Bursting of crackers is, in places and on many occasions, considered to signal an ambience of happiness and celebration.

[NB: this reflection is not to discuss the pros and cons of bursting of crackers! :-)]

Crackers signify a mood of celebration and joy.

>> They are symbolic of a spirit of festivity and merriment.

The bursting and the sound of crackers surely spark off a message that some celebration is on & there is a mood of rejoicing and good cheer.

Today, we are in for some bursting of crackers….

But, guess where?

Not anywhere on the earth…

… But in Heaven!

Yes, we have crackers being burst in heaven!

Why?

>> Because, there is much to celebrate and be glad!

The reason?

“There is much rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine who need no repentance” (Lk 15: 7)

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to rejoice and celebrate the joy of discovering God’s love and a call to live a life in repentance.

Chapter 15 of St Luke is an amazing revelation of God’s tremendous love, mercy and longing for each one of us.

We have the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son.

>> In all the three parables, lost ones are found

>> In all the three parables, there is great celebration at the end.

>> In all the three parables, an emphasis is laid on hope for the lost.

This chapter is a contradiction of many Human thought-patterns and an affirmation of many Divine thought-patterns…

There is a contradiction of the Human thought-pattern of thinking of things in terms of monetary rate and financial gain.

>> There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of acknowledging the deeper value and worth of objects and people!

There is a contradiction of the Human thought-pattern of giving up on things that are lost and not being bothered about it.

>> There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of desperately going after the lost and being in painful agony until found!

We are invited to shed the selfish Human thought-pattern and embrace the selfless Divine thought-pattern.

For our Gospel reflection, today, we shall consider the first two parables: The Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin.

A shepherd had a hundred sheep.

>> During the count as he gathers the sheep at day’s end, the shepherd notices that one is missing.

The sheep needs to be found; otherwise, it may be permanently lost or attacked by hungry predators.

The Shepherd takes the risk of leaving the rest behind, and goes out in search of the lost one.

The second parable parallels the first.

Here a silver coin has been lost.

>> It’s probably a drachma, which equals a denarius–a day’s wage for the average worker.

The coin needs to be found; else a day’s wage would be lost and would to the already existing financial burden.

The woman takes the hard trouble and effort, to sweep the house, in search of the lost coin.

>> In both the cases: The search yields successful results…

… the lost sheep and the lost coin is found.

>> In both the cases: The success leads to a great celebration…

… the shepherd and the woman rejoice and party

>> In both the cases: The cost of the celebration far exceeds the actual price of the thing lost!

>> Why such a sentimentality?

>> Why so much of economic waste?

The only logic behind it is: The Experience of Joy.

>> The Shepherd feels tremendously happy in getting back his lost sheep.

>> The woman feels tremendously happy in getting back her lost coin.

And this spurs them to forget all economics, and mathematics and tally and calculations…

Joy surpasses them all.

> Joy overcomes them all.

>> Joy overtakes them all!

Jesus compares this same joy in heaven at the repentance of a sinner!

Am I similar to a Lost Sheep?

> Lost in the thickets of materialistic living…?

> Lost in the valleys of doubts and rejections and failures…?

> Lost in the bushes of excessive pride, prestige and power….?

> Lost in the wilderness of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life… ?

Am I similar to a Lost Coin?

> Lost in the shadows of addictions and bad habits…?

> Lost in the dust of corruption and malicious situations…?

> Lost in the darkness of bad luck and unfair treatment by life…?

> Lost in the corners of abuses and misunderstandings and false judgments…?

The Lord doesn’t abandon us.

>> The Lord comes in search of us.

> We ought to hear His voice and respond.

> We ought to allow ourselves to be found.

>> We ought to let Him take us on His shoulders.

>> We ought to permit Him to take us in His hands.

God comes looking for us.

>> We are the ones that God spends hours and hours, walking miles and probing all areas, in search.

>> We are the ones that God spends hours and hours on hands and knees, sweeping and searching for.

And when God finds us…

… He calls together all the saints in heaven, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my beloved sheep, my precious coin that was once lost…!”

Are we – You & I – ready to give heaven a reason to celebrate, by repenting of our sins & living a life, in accord with God’s Holy Will?

