“Seeking to ‘upgrade’ our lifestyles with the convictions and truths of the Holy Gospel!”

(Based on Acts 4:32-37 and Jn 3:7b-15 – Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter)

“Compatibility” is a term that is increasingly becoming a common word in our everyday vocabulary, thanks to the widespread usage of computers and mobiles.

Compatibility refers to the a state in which two things are able to exist or occur together without problems or conflict.

It is the capacity for two systems to work together, without having to be altered to do so.

Eg. A computer which has a Windows 98 Operating System (the very old version) will not be able to support many of the latest programs and softwares…

It is because of a “compatibility” issue.

Eg. A mobile, like the old Nokia 1100, without an Android-base, will not be able to have many of the new applications like WhatsApp or Viber etc…

It is because of a “compatibility” issue.

This compatibility issue can also appear in our spiritual life…

When we are not in proper terms with God, we fail to understand many of His plans for us.
When we are not in line with God’s Will, we lose out on grasping many of His aspirations for us

And that is why the Lord tells, in today’s Gospel, “If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” (Jn 3: 12)

The conversation between Nicodemus, in the darkness of the night and Jesus, the Light of the world continues…

The Lord speaks of the need “to be born anew” and of how the movement of the Spirit cannot be judged, but its effects can be perceived and felt (Jn 3:7)

But Nicodemus fails to understand these words of the Lord…

In his ignorance and unawareness, he puts forward a genuine doubt, “How can this be?” ( Jn3:9)

Nicodemus was unable to grasp the meaning of the words of the Lord.

He looked lost.
He seemed confused.
He appeared bewildered.

His thoughts were not “compatible” with the thoughts of the Lord.

His understanding was not “compatible” with the wisdom spoken by the Lord.

And so Jesus says that one would fail to understand heavenly things, if one fails to even understand the earthly things.

How often is our life also, not “compatible” with the requirements of Jesus, and His Gospel!

Our thought-pattern often fails to be “compatible” with the teachings of the Church….
Our relationship with others, often fails to be “compatible” with the command of love of all…
Our personal following of Jesus, often fails to be “compatible” with our dual mind of seeking also the pleasures of this world….

A great deal of “incompatibility” is often experienced by us, in the spiritual realm.

Let us seek to “update” our lives with the love and power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pledge to “upgrade” our lifestyles with the convictions and truths of the Holy Gospel.

Let us move from a state of “How can this be?” to a state of “Indeed, it is so!” with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let us thirst for Him.
Let us long for Him.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The grace of the Holy Spirit

With regard to deacons, “strengthened by sacramental grace they are dedicated to the People of God…

… in conjunction with the bishop and his body of priests, in the service (diakonia) of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of works of charity.” (CCC # 1588)

“Being ready and willing to give ourselves entirely to the Lord – to the Spirit of God – and allow Him to ‘make us anew and renewed!’”

(Based on Acts 4:23-31 and Jn 3:1-8 – Monday of the Second Week of Easter)

A businessman, once, wanted to sell his vast old castle along with his property.

The massive building had, however, been empty for months and needed many repairs.

Uninhabited for many years, and been prone to many thieves, vandals and natural calamities, there was a lot of damage to the building.

Doors had been damaged
Windows had been smashed
The interiors were badly damaged

As he showed a prospective buyer the building and the property…
… this businessman took pains to explain that he would replace the broken windows, bring in the engineering crew to correct any structural damage and clean out the garbage.

But the one who came to buy had other plans. “Forget about the repairs,” the buyer said without giving heed to what the businessman was saying.

“When I buy this place, I’m going to build something completely different. I am not interested in the building alone; I want the entire site!”

The businessman was worried about the many repairs he had to do before he undertook the deal.

But the one who came to buy was interested more in the land – the site itself – than the building and the minor repair works.

Something similar happens when we seek to hand over the property of our lives to God.

We, get perplexed and worried over the many little aspects

But the Lord is interested in our entire life

He demands a total transformation.
He requires a complete conversion.

This is what the Gospel of the Day also points to – “No one can enter the Kingdom of God, without being born of the water and the spirit” (Jn 3:5)

Jesus is in conversation with Nicodemus.
Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews.

The Gospel is particular to point out that “he came to Jesus at night” (Jn 3:2)

Nicodemus finds three mentions in the Gospel of St John.

