“Learning the Grammar of Love and Mercy from the Lord and earning accolades in the University of God!

(Based on 1 Cor 15:1-11 and Lk 7:36-50 – Thursday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time)

All of us have been school kids…

And as students, one of the most dreaded…avoided…boring… (or for the really good students…one of the most exciting…scoring…loved) topics in class was Grammar!

Grammar plays a vital function in every language!

And in grammar, Tenses play a key role…

Does the word, “Tenses” bring some tension on our face??!

Well, we are not going to reflect on any boring (or exciting…either way we consider) lesson on Grammar!

But for our surprise…
… the Gospel of the Day, presents to us Jesus, the teacher!
And He is out to teach us …well, you guessed it right… Grammar!

Welcome to the Class on Grammar…by the renowned Teacher, Jesus…

The class today is in a different setting…

It is taking place in a house, around a dinner table!

The participants in this session are many…

But the attention remains focused on three persons:

1. Simon, the Pharisee
   Unlike other Pharisees, this man is much more open to receive Jesus into his home.

We don’t know whether he was a die-hard fan of Jesus…but he certainly seemed not so opposed to Him!

How do we describe him?

Social Person….Diplomatic…Polished…Willing to be open…?

2. Jesus, the Guest
   The Lord seems to enjoy food…!

But more than food, He very certainly enjoys and values the people, He eats with!

He was happy to be a guest to Simon, the Pharisee…
… He would have been happy to sup with the class of people who were highly critical of His ways of teaching!

How do we describe Jesus?

Friendly… Welcoming… Open-hearted…Compassionate…Gentle…?

3. The Sinner Woman
   She was a prostitute lady, who lived selling her body to men.

She was a victim of the people’s duplicity & discrimination – misused as a source of pleasure yet despised & categorized as the scum of the society!

She however, feels privileged to have been able to come near Jesus, in whom she places her hope of receiving true acceptance and genuine love.

How do we describe her?

Penitent…Sorrowful…Hopeful…Courageous…Loving…?

The story is familiar to us…

Simon hosts the dinner for Jesus…

Meanwhile, the sinner woman approaches the Lord, and showers her love and affection.

The host Simon, gets irked by this gesture…
… and scandalized by his guest allowing her to do so!

What was Simon’s problem?
He thought he was better than the prostitute.

He thought he was more righteous than the lady who sold her body!

He thought he was far more worthy than the woman who had no moral groundings!

And this is where, the Master Teacher…steps in….and teaches The Grammar of Life – changing Tenses!

Simon said, “She IS a sinner.” … in the present tense!

Jesus replied, “No, she WAS a sinner.”…in the past tense!

Jesus changed the tenses in her life.

People considered her to be woman with loose morals…

Jesus considers her to be a woman of deep love!

People thought of her as a dirty and shameless creature…

Jesus thinks of her as a beautiful and precious child of God!

How often do we fall into this grave mistake of mixing up “tenses” in the lives of people…

There is a Simon, perhaps, in all of us!

A person WOULD have been known for some misdeeds…
… but we think he/she WILL always remain to be so!

A person WOULD have committed some grave faults…
… but we think he/she WILL continue to persist in them!

A person WOULD have done some wrongs in the past…
… but we think he/she WILL be always fixated in that!

A person WOULD have displayed some bad habits…
… but we think he/she WILL always have to be condemned!

We need to learn from the Master Teacher, that God can change the “tenses” in the life of people.

We need to be hopeful from the Master Teacher, that God can change the “tenses” in our own lives.

At the end of the incident, the Master Teacher blesses the sinner lady, again, in a grammatical style…

Jesus says to the sinner lady,
“Your SINS are forgiven”… The PAST is purified!
“Your faith has SAVED you”…the PRESENT is strengthened!
“GO in peace”…the FUTURE is blessed!

Simon deserves our empathy…
… perhaps, most of us also, would have reacted in a similar way, if we were to be in his place…

Imagine having the presence of a famous prostitute barging in during some family occasion!

We too would have been very scandalized
… we too would have been ashamed
… we too would have felt offended!

But the Lord invites us to weed off… slowly at least… the little SIMONness in us….
… the tendency to judge people based on their past life.
… the tendency to fail to give any room or chance for improvement.
… the tendency to not able to see the persons, however bad, as ultimately being children of God, our Father!