Yes, the crackers in heaven are waiting to be burst…

Let us experience the saving power and presence of the Lord, by realizing our state of being lost…

… and allowing the Lord, to find us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Penitence is a form of repentance in which a man rejects and detests the sin he has committed…

…. together with a resolution to repair, in so far as he can, the offense and injury done to him, against whom he sinned!”

——————————–

Filtration is a process by which any material is passed through a certain device to remove unwanted elements in it.

Filtration happens every day around the world.

>> It occurs both in nature and in engineered systems.

For example…

… in many living bodies (including humans), renal filtration removes wastes from the blood

… in water treatment and sewage treatment, undesirable elements are removed by absorption into a filter medium

Every filtration has three basic components:

1. The Feed: The original material with the presence of unwanted elements

2. The Filter: The mechanism/device that does the cleansing

3. The Filtrate: The matter that comes after the process

Our Life as a Christian is also a “process of filtration”

>> And has three components as well

1. The Feed: Our lives – with our own weaknesses and sinful tendencies

2. The Filter: Jesus, the Crucified Lord – Who Cleanses us

3. The Filtrate: Our life as a Disciple of Christ – lived in holiness and with a sense of mission

Are we willing to allow the “FEED” of our lives to encounter the “FILTER”…

… so that we can emerge as pure and holy “FILTRATE?”

The Gospel of the Day is this exhortation of the Lord to all who seek to follow Him:

“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters…

… yes, and even his own life, cannot be my disciple!

>> Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple!” (Lk 14: 26-27)

The Gospel begins with the statement that “Great multitudes accompanied Jesus…” (Lk 14:25)

The multitude – crowds of people – probably had various intentions of following Jesus

>> Some to receive healing and be touched by Him (Lk 6:19)

>> Some to hear the Good News and to follow Him (Lk 5:11)

>> Some to simply eat the bread (food) that the Lord provided (Lk 9:17)

>> Some to satisfy their curiosity and fascination (Lk 4:22)

>> Some to question Who He was and What was His motive (Lk 7:18-19)

Whatever be the intention of the crowds, the Lord was clear in whom He wanted as His followers:

1. Those who give the highest priority in life to the Lord

2. Those who would take up their cross

3. Those who are willing to give up everything, for the sake of the Lord

Towards this end, Jesus cites two parables which would make every disciple of Jesus question their authenticity of following Him

a. The Parable of the one desiring to build the tower (Lk 14:28-30)

>> Are you willing to count how much it will cost you, to follow Jesus?

b. The Parable of the king who wanted to wage war (Lk 14:31-32)

>> Are you willing to calculate the risks that are involved, to follow Jesus?

This is a serious challenge that is placed before all Christians, who profess to follow Christ…

… and also to all those, who in ministry, seek to attract disciples for Christ!

>> Have I “counted the cost” and “calculated the risks” to know, that following Jesus means…

… not to simply run behind miracles and wonders; rather also involves living as Jesus did – in poverty, obedience and purity of heart!

… not just having a Christian name and fulfiling basic duties; but also implies to give the highest priority to the Lord and His Kingdom values, in all what we do!

… not merely reciting prayers and raising hymns of praise; but also infers at reaching out to the poor and needy in self-giving and doing everything for the Glory of God!

A Filtration Process is a must for every follower of Christ.

All of us, surely have our weaknesses and tendencies to be attracted to worldly ways

We very often, even have the goodwill to truly follow Jesus…

>> However, because of…

… lack of strong motivation

… ignorance and lack of people who can guide us

… various discouraging and deterring incidents and scandals

>> We fail to truly Follow Jesus.

We, the FEED, need to offer our lives to Jesus…

… and allow ourselves to pass through Our Crucified Lord – Who is our FILTER!

>> He will cleanse us to make us pure

>> He will strengthen us with proper motivation

>> He will nourish us with courage and passion to be bold and faithful

And thus, we will be able to live as the proper FILTRATE – a disciple of Christ…

… living in holiness and with a sense of mission to bring all people to the Love of Christ.

Are we willing to be “Filtered?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Examine your heart often to see if it is such toward your neighbour as you would like his to be toward you…

… were you in his place.

>> This is the touchstone of true reason!”

——————————–

“Excuses are the nails that are used to build the house of failure”

We often, run our lives, basing ourselves on many excuses and justifications…

>> Politicians sometimes make excuses for failure to undertake developmental works blaming their opposition parties.