One, in this meeting with the Lord. (Jn 3: 1ff)
The second, in discussion with the chief priests and Pharisees who were discussing the origins of Jesus, the Messiah (Jn 7: 45-52)
The third, at the burial of Jesus, along with Joseph of Arimathea (Jn 19: 38-41)

In all these three occasions, we find an element of darkness that is associated

It was in the darkness of a night when Nicodemus first came to meet Jesus…
Second, Nicodemus was in a discussion of darkness that made plans to eliminate Jesus
Third, Nicodemus buries the body of Jesus in the darkness of nature and human folly

Darkness would seek to get associated with Nicodemus every time…

But Jesus, the light of the world, invited Nicodemus to move to the light
… “those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God” (Jn 3:21)

Jesus invites Nicodemus to experience and live the Truth…
… that one needs to be born from above to see the Kingdom of God
… that one needs to be born of the water and the spirit to enter the Kingdom of God

The same invitation is rendered to each one of us.

We too may often be finding ourselves in the “darkness”…

But Jesus, the Light of the world invites us to embrace Him wholly and to undergo a complete transformation.

What is needed is to let the Spirit of God work in ways that He wants

We need to have complete openness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.
We need to have total docility to the promptings of the Holy Spirit…
We need to allow the Spirit of God, “the Wind [to] blow where it wills…’’ (Jn 3: 8)

When the early Church went through moments of persecution and hardships, they allowed themselves to be guided and led by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Offering their struggles, they prayed to the Lord; and they were filled with the Holy Spirit
“And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness!” (Acts 4:29-31)

Yes, when we make a complete offering of our lives to the Lord…
… we are filled with Power and Courage!

The Lord seeks the complete property of our lives.

We may be worried about the complications in which a transformation is possible
We may be thinking, how can I, with so many complications in life, have a true conversion

But the One who comes to occupy our lives has other plans…

He says “When I occupy your life, I’m going to build something completely different.
I am not interested in the externals; I want the entire person
… the whole life!”

Are we ready and willing to give ourselves entirely to the Lord – to the Spirit of God – and allow Him to “make us anew and renewed?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The grace of the Holy Spirit

The spiritual gift conferred by presbyteral ordination is expressed by this prayer of the Byzantine Rite.
The bishop, while laying on his hand, says among other things:
Lord, fill with the gift of the Holy Spirit, him whom you have deigned to raise to the rank of the priesthood, that he may be worthy to stand without reproach before your altar…
… to proclaim the Gospel of your kingdom,
… to fulfill the ministry of your word of truth,
… to offer you spiritual gifts and sacrifices,
… to renew your people by the bath of rebirth;
… so that he may go out to meet our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, your only Son,

on the day of his second coming, and may receive from your vast goodness the recompense for a faithful administration of his order. (CCC # 1587)

“Renewing our commitment to a life of holiness, offering our weaknesses and sins totally to the unfathomable Mercy of God and becoming a Missionary of Mercy to all!”

(Based on Acts 2:42-47, 1 Pet 1:3-9 and Jn 20:19-31 – 2nd Sunday of Easter – Sunday of Divine Mercy)

St. John Maria Vianney is the patron saint of priests.

As a model priest, he helped all the needy in his parish or in the region around him.

Once, word was sent to him that a very sick man of his parish was seeking to make confession.

However, this man was pretty far off from the place where the church was.
It was a time when vehicles were too sparse.
The climate was bitter cold and the rain storm was blowing in.

But the zeal in the heart of the Saintly Priest was still greater.

So, he picked up his cloak and started his walk to the sick man’s house.

The freezing cold pierced through his frail bones
The lashing winds wrenched his body in frosty pain
Yet, St John Vianney trekked on!

Finally he reached the house of the sick man.

By the time he arrived, St Vianney himself was shivering and wobbly with high fever.
He fell so ill, that he had to hear the confession, lying down, beside the sick man’s bed.
Many in fact, even thought, that the priest was more sick than the penitent ill-man!

It was the personal experiences of God’s Mercy that helped St John Vianney to share God’s immense mercy! God’s Mercy always reaches out – to the one who is in need, to the one who seeks!

All of us are to have an experience of the Lord’s forgiving love and be a Missionary of Mercy

Pope St John Paul II beautifully tells us: “Divine Mercy! This is the Easter Gift that the Church receives from the Risen Christ and offers to Humanity at the dawn of the third millennium!”

Today as we celebrate God’s Mercy – on this Divine Mercy Sunday – we are presented with the example of St Thomas, the Apostle, who is a consolation to all who face uncertainties in spiritual life

St Thomas sometimes is considered by others, as being “adamant” and “proud.”

But…
… it was his search for convictions in life that made him seek for a proof for the Lord’s appearance
… it was his desire for certainty in life that caused him to doubt the words of his companions

When we go through the life of St Thomas as seen in the Gospels, we encounter a person constantly displaying courage, expressing commitment and seeking for convictions.

It was probably St Thomas who first expressed his desire to give up his life for the Lord and His Kingdom… “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (Jn 11: 16)

St Thomas becomes a motivation for all those who follow Christ, to be bold and brave and even to give up one’s life for the Lord and His Kingdom

St Thomas also had the simplicity and the openness to ask Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5)

St Thomas becomes a consolation to all those who face genuine uncertainties in spiritual life and encourages to remain like a child – in openness, simplicity and frankness.

