”

Jesus, the Lover of our hearts, today, invites us, to look into His Sacred Heart, and find rest and consolation: “Come to me, all you who labour, and I will give you rest!”

Let us seek to unite our hearts, in whichever state it be…
… to the Sacred Heart of our Lord!

The Sacred Heart is burning with love for each of us!

The Love of Jesus gives, forgives, outlives;
And ever stands with open hands;
And while it lives, it gives,

For this His love’s prerogative
To give, and give, and give!

Let us cast ourselves, into this Burning Furnace of Love, and be filled with a Deeper Passion and Zeal for the Lord!

Love is, indeed, a powerful word…
… but it is our duty to preserve its purity!

Let us be united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord…
… renew our consecration this day to Him…
… and persevere to live love – in purity, faithfulness and truth!

LET’S LIVE LOVE, TO GIVE LOVE!

LET’S LIVE JESUS, TO GIVE JESUS!

Happy Feast to Jesus, our Beloved…
… and Happy Feast to all of us, His lovers!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The fidelity of conjugal love

There are some situations in which living together becomes practically impossible for a variety of reasons.
In such cases, the Church permits the physical separation of the couple and their living apart.
The spouses do not cease to be husband and wife before God and so are not free to contract a new union.
In this difficult situation, the best solution would be, if possible, reconciliation.

The Christian community is called to help these persons live out their situation in a Christian manner and in fidelity to their marriage bond which remains indissoluble. (CCC # 1649)

“Making efforts to be people, who not simply ‘react;’ instead, in patience and gentleness, seek to ‘respond!’”

(Based on 2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6 and Mt 5:20-26 – Thursday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional character.

His tales are mostly voyage stories – fantastic adventure stories through the seas of Africa and South Asia.

One of the tales narrates of how Sinbad and his sailors landed on an island.

On arriving, they saw coconuts, high up on the trees; which could very well quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger.

But these coconuts were far beyond their reach.

However, they noticed a large number of monkeys on the branches of the trees.

Soon enough, Sinbad and his men, began to throw stones and sticks up at the apes.

This enraged the monkeys and they began to seize the coconuts…
… and hurl them down at the men on the ground.

This was exactly what Sinbad and his men wanted!

They got the monkeys so angry…
… that they gave in to satisfy the needs of those who made them angry!

This is exactly what anger does…
… we play ourselves, into the hands of those who cause us to lose our temper!

We end up “reacting”…
… than “responding”!

The Gospel of the day is a teaching by Jesus on this very important concern of Christian Life: Anger.

Killing is considered to be a serious evil in every society and every way of life

Killing in its basic form is usually considered only in the sense of the physical body.

But the Lord today presents a higher perspective in the understanding of killing…
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill’; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment’. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judgment….” (Mt 5: 21)

The Lord expands the understanding of killing beyond the physical body…

A person engages in killing… if, by anger…
… the social standing of the other person is upset
… the emotional state of the other person is wounded
… the spiritual balance of the other person is disturbed

We could understand anger from various perspectives…

1. Anger as Quick temper
   Prov 15:18 says, “An ill-tempered man stirs up strife…”

It is said that speak when one is angry, one makes the best speech that would be regretted much!

Quick temper sometimes…
…. forms part of our temperament
… comes even unknowingly
… is instigated by other’s actions

Yet, in all this, one ought to…
… rise quickly from remaining in the state of anger.
… become conscious of the occasions which can excite anger
… see that the temper is not fed or nurtured or intensified

2. Anger which leads to stubbornness
   Eph 4:26: “…. do not let the sun to set on your anger”

Sometimes, the anger within is allowed to grow so much…
…that we get habituated to getting angry for even tiny and trivial matters
…that we lose our peace of mind, and sometimes even become indifferent
…that we choose not to budge from our position or viewpoint and remain adamant

Yet, we need to make efforts…
… to try to overcome our ego and self mentality and seek to make amends with the person
… to lower oneself in humility (even if we are right) and ease the situation of annoyance

Anger needs to be sanctified…channelled in the proper way!

One may feel a ‘just’ anger at….
… the immense corruption in the world and even in religious circles
… the forces of evil that seem to root away even faint traces of hope
… the indifferent and unchanging attitudes and temperaments of people which is sickening.

Yet… even these ought to get channelled properly
… even these ought to be routed in the right manner

Yes… even our just anger needs to be sanctified and purified in the burning furnace of God’s Love.

Anger is indeed a major tendency that is a cause of distress for many of us.

Anger is indeed a prime inclination that is a root of sin for many of us.

There are moments, when anger captures us and we throw ourselves into people…
… throw words which are not appropriate
… throw emotions that would cause shame and guilt later
… throw actions and deeds that would cause pain and injury

Let us make genuine, practical and realistic efforts in the fight to sanctify and purify our anger.

Undoubtedly…
… it is painstaking
… it requires deeper attempts
… it requires committed determination!

But the Lord assures His Grace to help us and His Love to encourage us!

