“Considering people not as a ‘burden’ or a ‘stress’; but as brother and sister!”

(Based on 1 Kings 21:17-29 and Mt 5:43-48 –Tuesday of the 11th Week of Ordinary Time)

The following story is known to us, perhaps in different forms…

A gentleman who was walking down the streets of a city was greatly interested too look at the street children – many of whom were carrying smaller children upon their backs – and managing at the same time to play their games.

“It is too bad,” said the gentleman to one little fellow, “that you have to carry such a heavy burden!”

“He’s no burden, Sir!” came the quick reply; “he’s my brother.”

The child who was carrying his younger sibling, did not count the pain or the difficulty in carrying; instead embraced the situation joyfully.

“He’s no burden, Sir… he’s my brother” – is a phrase that ought to strike a chord in our hearts.

As Christians, we need to make this journey…
… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!
… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful exhortation by Jesus to make this transition from considering people as a “burden” and “stress”…
… and instead look at them as “brothers and sisters”, extending the Christian virtue of unconditional love to all.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, continues to pull down barriers of “comfort and coziness” by challenging His disciples to rise above the normal standards of the world.

Today He speaks on the aspect of “Love”.

Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human person.

The dictionaries define love as being ‘a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person’ or a ‘feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection’.

Generally speaking, love is considered only to be a human ’emotion or feeling’.

It is something that is usually understood as being “felt” or “sensed” or “experienced”.

Jesus surely did consider “love” as an emotion and a feeling.

Therefore…
• He loved the company of people….
• He cherished affection of those who followed Him…
• He treasured relationships and fostered friendships with all…

But beyond these “external” dimensions of Love…
… Our Blessed Lord taught and showed a higher aspect of love.

Love, not just being a “feeling” but “love as a “decision”.

Love, not just being a “sensation” but love as a “commitment”

Therefore Jesus would say, “For if you love only those who love you, what recompense will you have?” (Mt 5: 46)

Love, when understood only as a “feeling” or an “emotion” can get reduced to being just an “object” or a “thing”
• Just as one exchanges goods with each other… love is also exchanged with one another.
• Just as one shares one’s belongings and possessions with one another… love is also shared with one another
• Just as one gives and takes things from each other… love is also given and taken from each other

But the Lord presents a higher understanding of love and demands a much supreme expression of love from His followers: “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5: 48)

Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling” and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment”.

When someone hurts us, we don’t “feel” like loving…

But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is a “daring decision”

When someone continues to be lukewarm, we don’t have any “emotions” of love…

But Jesus says, “Love that person”, because love is an “absolute allegiance”

When someone continues to cause pain, we don’t “experience” any love…

But Jesus says, “Love that person” because love is a “challenging commitment”

Now this teaching certainly irks our “normal” understanding.
• How can I possibly love someone who has hurt and killed me, mentally?
• How can I be expected to show love to someone who still hurts me, even intentionally?
• How can I be told to love people who have no regard for me at all and treat me as an object?

It seems to be an impossibility.
It seems to be absurd.

But let us look to the Crucified Lord…
… and we have the perfect example of this Love being lived in actuality!

Jesus on the Cross shows that love is to be a “daring decision”, an “absolute allegiance” and a “challenging commitment”!

Love to be a “virtue” has to surpass the ordinary realms of being “an emotion” and “feeling”…
… and transcend to being a “radical decision” and a “faithful commitment”.

One may not be able to “show” love…
… but can we still, at least pray and wish for the good of the person?

One may not be able to “talk” freely to the one who has hurt…
… but can we still, at least refrain from wanting bad to happen to that person?

One may not be able to “resist” from having bad feelings when encountering one’s enemy… … but can we still, at least offer the person to the Mercy of God?

This teaching certainly seems to be a big “burden” and a significant “stress”

But this is where, we need to make a journey…
… of considering people not as a “burden” but as a brother!
… of considering people not as a “stress” but as a sister!

The Lord has walked through this journey.

He is still with us, to accompany us.
• This journey may be hard
• This journey may be hurting
• This journey may be painful

But the Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you!” (2 Cor 12: 9)

Let us trust Him!

Let us be courageous in Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily!”

“Becoming agents and ambassadors of true love by destroying evil forces with goodness!”

(Based on 1 Kings 21:1-16 and Mt 5:38-42 –Monday of the 11th Week of Ordinary Time)

The TIME magazine, in its declaration of Jesus, as the Man of the Millennium, proclaimed:
“The single most powerful figure – not merely in these two millenniums but in all human history – has been Jesus of Nazareth…
… a serious argument can be made that no one else’s life has proved remotely as powerful and enduring as that of Jesus.”

One of the reasons for this Massive Influence of Jesus, was His uncompromising and ever-bold attitude with respect to sin, evil and living a life of total love!

The Gospel of the Day presents this lofty teaching of Jesus on non-retaliation and the power of forgiving love.

One of the highly debatable and confusing teachings of Jesus is contained in today’s Gospel reading.

Jesus says, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5: 39)

This verse could easily raise a lot of doubts and questions…

Did Jesus mean that a Christian should be passive to evil?
Did Jesus teach that we should suffer unnecessarily in the face of social evils?
Did Jesus teach passivity and being lethargic when one encounters wickedness and evil?

The one direct answer to all such doubts is seen in the light of the life of Jesus Himself…

He was always actively against evil and sinful activities
He was a constant opponent to oppression, condemnation and human wickedness

Then what would have Jesus meant by those strong phrases of “resist evil…
… and turning one’s cheeks?”

