“Rooting out all pessimistic mind-sets, and focussing instead on growth in holiness and humility!”

(Based on Num 24:2-7, 15-17a and Mt 21:23-27 – Monday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation…
… rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.

He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said:
“By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.

My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.

But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.

How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how the fussy gentleman reacted to this bold and true reply of the preacher.
(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart…
… rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders…
… towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?” (Mt 21: 23)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 21 of St Mathew’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…

The entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21: 1-11)
The ‘re-storation’ in the Temple at Jerusalem and indignant behaviour of authorities(Mt 21:12-16)
The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21: 17-22)
The ‘re-entry’ to the Temple at Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus by the authorities (Mt 21: 23-27)

The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…
… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…
… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

In Jesus, they perceived a threat.
… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke than to service of God
… a threat to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task…
… and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord…
… and their hearts had become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience

Instead…
… they only found fault with the Lord
… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also?

A mentality of harshly criticising…
A tendency to inhumanly condemn…
… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

Let us root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead on growth in holiness and humility!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Tapping the ‘river of graces’ in this Season of Advent, and preparing our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the ‘major blessings’ of Christmas!”

(Based on Isa 35:1-6a, 10, Jam 5:7-10 and Mt 11:2-11 – 3rd Sunday of Advent – The Gaudete Sunday)

In a particular village, a river was going to be used to generate electricity and to supply water for the people and their crops.

But near the source of the river, was a place called “valley of the blind.”
People who lived around this valley had trouble with their eyes – most of them were either blind or had some eye defect.

This trouble was caused by a particular species of flies, which lived in the shrubs along the river source.
… When a fly bit someone, it would inject a certain parasite into the blood, which would render the eyesight of the person to be severely affected.

On hearing that the people of the village had decided to tap the river for several uses, including electricity and supply of water, an elderly village man – who had lived his entire life in this village…
… called together the concerned authorities and developers.

He told them: “I am happy to hear that you are wanting to make progress, by using the river effectively.

But my children, remember…
… before you undertake any works of development, please make sure that you do something to get rid of the fly in the ‘valley of the blind!’

If not, your minor oversight may cause a major disaster!”

The wisdom of the old man reminded the people: Minor oversights can cause major disasters!

The Gospel of the Day is a bold reminder to make a thorough examination of our conscience…
… and check, if I am allowing “minor oversights” to cause “major disasters” in my lives!

We are on the second Sunday of the Season of Advent.

The Gospel reading begins with John the Baptist – who is in prison –
… sending his disciples to Jesus and asking: “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Mt 11:3)

In the initial phase of the Gospel, we see John the Baptist, “in a preaching mode” – in the wilderness (Cf. Mt 3:1-12)

Today, he is in the “prison zone” – in captivity!

Here is an important lesson that John the Baptist teaches us:
… There will be times when you are in the limelight – preaching powerfully and being acknowledged with great power and might
… But there would also come times when you are banished to isolation – with only the four walls of loneliness for company!

In all such moments – in the ‘glory of the wilderness’ and the ‘isolation of the prison’…
… Can we still remain faithful and loyal to God’s Will?
… Can we still realise that God is pleased with my fidelity more than my performances?
… Can we still be zealous for the ways of God, knowing that He will turn everything for our good?

At the same time, the Gospel reading (Mt 11:2-11) powerfully reminds us: Do we have an “oversight – missing the point” of the ways of God, and do we thus remain stuck in our own attitudes and thought patterns?

Speaking of Himself, Jesus says: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk… “(Cf. Mt 11:4-5)

Speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus says: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? “(Cf. Mt 11:7-10)

Here were two cases of “oversights – missing the point”

John the Baptist had the understanding…
… that Jesus would be coming with fiery judgements and would be the Messiah Who would deal with the people, with blazing power and scorching verdicts.

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as Jesus showed Himself as the Messiah Who would heal, teach and bring the Mercy of God!

The people had the understanding…
… that John the Baptist would be finely dressed and a people- friendly prophet – one who would be willing to “adjust” the norms of God to their lifestyle.

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as John the Baptist turned out to be a prophet “who disturbed the comfortable and comforted the disturbed.”

In both cases, there was an “oversight – missing the point”…
Jesus was unwilling to let John the Baptist and the people remain under the cloud of these “oversights”…

And so He presents the facts before them…
… to avoid any future “major disasters!”