Let us make efforts to be people, who not simply “react”…
… instead, in patience and gentleness, seek to “respond!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The fidelity of conjugal love

It can seem difficult, even impossible, to bind oneself for life to another human being.
This makes it all the more important to proclaim the Good News that God loves us with a definitive and irrevocable love, that married couples share in this love, that it supports and sustains them, and that by their own faithfulness they can be witnesses to God’s faithful love.

Spouses who with God’s grace give this witness, often in very difficult conditions, deserve the gratitude and support of the ecclesial community. (CCC # 1648)

“Seeking to have a life that is sinless and hope that is endless!”

(Based on 2 Cor 3:4-11 and Mt 5:17-19 – Wednesday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Here is an interesting read….

First dentistry became painless;
Then bicycles chainless
The latest steel rustless,
And probably laws, enforceless.

Next, cookery became fireless,
Telegraphy wireless,
Cigars nicotineless
And tennis courts, grassless

Soon oranges were seedless,
The proper diet, fatless,
The motor roads dustless,
And coffee, caffeineless.

Our times are such that there are many advancements made as a result of great technology.

However a danger has also appeared in rendering things to be made “­­­____less”

Our prayers seem to be devotionless
Charity heartless
Preaching depthless
And religiosity, faithless!

While it’s wonderful to allow technology and modern techniques to make our life ‘easier and relaxing’…
… it’s a grave danger to allow the same “relaxing and easing” tendency to overpower our spiritual endeavours!

The Gospel of the day is a warning by the Lord to be wary of this inclination to “relax” and “loosen” things which are pertaining to God and thus be exposed to the risk of being “lowered” in the eyes of God.

“Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven… “(Mt 5: 19)

The Lord addresses Himself as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5:18)

God, in the Old Testament, while delivering the commandments to the people of Israel…
… had strictly enjoined on them to keep His decrees and laws close to their hearts and to follow them carefully:
“But take care, as you value your lives! Do not forget the things which you yourselves have seen, or let them slip from your heart as long as you live; teach them, rather, to your children and to your children’s children.” (Dt 4:9)

But as time passed on and generations went by, the intensity in the following of these commandments drastically reduced.

The laws began to lose their original spirit and motive.
The instructions of the Lord were abandoned for their spiritual value
The commandments began to be followed more from a social perspective

There began a “loosing” and “relaxing” of the commandments and the laws of the Lord!

The Greek word for “relaxing”, that Jesus speaks of in referring to the commandments of God is a word – “luo”.

This word “luo” can imply different meanings:

It could be to break up or to demolish or to destroy that which is bound up firmly.
It could be the loosening of the bond of matrimony between a husband and wife
It could be to loosen any person or thing that is tied or fastened to something
It could be the undoing or dissolving of anything or any thought or idea.
It could be to annul or subvert something especially laws or authority.

This “luo” is a grave danger to which all of us are also exposed to…

The danger to allow lethargy to troop in, in the name of “easiness”
The danger to allow lukewarmness to creep in, in the name of “convenience”
The danger to allow sluggishness to dominate, in the name of “broadmindedness”

The Lord today invites us to examine and probe into areas of our life that needs a real “tightening” and “intensification”

Has my prayer life become relaxed and casual…

Can I “tighten” it up, to grow in deeper communion with the Lord?

Has my participation in the Holy Eucharist become too monotonous and more “ritualistic”…

Can I “intensify” my preparation and participation in this most sacred act of the world?

Has my reading of the Word of God taken a backseat or lost its significance in my daily life…

Can I “tighten” it up, in order to draw strength from the mighty sword of God’s Word?

Has my relationship with my fellow people and the needy ones, devoid charity and kindness…

Can I “intensify” with a truer interest in their concerns and making a difference in their lives?

Let us seek to have and live…
A life that is sinless…
A faith that is fearless…
An enthusiasm that is limitless…
A joy that is deceitless…
And a hope that is endless!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The fidelity of conjugal love

The deepest reason is found in the fidelity of God to his covenant, in that of Christ to his Church.
Through the sacrament of Matrimony the spouses are enabled to represent this fidelity and witness to it.

Through the sacrament, the indissolubility of marriage receives a new and deeper meaning. (CCC # 1647)

“Through the intercession of St Anthony of Padua, being ready to be the salt of the earth!”

(Based on 2 Cor 1:18-22 and Mt 5:13-16 – Tuesday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A commonly known story (found in different versions) is told of a king who once asked his daughter how dear he was to her.

“As dear, as dear – as salt!” said the daughter, in all her innocence.

The king thought that this was very little and a “cheap” way of expressing her love to him.

And so, being unhappy, remained extremely disappointed with his daughter.

A few months, later, the King sponsored a great feast for the people of his land.

The daughter, made sure, that every dish that was brought to the King, remained unsalted

And thus nothing tasted good to the King.
It was then that the King realized his mistake!

The absence of the salt – which rendered the food tasteless – made him realize the value of salt…
… and the intelligence, in the answer of his daughter!