Let us depend on the Grace of the Lord for transformation in our life, just as St Paul testifies and declares: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His Grace toward me was not in vain!” (1 Cor 15:10)

Jesus, the Master Teacher can change tenses in our lives, in the lives of others!

Let us learn this Grammar of Love and Mercy from the School of Jesus…
… and earn accolades in the University of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “”Do not generalize from a particular instance.
Do not say that a certain person is a drunkard, because you have seen him drunk once…

… A single act is not enough to justify such a label!”

“Giving heed to the call of the Lord, and doing away with all hypocritical aspects of our life; instead, having expressions of faith, that are real and genuine!

(Based on 1 Cor 12:31-13:13 and Lk 7:31-35 – Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time)

After his victory over Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium, Augustus Caesar came back to Rome in triumph.

Among the huge crowd who greeted him, was a man (a bird seller) who had a bird that was taught to say, “Hail, Caesar, victorious!”

Augustus Caesar, the victorious king was greatly impressed that the bird was able to utter praises in honour of his victory…
… and bought the bird for a large sum.

Then someone got Caesar aside and whispered to him, that the man had another bird that was just as talented.

The man was summoned and Caesar asked for a demonstration of what the other bird could do.

The man selling the birds objected… and expressed reluctance…
… but Caesar insisted.

Finally the bird uttered: “Hail, Antony, victorious!”

(The second bird ended up uttering praises to the enemy who had been defeated by Augustus Caesar!)

The birds had been only trained to speak by rote!

Their expression was not something “that was really meant”…
Their expression was laden with tones of duplicity and lack of genuineness

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation on how people are also very often similar…
… failing to have expressions that are real and genuine!
… falling into the trap of duplicity and double-standardness!

The Gospel is an exposition on the attitudes of duplicity and being double-standard that can cram our Christian lives.

Jesus gives an illustration of how the attitudes of duplicity and being double-standard can cram our Christian lives.

He speaks of “children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, ‘We piped to you and you did not dance; we wailed and you did not weep'” (Lk 7: 32)

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.

He 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 “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.” (Lk 7:32)

Both of them refused to compromise on their convictions and principles of life

It was a tragedy of that generation…
… that two of the great leaders – John and Jesus – though came with apparent contrast – found themselves rejected!
… that these two great messengers of the Kingdom, met with a tragic end – one beheaded, the other crucified!

This shows an important philosophy that underlies many lives: an attitude of indifference to the truth and an attitude of rejection of those who challenge our lives!

This tragedy affects our generation too…

We often wrap ourselves often in the garment of hard-heartedness and arrogance…
… and fail to allow the message of the Truth to bring a transformation in our lives

We neatly hide ourselves in the dark shadows of indifference and apathy…
… and remain unconcerned with the workings of God’s Power and Grace in our hearts

But the Lord today renders a wake-up call to shake off the dusts of…
… apathy, hypocrisy and indifference from our lives!

Very often our faith is only a training to speak prayers and express articles of faith merely “by rote”

Very often, our faith expressions are not something “that is really meant from the heart”
Very often, our religious expressions are laden with tones of duplicity and lack of genuineness

Let us give heed to the call of the Lord and do away with all hypocritical aspects of our life, and instead…
… have expressions that are real and genuine!
… and thus become an authentic follower of God and an ardent missionary of the Kingdom!

Let us be encouraged by the lives of St Cornelius, Pope and St Cyprian, Bishop – martyrs – whose feast we celebrate today and “who encouraged each other to lead virtuous, self-sacrificing, and loving lives for God!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If you do not choose to be simple and honest as a little child…

… you will not win the child’s sweetmeats!”

“Holding the hands of our Compassionate Mother, who is ever with us in our every sorrow, as she helps us, to follow Her Crucified Son and Our Strengthening Saviour, Jesus!”

(Based on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows)

A prayer meeting was on.

The participants were reciting the Rosary of the Seven Dolours (the seven sorrows of our Blessed Mother Mary).

It came to the fifth sorrow, which is “Jesus dies on the Cross”.

However, the one who was leading the prayer, by mistake said, “Mary dies on the Cross”.

A few participants, who heard this mistake, burst out into laughter, at the mistake!

But in hindsight, if we consider that statement, there is so much of truth and meaning in it – “Mary dies on the Cross!”

While on earth, there was no one who was closer to our Blessed Lord than His Own Beloved Mother.

He received His body from Her.
With Him, She rejoiced!
With Him, She suffered!
And finally, in those deepest agonizing moments on the Cross, there was none who suffered more than Her!