The same examination is put forth before us, by the Lord: to check minor oversights. Do we allow…
… “minor sins” – in the form of evil tendencies – to grow in us?
… “minor negligence” to develop into habitual practices?
… “minor indifferences” to take root in our relationships?

Prophet Isaiah reminds us to allow to God to work on our fear, discouragement, and weakness; which, if ignored as ‘minor issues,’ slowly paralyse the heart.

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!” (Isa 35:3-4)

Similarly, St James warns us that impatience, when tolerated as something minor, slowly erodes trust in God’s timing.

“Be patient… strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (Jas 5:7–8)

This Sunday of Advent – the Gaudete Sunday – is an invitation to help us experience the joy of the Lord, by making us realise…
If “minor oversights” are not corrected…
… then they would soon turn into “major disasters!”

And we would get afflicted by the “valley of the blind!”

Let us give heed to the strong reminder given by the Gospel, and amend our “minor oversights”…
… so that we can tap the “river of graces” in this Season of Advent, and prepare our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the “major blessings” of Christmas!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Recognizing and responding to the Lord, always active in our midst!”

(Based on Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 and Mt 17:9a,10-13 – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent)

Have you ever had one of those frantic moments when you’re searching for your keys?

You look under the cushions…
You check your pockets twice…
You dig through your bag like you’re in an archaeological expedition…

And frustration starts building, because you need to leave… now!

And then suddenly…
You freeze.

Because the keys…
were just on the table…
… underneath a sheet of paper, the whole time.
Not lost.
Not missing.
Just unnoticed… “somehow!”

You “had what you needed” …
… but because your mind was elsewhere, you somehow didn’t recognize it.

Well , this ‘regular phenomenon’ is not just about keys…
… It’s about life.

And more specifically, about God.

That little “lost keys” moment happens spiritually far more often than we admit.
God is present. God is speaking.
God is offering grace, guidance, comfort, and direction.

But our minds are often elsewhere…
… so we miss Him.

Today’s readings reveal this painful truth in the story of Israel.
God promised a Messiah.
God promised Elijah would return.
God prepared the people for centuries.

But when the promise was fulfilled, the people didn’t recognize it.

As Jesus says: “Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.” (Mt 17:12)

John the Baptist stood right before them…
… dressed like Elijah
… preaching like Elijah
… calling hearts to repentance just like Elijah…

But expectations, preoccupations, and spiritual distraction made them ‘blind.’

How often does this become our story?

God speaks through His Word…
… but we skim through it, and the promise slips past our distracted hearts.

God invites us in the Sacraments…
… but we exit the confessional unchanged, or receive the Eucharist without the awe of encountering Him.

God sends us little many such “Elijah moments” each day…
… a prompting of repentance and mercy
… a nudge of reminder of His Presence
… a whisper of His tender love

But we’re often, too hurried to notice.

Advent is the time when the Church gently asks us: “Are you on the right track?

Or don’t you think you have gone far away…
… and you need to come back to the Lord and His Church?”

Let us not miss the Lord…
… not because He is hidden, but because our hearts are distracted.

As we move through this “season of waiting,” let us prepare our hearts not only to welcome Christ…
… but to notice Him
… to recognize Him,
… and to respond to Him, always active in our midst.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being aware of the dangers ‘subtle and sly’ vice – CHILDISHNESS and seeking the grace of God to be CHILD-LIKE in the Presence of God!”

(Based on Isa 48:17-19 and Mt 11:16-19 – Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent)

Children are an interesting lot!

They love to play, to quarrel, to engage in arguments, to tease, to show love and affection etc…

Children indeed amaze us…
… with their simplicity, innocence, curiosity and their power of wonder.

Jesus in the Gospels time and again invites us to grow in our spirit and spirituality of being like a Child!

The famous artist, Picasso, once said:
“All children are artists.
The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up..”

Many of us, as we age in years, tend to lose many good qualities of a child.

We tend to fritter away the precious pearls of simplicity and openness of a child
We tend to paint our inner innocence with many external shades of duplicity.

But the Gospel of the Day shows us another dimension or rather, warns of a distortion in this striving to be a child…

One can easily stray away from the path of being child-like and transgress into the danger of being Childish!

Child-likeness is a beautiful virtue which is to be cultivated and nurtured to grow in our love of God!

Childishness is an ugly vice which is to be weeded and cast away to grow in our relationship with God!