And thus, the King loved his daughter recognizing the importance of salt – and happy to being loved “As dear, as dear – as salt!”

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful reminder by the Lord, to recognize the importance of “being the salt of the earth,” and to be on the guard, that our Christian lives don’t become tasteless or bland..
… by “not losing the saltiness!”

As Jesus proceeds with the Sermon on the Mount, He declares…
… “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5: 13)

It is fascinating to recognize the greatness of this statement of Jesus, in our present day context…

Imagine this…

There are over eight billion people in the world…
… spread over seven continents and around 195 countries…

There are people belonging to thousands of tribes, ethnicity, languages etc…
… and again hundreds of temperaments, personalities, outlooks and characters.

Among all these various people, the Lord – the Creator of the whole universe – declares to each one of us…
… YOU…
… Yes, YOU, His beloved creation, and the one whom He loves deeply:
“You are the salt of the earth”

Perhaps, this statement of the Lord may cause us surprise and trigger us to ask Him:
“You must be kidding, Lord!

I mean…. Look at the vast expanse of the world – millions of people in here, variety of languages, behaviours, temperaments, personalities…
… and amidst, all this, You expect, Me…
Me? To be the Salt of the Earth?!

We might even pose a question:
“Do you expect Me, a puny little thing, to really be the Salt to the Earth?

I am just a Nobody!”

But the Lord – who knows us through and through – would thunder back and tell us:
“Do not say, you are a nobody!
I am precise in calling You…!

You have been baptized in Me, and you have My Spirit dwelling in You.

Long back, some of my servants also expressed their inability in a similar fashion…
… Abraham
… Jeremiah
… Peter

But they were raised…
… by My Grace and their co-operation.

You too, have a responsibility towards Me and My Kingdom…
… and You will do much in doing little, when and as I wish!”

Perhaps, these magnanimous words of the Lord would overwhelm us…
… but still, filled with unworthiness, we may cry out, expressing our helplessness:
“But Lord, the challenge is just too great!
I do have some talents and capabilities, that You have bestowed on me.

But will those be enough?

I just feel that I am too small and insignificant, to be making a real difference in the world!”

This is where the Lord will remind us…
“Of course, I don’t deny that it is going to be easy for you to be the Salt of the Earth!

You will struggle…
… You will have to walk the hard path, as did even my Beloved Son on His Way of the Cross.”

The Lord will also remind us that “the salt that He spoke of”…
…was not the pure, refined type that is available today.

The salt of the olden days, when exposed to moisture, could easily become insipid.

It could become tasteless and useless… good only to be thrown and trampled down!

In the same way, we, as the ‘Salt of the Earth’, need to be highly careful.

If we expose ourselves, too much to the worldly and material affairs, we will lose your saltiness!
If we pollute ourselves by the many vain pleasures in the world, we will end up being ineffective!
And then we will be useless…only to be trampled upon! (Mt 5:13b)

Our life is like… as St Paul writes in the Second Letter to the Corinthians is a… ‘Treasure in Clay’! (2 Cor 4:7)

When preserved and careful utilized, we will remain precious

If not handled carefully, we will end up spoiling a wonderful fortune!

We are to be the Salt of the Earth…
… in whichever state of life we are
… to whichever vocation we are called to
… in whichever works or activities we engage in

We are to be the salt…
… that gives taste, to those who have lost meaning and hope in life
… that preserves the virtues of the Gospel and teachings of the Church in a world of decay
… that symbolizes purity even though the world around you plunges into immorality and sin
… that makes you part of the Sacrifice that is offered to God as described in the Law (Lev 2:13)

Yes, we need to remember, that we have a great calling… to be the Salt…
… to give taste to the world… to preserve the Gospel values… to be a symbol of purity…to offer your life as a sacrifice.

We are indeed precious!

Let us never let ourselves be diluted with the waters of worldly pleasures and thus become insipid!

Perhaps, like the King in the story, we sometimes, don’t recognize the importance of salt…
… the importance and immense responsibility in being “the salt of the earth!”

The Lord, today, reminds us:
“Your Christian vocation has to become dear to you….
… “As dear, as dear – as salt!”

Are we ready to be the ‘Salt of the Earth’…?”

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Antony of Padua…
… one of the most loved Saints, all over the world.

He is popularly invoked by those who have trouble finding lost objects.

But in own day, he was more popular as the “Hammer of Heretics”…
… due to the powerful witness of his life and preaching.

May the Powerful Intercession of the “Hammer of Heretics” – St Antony of Padua…
… help us to always be firm and resolute in our Christian Living

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The fidelity of conjugal love

By its very nature conjugal love requires the inviolable fidelity of the spouses.
This is the consequence of the gift of themselves which they make to each other. Love seeks to be definitive; it cannot be an arrangement “until further notice.”

The “intimate union of marriage, as a mutual giving of two persons, and the good of the children, demand total fidelity from the spouses and require an unbreakable union between them. (CCC # 1646)

“Adopting Divine Attitudes in life and mapping our lives in accordance with the Beatitudes!”

