“Listening to God’s Will; living a Life of Holiness; letting the light of His Love to shine”

(Based on Isa 49:3, 5-6, 1 Cor 1:1-3 and Jn 1:29-34 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

Six-year-old Johny made a trip to some European countries with his parents.

On returning back to the Catechism classes, his teacher asked him about his experiences.

And Johny said, “I loved all the churches in Europe – they are so many and they are so beautiful!

They have so many glass paintings on the windows of these bog churches of many saints!”

On hearing the word, “Saint”, the teacher asked Johny: “So tell me, who is a saint?”

And Johny, recollecting those glass paintings on the Church windows said:
“A saint is someone, who allows the Light of the Lord to pass through!”

That’s a beautiful description of a Saint, isn’t it?

One who allows the Light of the Lord to pass through!

The Liturgy of the Day invites each of us to allow the Light of the Lord to pass through…
… and become a light – a witness – of God’s Love to the world!

The First Reading (Is 49:3, 5-6) is one of the Four Servant Songs in the Book of Isaiah, about Jesus, the Messiah. (The other three – Is 42:1-9, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12).

The Servant is named Israel (Is 49:3)

And elsewhere, the nation of Israel, is called the servant of the Lord (Is 41:8-9, 44:1-2, 21; 45:4; 48:20).

But Israel failed in its vocation.

This title of the “Servant of the Lord” is, however, faithfully lived by Jesus…
… who is shown to be the one faithful Israelite (Mt 12:15-21, Phil 2:6-8).

This title is later also given to those who make up God’s reconstituted Israel – all those who follow Jesus!

Each of us is thus invited to be “the light to the nations, that His Salvation may reach to the ends of the earth!” (Cf. Is 49:6)

St Paul beautifully shows this way to be the light to the nations: By doing His Will and living a Holy Life!

He understood the depth of his vocation by identifying himself with the Will of God…
… “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…” (1 Cor 1:1)
He also invites the people of Corinthians to live a sanctified life…
… “to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (1 Cor 1:2)

When we do the Will of God in our lives and live a holy life, we allow God’s light to shine through us

When doing what God wants becomes the first priority for us, we become His Authentic Witnesses!

This is what we find St John the Baptist doing in the Gospel: Following the Will of God, he takes up this mission and duty of “being a light – a witness!”

“The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” (Jn 1:29-30)

Jesus would later testify to this fact when He tells about John the Baptist:
“He was a burning and shining lamp…” (Jn 5:35)

Our Christian lives are to be lived…
… by seeking and doing God’s Will!
… by living a holy life!

It is this transparency and openness to the Will of God that will help us to allow the Light of the Lord to pass through…
… and become a light – a witness – of God’s Love to the world!

May our prayer be, like the words of that beautiful hymn to our Blessed Mother:
“Mamma Mary, help me be open
To let the Light shine through me

Mamma Mary, teach me obedience,
Make me transparent like You!”

As we enter into the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan 18-25)…
… let us remember that divided glass scatters the light, but joined panes reveal its full beauty.

When we submit together, as one family, to the Will of God, Christ’s Light shines undistorted through His Church.

Unity, then, is not optional…
… it is the clarity through which the world truly sees the Lamb of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Meeting and experiencing the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life!”

(Based on 1 Sam 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1 and Mk 2:13-17 – Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An old lady loved visiting antique shops.

One day while browsing one, she came across a beautiful old ‘Singer-style’ sewing machine…
… the manual kind, mounted on a table with a foot pedal.

When she saw it she whispered a simple prayer: ‘God, I’d love something like that for my place.’

A couple of days later, as she was walking out her front door on her way to work when she saw a pile of junk by the roadside.

She stopped, stunned!

There in the rubbish stood an old Singer-style sewing machine…
… the manual kind, mounted on a table with a foot pedal.

On it hung a sign that said: “In good condition – anyone can take.”

God is, indeed, a God of surprises!

He visits us even in the most ordinary situations of life.

Are we open to meet and experience the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life?

The Gospel of the Day presents a person who encounters the Call of the Lord in his “routine of life!”
… Levi, who would become an apostle of Christ.

The mission of Jesus – sent by His Father – was to search for “lost sheep” and “sick patients”

The Gospel today – Mk 2:13-17 – presents this aspect of Jesus, in search of His flock

Jesus says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mk 2:17)

This encounter of the Lord ‘searching for us’ can take place even in the ordinary and daily situations of life.

This was what Levi experienced.

He was “busy at table counting taxes”…
… with his own worldly interests and concerns
… surrounded by people who hated tax-collectors like him, and looked down on him, in contempt and rejection

But, even in a situation of “counting the taxes at table,” God can intervene in human lives!