What is child-likeness?

To be like a child is to possess a kitty of trust, faith, innocence and straightforwardness.

To be like a child is living in the present moment with a deep sense of wonder and admiration over life.
To be like a child is to have a faith which is matchless and a great amount of dependence on the One who cares!

But what is childishness?

Childishness is a child-like behaviour which has grown sore and strays away from honest qualities of life.

Childishness is having selfishness at its core: a vice that wants the world around to always dance to its tune!
Childishness is sticking on to ignorance and unwillingness to learn from people and situations

This danger of childishness can sometimes creep into our spiritual life…
… and can hamper and cause havoc in many areas of our Christian life.

How can childishness in spirituality become a dangerous ploy?

Childishness in spirituality…
… can make people to suit teachings for one’s own desire, at the cost of the Truth.
… can prevent people from being open to receive new insights from the Divine.
… can cause people to remain obstinate and block the moving of the Spirit.
… can prohibit people from recognizing the providential care of God.

And this is what we come across in today’s Gospel Passage: the exposition of the Childishness of the people!

Our Blessed Lord says:
“To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children…” (Mt 11:16)

Two persons who had committed themselves totally to the cause of the Kingdom are under the scanner today – John the Baptist and Jesus.

John the Baptist lived in the wilderness and in preparation for the arrival of the Messiah.

John did not drink wine, and he and his followers fasted regularly.
He baptized people in the Jordan River.
But John also preached repentance and gave a clarion call to turn away from one sins!

And this irked the people…

The elders of the Jewish community dreaded him because he recognized the corruption of the priests, and publicly called them to repent and be baptized.

They refused, because they wanted to keep their power, their wealth, their full stomachs and their fine clothing!

Jesus went around the cities and towns healing the sick and curing the lepers and doing many mighty works.

Jesus shared in the table-fellowship of many people regularly.
Jesus preached the Kingdom of God.
But Jesus also challenged people to let go off their sinful and corrupt lives and turn to God in penitence!

And this annoyed the leaders…

The Pharisees hated him because he preached with much authority and his new understanding of the law was highly challenging!

They rejected Him, because they wanted to stick to their traditions, empty hearts and their inhuman practices!

Jesus and John both would have hit high on the popularity charts if they had “lightened up” or “played nice” or “would have allowed things to be little more easy!”

But both of Them did not budge…

This is what Jesus says:
“We played the flute for you, you did not dance;

We mourned to you, you did not weep.” (Mt 11: 17)

This reaction by the people to Them was a song of derision… a tune of mockery…a melody of ridicule!

John the Baptist and Jesus, both, failed to let this Spiritual Childishness to overpower Them and to give in to silly demands!

We all can fall victims to spiritual childishness or we ourselves can fall into the trap of being spiritually childish!

Let us beware of the dangers of this ‘subtle and sly’ vice – CHILDISHNESS …
… and seek the grace of God to make efforts to rather be CHILD-LIKE in the Presence of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Igniting our lives with a blazing passion and a fiery enthusiasm!”

(Based on Isa 41:13-20 and Mt 11:11-15 – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent)

There is an interesting legend of how a mother was cleaning the house in preparation for Christmas.

Not a speck of dust was left and even all the spiders were banished from their cozy homes in the ceiling.

It was Christmas eve and the Christmas Tree and the Crib was also decorated.

But, at the farthest end of the attic, the spiders, after having been chased away and taken refuge in that corner, were feeling miserable.

They too wished to see the Christmas Tree and especially have an encounter with Baby Jesus.

But they were afraid, since the mother of the house would chase them away.

The oldest spider among them, however came up with a proposal, that they could perhaps peep across the side door and have a glimpse of Baby Jesus.

So, the spiders, silently crept out of the attic, down the stairs, across the floor and waited in the crack in the side door.

But suddenly the door opened was opened by someone, and the spiders, in fear, ran to the room.

But all them still desired to see the Christmas Tree from close.

So they decided to make a bold attempt…
… They quietly crept over the whole Christmas tree…
… over every branch and twig, till their desire to see its beauty was fulfilled.

But to their dismay, each of them had left their webs behind.

When Child Jesus saw the Christmas Tree marred by the spider webs, He was in a dilemma.

On one side, he was impressed by the simple desire of the spiders..
… on the other side, he did not want the mother of the house to be offended.