St Thomas refused to trust the words of his companions on the issue of the Jesus’ Resurrection.

He knew that many of his companions had impulsive reactions and therefore, could not be believed for their words.

Therefore, he insisted that his belief in Christ’s Resurrection would depend only on His personal experience with the Lord
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in His Hands and put my finger into His side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25)

St Thomas becomes a refuge for all those who grapple with spiritual anxieties – lack of consolation in prayer life, deep longing to experience God and many confusions regarding spiritual teachings and faith experiences

St Thomas is a shining beacon of courage.

He had his doubts. But once cleared, he became a person of immense conviction.

It was the personal experience of God’s Mercy that helped St Thomas to cry out with conviction: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:28) and to share God’s immense mercy to others!

This intimate experience made him to travel across many lands to give witness to Jesus, His Lord and Master… and even to give up His life, in martyrdom!

The Feast of the Divine Mercy is an invitation for all of us to plunge into the ocean of God’s Mercy…
… even though often we are crushed under the weight of sin, struggles, failures and helplessness!

Let’s remember “the ocean of God’s Mercy is greater than all our sins, failures and weaknesses!”

St Faustina, in The Diary, reminds us the Mind of the Lord:
“I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners.

On that day the very depths of My Tender Mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of Graces upon those souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy.
The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment!”

Let this Feast of the Divine Mercy be an opportunity for all of us to renew our commitment to a life of holiness, offer our weaknesses and sins totally to the unfathomable Mercy of God…
… and with this personal experience of God’s Mercy, become a Missionary of Mercy to all!

Happy Feast of the Mercy of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The grace of the Holy Spirit

For the bishop, this is first of all a grace of strength (“the governing spirit”: Prayer of Episcopal Consecration in the Latin rite): the grace to guide and defend his Church with strength and prudence as a father and pastor, with gratuitous love for all and a preferential love for the poor, the sick, and the needy.

This grace impels him to proclaim the Gospel to all, to be the model for his flock, to go before it on the way of sanctification by identifying himself in the Eucharist with Christ the priest and victim, not fearing to give his life for his sheep. (CCC # 1586)

“Placing our hands in the Hands of the Lord, and taking up His task of being the Proclaimers and Witnesses of His Resurrection to the world with an assurance of the Lord: ‘…I will be with you
… and above all, I trust You!’”

(Based on Acts 4:13-21 and Mk 16:9-15 – Saturday of the Easter Octave)

One of the familiar kids’ stories, known to many of us is that of Jesus, after His ascension, going back to the heavens. There was a lot of excitement in heaven, in having Jesus back to the heavenly realms.

The many little angels gathered around the Lord and asked His experience of being on the earth.

Then one of the angels put forward this question to Jesus, “Dear Lord, you have done such a lot of good on the earth. You have sown the seeds of your Kingdom in the hearts of so many people.

But I have a genuine doubt
… To continue this your excellent work, you have appointed only 12 persons.

And most of those 12 are not very skilled or very able-bodied.

How do you think, your mission will continue?

How do you think this minuscule number of personnel can to spread Your Word?”

The Lord looked at the angel, with a deep reflective look; then with a gentle and hopeful smile, He said, “Yes, I know that they are only a few. I know that they are not very talented or highly capable.

Yet, I will be with them…

And above all, I trust them!”

These words echoed in the heavens
… “I will be with them
… and above all, I trust them!

The Lord indeed trusts in His chosen ones to continue His mission on the earth.

The Gospel of the Day recounts the mandate given to the Apostles by Jesus, the Master, to spread His Gospel to the entire nations: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15)

We are on the last day of the Easter Octave – the eighth day.

Over the last seven days, we have meditated on the various Resurrection accounts from the various Gospel narratives.

1. The encounter by Mary Magdalene, being called by her name (Jn 20: 11-18)
2. The encounter by Mary Magdalene, being called by her name (Jn 20: 11-18)
3. The encounter by Mary of Magdalene calling her by name (Jn 20: 11-18)
4. The encounter of the two disciples with the Risen Lord at the breaking of bread (Lk 24: 13-35)
5. The encounter of the Apostles with the Risen Lord in the closed room (Lk 24: 35-48)
6. The encounter of the Apostles with the Risen Lord by the Sea of Tiberias (Jn 21: 1-14)

Today, in the Gospel of St Mark, we have a sort of summary of the many Resurrection narratives, closing with the mission mandate of the Lord, to “go into all the world” and reach out the saving Word of the Lord.

In all these various Resurrection narratives that are mentioned in today’s Gospel…
… one common element is seen: A mention of unbelief or uncertainty of the disciples.