Even though Levi was only looking for “taxes,” Jesus was in search of Levi!

How about us?
Do we find ourselves “busy at table counting taxes?”
… busy with many worldly concerns and worries?
… busy in being surrounded by people who reject and hate us?

Then let us know and understand that even in such ordinary situations of being “busy at table counting taxes”…
… can become moments when God wants to address you and tell you, “Follow me!” (Cf. Mk 2:14)

God is looking for us…
… even if we are not thinking much about Him!

Jesus wants us to follow Him closer…
… even if we are not ready for it, and busy with the affairs of the world!

Let us learn to remain open and docile to the voice of the Lord – the Word of the Lord – in the daily circumstances of our life.

Yes, God is a God of surprises!

He visits us even in the most ordinary situations of life.
His Word is addressed to us, in all the circumstances of our life.

Are we open to meet and experience the Lord, in our everyday – simple and ordinary – situations of life?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Remain open to the Presence of the Lord and do what is right always!”

(Based on 1 Sam 8:4-7, 10-22a and Mk 2:1-12 – Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A social worker, known for his many deeds of selfless service, was being honoured at a public function.

On being asked, what was his philosophy that made him to reach out to the needy, despite the many challenges, persecutions and oppositions, he answered:
“My philosophy is simple!

I have always trusted in the maxim: ‘What is right need not be popular always…
… and what is popular need not be right always!

Holding onto this philosophy has always helped me…
… not to waver in my decisions with wrong influences – even when there was immense pressure
… not to be discouraged when I know it was right – even when the whole world did not agree!”

Do we hold on to doing what is right…
… even if we those are not popular?

The people of Israel in the Old Testament chose popularity over doing what was right…
… and thus would go against the Mind of God!

The First reading is this account of the people of Israel demanding for a “king”…
… in order to ‘identify themselves with all the surrounding nations’ and thus gaining in popularity and reputation
“… Now appoint for us a king to govern us like all the nations.” (1 Sam 8:5)

Israel was called “to be holy!”

“You shall be holy to me; for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” (Lev 20:26)

The word for “Holy” in Hebrew is “Qadosh”

One of the meanings of “Qadosh” literally means “to be set apart for a special purpose!”

Thus, the people of Israel were to have a distinct identity among all the nations of Israel, with the Lord God as their Only King (“The Lord will reign for ever and ever” – Exo 15:18)…
… and they His Chosen People – set apart to walk in His Paths!

“And I will take you for my people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (Exo 6:7)

But the people failed to hold on this “right” perspective of their calling…
… and sought after “popularity” and identification as the other nations!

“No! but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations…
… and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles!” (1 Sam 8:19-20)

What about our lives?

Do we allow “right things and right deeds” to have priority…
… do we give greater preference to the “popular ones” even if they are not right?

As Christians, we are called “to be different from the world” and not allow ourselves to be diluted and corrupted by the wrong influences of the world
… “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17:16)

Do we allow the Lord to be the Sole and Sovereign King of our lives?

The Israelites by demanding for a king were rejecting God – “…they have rejected me from being king over them.” (1 Sam 8:7)

Every time, we run after things which may be popular, but not right in the eyes of the Lord…
… we are rejecting the Kingship of God!

Every time, we go against the Virtues of the Kingdom in order to “please others or to fulfil our selfish desires”…
.. we fail to allow God to reign over us!

Every time, we disobey the commands and wishes of the Lord in order “to remain in good stead and in the well-liked and trendy books of others”…
… we end up dethroning God, as the King of our lives!

The Gospel of the Day (Mk 2:1-12) presents some of the Scribes who remained closed to the “right things” that Jesus did – healing of the paralytic: spiritually and physically…
… and were unwilling to usher in the Reign of God in their lives!

When hearts are closed, one fails to see the Presence of God – just like the people of Israel and the Scribes

When minds are unwilling to learn, one becomes rebellious and agitated – just like the people of Israel and the Scribes.

Let us hold on – firmly and with conviction – to the philosophy: ‘What is right need not be popular always, and what is popular need not be right always!’…
… and allow the Lord to always be the King of kings of our hearts, so that “we can sing forever of the Love of the Lord!” (Ps 89:1)

On the feast of St Marcellus I (†309), Pope during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian, we remember a shepherd who remained open to the presence of the Lord even in danger.

He reorganized the Christian community in Rome, guided the faithful, and upheld discipline, always doing what was right despite exile and suffering.
His courage reminds us that openness to God’s guidance gives the strength to act faithfully, to serve others…
… and to stand firm in truth no matter the cost.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Imitating Christ in His deep commitment and dedication!