There could be, speaking in general terms, three responses to evil:

1. Opposing with violence
2. Bearing everything passively
3. A courageous non-violence

The first two responses are also popularly called as Fight or Flight
…either FIGHT against the evil… or take FLIGHT from the evil situations

FIGHT: oppose with evil and violence
FLIGHT: run away from the situation or passively be submissive

But the way of Jesus is a higher one… a much higher and bolder one: the way of ACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE.

The Greek word that is used by St Mathew, for “resist” is “antisthemi”

‘Antisthemi’ is not a passive or a weak term.

It was a classical Greek ‘military’ term.

It means…
… to take a stand against, to oppose or to resist
… to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,”.
… It means refusing to be moved (” being pushed back”)

This clearly shows that “to resist evil” is not merely a passive act of submission…
… rather is a firm, courageous and bold action of holding onto one’s convictions of truth and opposing every reaction to subdue truth.

This is further illustrated in the example that Jesus gives, “of turning one’s cheek, when hit on the right cheek”

In the culture during the time of Jesus, the left hand was commonly used for unclean tasks, and only the right hand was considered appropriate for such actions as striking another person.

Now, its common sense to note, that if one hits with the right hand, it would hit the other person only on the “left” cheek.

Therefore, if the person is hit on the “right” cheek, as in the example of Jesus, it simply means, that one was hit with a “back-hand”.

What is the significance of a back-handed slap?

A backhanded slap, had a greater message than merely hurting or causing pain…
Instead, it meant to be an act of “severe” humiliation… of “terrible” insult!

A backhand slap, in the time of Jesus, was the usual way of admonishing inferiors:
Masters backhanded slaves; husbands, wives; parents, children; men, women; Romans, Jews.

What is the response that Jesus suggests for such an act of dreadful humiliation?

Not Fight… Not Flight.
Rather, a strong and bravely opposing act of courage: “turn the other cheek as well!”

It is a calculated response intended to invite the aggressor to consider his or her actions.

This bold action of turning one’s cheek robs the oppressor of the power to humiliate.

It is as if the oppressed person is saying,
“Try again if you want, buddy!
Your first blow failed to achieve its intended effect.

I deny you any power to humiliate me!”

This was how our Blessed Lord who gave this supremely lofty teaching demonstrated in His life… by dying on the Cross!

The Cross was a powerful opposition to evil and sin.

The One who died on the Cross did not die a passive death…

Rather, He boldly preached against every act of oppression and mightily spoke against every form of discrimination!

As Christians, we need to be bold and courageous to “resist” every evil and sinful deed.

In Christ, we have a teaching that is not passive, but is “extremely” active and powerful.
To merely FIGHT or simply make a FLIGHT in the face of oppressions, is cheap and ordinary…

In fact, it is “no spirituality”.

But to “be bold in one’s convictions” and “to oppose” evil, even to the point of giving up one’s life, is a lofty, supreme and mighty spirituality.

Jesus embodied this spirituality.
Many great men and women in history have been inspired by it and lived it.

As Christians, the followers of the Bold Jesus, are we ready to embrace this “powerful” spirituality?

Let us become…. Agents and Ambassadors of true love…destroying evil forces with goodness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Nothing is so strong as gentleness…

… nothing so gentle as real strength!”

We have come to the end of our Preparation of the Feast, and we have celebrated this Great and Wonderful Feast – the Lord has blessed us with His wonderful gift – His Body and His Blood!

Feast Days often, get celebrated with much show and pomp…or sometimes, its significance can get lost in external celebrations and festivities…But, let this not happen to this Sacred Feast Day….

The Feast that we have celebrated … is a Feast for All the Days of the year…. The Lord is present in the Blessed Sacraments in our Chapels and our Churches…all the days…!

Of course, many of us, because of the pandemic failed to recieve the Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist
… We have our “missing feelings”
… We have our deep and intense “sad moments”

Yet, we offer everything to the Glorious Will of God…
… And pray that this “missing feeling” may be blessed and hallowed be our Good Lord, for the healing of the sick and the suffering.

May this be an offering we make, to join with the Lord, Who suffered on the Cross for the redemption of the world!

Let this Feast we have celebrated help us to make some practical resolutions and simple ways, so that we can love the Lord, more in the Eucharist, and thus become a Eucharist in this our broken and fragmented world.

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

TO REFLECT

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

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

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

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

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

PRAYER
Most Holy Jesus, who bless our lives this precious and most-valued gift of the Eucharist, bid us we pray, that we grow in our devotion and love to You! As St Francis de Sales says, “We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day”, help us to raise our hearts to you, that we may continually be blessed with Your presence.

Make me Your bread to nourish the hungry, make me your wine to quench your thirst and make me Your comfort to all those who cry. Blessed Mamma, the Mother of the Holy Eucharist, help us to radiate, the Love of Christ to all People…Amen!

“Growing in the experience of ‘the greatest love story of all time that is contained in a Tiny White Host’”

(Based on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi – The Body and Blood of Jesus)

An incident is told of a seminarian who was guiding a group of tourists in St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican.

These tourists were quite clueless about the Catholic Faith…
… and so paid great interest to what was being told by the seminarian-guide.

The seminarian had explained with great care about the masterpieces of art, sculpture and architecture in this magnificent basilica.

Finally, he concluded the tour of the Basilica at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Basilica…
…. and tried to quickly explain What It was.

One of the elderly persons in the group who had paid a special attention to all the details, said:
“Pardon me! Would you please explain What is This ‘Blessed Sacrament’?”

The seminarian did.

At the end of it, the man, falling on his knees, exclaimed: “Ah! If this is so, then this Chapel where God Truly Lives, is the greater work than any other art in this entire Basilica!”