So He touched the spider webs, and they all turned to sparkling and shimmering, silver and gold!

(This is probably the origin of hanging colourful tinsels on our Christmas Trees, and sometimes even including a spider!)

One of the important dimension seen in this legendary story is the intense desire of the spiders and their willingness to take the chance, be bold in their attempts…
… and even be ready to risk their lives to have their Divine longing fulfilled.

Such is to be the readiness of every Christian…

Having an intense desire
Being willing to take chances
Being bold
Ready to even risk their lives
… in defence of faith and in growing to be a Disciple – in the likeness of Christ.

This is reflected in the words that Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent are taking it by force” (Mt 11: 12)

This verse is one of the most mysterious and thought-provoking in the entire Bible.

What was this violence that Jesus was referring to?

The Greek word for the word “violence” is “biazo”.

This word “biazo” is described as “using power to forcibly seize” i.e. “laying hold of something with a positive aggressiveness”.

In the context of the Kingdom of God, it refers to the fact that ” share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for, with the most ardent zeal and the most intent exertion”.

Historically, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the Kingdom was rejected by the Jews – the chosen race, and the Gentiles gained access.

In our own times, the “violence” refers to the manner in which the entry to the Kingdom causes the people to suffer, undergo hardships and even bear hostility.

That’s why Jesus says in the Sermon of the Mount, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Mt 5: 10)

St Ambrose beautifully describes the meaning of this violence:
“We do violence to the Lord…

Not by compelling Him, but by weeping before Him
Not by provoking by injuries, but by entreating with tears
Not by blaspheming through pride, but by sorrowing through humility.

We attack him, not with swords, nor staves, nor stones…
… but with meekness, good works, chastity.
These are the weapons of our faith, by which we strive in our contest.

But in order that we may be able to make use of these arms in doing violence…

Let us first use a certain violence to our own bodies

Let us carry by storm the vices of our members
… that we may obtain the rewards of valour.
For to seize the Saviour’s kingdom we must first reign in ourselves”

St Francis de Sales speaks of a similar “violence” when, filled with a deep zeal to conquer back Geneva from the clutches of Protestantism, he says:
“We will breach the walls of Geneva with our ardent prayers and storm the city with mutual charity”

This then is the zeal and the passion – the fire – that we need to carry in our hearts…

A powerful zeal that makes no compromise in the values of the Kingdom…
… and makes it willing to suffer any hardship or difficulty for the sake of the Lord!

Yes, Christian Life is a warfare…
… against the forces of evil
… against our own worldly desires

That is why the Church on earth who are living – who struggle against sin and devil and…”the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12)…
… is called as the “Church Militant” (“Ecclesia Militans”)

May our Blessed Lord ignite our “often tired, dreary and weary” lives with a blazing passion and a fiery enthusiasm…
… so that we may energetically prepare for His coming into our lives!

The Lord will surely bless our every attempt and every desire to seek Him
We will have to leave behind…
… our webs of vain desires
… our webs of sinful pleasures
… our webs of undue attachments

But our Master will touch all those webs and turn them to sparkling and shimmering blessings and graces!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being at peace with the Lord!”

(Based on Isa 40:25-31 and Mt 11:28-30 – Wednesdmay of the 2nd Week of Advent)

An old lady was sitting in the park – all alone and dejected.

A young boy – who was sitting on the opposite bench – and was doing some writing work, had been constantly watching this lady who was brooding over some worry.

Finally, after a while, he stopped writing and enquired:
“Madam, I have been observing you. From morning, you have been quite worried.

What’s the matter? Maybe there is some way I can help you

The old lady looked at him and replied: “You know, my son, in life, I have been worried about so many things in life… but most of them never happened!”

The young man was surprised to hear that – “troubled about things, that never really happened!”

So he asked again, “Then why are you troubled now?”

She replied, with a tinge of remorse: “I am worried as to why did I unnecessarily worry so much in my life!”

Funny, isn’t it?

But, are we sometimes like this old lady?

Too much worried and disturbed in life…
… sometimes (or perhaps, very often) even about things that have not happened in life?

The call of the Gospel is an invitation by Jesus to “cast all our worries and burdens” on Him.

We read in the Gospel today, the assuring words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11: 28)

Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour!

He is in deep love with us!
“…You are precious in my eyes and I love You!” (Is 43:4).

The meaning of the name “Jesus” Itself is that…
… GOD SAVES!