Every pain of Her Little Child, was experienced by the Blessed Mother

Mary was the Woman Who was most happy at the birth of the Lord
Mary was also the Woman Who was most sorrowful at the death of the Lord!

Today, Holy Mother the Church keeps the memorial of Mary, the Sorrowful Mother of Jesus.

This feast is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of our Blessed Mother.

The title “Our Lady of Sorrows” focuses on Mother Mary’s intense suffering during the Passion and Death of Jesus…
… and invites us to meditate especially through the Seven Sorrowful and Dolorous Moments in the life of our Blessed Mother.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon
2. The flight into Egypt
3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple
4. Mary meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary
5. Jesus dies on the Cross
6. Mary receives the Dead Body of Jesus in Her arms
7. The Body of Jesus is placed in the Tomb

Suffering is an immense and an intense reality of our lives.

Many times, sufferings hit our lives when…
… we least expect it
… we are least prepared for it

Such moments of pain and agony…when encountered without any faith….
… can cause us to lose any meaning in life and renders our life to be shorn of hope
… can cause us to question God and His goodness and strips our faith of its strength
… can cause us to have recourse to “unbecoming” means to relieve ourselves from pain

However, such moments of suffering and difficulties…. when faced with deep faith and trust…
… will become occasions of God’s overflowing grace filling our lives and making us stronger
… will become occasions for us to depend deeper on our Creator and to feel His power more strongly
… will become occasions for us to realise the value of life, and become more compassionate towards others

This time of the pandemic has been extremely harsh and painful for the entire world.

However we need to ask ourselves…
… have we been able to increase our faith and trust in the Lord, and know the God is very much with us, even in this unexplained time of suffering?
… or has our faith wavered, and is our life cluttered with many uncertainties and questions of hopelessness?

Our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother of Sorrows and the Mother of Compassion – teaches us many important and vital lessons for life

She had every reason to complain and fight against God…
She had every reason to protest and abandon God and His Will…
She had every reason to murmur and let go of the plan of God for Her…

But, the “Yes” that She pronounced at the Annunciation was echoed all through Her life… at every step
… be it in times of joy and calmness
… be it in times of sadness and calamity

The “Yes” She said was the Final Profession She made…
… just as the Religious make on the Day of their Profession
… just as the Priests make on the Day of their Ordination
… just as the Married make to each other and to God, on their Day of Wedding
… just as the Baptised make to the Lord and seek to live, from the time of Baptism

It was a binding for life…

It was a commitment to, with conviction…
It was to be lived in sincerity, with dedication…

The Feast of the Mother of Sorrows is a beautiful reminder and reflection on “Two Hearts that were united to each other, burning with love” – the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Blessed Mother Mary!

These two Hearts underwent immense pain and suffering…
… yet, rejoiced in Love!

We are invited to live a life…

free from sin
filled with love
firm in conviction
fashioned in grace
… like our Beloved and Blessed Mother Mary!

Mamma Mary invites all of us to live a life of joy, even when the clouds of sorrow paint the skies of our lives. Her Seven Special Moments of Joy…

1. The Annunciation
2. The Nativity of Jesus
3. The Adoration of the Magi
4. The Resurrection of Christ
5. The Ascension of Christ to Heaven
6. The Pentecost or Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary
7. The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven
   … are a reminder to know that God reigns over every situation in life, and we need to “wave the Flag of Joy in our lives always!”

May we be filled with the courage and grace to truly make it our prayer:
“Holy Mother, pierce me through
In my heart, each wound renew
Of my Saviour Crucified!”

Wish you a Happy Feast of our Compassionate Mother, who is ever with us in our every sorrow…
…. as she helps us, to follow Her Crucified Son and Our Strengthening Saviour, Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It is not joy I seek, it is Himself…
… and My Heart, full of love, makes Me seek always to be united to that Amiable Child, My Tenderly Beloved One.

In a word, the intention of the soul in this union is nothing, save to be with Her Lover!”

THE SEVENTH SORROW: THE BODY OF JESUS IS PLACED IN THE TOMB

REFLECTION
As the body of Jesus was placed inside the tomb, it seemed to be the end of the world for Mother Mary.

The life of the Old Testament Isaac was spared and Abraham had to joy of being reunited with his Son.

The life of the New Testament Isaac was however not spared!

Was it the end of Her life too?