(Based on 2 Cor 1:1-7 and Mt 5:1-12 – Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

This popular story is told of a trucker who went into a drive-in restaurant along the highway.

He had ordered a large meal and was beginning to enjoy it…
… when four guys on motorcycles – looking rough and toughs – came in.

These people – local ruffians – roughed up the trucker…
… devoured on the meal that he had ordered and finished it.

The trucker did not talk back to them.
He simply paid his bill and left.

The tough guys were revelling and gloating.
Proudly they began to say, “He didn’t have the guts to say a single word or to lift a hand.

So much of a weakling he was, isn’t it
He didn’t to even raise a voice or didn’t know to retaliate!”

The waiter who seeing all that was happening, came along and added: “He didn’t probably know much of driving either probably!

He just backed his truck over four bikes in the parking lot!”

That’s often how human tendencies are, isn’t it?

The tendency to laud over others and to display one’s power and arrogance…

The tendency to give back in revenge and to seek for opportunities to avenge…

These are tendencies that as human beings we all have – in one form or the other – in one measure or the other

But as a Christian – a follower of Christ – we are challenged to move beyond such “human” (or rather, inhuman!) tendencies, and adopt Divine Attitudes in life.

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful charter of Divine Attributes – BE ATTITUDES – that are to be lived and practised in our day to day being and living!

The Eight Beatitudes – one of the most beautiful passages of the B.I.B.L.E. (sometimes expanded as being “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”) – presents to us a ready reference on how to live as a True Follower of Christ.

The passage begins with the sentence, “Jesus went up to the mountain and SAT DOWN…and HE BEGAN TO TEACH them” (Mt 5:1)

In the Jewish Tradition, the Rabbi (teacher) would sit and teach.

The Hebrew word ‘Rabbi’ is derived from “rav”, which means ‘Great One’.

When St Matthew specifically mentions that “Jesus sat down and taught”, Jesus is presented as the Rabbi: The Great One – The Teacher – who speaks with great authority.

Jesus is the New Moses, who presents the “New Law- the law of Absolute Love!”

What is this teaching of such great authority?

It’s a teaching which calls for a reversal of the worldly values!
… a teaching that turns the worldly standards of greatness upside down!

The world holds in high esteem the aspects of power, prestige, richness and prosperity.

The yardstick of greatness of people is very often measured in terms of these external achievements.

But Jesus, the teacher-par-excellence, reverses this false notion of the world…
… And pronounces BLESSEDNESS to the poor, the mourning, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted ones!

High jumpers while competing with each other, keep raising the bar higher and higher, to achieve victory.

Similarly, the Beatitudes that are pronounced by Jesus raises the bar – the standards of Christian life are raised to a great proportion.

All the beatitudes, focus on one aspect: The need to lower oneself and instead to understand that “God alone suffices!”

Very often many questions pop up in our minds…
…. “Why is my life full of suffering, though I seek to live a genuine life?”
… “Why do the unjust prosper, and the people who pursue for justice fail to receive rewards?”
… “Why does success elude me whereas those who adopt wrong means bask in achievements?”

It’s hard to give a downright answer to such questions…
… but the Beatitudes gives us a glimpse into the mind of Jesus: That in all such occasions, our attitude ought to be, “God alone suffices!”.

“GOD ALONE SUFFICES” ought to be our motto…
… when we find ourselves at the receiving end, even though after having worked hard, we don’t find the expected success
… when we are still subject to persecutions and hardships even though we live in honesty and truthfulness

Of course, this teaching is hard to follow… may even seem impractical…!

Yet, we are not alone…
… Jesus the teacher, Himself is our Model and Example
… He walked the talk!

Hanging on the Cross, Jesus became the epitome of the Beatitudes that He Proclaimed

He is the One…
… Who was and is, the Poor, Mourning, Meek, Hungry and Thirsty,
… Who was and is, the Merciful, Clean of Heart, Peacemaker and the Persecuted One!

Today let us look to Jesus, the Teacher and the One who lived out the Beatitudes, and make our Christian life more meaningful!

As human beings we do have tendencies to laud over others or display power and arrogance or to give back in revenge or to seek for opportunities to avenge etc

But let this Teaching on the Beatitudes help us as a True Follower of Christ to move beyond such “inhuman” tendencies…
… and adopt Divine Attitudes in life.

In the words of Fulton Sheen, “It’s hard to be a Christian… but it’s harder not to be one!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The unity and indissolubility of marriage

The unity of marriage, distinctly recognized by our Lord, is made clear in the equal personal dignity which must be accorded to man and wife in mutual and unreserved affection.”

Polygamy is contrary to conjugal love which is undivided and exclusive. (CCC # 1645)

“Cultivating a passionate love for the Eucharistic Lord and choosing to live for Christ!”

(Based on Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ)

“I would like to say the Mass!”

These were the passionate words of Archbishop Dominic Tang,
the archbishop of Canton who was imprisoned in China for 22
years…
… for his faith and loyalty to the Church and papacy.