As a Beloved Lover, He constantly tugs the strings of our hearts and beckons us to Himself – wanting us to experience His Saving Love!

He extends His cordial and warmest invitation to each one of us who are weary and heavy-burdened!

The Greek word for WEARY is “Kopiao”…
… which means to toil and become weary to the point of exhaustion! .

WEARY not only refers to the daily physical strains and struggles we undergo in life, but is also…
… the internal exhaustion caused by seeking Divine Truth through mere Human Wisdom.
… the external burden caused by futile peripheral efforts to seek the Divinity.

Many of us, very often, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue by our everyday works and in our striving for salvation.

However, today, the Lord calls all of us – to experience His Resting Presence!

“Behold, I stand at the door and Knock! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me”” (Rev 3:20).

“Experiencing His Resting Presence” also means “to learn from Him”…
… especially learning to be Humble and Gentle like Him! (Mt 11: 29)

A proud heart robs the person of spiritual insights

It renders a person to look only to oneself; the dependence on the Lord is lost!

A harsh (violent/tough/annoyed/wrathful) heart steals the person of “being at peace”

It renders a person to look only at the negativities of life; the attitude of being grateful to God is lost!

Today, let us give heed to the call of the Lord…
… to “Rest in His Presence”

And thus to learn to be more “gentle and humble”

Many of us might question: How can I “Rest in His Presence”

Many of us might counter: Is it really possible to learn to be more “gentle and humble”?

“Rest in His Presence” can be…
… by making a time for the Lord, in prayer, every day of our life – an act, which we shall never compromise!
… by “becoming aware” of the Presence of the Lord in the activities that we engage in
… by recognizing the goodness in other people and situations of life, and thus being, consciously, grateful to God

Learning to be more “gentle and humble” can be…
… by picking up any of those virtues, and (purposely) doing an act towards growing in the virtue
… by daily examining the conscience, in the practice of that particular virtue, and making amends to try again, even if failed (Let’s remember the Lord Who always rose again, even when He fell many times, on the Way of the Cross!)
… by praying specially to the Holy Spirit for those virtues, and never being discouraged, even when faced with the opposite vice
… by being inspired by the many saints, who went through the phases of vices, but were ultimately able to conquer, and live the virtues

Tensions, worries and problems of life constantly disturb us!

Even our striving to improve our spiritual lives (and the feeling of failure to do so) discourage us!

But the Lord constantly tells us…”Come to Me!”

“Never, ever get discouraged, My Child!”

Let not the anxieties of our life dishearten us…

Instead may the Invitation of the Lord – “to Rest in His Presence and to learn from Him”…
… help us to always be at peace in life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being be willing to ‘go out of the way’ and doing things that are very beautiful!”

(Based on Isa 40:1-11 and Mt 18:12-14- Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Advent)

A mother took her three children to a fine restaurant for a dinner.

It was a crowded Sunday and they could only get separate seats.

As food was served, the youngest daughter – 6 year old Mary – who was seated at the far corner of the restaurant…
… loudly enquired from her mother: “Mother, don’t people say grace before meals in this place?”

A wave of silence wrapped the entire restaurant!

The mother did not know how to react.

But soon enough, the manager of the hotel, who was at the counter, said in an assuring voice to the child: “Yes we do. You may start!”

All the people bowed their head in silence

Little Mary closed her eyes, joined her hands and bowing her head…
… in a loud and crystal voice prayed: “Bless us O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are going to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord… Amen!”

The child found it strange to observe that none of the elders were praying…
… So she went “out of the way”

And did something that was very beautiful
And taught others an action to be imitated

A child “goes out of the way”…
… in expressing love and affection by trying to imitate the kind acts of the elders
… in trying to help others – giving a hand at the household chores, or doing little works

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation by the Lord to re-discover this “forgotten” child-like dimension of our lives: “To go out of the way!”

Jesus, speaking of this worthwhile quality…
… presents to us the image of a Shepherd who goes “out of the way”, in search of the lost sheep.

Jesus says: “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray…
… will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills, and go in search of the stray?” (Mt 18: 12)

The shepherd loves all his hundred sheep…
… yet, when one gets strayed, he makes “an out-of-the-way effort” to get the lost one back.

He does not give up on the strayed.

He doesn’t desert the lost.
He doesn’t abandon the one, gone from his circle.