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is indeed the Most Important Treasure on this world.

Have we discovered this Spectacular Truth?

Are we passionate about this Awesome Gift?

The Year 2020 has been, in particular, a time of great trial with respect to our faith, in the midst of the pandemic. We have been physically distant from the celebration of the Eucharist.

The Solemnity of the Great Feast of the Corpus Christi – the Body and Blood of Jesus, today…
… is therefore given to us, to deepen our devotion to the Lord in the Eucharist and intensify our longing and thirst for Him!

The Catechism of the Church teaches, “In the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained” (#1374).

On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus with His chosen disciples, celebrated the Passover Meal, taking the bread and wine, solemnly declaring, “This is my Body” (Mk 14: 22) and “This is my Blood” (Mk 14: 24)

The following day, Jesus would carry out this sacrifice of offering Himself for the expiation of the sins of the world, on Mount Calvary.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.
• The Holy Mass is not another sacrifice.
• The Holy Mass is not a repetition of the sacrifice of Calvary.
• The Priest at the Holy Mass is not offering a different sacrifice.

Instead,
• The Holy Mass is the same sacrifice of Jesus.
• The Holy Mass is the perpetual continuation and adoration of the sacrifice of Calvary.

The Holy Eucharist – the Body and Blood of Jesus – is the greatest treasure that the Church offers to Her children…

Yet, the Holy Eucharist sometimes, also becomes the great barrier for people to misunderstand and misinterpret the Church.

The same was true even in the time of Jesus.

The mention of His Body and Blood caused great division, misunderstanding and led to the misinterpretation of Jesus.

After having provided physical nourishment for the crowd (Jn 7:5-15), Jesus had declared Himself as “The Bread of Life” (Jn 6: 35).

The Greek word that is used for “bread” is “artos”.

This “artos”….
… refers to food composed of flour mixed with water, and baked.
… also refers to food of any kind or food in general.

As “bread” or “food” is essential for the physical life
… Jesus as “the bread of life” is required for the spiritual life!

Without bread, physical life would perish….
… Without Jesus, the bread, spiritual life would perish!

The Lord surprised His hearers by saying that “the bread that I give is my flesh for the world” (Jn 6:51b)

This saying had caused a dispute among the people, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” (Jn 6:52)

The bold declaration of the Lord that He would give His Flesh and His Blood as food and drink, caused a huge scandal among His listeners and it caused deep divisions and disputes.

The same is so much true in our own world – when the Church declares the Holy Eucharist to be the True and Real Body and Blood of the Lord, there are so many disputes and divisions.

What is our understanding, love and commitment to the Holy Mass?

In the Holy Eucharist, we have the promise of the Emmanuel God, “I am with you always, till the end of the age” (Mt 28: 20) being fulfilled.

We live in times when…
… there is a lot of indifference growing
… there are several newer problems and crisis cropping up

We live in a situation of faith where…
… there is a tendency to dilute many of the spiritual values
… there is a strong opposition to living holy and sanctified lives

In all such struggling moments and trying situations, we have an answer and solution in the Holy Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the story of a God who longs to dwell with us and in us.

The Eucharist is the saga of a God who is madly and passionately in love with us.

From the Cross, our Blessed Lord cried, “I thirst” (Jn 19: 28b)

Shall we not respond, with a positive affirmation, to this cry of the Lord?

On this great Feast day, there are questions that arise before us…

1. What is my belief and understanding of this most Treasured Gift of the Holy Eucharist – “the source and summit of Christian Life”
   … Do I believe with conviction that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Eucharist?
   … Do I celebrate and participate in the Holy Mass with this Divine Fervour?
2. What is the effect that this Sacrament of Total Self-giving on me?
   … Does the reception of Jesus – the Love Incarnate, make me in turn to be more loving towards others and do I make deliberate choices to extend love to all?
   … Does the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist impel me also to make sacrifices – even tiny, insignificant, unnoticed – for the cause and good of others?
3. What is my contribution to spread the good news of the Holy Eucharist to others?
   … Am I being a person who radiates the love of the Eucharist to others, by my conscious efforts to be respectful, reverent and devoted in the Chapel or Church and also become aware of the Lord’s Presence, when passing by Churches or handling Sacred objects?
   … Do I tell to other people about this exciting, real presence of God in the Holy Eucharist – especially the sick, the suffering and those in distress, that they may experience the real healing presence of the Lord?

Jesus – the Bread of Life – in the Holy Eucharist…
… eagerly longs for our reception and our adoration

The tragedy in our life, however, is that very often, this “magnetic” Eucharistic presence remains abandoned and forsaken!

It’s a pity that the Living Lord is hardly visited in the Blessed Sacrament!

Chapels and Churches often remain empty and forlorn!
Hardly any say “Hello” to the Lord in the Eucharist!

We sometimes are reducing ourselves to a generation seeking only after mighty wonders,
fascinating miracles and attracted only to external sensations!

But the Holy Eucharist – the greatest miracle of the world often remains unnoticed!

We need to come to experience that…

There is nothing more sublime in this world than the Holy Eucharistic Presence!
There is nothing more beautiful than moments spent before the Eucharistic Lord!
The Lord waits for us…every moment…every day!
The Lord seeks for us…every second…every hour!

We may have different excuses to evade and avoid time before His presence…

Maybe too many works and occupations…
Maybe a feeling that it is too dry and boring to be with Him…
Maybe an attitude that social works suffice and go beyond all such pious devotions…

But no excuse and no theory can give justification to miss the Presence of the Lord!