>> Citizens sometimes make excuses for their inability towards nation-building by purely blaming the corruption among politicians.

>> Motorists or car-drivers sometimes make some excuses and jump signals and violate traffic rules.

>> Traffic inspectors sometimes make some excuses and escape from duties and dump it on someone else.

>> Students sometimes make excuses for their poor performance by blaming the education system.

>> Teachers sometimes make excuses for their loopholes in work by blaming the students and parents for non co-operating.

Are we becoming a Generation of Excuse-givers?

The Gospel of the Day brings our attention to this grave and urgent issue that we need to tackle: The Issue of making Excuses for Escapism.

We have the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast in today’s Gospel.

“A man once gave a great feast and invited many guests” (Lk 14:16)

Here was a big and great feast being organized and invitations were sent out to many guests.

>> This was no simple feast.

>> This was no ordinary event.

It’s similar to someone today, being invited to a lavish and a grand party by the President of the Nation or some highly dignified person.

It was kind of a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.

>> The people waited with eagerness to get such a chance.

In those days, it was the custom to send two invitations.

The first invitation was to tell everyone that the event was being planned.

Those were the days when Time was a lavish commodity.

Clocks were scarce and time management techniques were still unheard of.

>> The actual day and the actual time of the event were left open.

It would depend a lot on the preparation time for the killing of animals, their cleaning and cooking…

… getting all the vegetables and everything needed to get the meal ready.

And so there was a need for a second invitation…

The second invitation was to tell everyone that everything was ready and about to begin.

>> This second reminder was for to those who had been given the first invitation and had indicated that they would attend.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  

But the Gospel says, that when the second invitation was sent to the pre-invited guests, they began to make excuses!

Making excuses is nothing new!

It has existed right from the first days…

>> Adam and Eve made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of disobedience.

>> Cain made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of killing his brother Abel.

>> Moses gave excuses before God in trying to escape from the task being entrusted to him.

>> Jeremiah gave excuses before God that he was only a small boy to take up the responsibility

Those who were able to overcome the excuses, found true meaning and joy.

>>> But those who got stuck with their excuses, lost out on discovering greatness!

The guests who had been invited for the grand feast, gave silly excuses….

One said, “I have purchased a field and must go and examine it”

>> Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone enter into land dealings without having seen it in prior?

>> And even if one has not, was it so urgent, so as to miss the grand feast?

Another said, “I have purchased five oxen and am on my way to evaluate them”

>> Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone purchase land animals, without having examined them?

>> And even if one has not, was it so immediate a need, so as to skip the great feast?

Another said, “I have just married a woman, and I cannot come”

>> Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Couldn’t the husband take along his wife to the feast, to have a joyful time together?

>> Or was this couple so much exclusive, that they failed to have any social contacts, so as to avoid the fine feast?

> Here was an invitation so grand.

>> Here was a generosity so lavish.

>>> Here was a preparation so extensive.

But unfortunately, it was responded with excuses which were baseless, childish, illogical and quite ridiculous!

We might sometimes laugh at those excuses made by the people.

But perhaps, we are also no different…

… or if not, worse.

We are in a trend of being a Generation of Excuse-givers….

>> We make excuses of physical tiredness, to avoid saying our personal prayers, our family prayers and being faithful to our spiritual activities.

>> We make excuses of saying that “it’s impossible to live an honest life” and give into many corrupt malpractices, which go against the Gospel values.

>> We make excuses of being too busy to find time to participate in the Holy Eucharist with greater devotion and preparedness.

>> We make excuses to reach out to the needy ones in their necessities by citing our own hardships to get out of our comfort areas.

We have a strong exhortation from the Lord today, to get rid of our “Excuse-giving Tendency”.

It’s easy to escape from responsibilities by giving excuses.

>> But by doing so, we end up missing out on many graces from God…

… causing much pain to God who expects much from us…

… and also disturb the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

We have a duty to overcome this tendency of making Excuses for Escapism.

The Lord gives us many opportunities to grow in holiness and grace.

>> Let us not make silly and baseless excuses and throw them away.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of Divine Love…

… every man works his oar voluntarily!”

——————————–

Christianity is described as a religion of contradictions…

…Paradoxes are perhaps a way of life, for a Christian.