Circumstances often drags us to give up in life…
… and to abandon our call to be soldiers of God’s Kingdom!

The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes the model for us: To reply to life’s harsh challenges with an even bolder face of courage!

(Reflect for some time and personalize the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may be able to reply to the hard and harsh challenges of life with greater courage by depending totally on the Power of the Lord, Amen!

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Facing life’s challenges with courage in the Power of the Lord

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us!
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

THE SIXTH SORROW: MARY RECEIVES THE DEAD BODY OF JESUS IN HER ARMS

REFLECTION
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me,” was the cry of the Lord from the Cross.

With Her Dead Child in Her arms, perhaps, the Mother of God would have also echoed the same question!

No answer given!

Yet, the tears that dropped from Her lovely eyes, to the cheeks of Her Tender Baby, carried the power of Hope and Trust and Faith!

We too sometimes encounter situations and times, when life crushes us

The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a Model for us: To remain submissive to God’s Providence and be hopeful in faith!

(Reflect for some time and personalize the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that remain open to the Providence of the Lord in my life and to be hopeful and faithful, Amen!

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Submitting to the Providence of the Lord!
Being hopeful in faith!

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us!
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

“Reflecting deeper on the autobiography of our lives, written on the Cross of our Blessed Lord, and thus preserving, nurturing and beautifying our lives in holiness and love!”

(Based on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Jn 3:13-17)

Venerable Fulton J Sheen is undoubtedly one of the greatest proponents of Catholicism of the 20th Century. In his autobiography titled, “Treasure in Clay,” Bishop Sheen gives a beautiful and heart-rendering illustration of the Cross – the Crucifix:

“In the Crown of Thorns, I see my pride…
… my grasping for earthly toys, in the Pierced Hands,
… my flight from shepherding care, in the Pierced Feet
… my wasted love, in the Wounded Heart
… and my prurient desires, in the Flesh hanging from Him like Purple Rags!”

Yes…
… on the Most Holy Cross, we have the autobiography of all our lives!

On this Great and Blessed Feast of the Exaltation of the Most Holy Cross, we turn our gaze towards the Cross on which our Blessed Lord redeemed us…
… as we gratefully thank Him for His Awesome Sacrificial Love
… and pledge to live a life in expectation of this Great Sacrifice of our Crucified Lord!

In the Gospel (Jn 3: 13-17), Jesus tells to Nicodemus, “… as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (Jn 3: 14)

Centuries before Jesus was crucified, Divinity in its Immense Wisdom was already preparing for the plan of salvation!

Having been powerfully freed from the slavery in Egypt, the people of Israel were travelling to the Promised Land through the wilderness.

However, this difficult journey caused the people to lose their patience, and they murmured against God and His servant, Moses on the lack of comforts!

The result of this sin was the plague of poisonous serpents that caused suffering and death to them. (Num 21: 4-9)

However at the intercession of Moses, God had him lift up a bronze serpent on a pole, so that all who looked it would be healed!

This was the foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ!

(This method of Interpreting the Bible is also called “Biblical Typology”

“Biblical Typology” refers to a person, place or event in the Old Testament that has its own proper significance…
… but also prefigures a person, place or event, later in the New Testament

In the words of St Augustine: “The New Testament is hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is made manifest in the New!”)

Like the people of Israel, our life is often a journey through the wilderness.

Sometimes there is a lack of comfort.
Sometimes there is an inflation of hardships
Sometimes there is an increase in uncertainty.
… And we begin to complain, grumble… falling into many sinful ways and habits!

But Divine Love, wanting to have us back to Him, provides us the means to be rescued from the deadly effects of such sins…
… The Holy Cross is the Symbol of this redemption and salvation that is won for us, by Christ!

Are we ready to take refuge in the shadows of this Holy Cross…
… and affirming our sincere acceptance of Christ in our lives, do we live a holy life, worthy of our salvation?

St John of the Cross would say, “The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily, must cast off all things and use the Cross as his cane.

In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.”

Usually the heart is considered to be the great symbol of Love…

But, from a Christian perspective, probably, the Holy Cross is a greater and a more meaningful symbol of the Immense Love of God for each one of us.

The Cross demands sacrifice…

The Cross demands a self-emptying nature…
The Cross demands a complete commitment…
.. And this is indeed the true nature of Love – sacrificial, self-emptying and committed! (Phil 2: 6-11)

As we honour and venerate the Holy Cross, may we hear the words of our Crucified Lord, tenderly whispering to us, with deep love and affection:
“You are mine, forever…
… and you belong to Me and to Me alone!