Of these 22 years, seven years were in solitary confinement
This solitary confinement cell was not large enough to stand
up nor to lie down and stretch your legs fully.

One day, Archbishop Tang was surprised with the news that he
could leave his solitary confinement cell for a few hours to do
whatever he wanted.

His persecutors wondered what he would ask for…
… But without any hesitation, Archbishop Tang, expressed his
deep longing that had been suppressed for 22 years: “I would like
to say Mass!”

On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are exhorted
to cultivate a passionate love for the Eucharistic Lord…
… just like Archbishop Tang, and to choose to live for Christ!

Our Christian Life celebrates God, who is Emmanuel – With us,
God!

And this Emmanuel God, fulfils His promise, by dwelling in
the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.

On this Feast of the Corpus Christi, it is apt and meaningful to
realize the worth and greatness of this Most Beautiful Treasure
that God is gifting to Humanity.

As human beings, we all engage ourselves in many social
gatherings, events, occasions etc.

And for all of that, we do make
a lot of planning, preparations and arrangements.

The Holy Mass is the re-enactment of the Sacrifice of Jesus on
Calvary, in memory of the Holy Institution at the Last Supper.

It is a momentous and splendid Divine Occasion and Event!

But often, this great event is accorded very little preparation.

No wonder, for some people, the Mass often seems boring and
sadly, considered a useless ritual!

Very often, just before Holy Mass or just before entering the
Church…
… we engage ourselves in very casual talks, in making fun
… and in being filled with worldly attractions and other external
distractions.

The Holy Eucharist is basically oriented toward four aspects
(a) Adoration and Worship of God
(b) To give thanks for His gifts and graces
(c) To ask remission of our sins
(d) To offer our petitions to the Lord.

At every Holy Eucharist, we need to become aware of these
aspects.

We need to think:
Is my heart and mind really ready to embrace
the Awesome Moments of the Lord’s Life – His Passion, His Death
and His Resurrection, which is celebrated at Mass?

The Lord of the Universe descends on the Altar and is ready
to dwell in our little hearts!

I need to realize the gravity of this
Moment and prepare my heart to receive this Divine Saviour!

Do I take time to read and reflect on the Readings of the Mass
beforehand?
Do I make a genuine examination of Conscience and truly
repent, to receive God’s Mercy?

Do I become aware that, at Holy Mass, I am at Mount Calvary,
along with our Blessed Mother, and ready to offer my life, along
with Jesus, for the Salvation of the world?

St. Francis de Sales says, “When you have received Him, stir up
your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual
life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your
happiness!
… welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in
such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”

This Feast is a Feast for all the days of the year.

The Lord is present in the Blessed Sacraments in our Chapels
and our Churches… all the days – inviting us to experience His
Love!
Let’s delight in this love story, Venerable Fulton Sheen says,
“The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white
Host!”

Let this Feast help us to make practical resolutions…
… so that we can love the Lord in the Eucharist
… and thus, in turn, become
a Eucharist in this our broken and fragmented world.

We need to reflect and examine:

Can I make extra efforts to prepare for the Holy Mass and also
be aware of the Presence of the Lord, after Holy Mass?

Is it possible for me to spend daily some time, with the Lord,
in the Blessed Sacrament? For those of us, where physically, it is
not possible to be with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, can I
spare some time to be with the Lord, in prayer and devotion, in
whichever place possible…?

Can I show an extra devotion to the Lord, especially when
we pass before some Chapels or Churches, and become a living
witness to God’s infinite love in the Eucharist?

Can I see the Broken Body and the Blood of the Lord, in the
broken lives of the people in my life – my family, my workplace,
my community, my church, my society, my nation, my world?

Can I spread the Devotion of the Blessed Eucharist to other
peoples, especially to lukewarm and tepid Catholics, that all
may know and realize, the Presence of the mighty Treasure of
Grace, Power and Love, in this Beloved Sacrament?

St Francis de Sales says, “We must visit Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day!”

Let us pray: “Make me Your bread to nourish the hungry; make
me your wine to quench your thirst; and make me Your comfort
to all those who cry, Amen!”

May Blessed Mamma, the Mother of the Holy Eucharist, help
us to radiate, the Love of Christ to all people!

Happy Feast of the Most Holy Eucharist!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The unity and indissolubility of marriage

The love of the spouses requires, of its very nature, the unity and indissolubility of the spouses’ community of persons, which embraces their entire life: “so they are no longer two, but one flesh.”
They “are called to grow continually in their communion through day-to-day fidelity to their marriage promise of total mutual self-giving.”
This human communion is confirmed, purified, and completed by communion in Jesus Christ, given through the sacrament of Matrimony.

It is deepened by lives of the common faith and by the Eucharist received together. (CCC # 1644)

“Giving ourselves entirely to God and His people, by doing His Will at all times!”