When Mary Magdalene saw the Lord and reported this to the disciples…
… “but when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it” (Mk 16:11)

When the two disciples on the way to Emmaus spoke of the Risen Lord’s appearance to them, “they did not believe them” either (Mk 16: 13)
… but later the Lord appeared to the disciples themselves and “rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed…” (Mk 16: 14, NABRE)

The disciples found it hard to accept and believe in the Resurrection of the Lord.

They had been rebuked often by the Lord, during His earthly ministry.

Now they are again chided for their lack of faith, even after His Resurrection.

Despite this less intensity in their belief, the Risen Lord entrusts them with His mission of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom.

Despite this little strength in their faith, the Risen Lord, hands over to them His task of preaching the Word of God to all the nations.

That’s the trust of the Lord in His disciples.
That’s the faith of the Lord in His chosen ones

It’s His conviction that “I will be with them
… and above all, I trust them!”

Like the disciples, we too may and will have our moments of…
… variations in faith
… slackening in trust
… and slipping in hope

In all this, let us be assured that the Lord, Who has entrusted His task to us, will continue to trust in us, and assures His presence with us.

We are weak…
We are fragile…

The Lord knows these aspects in us, much better than we ourselves.

He knew all this, even of the Apostles.
Yet, He wholly trusted them.
And He wholly trusts us too….

The disciples would grow in the strength of this trust and would become courageous and powerful to give witness to the Risen Lord – even when put through trials and tribulations.

This bold witness even surprised many people, including the religious leaders:
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus!” (Acts 4:13)

Their conviction would make them to profess the Lord in all what they did:
“But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge…
… for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard!” (Acts 4:19-20)

Let us place our hands in the hands of the Lord, and take up His task of being the Proclaimers and Witnesses of His Resurrection to the world…
… always being assured that the Lord’s promises, “I will be with you
… and above all, I trust You!”

Happy Easter to all of you!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The grace of the Holy Spirit

The grace of the Holy Spirit proper to this sacrament is configuration to Christ as Priest, Teacher, and Pastor, of whom the ordained is made a minister. (CCC # 1584)

“Putting to effect all the abilities that the good Lord has blessed us with, for His Kingdom, and being focussed on our Crucified Lord to be single-minded in our love for the Lord!”

(Based on Acts 4:1-12 and Jn 21:1-14 – Friday of the Easter Octave)

Every person’s life consists of various strengths, talents, abilities and aptitudes.

These strengths and talents help a person to achieve triumphs in life.

These abilities and aptitudes push the person to climb up higher the ladder of success

However, it is said that “one’s greatest strength can also be the reason for one’s greatest fall!”

Sometimes strengths and abilities themselves can become….
… the reason for great depressions in life
… the gateway to a person to being tempted into false ways
… the entrance for a person to abandon one’s true calling and vocation of life

The Gospel of the Day is a strong picturisation of this aspect with the person of Peter, the prime Apostle of Jesus, in focus.

We are on the last chapter of the Gospel of St John – Chapter Twenty One.

The chapter describes another post-resurrectional account of the appearance of Jesus.

The disciples, have been greatly disturbed and devastated by the death of their Master, Jesus.

Perhaps, all their hopes were crashed…all their aspirations had sunk.

Then, Peter, perhaps filled with greater sorrow than others, makes an important statement, “I am going fishing” (Jn 21:3)

He would have been more sorrowful because the Lord had always accorded a special attention to him…
… Yet, he was the one who had primarily and publicly denied his Master.

And so he takes another lead… this time however, away from the Lord… “to go fishing”

In Mt 4:19, we read that Peter had received the glorious vocation of following the Lord…
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”

This was the vocation of Peter…
… to follow Jesus closely and personally and intimately
… to be a fisher of people, for the Kingdom of God.

But when faced with the greatest crisis of his life, he sought comfort and refuge, in what was probably, humanly speaking, his greatest strength – fishing!

All through his life, Peter was probably living close to the sea.

He knew the depths and the breadth of the waters.

Fishing was his great strength
Fishing was his big asset.

However, at the call of the Lord, Peter had given up this “earthly” asset and strength to embark through “newer” waters of life with the “Great Fisherman of Galilee”

The Lord had given him a “higher” vocation – to become fishers of people.

But now Peter, dejected and depressed, “leaves” this Divine vocation and goes back to his earthly strength and livelihood – fishing.

His strength and ability of fishing had become….
… the reason for great depressions in his spiritual life
… the gateway to being tempted into false ways, leaving the way of the Lord
… the entrance for him, to abandon his true calling and vocation of life of being fishers of people

“One’s greatest strength can also be the reason for one’s greatest fall!”