(Based on 1 Sam 4:1-11 and Mk 1:40-45 – Thursday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Kalaupapa was a remote peninsula, surrounded by the roaring Pacific Ocean, on three sides on an island named Molokai.

This tiny place had become the prison for those forcibly banished…
… as a result of being afflicted with Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy).

The people outcast here became prisoners in their own land, harshly kicked from boats, washing onto shore without adequate supplies, infrastructure, medicine, or tools.

Families on surrounding islands, powerless to help…
… mourned for the cruel fate of their loved ones.

In this situation, a priest named Damien, volunteered to move to this place…
… and serve the people who are afflicted by this dreaded disease.

Fr Damien was greeted with devastation.

He walked among the living dead.
Everywhere he looked…
… there was only bleeding and oozing sores
… rampant diseases of various kinds
… and perhaps worst of all, hopelessness and endless misery

Choosing to make this place as his home for life, Fr Damien began his first sermon, addressing the people in the leper colony: “We lepers….”

Fr Damien did not yet have a sign of the leprous infection…
… but he already identified himself with the afflicted ones, by including himself as “We lepers…”

But within fifteen years, he too would be afflicted with the same disease and die!

When one is committed to a cause, one identifies totally with the cause, even to the point of death!

When one is faithful to a mission, one equates with its demands, even to the point of being afflicted!

This is what Damien – St Damien – would teach from his life…

And this is what we learn, as St Damien did, from the life of Jesus: a total identification with the afflicted ones, in order to redeem and save them!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus who effects a healing for a leper…
… but in the process, undergoes the isolation and separation that was the lot of the lepers.

Jesus is in the land of Galilee.

A leper comes to Him seeking for a cleansing: “If you wish, you can make me clean” (Mk 1: 40)

Looking at the leper, Jesus knew and understood the immense agony and dread that the man had undergone…

The ancient times had leprosy as one of the most feared diseases.

The book of Leviticus required that all those found unclean with leprosy “shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp” (Lev 13:46)

Jesus knew that to come into contact with a leper was to make oneself unclean.

Jesus knew that to touch a leper was to also share in the affliction and misery.

Yet, the Lord, who is the One who cleanses (Eze 36:25) and the One who refines (Is 48:10) decides to touch the leper…
… and bring about a healing!
“Jesus stretched out His hand, touched him and said to him, ‘ I do will it. Be made clean'” (Mk 1:41)

The leper was immediately made clean.

The leper had to also get it confirmed from the priest.

But Jesus, who cleansed and freed the leper, now Himself, undergoes the pain as that of a leper…

The Gospel says that, “… it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places…” (Mk 1:45)

Just as in the Incarnation, He took on our flesh, here Jesus takes upon Himself the consequence of being excluded, like a leper…
… standing outside, so the outcast may return within.

Yes, when one is faithful to a mission, one equates with its demands, even to the point of being afflicted!

Each of us is called with a specific mission and purpose in life…
It requires a deep commitment.
It requires an identification with the people and situation.
It requires a complete giving of oneself to the cause and mission.

Am I ready to embrace such a dedication?

St Paul invites us to be “… imitators of Christ” just as he imitated Christ (1 Cor 11:1)

Let us imitate Christ in His deep commitment and dedication.
… Who came to bring healing to all in this world
… Who shared in our sufferings to bring redemption and joy.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Not merely running after ‘by-products;’ rather, seeking Jesus, Who is the Essence!”

(Based on 1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20 and Mk 1:29-39 – Wednesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A young boy went to his Uncle’s house for a few days of vacation.

His uncle was a scientist.

One day, the scientist-uncle told the boy, “Today we are going the method of obtaining petrol”
The boy was super-excited
He enjoyed fast cars and racing games.

And so, he was pretty curious to know how petrol was obtained.

They went to a place where oil was dug.

The boy looked in amazement at all the works being done – the digging into the earth, the huge pipes making their way into the depths, the extraction process!

After quite a while, the boy, pretty dejected approached his uncle and asked:
“I thought, you told me, we are going to see petrol being obtained.

But all that I find here, is that they are extracting oil!
Where is the petrol?”

At that time, the scientist-uncle began to explain to the boy:
“Son! Remember, you never dig petrol!
You only dig for oil…
… and petrol is later, extracted from it, through a process of distillation!

Search not for petrol – which is a by-product…
… Look rather for the oil, which is the essence!

Is our Christian life sometimes similar?

Are we looking often only for the material goods and products from the Lord…
… or do we seek primarily for Jesus and His Kingdom?

We need to check and examine: Have we discovered the “Real” Jesus in our life?