This attitude of going “out of the way”…
“taking an extra pain”
“dripping an extra sweat”
… would seem weird and strange to the calculative, pragmatic and business-minded head of ours, in this modern period!

We might question:
Is it not a waste of time to go after the “lost sheep”…
… of an obsessed drug-addict or a habitual drunkard or a consistent smoker?

Is it just too futile to awaken a “lost sheep”…
… of a soul in slumber, where there is no focus on spiritual life, where there is slackness of prayer and sacraments and where worldliness and materialism have crept and conquered?

Is it of any use to go after the “lost sheep”…
… of a couple who are constantly bickering and a family which is broken up with regular fights and misunderstandings?

Is there any sense in trying to restore the “lost sheep”…
… of a community whose members seem disinterested, who are lethargic, who have their own personal and hidden agenda and who always back-talk and back-bite?

Is it just not meaningless to revive the “lost sheep”…
… of a society or a nation where corruption has taken deep-roots in hearts of people and all sincere efforts of transformation often gets dumped into the bin?

The True Shepherd however, in all such situations, of the “lost sheep” …
… “goes out of the way”

The Good Shepherd makes an extra effort in getting them back!

He invites us to be partakers in restoring the lost ones.

A critical danger in the process of “growing- up” is the tendency to lose our “natural child-like” qualities.

As a child, we were free to express our emotions…
… but when we “grow up”, we tend to hold them up all within (only to burst out one day!)

As a child, we were easily dependant on those who cared for us…
… but when we “grow up”, we become arrogant towards them and seek ‘independence’

As a child, we were able to enjoy and relax in the present moment…
… but when we “grow up”, we get caught up in the snare of the past and shrink with fear of the future.

The Lord invites us to get back the “lost” child-like faith and trust.

We need to realise that we are always little children to our Heavenly Father…
He loves to care for us!
He longs that we depend on Him entirely!

Yes, children sometimes teach elders great lessons, isn’t it?

Let us be willing to “go out of the way”…

And do things that are very beautiful
And teach others actions, that can be imitated!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being fervent and zealous to lead a holier and immaculate life, pleasing to God – like Mamma Mary!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

A priest went to visit a violent criminal who was condemned to death…
… hoping to prepare his soul to die well.

But the man wouldn’t even talk to him.

The priest pleaded with him to get reconciled with God…
… but the man’s heart was highly closed!

Finally, as a last resort, the priest entrusted himself to the Blessed Virgin Mary…
… and said to the criminal, “Before I leave, will you grant me one little favour?”

To get rid of the bothersome priest, the man said he would.

“Let us then,” the priest responded, “Say one Hail Mary.”

So, together they began to pray that simple prayer…
… “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with You…”

They hadn’t even got through the first sentence when the criminal turned pale…
… and his voice started to shake.

The priest continued the Hail Mary…
… and as he finished tears started to flow from the man’s face, and he fell on his knees at the priest’s feet.

As soon as the prayer was done, the man asked to make confession.

He then confessed his sins with a great sense of repentance!

The words, “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you…”
… had ignited the spark of repentance in him!

Yes, that’s the power of the intercession of Mother Mary!

She is the refuge of sinners

Her life of Faithfulness to God’s Grace, is an inspiration to all of us…
… to live an Immaculate and Holy Life!

Today, we celebrate the Solemn Feast of the beginning…
… of the faithful life of the Most Beautiful and Loved Creation of God: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother.

Sin is part of every human life.

St Paul testifies to this fact when he says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)

By themselves, human beings are incapable of freeing themselves from sin.

Therefore…
… Everyone needs a Saviour
… Everyone needs a Redeemer

But God, in His infinite wisdom had thought of the most excellent way of redeeming humanity.

Salvation was to be accomplished not through any magical power
Rather, the salvation of humanity was to be won by a Human Himself – the most perfect Human.

This perfect Human deserved and required the most sinless of all wombs to be born

This perfect Human demanded and necessitated the most immaculate of all lives to be nurtured

Thus, God in His perfect wisdom, applied the Grace of Redemption and Salvation to the One He had chosen – Mary of Nazareth.

Therefore…

Mary is the first recipient of the Redemption of Christ!
Mary is the first fruit of the Salvation, won by Christ!

This is the story of the Immaculate Conception of Mother Mary.