Hold on to My Cross, always!”

Two thieves on either sides, died with Christ on the Cross

One mocked Jesus…
… the other sought Jesus

One took pride in himself…
… the other humbled himself

One continued to remain condemned…
… the other moved on to receive salvation

One lost a golden opportunity…
… the other, won the Prized Paradise!

The Cross – with Jesus hanging – beckons to each one of one of us today

We have a choice…
… like both the thieves

What choice are we going to make?

Are we going to lose a golden opportunity…
… or are we going to seek the Prized Paradise?

ESCAPE FROM THE CROSS…
… OR EMBRACE THE CROSS!!

EXIT THE CROSS…
… OR EXALT THE CROSS!!

May we reflect deeper on the autobiography of our lives, written on the Cross of our Blessed Lord…
… and thus preserve, nurture and beautify our lives – which is truly a “treasure in clay” – in holiness and love!

In the words of Ven Fulton Sheen, “The ideal is to reach a point in practice, where, like Our Lord on the Cross, we witness to God even amidst abandonment and the agony of a crucifixion!”

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Cross!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “St. Paul, the outstanding master and teacher of the newborn Church, discovered in the Crucified Christ…
… the blissful wellspring of his love
… the theme of his sermons
… the source of his boasting
… the goal of all his ambitions in this world

… and the anchor of all his hopes for the world to come!”

“Casting away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extending the Mercy of the Lord to others!”

(Based on Sirach 27:33-28:9, Rom 14:7-9 and Mt 18:21-35 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

A common observation that is noticed among many children, is the fear and apprehensions of some subjects in the school or college.
Among these subjects, one which would top the list of subjects which causes tension and undue worry, is certainly, Mathematics!

Many have a fear of this subject which deals with figures and numbers.

Many have an aversion to this subject which deals with digits and numerals.

Well, it’s not known or certain whether Our Lord had any such aversion or fear or apprehension or even dislike for this subject, Mathematics!

But one thing is for certain…
… that the Lord sure loved to keep out Mathematics when dealing with important spiritual dimensions.
… that the Lord indeed would transgress the norms of Mathematics when engaged in vital spiritual aspects.

The Gospel of the Day is an exhibition of this aspect of the Lord going beyond mathematical boundaries in dealing with the beautiful virtue of forgiveness.

The passage begins with the Lord’s chief and one-of-the-first apostles Peter, raising a query to his Master, ” Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” (Mt 18: 21)

It was probably a genuine doubt of Peter, which arose from his own personal experiences.
He must have had some difficulties in forgiving, out of his wavering temperament, perhaps!

But he now puts forward to Jesus a doubt as to what should be the limit of one’s forgiveness.

Peter sought to know what are the exact boundaries that one must limit oneself, while forgiving.

He wanted clear-cut rules to define the maximum threshold and frontiers of generosity in pardoning.

But the Lord replies firmly, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy seven times” (Mt 18:22)

The Lord does away with the mathematical rules in forgiveness!

The Lord does not confine to the mathematical stipulations in forgiveness!

“Seventy seven times” would refer a number, unlimited and uncountable!
The frontiers for how many times to forgive are done away with…
The boundaries for how many times to forgive do not hold good…

As the Lord spoke these words to Peter, the apostle would himself have recalled…
“Once beside the sea of Galilee, when I encountered the Holy Master, I realized that I was drowning in the waters of sin… and I had asked pardon from the Lord.
Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man (Lk 5:8)”

These words of the Lord would have again echoed in the ears of Peter, later on, after the resurrection of Jesus….

Once again, beside a Sea… this time, the Sea of Tiberius, Peter experienced the forgiving power of the Lord in accepting back, though he had betrayed Him three times (Jn 21: 15-18)

Many times he had sinned against the Lord…
Many times he had caused pain and ache to the Lord…
Many times he had abandoned and betrayed the Lord…
But every time, the Lord forgave, wholeheartedly!

The Lord was truly the Master, “who practised what He preached”

The Lord was truly the Master, “who forgave unconditionally and without any limits”

This Lord, today seeks to impress on us too, this same attitude of forgiveness.

The teaching on forgiveness, is most certainly easy said than done!