But once again, the Lord comes to the rescue…

He had called Peter, for the first time, by the Sea of Galilee… by a miraculous catch of fish (Lk 5: 1-11)
He now again calls Peter, by the Sea of Galilee – by a miraculous catch of fish
… calls him to renew his commitment and love for the Lord
… calls him to go back to his vocation and give up his life for him
… calls him to leave his “earthly strength” of fishing, and to depend totally on the Lord!

The danger that Peter faced in his life can be a danger for us too…

Our greatest strength can also be the reason for our greatest fall!

What is the greatest strength of our lives?
Money? Prestige? Talents? Abilities? Self-Confidence?

Sometimes we find, that the very talents and abilities…. by which we are able to do the works, of the Lord, may themselves, become great snares of temptations

We, therefore, need to be on the watch always – be on the guard at all times!

Sure, that it is the Lord Himself who has blessed us with various talents.

But all our capabilities, needs to find its source, strength and continuity, in and by the Lord.

Let us put to effect all the abilities that the good Lord has blessed us with, for His Kingdom…
… and may we always be focussed on our Crucified Lord to be single-minded in our love for the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – _THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The indelible character

Since it is ultimately Christ who acts and effects salvation through the ordained minister, the unworthiness of the latter does not prevent Christ from acting.
St. Augustine states this forcefully:
As for the proud minister, he is to be ranked with the devil. Christ’s gift is not thereby profaned: what flows through him keeps its purity, and what passes through him remains dear and reaches the fertile earth.

The spiritual power of the sacrament is indeed comparable to light: those to be enlightened receive it in its purity, and if it should pass through defiled beings, it is not itself defiled. (CCC # 1584)

“Growing in love of the Mystery of the Risen Lord, and seeking to live it, more fully and more meaningfully in our lives!”

(Based on Acts 3:11-26 and Lk 24:35-48 – Thursday of the Easter Octave)

It is said that an encounter with a mystery can cause one of the two reactions …

1. A fervent fear leading to veneration and devotion
2. A nauseating aversion leading to hatred and abhorrence.

The encounter with a mystery is always something overwhelming:

It causes either a transformation for the good or a change to run away from the truth and reality.

Mysteries are indeed powerful and can be life-transforming!

The Gospel of the Day presents this powerful dimension of the Apostles…
… encountering the Mystery of the Resurrection, in the person of Jesus Christ, the Lord, risen from the dead!

The Resurrection Day of the Lord was perhaps the most baffling, confusing and puzzling day in the lives of the Apostles…

Just a few days back, they had witnessed the horrifying and painful death of their Beloved Master.

In their weakness, and fearing for their life, they had abandoned their Master.

Yet, heart of heart, these disciples would have been tremendously affected, at the loss of the One who had brought new hopes and expectations to their lives.

But now, the strange and surprising reports of the tomb being empty and the Lord appearing to two on the way to Emmaus have confused the poor disciples.

It’s in this state of fear, confusion that Jesus comes in their midst and appears to them.
“But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost” ( Lk 24: 37)

The disciples were face to face with a Mystery – the mystery of Jesus Christ, Resurrected.

And every mystery can cause two reactions…
… a fervent fear leading to veneration and devotion
… or a nauseating aversion leading to hatred and abhorrence.

The disciples were initially filled with a lot of fear and were startled deeply.

But as they slowly were in the presence of the Great Mystery, their hearts began to be filled with joy and holiness…

We are also witnesses to the Great Mystery of the Resurrection

What is our reaction?

Are we filled with fear and fail to live a life of true witnessing?
… Or are we filled with the calm and serenity that the Risen Lord promises?

There is a need to make an honest examination of our lives…

The Mystery of the Risen Lord is about joy and happiness

Do I radiate this joy to others…
… or do others only come across angry faces, irritated behaviour and unpleasant conduct in me?

The Mystery of the Risen Lord is about trust and confidence

Do I display this faith and belief…
… especially when we face many problems and crisis in life, to stand firm in hope?

The Mystery of the Risen Lord is about call to a new way of life…

Am I courageous to embrace this new way of life in the Risen Lord…
… and be willing to do away with my sinful habits and tendencies to fall away from God’s presence?

The Risen Lord is in our midst, as He was with the Apostles…
… Especially in His Most Holy Eucharist
… Especially in His Holy Word of God.

Let us not be afraid of this Mystery…
Let us not have an aversion towards it…

Rather, let us grow in love of the Mystery of the Risen Lord…
… and seek to live it, more fully and more meaningfully in our lives.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The indelible character

It is true that someone validly ordained can, for grave reasons, be discharged from the obligations and functions linked to ordination, or can be forbidden to exercise them…
… but he cannot become a layman again in the strict sense, because the character imprinted by ordination is for ever.