The Holy Scripture testifies to this Immaculate nature of our Blessed Mother through the words of Angel Gabriel to Her, “Hail, FULL of Grace!” (Lk 1:28)

The Immaculate Conception of our Blessed Mother points to…
… Her sinlessness
….Her being full of Grace
… Her perfection in holiness
… and Her absolute adherence to the Will of God.

“Yes, Lord… Thy Will be done” (Lk 1:38)…
… was a chorus that She sang in all the moments of life!

Today, on this Feast day, our Blessed Mother invites and exhorts us, also…
… to choose God, always, and lead a sinless life
… to always opt for God alone, at all times, and being immaculate in life
… to unswervingly be faithful to God’s Will, and thus seek to be perfect in life

The challenge is great and the efforts required are radical.

But we are not left alone in this “pursuit of holiness” (1 Cor 9:24)

Our Blessed Mamma – the Beautiful Lady in blue and white – grace in holiness and immaculate in love – holds our hands and tells us: “My Little Child, I am with you!

I love you, and together, we shall walk in this exciting path of Holiness…
… towards My Son and Your Brother…
… towards Our Saviour Jesus!”

Yes, let us give heed to the loving call of our Blessed Mother

And be fervent and zealous to lead a holier and immaculate life, pleasing to God…
… as we pray, “Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with You…!”

Happy Feast of our Immaculate Mamma!

All Glory and Honour to Her Eternal Son and our Saviour, JESUS!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Preparing our hearts to receive His Word as He wishes, in our life, and seeking to live, in total accord with Him!”

(Based on Isa 11:1-10, Rom 15:4-9 and Mt 3:1-12 – 2nd Sunday in Advent, Cycle A)

It was December in the year 1903.

After several attempts, the Wright brothers – achieved success in getting their “flying machine” off the land.

They were very much thrilled!

They telegraphed this message Katherine, their sister, informing her of the great invention:

“We have actually flown 120 feet! Will be home for Christmas”

The sister was also super-excited.

She rushed to the editor of the local newspaper, to share the great news and showed him the telegraph message.

The editor glanced at the message and said:
“How nice! So the boys will be home for Christmas!”

Oops…

The Editor had completely missed the big news, isn’t it?

The big news was that “man had flown for the first time in history!!”

But he totally “missed the point!”

How often is this our experience too in life – missing the important points and settling for lower ones!

We often fail to give attention to the most important things of life…
… instead, we get carried away by some other less priorities of life!

Isn’t it?

Something similar had happened to the people of Israel as well…

God had promised them of the coming of the Messiah…
… but they “missed the point”..
… and thus, failed to recognise the Saviour He came!

God had promised that Prophet Elijah of old would return…
… but they “missed the point”…
… and thus, failed to recognize the Prophet when he came!

This is what John the Baptist in today’s Gospel will point out…
… that people “missed the important points” in life!

And so he calls them “to repent” and come back to realise and recognize the priorities of life!

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, had come, preaching the message of repentance and conversion of heart (Mt 3:1)

The Gospel of St Matthew says that John the Baptist…
… wore a clothing made of camel’s hair
… had a leather belt around his waist
… had food of locusts and wild honey (Mt 3: 4)

This appearance was very similar to that of Elijah, the Prophet (2 Kings 1:8)

But in their encounter with John the Baptist, the people failed to recognise him as the Elijah “who was to come”

They “missed the point!”

And thus John the Baptist came to be …
… rejected
… derided
… finally killed!

Jesus also will echo this aspect when He will tell later in His ministry:
“I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognise him; but did to him, whatever they pleased” (Mt 17: 12)

John the Baptist realised that the people were “missing the point” with respect to…
… having a false hope in their patriarchal faith
… understanding the law and the prophets

That’s why, he tells the people – quoting the patriarch Abraham and the prophet Isaiah –
… “Do not presume to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father'” (Mt 3:9a)
… “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths” (Mt 3: 3b)

The people of Israel had perhaps taken for granted…
… that their great heritage – consisting of great patriarchs like Abraham and Isaac and Jacob – would be credited to them, for their salvation!
… that the oracles of the prophets – like Isaiah – did not apply to their life and they could go on living a life as they pleased!