The Gospel of the Day presents before us this great challenge: To identify the real Jesus!

The Gospel reading is a description of the Lord’s ministry as per St Mark’s account.

Jesus is engaged in His proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

He is manifesting Himself to be a person who is of the supernatural and the extraordinary realm.

He teaches the Scriptures with deep authority and conviction…
… People hear God speaking in their lives!
He silences and expels the forces of evil and influences the nature…
… People experience the Divine force in their lives!
He infuses life into the dead and proclaims his great power…
… People come across the marvellous works of the Lord!
He exercises His healing over the sick and the suffering…
… People witness His glorious control and supremacy!

People are…
… swayed over His mighty works
… super-excited by His amazing wonders
… overwhelmed with His wonderful deeds

But such occasions are the times of great testing and trial for anyone..

The easiest moments of losing oneself is in the midst of immense success!

The most tempting times of losing one’s focus is when there are widespread victories!

The Lord was surrounded by immense recognition and successes.

The crowds were thronging around Him and His popularity ratings were soaring.

But, just as the tree of success must be deeply grounded & rooted in the soil of stability and firmness…

So also, the Lord was fully aware of His goals and mission.

And so the Gospel of St Mark would explicitly point out the actions of the Lord…
‘Rising very early before dawn, He left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed’ (Mk 1:35)

‘He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come”‘ (Mk 1:38)

The Lord points out to the people and to His disciples the priorities of His Life – Being in communion with His Heavenly Father and Spreading the Kingdom of God!

He doesn’t get over-awed with success!
He doesn’t get carried away by reputations!

He reminds His disciples and His people to seek the “real” Jesus!

It’s a moment for us to check and examine our own lives: Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

Is Jesus merely a source of healings and remedies in my moments of physical sicknesses…
… or has He also become the true balm and consolation in my spiritual health and well-being?

Is Jesus only like a call-centre agent whom I seek in order to fix some problems of life…
… or Has He also become genuinely the treasure and the priceless fortune of my Life?

Is Jesus simply a solution and answer when crisis hits my life and things go badly…
… or has He also become authentically the greatest powerhouse and thrust of my Life?

Am I following the “Real” Jesus?

Or is it merely…
… a Jesus of quick-fix solutions?
… a Jesus who is a problem-solver?
… a Jesus who is remembered in times of trials alone?
… a Jesus who is expected to give all answers to my confusions?

The people and the disciples, as we see in the Gospel, seemed happy and satisfied to seek Jesus who performs wonders.

Of course, wonders and sensational deeds are good.

But they are not to be an end in itself….
They are not to be made the primary motto.
Miracles and marvels ought to become a launching pad…
… for a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Let us not reduce the greatness of Jesus to just miracled or seeking just material needs.

Let us rather, seek…
… the True and Living Lord for a wholesome & integral growth for eternity.
… the Compassionate and Powerful Lord to grow in holiness & sanctity.

Just like digging is done for oil…
… and petrol is later, extracted from it, through a process of distillation!

We need to search first for Jesus and His Kingdom (Mt 6:33)
… and all other things – which are a by-product – will be given to us

Yes, let’s not merely run after ‘by-products’…
… Let us rather seek for Jesus, Who is the Essence!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Hold on to the Lord, and victory will be ours!”

(Based on 1 Sam 1:9-20 and Mk 1:21-28 – Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

One of the very beautiful descriptions of a “Prophet” goes thus:
A prophet is someone…
… who comforts the disturbed
… and disturbs the comforted!

This description finds its expression in the lives of Prophets in the Bible

They were people…
… who offered great comfort and consolation to those in difficulty and distress

At the same time, they were people…
… who outrightly condemned those who led a comfortable life – away from God and His Commandments
… who vehemently opposed the ways of those who oppressed the poor

Jesus is the “Prophet of all prophets!”

The perfection and the fullness of all prophets!

And so, undoubtedly, Jesus, by His Prophetic Ministry also greatly upheld the principle of being the one…
… who comforts the disturbed
… and disturbs the comforted!

The Gospel of the Day presents such an action of encounter…
… where on side a group of people, who are listening to Jesus, are comforted
… while on the other side, some are extremely disturbed by the Prophetic Presence of Jesus!

An encounter between the Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God

Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and addressing the people (Mk 1:21)

His prophetic teaching is full of power and conviction!

When one is deeply convinced of one’s beliefs, it overflows into one’s words and actions

As He taught the people, Jesus encounters a man with an unclean spirit, who cried out,” What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mk 1: 24)

Where there is light, darkness cannot stand too long…

Imagine this situation…
Jesus had been preaching for a while in the synagogue.
All people were in rapt attention & awe, listening to His gracious words.