The more we remain with Him, the more we become like Him!

In the midst of daily scuffles and struggles of life, the Holy Eucharist ought to be the strength and support of our lives.

The Holy Eucharist may not give us…
… perfect answers or solutions in the way we expect.
… us immediate responses and remedies in the manner we want.

But the Holy Eucharist will most certainly…
… strengthen us with grace and power to face the challenges with courage.
… infuse us with a deep and intense authority to defy any difficulties that we meet.
… empower us with immense joy and peace in order to withstand the storms of life.

May we grow in the love of the Holy Eucharist, for, as Bishop Fulton Sheen says, “The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white Host”!

And, in turn, may we become a magnetic Presence of the Lord to others!
… Seeking the Eucharist, to be a Eucharist to the other!
… Loving the Eucharist to break and share oneself to the other!

Wish you a very Happy Feast of the Holy Eucharist!

May our Blessed Mamma of the Holy Eucharist, help and intercede for us, to love the Lord more!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Our Saviour has instituted the most August Sacrament of the Eucharist, which contains His Flesh and His Blood in their reality…
… to the end that he who eats of it shall live forever.

Whoever, therefore, frequently eats with devotion this Food, so effectually confirms the health of his soul…

… that it is almost impossible that he should be poisoned by any kind of evil affection.

(A): THE RITE OF THE DISMISSAL

Having been nourished with the Bread of Life and the Chalice of Salvation, we spend a few quiet moments, enjoying and relishing the sweetness of the Lord.

We are busy in the world with too many things… umpteen engagements, different activities, varied tensions and concerns, difficult dealings, crazy disturbances, bothering problems, strained relationships, acute financial difficulties, turbulent job affairs, disorderly lifestyles, instable existence etc…. the list can go on and on….

In this midst of all this jumble and mishmash… in the post-communion moments during the Holy Mass, we are allowed to experience a calmness and a stillness…a joy which is beyond limits and a peace, which is unparalleled.

Sometimes, in life, to escape the grinds and hardships, we get involved into many “escapist” techniques….some resort to being workaholic; some become alcoholic; some involve in character assassination and image-disfiguring; some get a kick in life with drugs or other addictions…etc

But the Lord, the lover of our souls and the caregiver of our hearts, in the Most Holy Eucharist, blesses us with His peace and His grace…. We need to dwell in Him, in these precious moments, after having received Him.

As a lover in the loving embrace of the Beloved…as a child in the consoling care of the mother…as a tender lamb in the gentle arms of the Shepherd…so we are… in the Presence and Love of the Eucharistic Lord.

In the final prayer, and the blessing, we once again affirm our thanks and gratitude, to the Lord, for His magnanimous love.

The apostles were called to “be with the Lord” and to “be sent out”. In the Gospels, Jesus invites His followers, to first “follow Him”… and once they have been schooled with Him, He says, “to go out..”

The Holy Eucharist follows the same formula… after having been with the Lord and been nourished, we are invited to go out, to become sharers of the Word and give food and life to a starved and broken world. We bless ourselves with the Blessing of the Trinity and give a Yes to the call of the Lord, to go and glorify the Lord, by our lives!

TO REFLECT

Do I continue to be aware of the Eucharistic Lord in the post-communion moments, and offer Him my bouquet of thanks and praise?

Am I able to pronounce with joy and conviction, the Call of the Lord, to go and live the Holy Eucharist? I need to realise, that what I have worshipped, what I have heard in the Word of God and what I have experienced in the Holy Eucharist, now needs to be lived, in my daily life.

Do I continue to be aware of the Eucharistic Lord, in me, during other times of the day?

PRAYER
Blessed Jesus, you nurture us with Your living presence in the Most Holy Eucharist. Help us to continually live in your presence, that our works may have the Divine touch. Help us that we become a Sacrament, a Sign of Your Love and Joy to all in our lives, Amen.

(B): THE POST-MASS REFLECTIONS

In life, there are many experiences, which leaves a great impression on our minds and in our hearts. Some of these, as time passes, are forgotten… but some….some remain deeply impressed, and have an intense bearing on our life thereafter. The most sublime and the highest of such experiences, ought to be the Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist.

It may sound theoretical….it may be written off as impractical…it may even be condemned as not being credible and unbelievable and unreliable and unrealizable… but the fact is that……..The Holy Eucharist can make us saints… the Holy Eucharist can make our lives a litany of true joy and peace!

After having been nourished by the Word of the Lord in the Liturgy of the Word, and strengthened by the Body and Blood of the Lord, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we are now invited and challenged, to give this nourishment and this strength to other people in our life.

The Eucharist that we have celebrated, now needs to be lived….
The Eucharist that we have relished now needs to be actualized in our daily lives…

ery often, I fail to see the treasure hidden in my home, and run after other “transient” sources of joy, alternative modes of spirituality, variant methods of lifestyle, unconventional techniques of philosophy and healing… but little do I see the treasure in our own Catholic Church – especially the treasure of the Most Holy Eucharist!

• There can be no better gift than the Holy Eucharist…

• There can be no lasting healing than the Holy Eucharist…

• There can be no higher challenge than the Holy Eucharist…

• There can be no supreme consolation than the Holy Eucharist…

Has the Eucharist, really become, the Centre of my Christian Life?

TO REFLECT

The Holy Mass challenges & invites us to offer our lives completely to the Will of God. Am I willing to surrender myself to His Will, though sometimes, it can be painful & agonizing?

The Holy Mass requires me to be in good harmony and peaceful relation with other people. Am I becoming worthy of the forgiveness and mercy that I have received from the Lord? Or do I continue to keep grudge, anger or unforgiveness towards people?