The Christian Lifestyle could be described in the following few lines:

“The way to be master… is to be servant;

The way to receive… is to give;

The way to be rich… is to be poor;

The way to be wise… is to be a fool;

The way to be exalted… is to abase oneself;

The way to live… is to die.”

The Gospel of the Day is a call from Jesus to examine our attitude towards others and to grow to become more and more selfless..

.. and thus be more and more Christian!

We are in the 14th Chapter of St Luke.

Jesus has been invited for a dinner to the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath Day.

>> He has just cured a person with dropsy…a disease wherein water gets retained in the body

>> He also tried to cure persons with hypocrisy…a disease wherein duplicity gets retained in the mind!

And now He seeks to cure the attitude of the people who have a false understanding of giving.

Jesus says, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours. For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid” (Lk 14:12)

Much of our giving is based purely on the (hidden) aspect of receiving back…

>> Much of our sharing is based purely on an (unconscious) agenda of getting back…

We share our time with friends…

… often expecting that they too will accompany us in our times of hardships and difficulties!

We render service to many people who are in need…

… often expecting that they too will render us assistance in our difficulties!

We pray to God & make a lot of sacrifices…

… often expecting that He’ll meet all our expectations, in the way and time, we want.

We love many saints…

… often expecting that they’ll make faster intercession on our behalf and get our works done quickly.

We have, perhaps, become very business oriented:

>> I give, and expect return

>> I share, and expect a bonus.

But the Lord, in today’s Gospel comes down heavily on such an attitude.

“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

We are exhorted to give to those, who may never be able to repay back.

>> We are challenged to help those, who may never have a chance to return back the favour.

The Lord who said these words, shows us an example in the highest manner possible…

… in the Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Eucharist is the best example and model…of such kind of a giving..

>> A giving without expecting back!

>> A sharing without seeking back.!

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the poor…

>> We who are poor…

… in our morals and purity

… in our commitment and dedication

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the crippled…

>> We who are crippled…

… with our many sins and faults

… with the guilt of many past failures

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the lame…

>> We who are lame…

… in our longing and thirst for the Divine

… in our acts of self-giving and self-sacrifice

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the blind…

>> We who are blind…

… to the cries of those around us

… to see our habits which needs repentance & improvement.

Jesus, who gives Himself entirely in the Holy Eucharist today challenges us to do the same..,

“I give myself to you as food and nourishment…even though many people fail to thank me

>> Can you also give yourselves to nourish the lives of others…even if they fail to acknowledge?”

“I give myself to you in joy, happiness and peace…even though many despise and mock me

>> Can you also become a source of joy to others…even if they back-bite and spread calumny?”

“I give myself to you as a healing for sin and guilt..even though many hate and desecrate me.

>> Can you also become a healing touch to the other…even if it means dying slowly to your self slowly die in the process?”

The onus is on us…

Can we truly pray and live…

… The Christian Life – with its contradictions and paradoxes?

Let us seek the intercession and give heed to the words of St Charles Borromeo, the saint of the Day:

“If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you…

… do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out…!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “A man who can own pearls does not bother about shells…

… and those who aspire to virtue do not trouble themselves over honours!”

——————————–

There is a story said about a carpenter, who had least botheration about his Christian faith.

His pious and devout wife would often exhort him to return to faith…

… but he cared least!

>> They would even often have fights over this issue.

Once, he left to the woods, to cut trees.

As he glanced around, he noticed a tree – dead and dry, with its leafless branches embracing the skies.

>> He said to himself, “That tree I will cut down. For it is dead and dry, fit only to burned!”

As he got himself ready with the axe, to chop down the tree…

… he heard a voice thundering within him, “Are you not also like this dead tree…. Fit only to be burned?”

He tried to banish away such thoughts…

… but the higher he lifted up the axe to cut the tree, the greater was the voice heard!

He went on to strike the tree a few times…

… but the thought kept flashing in his mind: “Will God ever tell me.. ‘Cut it down..fit only to be burned!”

Eventually, the thoughts became so great, that he fell on his knees…

… and pleaded with God, to receive him back.

The story goes on to say, that he went back to his wife and was reconciled to her…

… and had his faith restored in the Lord…

… revived by the Mercy of God!

Is my life like a dead tree….without spiritual energy and “fit only to be burned”?

… then the Lord today thunders in our hearts: To restore our faith and be revived in His Mercy!