(Based on Tob 12:1, 5-15, 20 and Mk 12:38-44 – Saturday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

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 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!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE GOODS AND REQUIREMENTS OF CONJUGAL LOVE

“Conjugal love involves a totality, in which all the elements of the person enter – appeal of the body and instinct, power of feeling and affectivity, aspiration of the spirit and of will.
It aims at a deeply personal unity, a unity that, beyond union in one flesh, leads to forming one heart and soul…
… it demands indissolubility and faithfulness in definitive mutual giving
… and it is open to fertility.
In a word it is a question of the normal characteristics of all natural conjugal love…
… but with a new significance which not only purifies and strengthens them

… but raises them to the extent of making them the expression of specifically Christian values.” (CCC # 1643)

“Willing to ‘taste and see’ the HOLY BIBLE in order to recognise the Power and Goodness of the Holy Word of God!”

(Based on Tob 11:5-17 and Mk 12:35-37 – Friday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

“You tell me that your Book is the Word of God, but can you prove it so?” challenged an owner of an orchard (= enclosed land with fruit trees)…
… to a Christian who was quite enthusiastic about his faith.

The owner of the orchard had very little regard and hardly cared for things of the Divine.

Faced with that question of the faith, the Christian, admiring the fruit trees in the orchard…
… went closer to an apple tree – full of luscious and juicy red ones – gently held one of the apples and said: “What fine looking apples!”

And then, changing the subject said, “But what a pity! They are of such poor quality when it comes to eating them!”

“What!” exclaimed the shocked orchard owner, “Of poor quality? How can you make such a blunt and baseless statement without even having tasted one of them!

Pick one or two and try them…!”

The Christian obliged.

As he began to eat an apple, smacking his lips he said, “Yes, you are right! The apples are excellent!”

But he went on to say, “Now Sir… you must deal with the BOOK, in the same way I dealt with your fruit!

Taste and see… the goodness contained in the Word of God!”

Yes, its only when we are willing to “taste and see” that we recognise the Power and Goodness of the Bible – the Holy Word of God!

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” are the famous words of exhortation of St Jerome, the doctor of the Church.

The Scriptures talk to us of God and of His love and providence

The Scriptures tell of us people who experienced God’s mercy and lived in His presence
The Scriptures help us to experience His care… to grow in His love.

Are we genuinely making efforts to grow in knowing and understanding the Scriptures so that we can know and understand and love our God, more deeply?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus exhorting the people to have a closer look into the Scriptures and thereby, discovering Him in a deeper manner!

Over the last few days, we have seen Jesus facing various sorts of groups and quizzed over different aspects…

1. The Chief priests, Scribes and elders questioned Jesus on His authority
2. The Pharisees and Herodians interrogated Jesus on the subject of paying taxes to Caesar
3. The Sadducees confronted Jesus on the topic of the Resurrection
4. Another scribe enquired Jesus on the first of all the commandments

After this long round of being questioned, Jesus now puts a question to His listeners, “How do the Scribes claim that the Messiah is the Son of David? David calls Him ‘Lord’; so how is He his Son?” (Mk 12: 35,37)

The nation of Israel had King David as her greatest King.

And it was through the line of David, that the Jews knew the future Messiah would be coming.

They eagerly awaited this ‘Son of David’.
Thus was written in the Scriptures.
Thus was taught from the Scriptures.

And Jesus was aware of this aspect.

However, the Lord invites and challenges His listeners to look at Scripture in a deeper manner and to understand its greater implications.

Therefore, Jesus quotes King David from Psalm 102 which presents David calling the Messiah as the Lord.

And then He puts forward this very simple query… “How can the Son of David also be Lord of David”?

Implied in this question was the powerful claim by Jesus, that…
… He Himself was the Messiah – the Son of David and the Lord of David

Implied in this question was also the powerful answer to the previous questions that were put forward to Him by the various groups:

To the query on the greatest commandment…
… Jesus declares that He is the Lord, who is to be loved with one’s whole heart, and one’s whole soul and with one’s whole mind and with one’s whole strength

To the confrontation on the topic of Resurrection…
… Jesus declares that He is the Lord of the Resurrection and the One Who grants eternal life

To the interrogation on the subject of paying taxes to Caesar
… Jesus declares that He is the Lord who is above all earthly kingdoms and to whom absolute allegiance is to be rendered

To the questioning on His authority
… Jesus declares that He is the Lord who is the source of all authority and requires no one’s permission or authorization!

The Jews were familiar with the Scriptures…

They were familiar with the Psalms particularly…
They were familiar with the passages especially concerning David and the Messiah..

Yet, they had seldom considered Scriptures in the way that Jesus was presenting to them!

Jesus had cast new light on the reading of the Scriptures!

Jesus had opened a new way of looking at the Scriptures!

Our own lives can parallel the lives of these Jews, with respect to the Scriptures.

How eager and zealous are we regarding the Word of God?

How faithful and committed are we…
… to reading the Scriptures daily?
… to spend some time regularly in studying the Bible?
… to understand the person of Jesus and grow in Him through His Word?
… to inculcate the light of His Wisdom and to practice it in our daily activities and life?