The Holy Mass invites to break my body in service of others, to shed my blood in love, to suppress my evil inclinations & egoistic mentality. Am I willing to take up this hard task?

Perhaps, many times in the past, we have celebrated and participated in the Holy Mass.. But has it really become a Reality and a Mighty Force in my Life?

PRAYER
Most Holy God, who fill our lives with Your Life in the Holy Mass, give us the grace and the courage, to live out the Holy Mass in our daily lives. We realize that participation in the Eucharist is not a mere, unrealistic spiritual act; rather it is real and a life-transforming experience. Help us to live in You always, and may all our actions and deeds, be a participation, in the sacrifice which you have offered at Calvary, and which we have commemorated at the Holy Mass, Amen!

“Avoid ‘standing on two boats;’ instead, being firm and resolute’ to stand on Christian principles!”

(Based on 1 Kings 19:19-21 and Mt 5:33-37: Feast of St Anthony of Padua – Saturday of the 10th Week of Ordinary Time)

A Chinese proverb goes thus: “Do not have each foot on a different boat.”

“Standing on two boats” is a trend that we find in our modern world.
… people taking double standards in their life in the society outside and life at home inside
… friends changing their loyalties to one another depending on the circumstance and situation, for their own favour
… spouses cheating on one another, for their own selfish and sinful pleasures
… business partners entering into secretive contracts with other companies, for unaccounted gains

Many such examples of people not being “true to their words” makes today’s Gospel extremely relevant in our context.

In the Gospel, Jesus says: “Let what you say, simply be ‘Yes’ or “No’” (Mt 5:38)

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives His instructions to His disciples, on how one should remain “focused in one’s faith”.

The Sermon on the Mount can be also termed as a “Teaching on Challenging Mediocre Lifestyles”.

Jesus, all through the Sermon on the Mount, picks up various topics…
… anger
… adultery
… divorce
… vows
… love for enemies etc…

And raises the level of their understanding for a Christian.

Today’s Gospel presents Jesus speaking on the topic of “vows and promises”…
… emphasizing on the aspect of remaining focused and clear, in one’s words and deeds.

Jesus categorically declares that for a Christian, there ought to be no “double standards”
… a Yes, ought to be a Sincere Yes
… a No, ought to be a Firm No

A Sincere Yes to God… a Firm No to Satan
A Sincere Yes to Holiness… a Firm No to Sin
A Sincere Yes to the Kingdom of God… a Firm No to the ways of the world

The reason to have this conviction is our Faith and Confidence in the Lord.

He is the Lord Who remains the same always: “Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13:8)

We need to therefore ask ourselves:

Am I focusing on sincerity and honesty, in my daily actions and words…
… or do I sometimes take “double-standards”?

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 world today clearly promotes and propagates insincerity, unfaithfulness and duplicity.

Glamour and popularity are the motivations
Business-orientations and short-term gains are the catchwords in relationships

In such a “tricky and trying” situation, a Christian is called forth to avoid “standing on two boats”…
… and instead, “be firm and resolute” to stand on Christian Principles.

We are invited to be encouraged by the lives of Prophets Elijah and Elisha…
… who were highly zealous and staunch for the ways of God

The call of Elisha – wherein he turns away completely from his former way of life – and offers himself wholeheartedly to God, is a great inspiration for all of us (1 Kings 19:19-21)

Our Master Jesus reminds us:
“I prepared for 30 years in silent contemplation of the Christian Virtues…
… 3 years in preaching them
… and 3 hours – on the Cross – in standing firmly in defence of them!

What about you?”

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

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

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

An account in the life of St Antony tells of an Ordination of some Franciscan and Dominican friars both…
… and the superiors desired that someone be designated to preach.

With no one prepared to speak, St Antony was pressed by the other friars in attendance (both Franciscans and Dominicans) to take on the unprepared task.

He hesitated…
… but was encouraged by the others to speak “whatever the Spirit of God gave him to say.”

Anthony proceeded to preach with great brilliance, to the shock of all those in attendance!

His zeal, oratory skill, and many conversions won him the title “Hammer of Heretics.”

His brilliance made him the foremost preacher in his day.

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Ask nothing, refuse nothing!”

(A): THE COMMUNION RITE

Our Christian Prayers are oriented towards assimilating more and more, the Spirit of Christ, till we slowly bear more and more the Image of Christ… and we become Alter Christus – another Christ!

In this transformation, we seek to imitate Christ in all things. Christ, when he lived on earth, formed a filial and affectionate relationship with His Father, and invited us to experience the same bond. Giving heed to this call, we begin the Immediate Preparation for Communion, in the Liturgy, with the recital of the Our Father- the model of all prayers.

The Our Father leads into the exchange of peace. The prayer that we prayed in the Our Father…”forgive us…..as we forgive those who trespass against us”, is symbolically actualized in our exchanging of the peace with our neighbours.

The Priest then breaks the Blessed Host, signifying the broken body of Christ. Meanwhile the Lamb of God is recited, proclaiming, Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb who takes away our sins.

A small piece of the host is mingled with the Sacred Wine signifying the unity of the Body and Blood of the Lord, and also the Unity of the Body of Christ, the Church.

The Lord is then presented as the Lamb of God who takes away the Sin of the World and we are invited to this Sacred Feast. We express our unworthiness to receive the Most Holy of Holies.

These are precious and sacred moments as we make an immediate preparation for the majestic entry of the Lord into our hearts….