The Gospel of the Day takes us through such a faith-restoring and mercy-experiential incident in the life of a little man – Zacchaeus

The story begins with Jesus coming to Jericho and intending to pass through the town (Lk 19:1)

Jericho has a long history, especially seen in the Old Testament.

>> Jericho was the first city to be conquered by the Israelites under Joshua. (Josh 6:1-27)

It was surrounded by a huge wall. However, with directives from God & under the leadership of Joshua, the city was laid siege.

On the appointed day, Joshua ordered the people to shout & the walls of the city collapsed and the Israelites destroyed it.

Joshua laid a curse on the one who would rebuild this city.

>> Thus, Jericho bore the brunt of a curse.

It is to this ‘place of curse’ that Jesus makes his entry.

As Jesus makes his entry to this cursed place, a little man named Zacchaeus climbs & hides himself behind the leaves of a tree.

Now this incident of Jesus entering an accursed city and a man hiding behind the leaves of a tree, has quite striking similarities with another incident, seen at the start of the Bible – the incident in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3)

In the book of Genesis, when Adam and Eve sinned, God moved about in the garden.

>> But they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Gen 3: 8)

God comes to a place, which has been now cursed because of sin.

>> But the two persons hide themselves in the trees of the garden.

Interesting similarity, isn’t it?

God comes to a place of curse… the Garden… and two persons (Adam and Eve) hide in the trees.

>> Jesus comes to a place of curse… the city of Jericho… and one person (Zacchaeus) hides in the trees.

But with the similarity, there are also striking differences…

Adam and Eve hid from God, in order to stay away from God, because of the guilt of sin.

>> Zacchaeus hid from Jesus, in order to see him better, because of his own complexes.

Adam and Eve were fearful to hear the words of God addressing them.

>> Zacchaeus was surprised and joyful to hear the words of Jesus addressed to him.

Adam and Eve wanted to remain hiding even after God sought for them in the garden.

>> Zacchaeus jumped down from the tree after Jesus sought to come to his home.                                                                                                                 

Is there some similarity of these incidents to my life too?

Am I, like Adam & Eve, hiding from God, because I am scared of Him due to some of the sins which I am unwilling to give up?

>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus, seeking refuge in the leaves of trees like money, pleasure, evil habits and yet have a desire to see the Lord?

The Lord is gazing at us… like He gazed at Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

Am I, like Adam & Eve, fearful to hear the words of God, in the Bible or through the teachings of the Church or the words of other people, because of the pain to get rid of my sinful tendencies and evil practices?

>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus, joyful to hear God’s words addressed to me, & also ready to make changes for a better spiritual life?

The Lord is addressing each one of us…like He addressed Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

Am I, like Adam & Eve, wanting to remain in my sinful and lethargic state of life even though I experience that God’s mercy and compassion is readily available?

>> Or am I, like Zacchaeus willing to jump down with joy, from the tree of pride, complexes, sin and fear, and welcome the Lord into the home of my life?

The Lord is seeking for us…as He sought Adam and Eve and Zacchaeus.

The Lord is gazing, addressing and seeking for us.

>> Am I ready to encounter, to listen and to be found by Him?

A Yes to the question, will also mean taking some radical decisions in our life, just like Zacchaeus did…

>> Giving up of possessions…

>> Letting go of my undue desire for money, cheap popularity, the riches in my life etc.

>> Repaying those whom I have cheated…

>> Forgiving and accepting those whom I hurt, whom I don’t like, whom I am not in good terms etc.

Zacchaeus was a despised man.

…  because of his short stature.

… because as a tax collector, he worked for the enemy-government and would cheat and defraud people.

… because Jesus came to his house – a house of a sinner.

But the encounter with Jesus made him a transformed person

>> The encounter with Jesus made him to go beyond all complexes and filled him with deep joy!

This same transformation is at hand for us…

Let, us, learn from the Little Man and make significant changes in our life, in order to experience the magnanimous wonders and graces from our Big God!

Maybe our life is like a dead tree….without spiritual energy and “fit only to be burned”!

>> The Lord today thunders in our hearts: To restore our faith and be revived in His Mercy!

God bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “One single day of devotion is worth more than…

… a thousand years of worldly life!”

——————————–

“No…..don’t leave me!!”