The vocation and mission received on the day of his ordination mark him permanently. (CCC # 1583)

“Having our ‘eyes opened’ and ‘seeing the obvious’ in our Life of Faith!”

(Based on Acts 3:1-10 and Lk 24:13-35 – Wednesday of the Easter Octave)

A commonly known incident is told of a customs officer, who observed a truck coming up to the border.

The wary behaviour of the driver caused the customs officer to look at him with suspicion – of smuggling some goods – and he ordered a search of the vehicle.

The officer was pretty sure, that the driver was involved in smuggling something…

But even after a thorough search – of the panels, the bumpers, the wheel cases and other parts of the truck….
… he was unsuccessful!

Not convinced, but due to lack of proof, the customs officer had to wave the driver through.

This happened many times over the years – week after week….

The officer made the driver to go through rigorous searches: full body search, X Rays, Sonar…
… but nothing illicit was ever found!

Finally, the day arrived when the customs officer was to retire.

For one last time, the officer observed the same driver coming in…
… and he asked him: “I know you are a smuggler!
And I also know, very cleverly, you have been deceiving me all these years, and taking some goods beyond this check point.

Today is my last day at work.
So I pray you, to tell me what have you been smuggling all these years.
I promise that I will not tell anyone about it.”

Seeing the insistent pleading of the customs officer, the driver replied, coolly:
“Trucks!”

The customs officer had made a detailed check up of the driver, on several occasions.

But he missed the most obvious good that could have been smuggled: Trucks!

How often can this happen in our lives as well…
… We “miss the most obvious!”

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful incident to “open our eyes” to see the obvious – the obvious reality of our Faith…
… and thus, to be convinced witnesses of this Good News of the Reality

The post-Resurrectional narratives today presents before us the incident of our Risen Lord appearing to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Lk 24: 13-35).

One of the striking features that this passage presents before us is the human tendency (weakness!) to “miss the obvious!”

The two disciples, who are on the way to Emmaus, had been greatly struck by the incidents that had happened over the last one week in Jerusalem.

This therefore, resulted in them failing to “read the signs of symbols”…

Their Master, Jesus, in Whom they had placed all their hopes, had undergone a cruel death on the Cross (Lk 24:21).
… The CROSS, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of humiliation and shame!

This was followed by the report of some women who had seen the empty Tomb of the Lord (Lk 24:22)
… The EMPTY TOMB, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of dashed hopes and broken dreams

This confusion was confirmed by some of the other members of the group, but Him they had not met (Lk 24: 24)
… This ABSENCE of JESUS, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of a lost prospect and an uncertain future.

As they walked on the way, Jesus explained the Scriptures to them, to open their hearts to what was written about Him (Lk 24: 27
… The SCRIPTURES, however, seemed, to them, purely as a sign of falling on deaf ears and God’s words being found empty.

As they reached the village, Jesus made movements as if to go on ahead (Lk 24: 28)
… The MOVEMENTS of JESUS, however, seemed, to them, purely a sign of a traveller wanting to move on with His journey

A number of symbols were presented to these disciples…
Cross, Empty Tomb, Absence of Jesus, Scriptures, Movements of Jesus
… but all of them seemed irrelevant and immaterial.

They failed to make an impact!
They MISSED THE OBVIOUS!

That’s when, our Blessed Lord would “open their eyes” by partaking in one of the most important post-resurrectional ‘Expression of His Presence’: The Breaking of Bread!
“He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then He broke the bread and gave it to them…
… then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him!” (Lk 24: 30-31)

The ‘Breaking of the Bread’ opened their eyes… and they began to “See the Obvious”

The Cross began to be seen as the Symbol of Victory!
The Empty Tomb began to be seen as the Symbol of God’s Almighty Power!
The Absence of Jesus began to be seen as the Symbol of His Presence amidst the community!
The Scriptures began to be seen as the Symbol of God’s Promises being fulfilled!
The Movements of Jesus began to be seen as the Symbol of the Lord alluring them to invite Him into their hearts and homes!

This incident invites us to also have our “eyes opened” and “see the obvious” in our Faith.

And this experience is deepened by our participation in the “Breaking of the Bread”.

The “Breaking of Bread” is the Holy Eucharist.

This incident of the “Breaking of Bread” contains the elements (Scripture, Prayer, Blessing, Breaking of bread) of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church…
… “Eucharistic celebration always includes: the proclamation of the Word of God; thanksgiving to God the Father for all his benefits, above all the gift of his Son; the consecration of bread and wine; and participation in the liturgical banquet by receiving the Lord’s body and blood.”

There are moments in our life, when we like the disciples on the way to Emmaus, walk dejected and disillusioned.
… things seem lost for us and the future holds no good for us
… darkness seem to pervade our every thought

Like those Disciples, we too are given a lot of symbols of God’s Presence…
… but we fail to find meaning in them!