But John the Baptist…
The fearless prophet
The unassuming forerunner
The uncompromising martyr
… would challenge them with the Kingdom ‘ringtone’: “Repent!” (Mt 3:2)

All his life would be an echo of this Kingdom Ringtone – “Repent”

… “Repent” – for you have “missed the point” of living as per the commandments of the Lord

… “Repent” – for you have “missed the point” in failing to recognise the Truth and Power of the Lord

… “Repent” – for you have “missed the point” by giving priority to your own whims and fancies of life

Many times in our life, we too “miss the point” in our encounter with the Lord…

He gives His Beautiful Word to us…
… but we fail to be encouraged by It and live by It

He makes many wonderful promises of assurance and guidance…
… but we fail to live a life of trust and confidence

He offers Himself wonderfully in the Sacraments, especially Confession and Holy Eucharist…
… but we fail to derive the necessary fruits from Them

Today, the Gospel invites us, to look at God’s Promises, God’s Word’s and God’s Will…
… and discover the true purpose of it in our lives.

This is more true as we prepare for Christmas…

CHRIST is the BIG POINT of Christmas

But perhaps…
… we “miss the point” by giving much priority to only external decorations and festivities
… we “miss the point” by forwarding Advent greetings, but failing to practise them ourselves
… we “miss the point” by commercialising this whole season, and failing to dare to grow spiritually

Yes, let us dare not “miss Him!”

In the first reading, Isaiah’s “shoot from the stump of Jesse” reminds us that God often begins His greatest works in places that look barren or finished.

New life quietly springs where we least expect…
… if only we do not miss His subtle stirrings.

St Paul, in the second reading, exhorts that Christ came to fulfill the covenant for Israel and extend mercy to the Gentiles…
… revealing a God far bigger than our expectations.

Advent warns us not to limit His work to our comfort zones…
… but to welcome the wideness of His saving love.

Let us prepare our hearts to receive His Word as He wishes, in our life…
… and seek to live, in total accord with Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Cycling our way, with our Heavenly Father, in the exciting art of Mission!”

(Based on Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 and Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 – Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent)

One of the exciting things in life, which many of us have gone through, is learning a bicycle.

These days, bicycles come with a special set of training wheels that are attached to the back wheels.

The two little wheels attached to the back wheel are there to help provide balance and confidence to the rider.

But many of us, would have also learnt the bicycle in the old-fashioned way…
… the parent or a friend who ran alongside the one learning, until the rider got under way.

This person, who would be accompanying, would most often say three things, while learning this art of cycling…

Always keep the eye on the road…
… to keep the focus
Don’t lean to the left or the right side…
… to have proper balance
Remember, I am always there with you…
… to feel the confidence and trust

These three principles would help the person to learn quick this art of cycling.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve…
… to learn the Art of Mission…

Like the art of cycling, the Apostles are also given some basic principles…
… the principle to keep focus
… the principle to have a proper balance
… the principle of confidence and trust

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

There were crowds of people following Him…
There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

The Heart of the Lord is moved in empathy for these people.

The Gospel says, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus
Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus
Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

But as the saying goes… “Challenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…
… He remained courageous and determined.

And so, He chose the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The Twelve were to be His extension – of His Teachings, of His Works

And so, He not only chooses the Twelve…
… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…
… with an authority over unclean spirits
… to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace

In this art of mission, the Lord gives a few instructions and principles…
… and “also gave authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness” (Mt 10:1)

The Twelve were to learn…
… to keep focus on the preaching of repentance and bringing healing to people
… to have a proper balance by not getting discouraged in the face of any sort of rejection
… to have confidence and trust in the Lord Who was with them to provide what they needed

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…

Am I focussing on preaching only His Gospel and living only His life….
… or do I get distracted with other agenda and motives?

Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…
… or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…
… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

The art of missions is exciting.
We may feel a little afraid at times…
We may sometimes even fall..

But we only need to follow some of the basic principles, coupled with His Grace…
… to be focussed on the Lord alone
… to be balanced in prayer and faithfulness
… to be trusting and being confident in His awesome power

And when we embark on this art of mission, just like a caring parent, who is happy to see one’s child cycling confidently…
… our Heavenly Father will also look at us with much happiness and joy and be proud of us!

Are we ready to cycle our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission?

Today is the Feast of St. Nicholas

Most people know him only as the inspiration behind Santa Claus…
… but the real St. Nicholas, a 4th-century saint, was famous for secretly helping those in need
… most notably providing dowries for three poor daughters so they could live with dignity.
His life reminds us to see beyond popular images
… be attentive to the needs of others
… and respond to our own call to holiness with joy.

God Bless! Live Jesus!