Let us seek the grace of the Holy Spirit to grow in our understanding and love of the Lord and to live a life in Him!

We are invited to take the resolution of spending at least a few minutes, daily – without fail – in reading the Holy Bible.

We need to read His Word
We need to learn His Word
We need to practise His Word

Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ!

Let us grow in our passion for His Holy Word and be committed to His Kingdom, so that our lives may mightily proclaim, “Jesus is Lord!”

Let us joyfully and with docility be willing to “taste and see” the HOLY BIBLE…
… in order to recognise the Power and Goodness of the Holy Word of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The grace of the sacrament of Matrimony

Christ is the source of this grace.
“Just as of old, God encountered His people with a covenant of love and fidelity…

… so our Savior, the spouse of the Church, now encounters Christian spouses through the sacrament of Matrimony.” (CCC # 1642)

“Hearing the Loving Invitation of the Lord, knocking at the door of our hearts, and in turn, expressing to Him our love and affection!”

(Based on Tob 6:10-11; 7:1bcde, 9-17; 8:4-9a and Mk 12:28-34 – Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A nurse who was known to be very jovial and kind, on the paediatric ward, before listening to the little ones’ chests…
… would plug the stethoscope into their ears
… and let them listen to their own heart.

Their eyes would always light up with awe.

Once as she was doing this with a four-year old boy named David, she was amazed to hear his response!

Gently she tucked the stethoscope into little David’s ears…
… and placed the disk over his heart: ‘Listen’, she said, “What do you suppose that is?”

David drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap…
… tap, tap… tapping deep in his chest.

Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin…
… and he asked: “Is that Jesus knocking?”

This beautiful incident reminds all of us of the Gracious Presence of the Divine in each one us…
… knocking at the door of our heart, every moment

And inviting us: “Do you experience My Unconditional Love, and are you ready to offer your love to Me?”

The Gospel of the Day, is a challenging invitation to reflect on this fundamental aspect of our Christian Life…
… with the mention of a scribe, who had been watching his fellow-scribes in an argument with the Lord, and feeling impressed with Jesus, coming up to Him with a question:
“Which commandment is the first of all” (Mk 12:28)

We are not too sure of the motive of this scribe.

As per the versions of the same incident, in St Matthew (Mt 22:35) and St Luke (Lk 10:25), the person posed this question to Jesus, in order to “test him”.

The Markan version is however, silent on this aspect.

But whatever be the intention, the scribe most certainly was reflecting a common query that was widespread among the teachers and scholars of the Law:
Which was the greatest commandment or law?

God had issued the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel.

These laws were intended for the people of Israel to be “distinguished” as the chosen nation of the Lord – chosen from among all others in the world.

These laws – simple and direct in nature – were aimed towards demanding a total commitment and loyalty from the part of the people, to the Lord.

However, over time, these uncomplicated laws by which the people of Israel were to live…
… began to be expanded and extended and expounded.

It resulted in 613 commandments or stipulations:

365 of them (corresponding to the number of days in a year) were negative commandments, as in ” You shall not…”

And 248 of them (corresponding to the number of bones and major organs in the body, as per the Jewish understanding) were positive commandments, as in “You shall…”

When the Lord was asked to mention the First of all these Commandments, He puts forward the basis and the foundation of all these various laws, stipulations and commandments:
“You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mk 12: 30)

And “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)

Note the insistence on the word “all”….
… “all” your heart… feelings, emotions, desires
… “all” your soul… will, choices, decisions
… “all” your mind… reason, knowledge, memory
… “all” your strength… talents, abilities, capacities

The Lord commands and demands a “total” and “complete” loving!

He does not permit compromises to let our wishes to slide through…

He does not allow framing excuses to let our desires to be fulfilled…
He does not consent devising justifications to let our inclinations be satisfied…

He demands an “absolute” and “unadulterated” love!

As Christians, we often…
… seek to find “loopholes” in laws of loving the Lord and our neighbour…
… try to spot “gaps” in commandments which ask to love the Lord and our neighbour…

Our selfishness often creeps in…
Our personal desires often spoil it…
Our sinful tendencies often gain an upper hand…

But the insistence of the Lord is clear:
“Love Fully”
“Love Totally”
“Love Completely”

This is the ideal to which we, as Christians are called!

If not for this highest ideal, our life as a Christian would cease to have a uniqueness!
If not for this loftiest ideal, our life as a Christian would fail to be different from others!

Each of us as Christians are called…
… “to be holy”
… “to be set apart”
… “to be different”

This holiness comes when we seek for the highest ideal…
… loving God totally and expressing this love wholly to our neighbour.

This setting apart comes to fruition when we seek for the premier ideal…
… giving to God entirely and articulating this self-giving in humble service of others.

The call is indeed great and very lofty…

The Lord is knocking at the door of our heart, every moment…
… inviting us to “experience His Unconditional Love, and calling us to offer our love to Him!”