But in the midst of them.. was this man, with an unclean spirit.
He also was patiently hearing…

But as the bold words flowed from Jesus, the spirit within this man began to disturb.

The Lord’s Voice…
… began to reverberate his heart and mind…
He began to get agitated.

And finally, he could no longer tolerate and with a massive and shrieking voice, he cried, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?!”

The cry of the man is not something in isolation….

This cry is often repeated by all of us too: “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are living a life of coziness and comforts…
And we are encountered with situations of misery of people…

We hear the words of the Lord to reach out to them in compassion and love.
But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are living a life in sin, bad habits and without even a sense of guilt…
And we are encountered by caring people who remind us of our need to give up such things…

We hear the words of the Lord to renew and mend our lives in purity and holiness.
But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

When we are going through our life without proper sacraments and religious practices…
And we are encountered by constant exhortations to deepen our spiritual life…

We hear the words of the Lord to return to Him in humility and repentance.
But, often we cry out, “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

Often, we are happy to remain with the spirit of luxury, the spirit of casualness, the spirit of indifference, the spirit of lukewarmness, the spirit of pleasures etc…
We don’t like being disturbed.
We don’t like being questioned.
We don’t like being shaken up.

If we are, we get agitated and irritated… we resist and we get wild.
We even shout out: “What have you got to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”

But, in all such situations, the Lord wants to empower us with His powerful & bold words, “QUIET! Come out of him” (Mk 1: 25)

Yes, Jesus the Prophet, mightily challenges all of us!

He is the Great Prophet
… who comforts the disturbed
… and disturbs the comforted!

Our life is a constant warfare with the forces of the evil and the spirit of darkness.
It’s a battle that rages strongly

But let us not be afraid…
The powerful and awe-inspiring Lord is on our side!
Let us hold on to Him, and victory will be ours!

Today we seek the intercession of St. Hilary of Poitiers, a 4th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church…
… who lived during a time of deep division and confusion in the Church.

Known as the “Athanasius of the West,” he courageously defended the divinity of Christ against Arianism, even suffering exile for the truth.

May his faith, wisdom, and perseverance inspire us to remain rooted in truth and charity amid the challenges of our own time.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Allowing the Lord to walk into our ordinary lives and accepting His invitation to be partakers of the extraordinary and effervescent works of the Kingdom!”

(Based on 1 Sam 1:1-8 and Mk 1:14-20 -n Monday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A story is said of a rich man – much attached to possessions and wealth – who heard a sermon which exhorted to “Let God” work in one’s life.

The example cited was of how, at the creation of the world, God commanded a word and things were created…
… let there be light
… let there be the firmament and the waters
… let there be the living creatures etc

“Letting God” to work would allow miracles to take place in one’s life

Even though this man was not a very practising Catholic, and instead was much attached to his wealth…
… these words “Let God”… “Let God”… kept ringing in his hears.

However, he was not sure, how “to Let God” in his life.

As he sat in the evening with his family, his six year old child came to him, telling him, “Pappa, our catechism teacher asked us to write the title of today’s sermon as a homework. Would you kindly check if what I have written is right…?”

And so saying, the little boy handed over the book

The man was surprised to see the title written as “LET GO”
… and there it flashed to him: The way to “Let God” was to “Let Go!”

Yes…
“Letting God” to work in life…
… begins with “Letting Go!”

Have we discovered this fundamental truth of Christian Discipleship?

The Gospel of the Day is this beautiful presentation of the first disciples of Jesus, who “let go”…
… in order to follow Jesus

We have entered into the 1st Week of the Ordinary Times of the Liturgical Year with the Feast of the Baptism.

The “expectant and hopeful purple colours of Advent” and the “golden and white festive colours of the Christmastide” are now kept aside…
… and its time to live the “sublime and green colours of the Ordinary Time”

The Gospel presents Jesus entering into the “ordinary situations” of the people…
… and inviting them to be partakers of the “extraordinary and effervescent works of the Kingdom!”

The Gospel says:
“And passing along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.” (Mk 1:16)

“And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.” (Mk 1:19)

Simon, Andrew, James and John – would have begun their day just like any other day…
… hoping for a good catch
… but also wary that they may end up without much to carry back home

But Divine Providence had a special day in store for them

Jesus encounters these people on a “regular and ordinary day”
… only to convert that day to a “very special day of blessing and grace!”

Each of us also, most probably, begin our day, just like any other regular days…
… with mundane tasks
… regular errands and similar schedules

But if we are open and willing to allow the Lord to enter into our lives…
… each day can become a “very special day of blessing and grace!”