TO REFLECT

Do I Recite the Our Father, slowly, devoutly and meaningfully?
Do I really seek to do His Will in my life….pray for His Kingdom to come…forgive the trespasses of others?
Does the exchange of sign of peace, really symbolise that I have forgiven ALL people in my life?
Do I prepare earnestly, while reciting the Lamb of God, to be prepared to receive the Sacred Body of Christ?

PRAYER
Jesus, the Lamb of God, Our Saviour, help us to also acclaim, God as our Father and experience His filial affection. Help us as we prepare our hearts to receive You, that we may truly cleanse our hearts from all stains. May your grace which makes us worthy to receive you, constantly increase our longing and desire to be united with you forever, Amen!

(B): THE HOLY COMMUNION

Silence. Tranquillity. Peace. Serenity. Calm. Ecstasy. Bliss. Union. Delight. Relaxation. Quietness.

Hmmm… We are not enlisting a family of synonyms… Rather, we are entering the most blessed moments of the Liturgy…
… when the Lord enters into our hearts, as His own Body and Blood
… and we are given an opportunity to experience all those above-mentioned emotions and sentiments and much more…

Heaven is a grand experience of joy and bliss and harmonious acclamations….
… but there comes a split moment
… when heaven stands still
… the Angels rejoice in silence
… Blessed Mamma contemplates in beauty
… the Saints gaze in happiness

… It’s the moment of Divine Silence and Serenity
… when……the Body and Blood of Jesus is received in the Holy Communion!

A moment when heaven touches the earth…when the Divine lowers itself to embrace the fallen Humanity, to raise it up to Divine status…

These are blessed and divine moments.

TO REFLECT

The Holy Communion is a Graceful time. Am I able to calm my external disturbances, and really focus and give my full attention to the Lord, who is in me?

He is a jealous God…a passionate lover…a demanding King. He has given Himself wholly. Can I also not spend meaningful moments with Him, in this Divine Exchange?
The time of Communion sometimes gets distracting because of some external factors of people lining up, benches or chairs being moved, choir and mike settings, and inappropriate selection of hymns or music etc…but besides all these… Am I just able to focus more on the Jesus, who is present in the Blessed Host…?

The Lord who is present in me, deserves my highest praise and honour. We may of course, have our mind filled with many concerns, worries, petitions etc….but in the midst of all that, Can I make this time of Communion, a time of inner praise and worship and thanksgiving and adoration?

The Lord says… BE still and know, that I am God. He is our creator. He is our Saviour. He is our Everything. Nothing in this world happens beyond His knowledge and beyond His power.
… Yes… everything in life, happens for good… So let’s, make it a time of wonderful praise and adoration…in the sanctuary of our hearts!

PRAYER
Loving Jesus, who make yourself present within me in the Most Holy Eucharist, help me to experience your gentle love and peaceful presence. Give me the grace, to make the time of the Holy Communion, as a sacred time of renewal, transformation, rejuvenation and revitalization. May I grow in your love, that I too may be able to break my body and shed my blood, in service of humanity and Your Kingdom, Amen!

“Freeing ourselves from the ‘imprisonment of our appetites’ and experiencing the ‘glorious liberty’ of the children of God!”

(Based on 1 Kings 19:9, 11-16 and Mt 5:27-32 – Friday of the 10th Week of Ordinary Time)

The Canadian author, Thomas Costain in his historical novel “The Three Edwards” speaks of the life of a 14th century Duke named Raynald Ill.

Raynald was extremely overweight and was commonly called by his Latin nickname “Crassus” which meant ‘fat’!

This Duke Raynald, after a violent quarrel, suffered defeat in a revolt by his younger brother Edward.

Edward captured Raynald, but did not kill him.

Instead he imprisoned Raynald in a room in the castle…
… and promised that he could regain his title and property, if he was able to escape from the room.

This task – to escape from the room – would have been pretty simple for most people, since the room had several windows and a door; none of which was locked!

But Raynald had a problem…. His size… His uncontrolled appetite!

Edward knew his elder brother…
… and He very well knew this weakness as well!

Each day, therefore, Edward send him a variety of delicious foods!

Instead of dieting his way out of the room, he began to relish on the grand food served to him…
… and Raynald grew fatter!!

When Edward was questioned by the people on his cruelty for having captured his elder brother, he would reply, without any qualms:
“My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills.”

The story goes on to say that Raynald stayed in that room for ten years and wasn’t released until after Edward died in battle.

But by then his health was so ruined, that he died within a year!

Raynald died…
… as a prisoner of his own appetite!

How often is this a reality in our spiritual lives as well!

Sin sometimes captures our hearts so much…
.. that we are unwilling to let go, and thus wither in our sinful state
Immorality and transgressions take over our lives so much…
… that we become slaves, and remain much bound to them.

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful call by Jesus to make an honest examination of our state of life, and check whether we are imprisoned by sin…
… especially from the perspective of immorality and decadence in our ethical system.

Our modern society is often a rude and mute witness to many inhuman atrocities and abuses, especially against women.

The world seems to be more and more losing, the sense of sin!

In this context, it’s shocking to read the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading:
“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has committed adultery in his heart”! (Mt 5:28)

Jesus’ words pierces through the heart!

He gives no space for lame excuses and silly explanations…
… he hits straight at the target!

SIN consists not in some external actions alone…
…..but SIN is conceived and given birth in one’s heart!

When we consider the society in which we live in, we find that…
Immorality is on the rise….

We pass through cities and towns..
We look through newspapers and magazines…
We scan across websites, swanky apps and fancy shops…
.. and we find that… Immorality is, indeed, on the rise!