Shall we, at this moment… place our hands on our heart…
… hear His Loving Invitation and answer Him:
“Yes Lord, I recognise it’s You… knocking at the door of my heart… I LOVE YOU, LORD!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – The grace of the sacrament of Matrimony

“By reason of their state in life and of their order, [Christian spouses] have their own special gifts in the People of God.”
This grace proper to the sacrament of Matrimony is intended to perfect the couple’s love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity.

By this grace they “help one another to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating their children.” (CCC # 1641)

“With deep faith, hope and love, living in accordance with the Will of God, in our journey towards Eternity!”

(Based on Tob 3:1-11a, 16-17a and Mk 12:18-27 – Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

There was a young Christian woman – resolute and strong in faith – who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been just a few weeks to live.

She had resigned herself to the Will of the Lord…
… and so had also accepted this painful reality.

As part of her preparation for a meaningful departure from this life, she also contacted her parish priest and spoke at length.

Among the many things that she discussed, she also told, with a great sense of excitement:
“I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.”

The priest stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say, and replying, “Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request!”

The young woman explained:
“My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.

In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared…
… someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’
It was my favourite part because I knew that something better was coming…
… like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.
Something wonderful, and with substance!’

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’

Then I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork… the best is yet to come!”

The eyes of the priest welled up with tears of joy, though with a heavy heart!

He knew that this would be one of the last time he would see her…
… but he also rejoiced that the woman had great faith and hope of the glorious life to come!

At her funeral, people walking by the young woman’s casket were deeply surprised …
… seeing the fork placed in her right hand.

Over and over, the priest heard the question, ‘What’s with the fork?’

And over and over he smiled…
… and replied: “Keep your fork… the best is yet to come!”

And indeed, it’s so true!

How deep is our faith and hope in the eternal promises of the Lord…?

And how passionate are we to live in accordance with the Will of God with our eyes set on eternity…?

Do we live in accordance to this truth of the “glorious life of eternity?”

Or are we a “practical Sadducee?” – failing to be open to the Truth of Eternity and living in casualness and lethargy

The Gospel of the Day presents a group of opponents – characterised by rigidity to accept the truth.

The Sadducees came to Jesus to put forward a hypothetical riddle regarding the question of the Resurrection.

The Sadducees were the top people in the nation, the elite group of aristocrats who owned a lot of land, wealth and rank.

They were the power brokers in Israel’s supreme court, the Sanhedrin.
Even the high priests came from the families of the Sadducees.

They were selective in what they accepted from the Scriptures.

They rejected all the historical books.
They also rejected all the psalms and the other ‘writings’ like Job and Ecclesiastes.
Not one of the books of the prophets would they accept.
They were left with just the first five books of Moses.

Moses was their person of authority.

That is why when they come to Jesus, they characteristically begin, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us…” (Mk 12:19)

They also rejected the resurrection of the dead.

“Men stay dead,” they said; human beings only have this life here and now.
That is what they believed: No judgment; with death, the soul perishes with the body.

We live in a world where we also encounter many of “practical” Sadducees.

People who live as though there is no Resurrection
People who deny giving any significance for life after this life
People who fail to uphold any teachings or thoughts that support a life after death

For such “practical” Sadducees,
… Life consists in basically enjoying the pleasures of this present life to the maximum!
… Life is not to be drowned in “boring” piety and “dull” devotions with a hope for the future!

Perhaps, some of us, may also share such thought-patterns of the Sadducees.

Yet, the Lord addresses us, just as He did to the Sadducees, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mk 12: 24)

The Scriptures clearly testify to the various references that are made to the fact of the “dead” not really being dead…
… rather, alive in the Lord!

The power of God clearly testifies that God as the one who created creation out of nothing…
… also has the power to grant new life to those who are dead!

The Gospel passage ends with the statement by Jesus, “You are greatly misled” (Mk 12: 27b).

Another translation would read, “You are quite wrong”

The Lord was not afraid to clearly and bluntly tell the Sadducees that they were wrong and misled in their understandings.

And perhaps, if we are in the category of being a “modern and practical” Sadducee…
… the Lord uncompromisingly tells us also: “You are greatly misled”

We need to be open to the voice of the Lord, calling us to trust deeper, in the presence of a life after this life.

Let us cease to be a “practical Sadducee” – professing belief in the Resurrection only in lips, but failing to display this belief by a life of holiness!

It is true that we don’t have much awareness of how the “next life” would be…
… We do fall short of words to explain the nature of the life-to-come or rationally describing “how heaven would be!”
… We may even have our own fears and anxieties in thinking of death or in the parting moments of our loved ones!

But we do know for certain one thing: that we would be one with our Lord- the lover of our soul…
… the fullness of joy
… the supremacy of holiness
… the culmination of every desire

With deep faith, hope and love, let us always remember:
“Keep your fork… the best is yet to come!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
The marriage bond

Marriage bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved.
This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable…
… and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God’s fidelity.

The Church does not have the power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom. (CCC # 1640)