To forgive….especially to forgive repeatedly, is certainly no easy task…

But it would require a deeper experience of the Unconditional Love of the Lord and our own determination, along with His grace, to reach out in forgiveness and pardon to our constantly erring brothers and sisters!

The Book of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) reminds u: “Forgive your neighbor the wrong he has done, and then your sins will be pardoned when you pray!

Remember the end of your life, and cease from enmity, remember destruction and death, and be true to the commandments. Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook ignorance!
Refrain from strife, and you will lessen sins; for a man given to anger will kindle strife, and a sinful man will disturb friends and inject enmity among those who are at peace.” (Sir 28: 2, 6-9)

Let the words of St Paul, “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s!” (Rom 14:8)…
… help us to live a life of forgiveness and peace.

Are we ready to cast away mathematical limitations in forgiving, and extend the Mercy of the Lord to others?

Are we ready to do away with mathematical countings in pardoning others, knowing that we ourselves have received this favour from the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There was never an angry man that thought his anger unjust!”

THE FIFTH SORROW: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

REFLECTION
At the Annunciation, when asked to give birth to a child, Mary had asked the Angel: “But how can this be since I am a virgin”.

At Calvary, when seeing the death of Her Beloved Child, perhaps, Mary could have asked God: “But how can this be since I am a mother!”

They were questions which expressed human limitations and the demand to let everything be resigned into the hands of God!

We ourselves have had many such mini-experiences of Dying – of loved ones, of relationships, of great dreams..

The Compassionate Mother Mary, becomes a model for us: To accept our human boundaries and give ourselves into God’s Hands.

(Reflect for some time and personalize the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may accept all my limitations, and give myself totally into the Hands of the Lord, Amen!

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Accepting the various limitations in my life
Giving myself totally to the Hands of the Lord

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us!
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India

“Building our lives on the firm foundation of certainty and conviction and declaring Him, with passion, faithfulness and commitment, as the Lord!”

(Based on 1 Cor 10:14-22 and Lk 6:43-49 – Saturday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time – Feast of the Most Holy name of Mary)

What is common to…
… a sports match, a theatre-act, a street-play, a cinema-show, a circus-extravaganza, a musical-concert, a dance-display’…?

Any guesses…??

Yes… it’s the audience!

Audience are the onlookers who cheer and enjoy the performances.

But they themselves don’t participate.

Though they might seek to get involved emotionally, a little…
…. they still remain mere watchers and spectators.

A similar attitude is perhaps strongly seen in our following of Christ.

We seem to have become a people who are mere spectators to the teachings of Christ.
We seem to have reduced ourselves to being mere onlookers of the Gospel values.

The Gospel of the Day calls us to examine our real attitude and position in being a follower of Christ.

The Lord declares today, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’, but do not do what I command?” (Lk 6:46)

The Lord is clear to tell that a mere lip-confession that Jesus is the Lord will not suffice in finding a place in the Kingdom…

How much do we really mean when we call Jesus as the Lord?

These days, “Jesus is Lord” and “Praise the Lord” are phrases that are very commonly used.

Sometimes we use them without being aware of it.
Sometimes we use them without actually meaning it.

The word, “Lord” – Kurios in Greek – means a possessor or the master of a thing or a sovereign prince or an emperor.

We call Jesus as our Lord and give praises to Him as the Lord…

But do we really consider Him as the possessor of all our thoughts and plans and aspirations?
Do we acknowledge Him as the Master of our broken past, our worrying present and our unknown future?
Do we enthrone Him as the Prince and Emperor to rule over all our desires and ambitions?

Very often, “Jesus is Lord” becomes a mere “profession” limited to the lips!

This aspect of “professing” but “failing to perform” is an aspect seen in various areas of our lives…

Politicians “profess” many promises and oaths…
…but many fail in their “profession” and indulge in unfair and corrupt practices.

Doctors “profess” an oath of being true to the service of the suffering humanity…
…but many fail in their “profession” and engage in cheating and swindling patients.

Lawyers “profess” to be honest and guardians of the truth and justice…
…but many fail in their “profession” and involve themselves in violating the law.

The religious circles are no exemption to this “cancerous” trend…

Religious “profess” to lead a life the consecrated vows and promises…
… but many fail in their “profession” and get busy with many worldly concerns and cares.

Priests “profess” to be committed to spreading the Gospel and the love of God to all…
…but many fail in their “profession” and lose track of the real focus and aim of priesthood.