Immoral pictures, sensual visuals, inhuman portrayal of persons, double-meaning talks have somehow become the order of the day!

We are very often surrounded by filth and lewdness in our society.

Satan, the father of deception scatters the seeds of immorality and lust everywhere!

It’s here, that a Christian needs to be on the watch.

It is our duty as Christians, to preserve our hearts from this dangerous contagion.

The beatitudes tell us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God” (Mt 5: 8)

We have a duty…
… to preserve ourselves from impurity!
… to protect others in their dignity and honour!
…to awaken the society which is often, deadened in immorality and perversion!

The Lord reveals Himself in the stillness and tranquillity of our hearts and lives…
… just as Elijah experiences the Voice of the Lord – not in the strong wind, or earthquake or the fire… but in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Let us examine our lives and check… “Am I becoming a prisoner of my own appetite?”
… being a slave to lustful thoughts or immoral patterns of attitudes
… being indifferent to a society which strips itself of all dignity in the name of liberty and freedom

The Lord very powerfully challenges us to be totally intolerant to casting away sin and sinful tendencies from our life…

” If your right eye causes you to sin… tear it out and throw it away” (Mt 5: 29)
” If your hand causes you to sin… cut it off and throw it away” (Mt 5: 30)

Sin has no place in a world of mercy and love!

Mercy places an obligation that all sin be rid off!
Love demands that all wrongdoing be cast away!

Let the words of St Antony of Padua be given heed to:
“Anyone, then, who desires to live chastely in Christ Jesus, must flee not only the mouse of lust, but even from its very scent.”

Let’s awake, Dear Christians…
… Purify our World and live in Sanctity and Holiness…

Let us free ourselves from the “imprisonment of our appetites” and experience the “glorious liberty” of the Children of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The soul which rises from out of sin to a devout life has been compared to the dawn…
… which does not banish darkness suddenly, but by degrees.

That cure which is gradually effected is always the surest!”

(A): THE PREFACE

Gratitude is an attitude of the heart that makes life a beatitude! Our whole life is meant to be a continual act of praising and thanking the Lord.

Eucharist comes from the word, “Eucharistia”, which means thanksgiving. The whole Liturgy is oriented towards praising, adoring and thanking the Lord. After having offered the petitions and gifts to the Lord, we now come in humble thanksgiving to the Lord.

Have we ever tried to make a list of the blessings and gifts, we have received from the Lord? Right from our birth, to the present moment….? This list will be too long, isn’t it? This analogy will help us to understand this part of the Mass called the Preface.

The Church enlists (as per the Liturgical Season or the theme) the various and manifold ways in which the Lord has worked in human history. In this Holy Act, we find that the list is endless, and so we also call upon the Angels and Saints.

Thus We (the Church Militant), seeking intercession for the Faithful Departed (the Church Suffering) join the beautiful choir of the saints (Church Triumphant) and angels, in a wonderful communion, singing Holy Holy, Holy to the Most High God! Yes, its a moment of intense praise and Divine worship!

Let’s grow in understanding the various phases of this Beautiful Preface:

1. The Lord be with you: The Priest invokes the Lord’s presence, and the people of God, in fellowship, pray for the Priest
2. Lift up your hearts: Our minds and hearts need to transcend our human worries, concerns and troubles, and be raised in heavenly contemplation.
3. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God: An ancient prayer, which renders the highest praise and thanks to God, who is the source of all things in our life!

TO REFLECT

The long prayer of the Preface often goes unnoticed and without attention; and yet, it is a treasure of deep meditation and worship. Is it possible for me to try to reflect or meditate on any of the Prefaces, which can be found in the Holy Missal? This can make the Liturgy more meaningful and personal.

Do I really lift up my heart to the Lord and render Him my thanks, or is it mere lip-service that I engage myself in?

Can I become more aware of the heavenly Angels and Saints, along with Blessed Mamma, as we approach the crescendo of our Eucharistic Celebration?

PRAYER
Most Glorious Lord, we delight in the manifold graces you bestow on us. You give us the privilege to have a foretaste of Your Heavenly Glory, during the moments of the Preface. Stir our hearts in devotion, that your spectacular magnificence, that we celebrate in these moments of the Liturgy, may spur us on to live a committed Christian Life, Amen!

(B): THE CONSECRATION

The Consecration during the Liturgy, is the most solemn and intense moment of the Sacrifice.

Phil 2:6 says, “Though He was in the form of God, He emptied Himself….” The Lord, now empties Himself, and takes the form of the Bread and Wine…really, wholly and substantially present!

This is the Eucharist.

The Sacrifice of the Last Supper.

And to understand, appreciate and grow deeper in this intense action, we need to get united with the Spirit at the Last Supper and the Redeeming Moments of Mount Calvary!

Let’s dwell on the parts of these beautiful moments:

1. Epiclesis: The portion where the power of the Holy Spirit is invoked, so that the gifts of bread and wine, may be transformed into Divine Species.
2. The Words of the Institution: The words of Christ Himself, wherein the bread and wine, are transformed to His Body and Blood.
3. The Proclamation: The Church joyfully proclaims the wonders and providence of the Lord’s works of Salvation, in the mystery of the Faith.
4. Anamnesis and Offering to the Father. : The Church recalls the memory of Christ, especially His Blessed Passion, Death and Resurrection. Christ, the Spotless Victim, is offered to the Father, and the people also pledge their lives, in union with the Redeemer.
5. Intercessions: The Priest offers the prayers of Intercession for the entire Church Militant and the Church Suffering and for, in union with the Church Triumphant – our Blessed Mamma and all the saints
6. Doxology: A solemn moment of praise and adoration to the Triune God, concluded by a triumphant and affirming shout of Amen – so let it be!