Yes, each day can indeed become “the day that the Lord has made” (Ps 118:24)…
… if we remain open to God’s Voice and cooperate with His Merciful Grace in our lives!

Simon, Andrew, James and John, the first disciples, responded to the call of the Lord

And they had their lives transformed.

The Lord wishes to work the same transformation in our lives as well.

But for this, we need to “let go”

Yes, we need to “Let Go” in order “to Let God” work beautiful miracles in our lives

“Let go” of our tendencies to be attached to material possessions and giving priorities only to worldly riches…
… instead, focus more on the spiritual and eternal realities of life!

“Let go” of our egoistic attitudes…
… instead, accommodate and extend God’s Love to people with the virtues of forgiveness, humility and acceptance!

“Let go” of our bad habits and sinful inclinations…
… instead, put on the vestment of holiness and purity of life!

Life, of course, is sometimes apparently quite harsh and humiliating…
… just like it was to Hannah, as we see in the First Reading of the day (1 Sam 1:1-8)

Yet, in the very ordinary and painful situation of her life, the Lord was silently at work.

By trusting and remaining faithful, Hannah allowed the Lord to walk into her wounded ordinariness.
And there, God began His extraordinary and life-giving work of the Kingdom.

The Lord desires to walk into our ordinary lives…
… and offers us the invitation to be partakers of the “extraordinary and effervescent works of the Kingdom!”

Shall we “let go”….?
… so that we can “let God….”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Allowing the fire of God’s Love that has been kindled in us at Baptism, to blaze in us, setting many other souls on fire for love of God!”

(Based on the Baptism of the Lord)

An incident is told about St Katherine of Alexandria.

Katherine was a noble and learned young woman in this cultural hub of the ancient world of the 4th century.

She was a Christian.
She had attained a lot of popularity in the town of Alexandria.

This was the time of the persecution of Christians by Emperor Maxentius.

Christians were given only two options:
Worshipping the emperor (which would violate the First Commandment)…
… or being put to death

The Governor of Alexandria also came up with another plan to humiliate and discourage the Christians.

He invited Katherine to debate a group of fifteen (some say 50) of the best pagan philosophers and orators…
… hoping that this dispute would refute all her pro-Christian arguments and thus morally discourage other Christians as well!

Katherine accepted the challenge.

They gathered in the governor’s palace and the discussion began.
But the plan backfired.

Instead of Katherine being converted, several members of the panel (some sources say all members were converted!)

They asked for baptism immediately, so as to receive God’s Grace into their souls.
But the governor was furious and condemned them all to immediate death.

To that, Katherine with concern and care assured all the new converts that since they so sincerely desired to receive the sacrament…
… their own blood would take the place of water, and their own martyrdoms would take the place of baptism.

Those men were willing to give up everything else, for their life and friendship with Jesus Christ!

That’s the power of God’s Love!
And that’s the Power of Witnessing to God’s Love…
… which is initiated at Baptism!

The fire of God’s Love that was kindled in St Katherine of Alexandria, at Baptism…
… continued to blaze in her, setting many other souls on fire for love of God!

Does the Fire of Love, that had been kindled in us, at our Baptism…
… continue to blaze powerfully in us?

Or has the fire been diminished and lessened?

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus…
… with an invitation: “Fan into flames” (Cf. 2 Tim 1:6) the fire of God’s Love that has been kindled in us, at our Baptism

The event of the Baptism of the Lord is narrated in all the Synoptic Gospels…
… and the Gospel of St John mentions the experience of St John the Baptist at the Baptism of Jesus.

One important aspect that the Baptism of Jesus teaches us is that, it is the first public manifestation of Christ…
… and is a foreshadowing of the saving action that would be fully accomplished on the Cross.

On the Cross, our Blessed Lord identifies Himself with sinners…
… by embracing the enormous weight of humanity’s sinfulness

At Baptism, by submersion into the waters of River Jordan, Jesus identifies Himself with sinners, and embraces everyone to a New Life in Him!
… the immersion into the waters of Jordan symbolises His Death!
… the rising from the deep waters symbolise His Resurrection!

St Ambrose reminds us: “The Lord was Baptized, not to be cleansed Himself, but to cleanse the waters…
… so that those waters, cleansed by the flesh of Christ which knew no sin, might have the power of Baptism!”

The Baptism of Jesus, then, is the great reminder to all humanity:
1) We are all sinners, and we can find Mercy only in Jesus, the Saviour of the world
2) We are all bestowed with the gift of being a child of God, and called to live in holiness

Today is a day when we need to examine and renew our life:
… Have I embraced Jesus as the only Master of my life, and do I give priority to God’s Will in my life?
… Do I manifest Christ’s love in all my deeds, and thus draw many people to God’s Kingdom?
… What are the weak spots of sins in my life, and can I make a resolution today to give them up?
… Do I daily nurture my life of holiness, by consciously practising virtues that I need to grow in?