Husbands and wives “profess” to be with each other in every situation and troubles of life…
…but many fail in their “profession” and break up in irreconcilable fights and disputes.

Christians “profess” to be the light of the world and salt to the earth at the Baptism…
….but many fail in their “profession” and often become scandals and anti-witnesses.

The Lord dishes out a challenging message today…

A “profession” without true faithfulness can be a dangerous one.
A “profession” without living up to its demands is highly destructive.

This is what the Lord reminds us through the parable of the two foundations (Lk 6: 46-49)

The house built on firm rock remains firm in every storm or calamity.

The house built on loose sand gets destroyed in any storm or calamity.

Is the “profession” that I make, built…
… on the firm rock of certainty and conviction?
… or on the loose sand of uncertainty and confusion?

St Paul strongly exhorts us to grow in our faith in the Lord…
… and in the unity we share with one another, by our communion with the Lord:
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor 10:16-17)

Christian calling is not a call to remain mere spectators or an onlooker.

A spectator enjoys the fun from far…
… a participant is fully involved in joy and satisfaction.

An onlooker appreciates a performance without being affected…
… a participant struggles hard for it.

Christianity is a call to get involved in the realities of life, with the power and love of the Lord.

Our “profession” to call Him as our Lord…
… ought to get translated into our day to day living.
… ought to make a purposive choice to do God’s Will.
… ought to be a preferential option for God’s Word.

Let us build our lives on the firm foundation of certainty and conviction and declare Him, with passion, faithfulness and commitment, as the Lord!

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy name of Mary, the Mother of God.

Mother Mary always points us to God, reminding us of infinite goodness of God

She helps us to open our hearts to the Ways of God, wherever those may lead.

Let us seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary to give heed to the call of the Lord to build a firm foundation of conviction and certainty…
… and reform our lives, so that our love for the Lord may show forth in true obedience and sincere submission!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Those who wish to straighten a young tree,
not only to bring it to the direction in which they wish it to grow…

… but even bend it somewhat beyond, so that it will not return to its former direction!”

THE FOURTH SORROW: MARY MEETS JESUS ON THE WAY TO CALVARY

REFLECTION
The sight of the Mother and Child meeting on the ‘Via Crucis’ (Way of the Cross) was a picture of total sadness!

Tears filled both their eyes…
… the Divine Child and the Sorrowful Mother!

One with a Cross over the shoulders…
… the other a cross in Her heart!

Both their lips, however, sang the same chorus – Fiat…
… Thy Will be done Lord!

Life often puts us to situations of total hopelessness and darkness…
… the way ahead seems closed!

The Compassionate Mother Mary becomes a model for us: To remain faithful and loyal.

(Reflect for some time and personalize the above-mentioned points)

PRAYER
Compassionate Mother Mary, intercede for me, that I may always be faithful to the Lord, as I walk through my ‘Via Crucis’ – my way of the Cross, Amen!

VIRTUES TO BE PRACTISED

Being faithful and loyal to the Lord at all times

NOVENA PRAYER
Compassionate Mother, Immaculate Virgin, look upon us with mercy. Help us in our daily trials and sorrows. For You are the comforter of those in pain and sorrow. You are the refuge of the abandoned and shelterless. You are the hope of the depressed and the despairing. Have compassion on us and come to our help.

You have known anguish and the bitterness of suffering and pain. Standing at the foot of the Cross, You witnessed the agony and death of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In deep sorrow, You held His Dead Body in Your arms. As You had compassion for the sufferings of Jesus, and suffered with Him and for Him, remember Dearest Mother, these our particular trials and sufferings (silence for a moment, placing your intentions)

Strengthen us, comfort us, intercede for us and free us from every evil.

Jesus died for us in torments and thus redeemed us through His Death. Compassionate Mother, You had a great share in the mystery of the Incarnation. By the anguish of Your heart and by suffering with Jesus for the salvation of humankind, You are the co-Redemptrix of the human race.

Intercede for us that Your Divine Son may grant us pardon, grace, purity of body and soul and all the spiritual and temporal blessings we now stand in need of.

Hail Mary, Glory Be,
Mother of Compassion, Pray for us!
(7 times)

Let us pray
Grant we beseech Thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, that the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, Whose most Holy Soul was transfixed with the sword of sorrows at the Hour of Your Own Passion, may intercede for us before Your Throne of Mercy, now and at the hour of our death, Amen!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Bengaluru, India