TO REFLECT

Am I able to unite myself with the Spirit of the Last Supper and join with the suffering and agony that Jesus – the priest and victim, underwent, through the moments from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Mount Calvary?

Do I pray during the Epiclesis, that the Holy Spirit may fill my mind and heart and life, that I too may be transformed, like the bread and wine, into the life and likeness of Jesus, our Saviour?

Am I able to unite myself more intensely with the Words of the Consecration… “This is my body”, and “This is my blood”, and be willing to pledge my life too, in sacrifice & in love?

Do I, while reciting the Mystery of Faith, proclaim with conviction God’s saving mystery?

The time after the proclamation, when the Priest says the words of Anamnesis and Intercessions, is often lost in our thoughts and concerns. Am I able to keep up the spirit of intense prayer and offering ourselves entirely to God’s loving hands?

Do I pray the Doxology and Amen with a deep sense of certainty, passion and fervour, with a sense of deep joy and elation in the heart?

PRAYER
O Awesome God, who make yourself present on human altars, give us the grace, to prepare our hearts more fervently for the moments of Consecration. Help us to pledge our lives, with the host and the wine, that we too may be transformed into a living Eucharist, giving life and love to our brothers and sisters, Amen.

“Becoming persons who encourage, console and strengthen them, ‘by one by one, putting back the stars’ in their life!”

(Based on the Feast of St Barnabas)

A story is said of a man who lived a very fine life.

Being a carpenter, he had helped in the construction works of the church.
He was also very benevolent in helping people who needed his counselling and guiding skills

However, at a particular phase in his life, many things went wrong…

His wife had a sudden death and the man found himself at a deep loss
There was also a financial crisis that he faced, with a few people exploiting his simple innocence

These and many other experiences left him quite broken, dejected and defeated.

It was at this time, that attending a Sunday Mass, he heard the priest preaching on the Love and Providence of God.

The sermon touched him much… the Word of God moved him greatly.

After the Mass, he approached the priest to have a talk with him

The priest welcomed him cordially, and the two spoke for a long time.

After his sharing, the man felt extremely relieved and coming back home, he told his neighbour:
“What a man he is…!
“When I went into his office, all the stars had fallen out of my skies – but one by one he put them back again…
I feel so much stronger and hopeful, now…!

Experiences in life are often such…
… unfair and unjust
… partial and discriminatory

We therefore are in need of encouragements in life…
… to lift our sagging spirits
… to raise our deadened hopes
… to boost our depressed minds

In situations where “the stars fall out of our skies”…
… we need encouragements and support to have them ” one by one, be put back again!”

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of St Barnabas – who was an immense source of encouragement…
… and invites us to also become persons of encouragement to others.

In the Bible, there are many characters and personalities, who assume great importance and are in the highlight, by virtue of their words and deeds.

But there are also a few, who remain in the background, and yet are strong and powerful characters…
… St Barnabas, whose feast we celebrate today, is one such personality.

The word “Barnabas” in Greek means… “the Son of Encouragement”.

And true to his name, St Barnabas lived a life, “encouraging” the Christian Faith.

It’s amazing to see the very many practical ways in which St Barnabas can be a model and example for our Christian lives

Let’s pick up a few areas in which St Barnabas was a source of encouragement…for our practical Christian life.

1. Religiously:
   Barnabas was of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4:36)

The tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well.

The spirit of a strict Jewish System was much strong in Levites.
Yet, Barnabas breaks away from that strict religious system, to embrace Christianity – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go of my many faith-prejudices and false religious-notions and embrace Christ and His Church, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

2. Cultural
   Barnabas was from Cyprus, in Turkey (Acts 4:36)
   … and yet, he becomes a missionary to work in Jerusalem and other far-away places.

He transcends cultures and places, and moves beyond his own cultural, linguistic and ethnic boundaries – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go beyond my cultural, linguistic and ethnic barriers, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

3. Financially
   When the Early Church was in need, Barnabas sold his field, and gave the money to the Apostles (Acts 4:37)

He was sensitive to the needs of the Church and was willing to be self-giving – all for the love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go of my richness, possessions and attachments, for the Love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

4. Psychologically
   St Paul, after his dramatic conversion, was not easily accepted by the Early Church because of his ignominious past (Acts 9:26).

But Barnabas took the lead in helping Paul to be part of the preaching ministry, as Scripture testifies:
“But Barnabas took him (Paul) and brought him to the Apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27)

It was St Barnabas who supported and encouraged St Paul, in his initial days of struggle – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to accept and encourage people who are misunderstood and are mistreated, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

e. Spiritually
St Barnabas was a person mightily filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:24)

Yet, he was happy and content to ‘play second fiddle’ – playing the minor and supportive role to St Paul, in his missionary endeavours.

He was willing to remain humble and meek – all for the Love of Jesus and His Church.

Am I willing to let go of my tendencies of spiritual pride, and instead remain humble and meek, for the love of Jesus and His Kingdom?

St Barnabas, remains a humble yet powerful challenge to our Christian lives.

He is one of the many unsung heroes of Christianity.

In life, we come across many who are broken and dejected, sad and hopeless…

We find many who “have the stars fallen out of their skies”

Can we become persons who encourage, console and strengthen them, “by one by one, putting back the stars” in their life?

St Barnabas invites and exhorts us…
… Are we willing to be a “Child of Encouragement?”

Happy Feast of the “Apostle of Encouragement”!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being.
You are perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist.

And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that!”