Venerable Fulton Sheen wonderfully illustrates the importance of the Rite of Baptism: “It may be objected, what good does a little water do, when poured upon the head of a child?

The water in the boiler can do nothing of and by itself, nor can the water on the head of a child.

But when the water in the boiler is united to the mind of an engineer, it can drive an engine across a continent or a ship across the sea.
… so too, when water is united to the Power of God, it can do more than change a crystal into life.
It can take a creature and convert him into a child of God!”

The Baptism of Jesus is a reminder to all of us of our Mission to live as “Alter Christus – Another Christ!”

His deeds of compassion and love, ought to be imitated by all of us, in our works
His words of transformation and love, ought to be echoed by all of us, in our interactions
His acts of self-giving and forgiveness, ought to be emulated, in our relationships with one another

Yes, the fire of God’s Love that has been kindled in us at Baptism…
… ought to continue to blaze in us, setting many other souls on fire for love of God!

Happy Feast to all of us, baptized with our Dearest Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Sailing together with the Lord over the clean waters of humility and meekness!”

(Based on 1 John 5:14-21 and Jn 3:22-30 – Saturday after Epiphany)

Imagine a theatre on opening night.

The hall is packed.
The lights dim.
The curtain rises.
Behind the scenes is a stagehand.

(A stagehand is a person who works behind the scenes in a theatre, to manage the technical and physical aspects of a production.

He is responsible for ensuring that sets, lighting, sound, and props are ready for performances)

The stageman quietly goes about his work….
… adjusting lights, moving props, opening curtains etc.

Every scene runs perfectly…
The actors shine…
The story unfolds beautifully.

At no point does the stagehand step onto the stage.
He is unseen. He is unheard. He is unnoticed.
The final curtain falls.
The applause roars.

Afterward, one curious spectator approaches him and asks:
“All this time… you were here…
Why didn’t you come on stage?
Why didn’t you let people see you?”

The stagehand smiles and answers:
“If they see me, they will not see the story.

My work is not to be noticed…
… it is to let the story shine.”

This is so beautiful an example for our Christian living: Humility is working behind the scenes…
… so that Christ takes the spotlight!

This was the hallmark of the ministry of John the Baptist
He prepared the way.
He baptized.
He called people to repentance.

And then he stepped aside…
… so that Jesus alone could be seen as the Light.

The Gospel of the day invites and challenges us to ponder over this aspect…
… by presenting the dramatically humble personality of John the Baptist!

One of the most supreme and vital messages that we learn from the life of John the Baptist is Humility – a virtue in direct contrast to the dangerous vice of Pride!

This is what we learn from the life of St John the Baptist.

He sought not his own way, but the way of the One who sent him.
He wanted not his light to shine, but the Light of Him who sent him.

The Gospel of the day has a scene of a dispute arising.

John the Baptist, by his bold preaching and his radical life-style, had attracted many disciples.

Some of these disciples come and told John: “Rabbi, the One who was with you across the Jordan, to Whom you testified, here He is baptizing, and everyone is coming to Him” (Jn 3:26)

Think of the confusion of these disciples of John…

Their teacher who baptized, is now being overshadowed.

John had preached about repentance, had baptized and had pointed to the coming Messiah.

This should have been a time for John’s disciples to celebrate, now that Jesus was coming to the forefront!

But they forgot an important aspect of ministry…
… that we are doing all for HIM!

But John the Baptist remained unperturbed and undisturbed.

He stood firm…
… because his eyes were fixed on “the One greater than himself.”

He displayed an angelic countenance of humility!

As St Augustine says: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

Like a good coach, who drills discipline and restraint into “his men”…
… John tells his disciples: “Let’s get back to the basics!”

John reminds His disciples that He is only the friend of the bridegroom… (Jn 3:29)

“The friend of the bridegroom” was a term used in Jewish weddings of the time.
This friend would:

Stand by the bridegroom, assisting him in ceremonial preparations and serving as witness
Encouraging joy and overseeing the celebration
Standing as an advocate and protector

John reminds His disciples that his ministry is not of his own, but received from God!
… that He is not to take centre-stage, but only the One greater than him!
… that He was not to be the Messiah, but only the forerunner of the Messiah!

In our life, it is easy for us to lose our focus from the Lord and have a selfish preferences for ourselves…

In our works, we often forget the blessings that the Lord has showered on us…
… and instead tend to attribute all successes to our own talents and abilities.