It is therefore the Breaking of the Bread – the Holy Eucharist – that can strengthen our Christian Life and “open our eyes”…
… to “see the obvious!”

May this powerful incident of the Emmaus Experience, help us to resolve and renew a few commitments with respect to the Holy Eucharist…
… to be more eager to participate for the Holy Mass as often as possible
… to never be late for Mass; instead to prepare well, and participate with more enthusiasm
… to seek to spend more time with the Eucharistic Lord and encourage others to do so as well

It is the Eucharist that can help us to know and realize that even in our “saddest walks of life,” the Lord is with us – walking with us, and giving us many signs and symbols of Faith…

And thus, to have our “eyes opened”…
… and “see the obvious” in our Life of Faith!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The indelible character

As in the case of Baptism and Confirmation this share in Christ’s office is granted once for all.

The sacrament of Holy Orders, like the other two, confers an indelible spiritual character and cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily. (CCC # 1582)

“Experiencing the caring and intimate Love of the One Who is ‘always with us!’”

(Based on Acts 2:36-41 and Jn 20:11-18 – Tuesday of the Easter Octave)

One of the very beautiful verses in the Bible – not too known though – is from the book of the Psalms.

Psalm 56: 8, “Thou hast kept count of my tossings; put thou my tears in thy bottle! Are they not in thy book?”

Another translation would read, “…. You have collected my tears in a wineskin.”

This verse speaks volumes of a God who is so intimately related to a person and expresses a very personal and close association.

God is a God Who…
… is especially close to His people in their moments of pain and suffering
… is particularly near to His people in their times of affliction and tribulations.

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful witness to this loving concern and tender affection of God, expressed by Jesus to Mary Magdalene.

We are still near the tomb of the Lord. Mary Magdalene, the soul who loved the Lord so profoundly, is still lingering around the tomb of the Lord.

She had experienced Divine Love in a significant manner.

Her heart could not fully accept that the Lord who had transformed her life was no more
Her mind could take in the fact that the One whom she loved so deeply had gone away.

And so she kept waiting.

True love always seeks…

True love always seeks to break boundaries, do away with hurdles and cast away any barriers

Finally, when she did encounter Him, her eyes were kept away from recognizing the Lord.

But the Lord did recognize her…
… not just her physical pains, rather also her mental agony and her spiritual longing!

And so He asks her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (Jn 20:13)

Mary had been incessantly weeping over the loss of her Beloved

However, these tears were not in vain….
… these tears were not lost in futility.

Rather, the Lord was storing them up carefully in a vial… in a bottle… in a wineskin
“[O, Lord… You have] put my tears in your bottle” (Ps 56:8)

And these tears of affection, love and fondness was rewarded by the Lord, by calling her by name, “Mary!” (Jn 20:16)

The sweetness of that voice, calling out her name, wiped away every tear!

Her tears were turned to smiles
… her mourning to comfort
… her brokenness to immense joy!

Today, we are reminded the same…

We may be shedding many tears before the Lord

It could be due to many reasons…
… maybe some personal crisis in life
… maybe some brokenness in the family
… maybe some tragedy or calamity to our closed ones

All these may cause us to have tears – either externally or within the depth of our hearts

Some tears may be seen by others – most will go unnoticed, invisible

Yet, the One who loves us the most – the Lord – is storing up all our tears in His presence

Each one of our tears is precious to the Lord.

Just like Mary Magdalene, who continued to be faithful and longing for the Lord, let us also be steadfast to our God…
… despite our tears and pains and sadness.

This faithfulness to Him will surely win the reward for us
… the reward of our names being called out by the Lord!

St Peter, while addressing the people on Pentecost Day, invited them to experience the healing and merciful love of the Lord…
“Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Him.’” (Acts 2:38-39)

Let us draw closer to the Lord – in sincerity and repentance – and experience His Caring and Intimate Love of the Lord of Who is “always with us!”

Happy Easter to all of you!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS – The indelible character

This sacrament configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ’s instrument for his Church.

By ordination one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king. (CCC # 1581)

“Entrusting all our works and deeds to the Safe Hands of Jesus, our Saviour!”

(Based on Acts 2:14, 22-33 and Mt 28:8-15 – Monday of the Easter Octave)

A commonly-known humorous narration is told about how Jesus and satan were having an argument about Who was better on the computer.

They said to each other: “Let’s set up a test that will run for three hours and then let’s see who does the better job!”

So Jesus and satan sat down at the keyboards and typed away.

They did spreadsheets.
They wrote reports.
They sent faxes.
They sent e-mails
They downloaded.
They did every known job.

But ten minutes before their time was up…
… lightning suddenly flashed across the sky
… thunder rolled
… the rain poured

And, of course, the electricity went off.

Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known in the underworld.

Jesus just sighed and remained cool!

The electricity finally flickered back on and they restarted their computers.

Satan started searching his files frantically, screaming:
“It’s gone! It’s all gone!

I lost everything when the power went out!”

Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out, all of his files that He had worked on from the past three hours.

Satan observed this and became irate.

“Wait! You cheated, how did You do it?”

Jesus just shrugged and replied, “Don’t forget, I am Jesus!

The meaning of the name Jesus is: God Saves!”

Well… the three hours of the agonizing Death of Christ on the Cross, was seen as a sign of victory by Satan

The Kingdom of darkness had been conquered… so it was felt!
The world of misery had overcome all goodness… so it was felt!

But it was God who had the last laugh!

Jesus rose from the dead, and Life and Salvation became the last words.

The Resurrection – Jesus’ rising from the dead – was the most spectacular joke that God had pulled on Satan.

It was a reminder that whatever happens in life…
… when one has entrusted everything to the Lord, then ultimately: God Saves!

Resurrection is a Feast with a call to celebrate and enjoy God’s magnificent victory over Satan and the powers of darkness.

The Gospel of the Day is the account of the encounter of Jesus with the women, who had come to the tomb of the Lord.

• At the desert, Satan had sought to make Jesus a fool, by tempting and luring Him through many temptations. (Mt 4: 1-10)
• During His life, the Lord encountered many occasions, when He was subject to being in humiliating, mocking and testing situations
• In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord once again faced a trying time in battling to embrace God’s Will totally and completely (Lk 22: 41-44)
• On the Cross, the soldiers and others who persecuted the Lord, mocked and challenged Him to come down from the Cross (Mk 15: 29-32)

At every stage of His Life, our Blessed Lord was put into situations of being the “butt of jokes” and the “laughingstock” and a target for many a trial, tribulations and mockeries.

The Crucifixion was meant to be the greatest of all such “agonizing” mockeries!

But…
… Divine Wisdom always finds a way out to triumph!
… Divine Providence always regains the way to victory!

This is the message of the Resurrection.

The women who saw the empty tomb and encountered the Lord, were filled with a holy fear, a tremendous joy and a deep devotion (Mt 28: 8-9)

Divine Wisdom always, has the final laugh in every trial and tribulation!

Are we ready to share in the happiness of this “joyful” act of the Lord?

Life may bite us sharply with ensnaring temptations and evil tendencies…

Life may make a fool of us with mounting tensions and troubles…
Life may put us down badly with uncertainties and doubts…

We may often, find ourselves mocked.

We may often, find ourselves ridiculed.

But in all such situations, let us dare to look to our Crucified Lord…
… who Himself underwent painful mocking and unfair scorning…

Yet, had the final laugh, through the Resurrection from the dead!

The Resurrection gives us…
… every reason to rejoice, even in the midst of deadly trials…
… every cause to be joyful, even in the midst of heavy tribulations…

May the Risen Lord be the reason for us to rejoice and be joyful, thanking Him for the greatest joke ever – the crushing of Satan by the power of the Holy Cross!

Yes, in all moments of our struggles…
… even when the lightening of problems hit our lives
… even when the electricity of encouragement goes off

Let us entrust all our works and deeds to the Safe Hands of Jesus…
… because “God always saves!”

Happy Easter to all of you!

“Let Hallelujah be the joyful song that we radiate in all our thoughts, words and deeds!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS IN THE ECONOMY OF SALVATION – WHO CAN RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT?

In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests.
This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities.
Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honour in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

In the East as in the West, a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry. (CCC # 1580)

The HOLY WEEK is the holiest week in the Liturgical Year!

And this HOLY WEEK can truly become a HOLY & HEALING WEEK if we make efforts to TOTALLY LIVE FOR GOD!

The HOLY WEEK is a reminder to all of us…
… that God has given HIMSELF TOTALLY FOR US!

And we in turn, are to GIVE OURSELVES TOTALLY TO THE LORD!

Let this week, be a time…
… to grow in greater personal intimacy in His Word
… to ‘fall in love with Him’ in the Holy Eucharist
…. and to dwell with Him, near His Holy Cross.

Let us try to perform THREE TASKS FOR THIS WEEK
a. READ: Read the last 3 chapters of all the four Gospels – in order to meditate deeper on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ

b. REPAIR: Repair our relationships, especially by praying for those with whom we are not very okay, and extending the forgiveness and goodwill of the Lord to them

c. RESOLVE: Resolve to overcome a particular bad habit/sin that has been nagging us for sometime, and/or cultivating a virtue in order to grow in our Christian life

Let we hold the hands of our Blessed Mamma and St Joseph – and imitate them – in seeking the Will of the Lord, always!

God Bless! Live Jesus!