In our ministry, we lose sight of the Lord, the
real purposes of our vocation and the mission…
… and instead seek to fulfil our personal agenda and motives.

It is easy to bask in the glory of popularity and fame…
… and to enjoy the sunshine of reputations and recognitions.

But let them never lead us to have a “self-centred” approach of just “looking into” ourselves.

Let us have the humility to accept that it is God’s power being manifested in our works…
… And it is by His Grace that we move forward every moment of our life

Yes, “drown” not in the murky waters of pride, egoism and selfishness…

Rather “sail” together with the Lord over the clean waters of humility and meekness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Extending to the Lord our hands… our hearts… our lives…!

(Based on 1 John 5:5-13 and Lk 5:12-16 – Friday after Epiphany)

Life sometimes is quite strange!

Often, when things go all well, and it seems that everything is fine
… disasters strike in life.

This is the experience of many of us in our lives.

Think of a man who is in his early thirties…

He has a wonderful wife, with two lovely children.
It’s a home with a lot of joy and happiness.

One day, the man comes back home after work – he is a mason.

On coming back, he informs his wife of a tiny sore that has been nagging him for sometime
This sore had turned a bit reddish after the heavy day’s of work.

With much insistence and persuasion by the wife, the man agrees to show it to a doctor.

After the initial check-up, the doctor tells them: “Well, the sore certainly has grown a bit. I have some of my initial observations, but I need to work on them still.
Why don’t you stay up here in the hospital for a few days, so that I can further examine?”
And so he agrees.

As days pass, the sore gets more infectious.
The doctor now is ready with his well-studied and examined decision:

“I am sorry to inform you… but you are infected with… Leprosy!”

Hearing this, the man is terrified.
Leprosy, he knew, was not just an ordinary sickness.

It was a slow death sentence – distanced from family, distanced from society, distanced from self!

Imagine that situation of the happy living family!

The man is now to leave his wife and children; his land and work…
… He is to go and live with people who were afflicted with a similar disease.
This was the law of the land.
This was the regulation practised in this area.

The Law required the lepers to keep as far away as possible from all healthy people.

Whenever someone drew near who did not have leprosy, the leper was supposed to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!”

So, with a heavy heart and a crushed spirit, the man leaves his loving wife and two children.
He goes off alone… to die!

He couldn’t even have an animal for a companion.

If he touched even a dog, the dog had to be killed so that it did not carry the disease back into the city.

Life as a leper was just too horrible and miserable.

Life sometimes is indeed quite strange!

The Gospel of the Day presents one such leper… A man who was “full of leprosy” (Lk 5:12)

One fine day, however, this leper looks up and sees a small group of people following a Man.

That Man – the leader – he comes to know… is Jesus.

The leper has heard about Jesus.

He wished to hear Him.
But the Law did not permit to go close!

As the group passes their way, this leper remembers what the Law taught Him.

And he begins to shout, “Unclean! Unclean! I have leprosy! Stay away from me! Unclean!”

But then a strange thing happens! Jesus keeps coming closer to him.

His shout increases… louder goes his cries…”Unclean, Unclean!”

But Jesus keeps coming closer and closer… till He has reached the leper!

The leper has now been afflicted probably for many years. He misses his family very deeply.

He knows he is at the edge of life
… undergoing a slow death!

But…
… Before him, now stands, someone, Who he has heard, has tremendous power!
… Before him, now stands, someone, Who he has heard, can unshackle any bondage!

And so, with tears filling his eyes and dread filling his shocked face, he asks, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean!” (Lk 5:12)

It was a cry of agony.
It was a wail of immense anguish.

He had suffered much.
He had been separated from loved ones for long.
Now he wanted a deliverance.
He wanted freedom from the captivity.
He wanted a wholesome life in his loathsome existence!

And then comes the spectacular words of Jesus, “I will. Be clean!” (Lk 5:13)

The Lord touches him!

His body was touched!
His heart was healed!
His soul was cleansed!
Life was restored! Happiness was returned!

Do you and I also feel sometimes like a leper?

Situations of happiness being snatched away
Moments of love and affection being afflicted
Times of joy, serenity and calmness being affected
Unloved? Rejected? Despised? Abused?
Helpless? Hopeless? Dying?

We may be going through hard times
We may feel that life is unfair to us
We may feel that existence is meaningless

But…
… The Lord wants to restore us!
… He wants to make us whole again!

Life is strange…
… but the Power of the Lord is more strong!

Life is complicated…
… but the Grace of the Lord is more compelling!

The Lord is here to touch us!

Let’s extend to Him our hands… our hearts… our lives…!

God Bless! Live Jesus!