A cry of a helpless one!

A set of twins were growing inside the womb of the mother.

For around nine months, these little ones have known each other.

>> They have eaten together, played together, sometimes even fought with each other…and above all, shared a lot of love and happy moments.

But now it is the time of delivery.

>> Little do these infants know the concept of delivery.

As the first one is ready to be delivered, the second twin holds on to it tight….crying:

“No…..don’t leave me….!

No…..don’t leave me….!”

It’s a heart-breaking cry…a soul-wrenching wail!

To see its partner, being taken away, seems the end of the world for this second twin.

>> To realize that they can no longer play or live together in the same place, is indeed too sad a moment for this second twin.

Is it all over for this second twin?

>> Will it see its partner no more?

>> Why is such a cruelty being inflicted on this second twin?

However…to those on the other side of the delivery…who are awaiting the delivery….these are precious and highly joyful moments.

>> What seemed death for the second twin…

… was life for those outside.

>> What seemed the end of the world for the second twin…

… was the start of life for those outside.

In a few moments, even the second twin will be taken out, and will be reunited to the first…

>> The wail of tears will be transformed to a well of joy!

>> The cry of sadness will be changed to a channel of happiness!

This analogy could be a reasonable metaphor for our life here on this world.

We are like this second twin…

>> We fall in love with our close ones

We live with them, share our life, sometimes even fight…

… yet we love them much!

And finally, one day, mostly unexpectedly, they are taken away from us…

… They die!

We cry, “No…..don’t leave me!…

… but nothing brings them back!

Death seems to be an end for us!

But, the Lord who was crucified and was dead for three days and rose to life, with an assuring smile tells us, “No!  All is not over.

>> What seems death for you, is the beginning of life in Me.

>> What seems immense sadness for you, is the start of a real joy in Me.

Fear not…cry not… I am the Life and the Resurrection”

This is what St Paul echoed in his First Letter to the Corinthians 15:5:

“Where, O Death, is your victory?

>> Where, O Death, is your sting??

Today is the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed….the All Souls Day.

In the Apostles Creed, we recite, “I believe….in the Communion of Saints”.

The term “communion of saints” has two closely-linked meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.

The Communion of Saints is the three states of the Church:

>> The Church Militant (the Pilgrim Church on earth),

>> The Church Suffering (the Faithful Departed),

>> The Church Triumphant (the Saints in Glory)

“… at the present time, some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself Triune and one, exactly as He is'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #954)

On this day, we (the Church Militant), in union with the prayers of the saints in glory (the Church Triumphant), reach out our prayers, intercessions and love in a very special manner…

… for our suffering brothers and sisters (the Church Suffering).

(Yesterday, November 1st, we celebrated and thanked God specially for the Saints in Glory – the Church Triumphant)

What makes us to pray for the dead…the faithful departed?

It is necessarily because of the co-relationship that all human beings share with each other.

>> We do pray for the people who are in need, when they live on this earth.

>> We do seek intercessions on their behalf to God, when they are with us.

When a person dies, his/her existence ceases only in our sight.

They still continue to live in God’s sight.

>> The dead, are not dead for God.

This is what Jesus says in Luke 20:38, “…he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive”

Therefore, it is logical and reasonable that we pray for the faithful departed.

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Therefore, it is a duty on our part that we pray for the purification of these Faithful Departed.

This Commemoration is also a reminder of our own Death and the death of our close ones.

True, that as frail humans, we may have a natural fear and even a sort of phobia of death.

>> But our Christian Love, Faith and Hope must gain the upper-hand in us.

> Death is frightening for the faithless…

… but for the faithful, it is the doorway to the Fountain of Faith!

> Death is horrifying for the loveless…

… but for those who love, it is the passage to the Fullness of Love!

> Death is devastating for the hopeless..

… but for those who hope, it is the entry to the Spring of Hope!

Death is a reality.

>> No amount of reflection or sermons can substitute the pain of this reality.

Sometimes, in such situations, silence is the only answer that we can provide.

>> But this silence ought to be a “silence of hope”, a “silence of trust” and a “silence of faith”.

> When we love God deeper, the fear of death decreases.

>> When we have a stronger faith in God, the pain of death reduces.

>> When we have an unshakeable hope in God, the anguish of death subsides.

Death is hard.

> And our lips may only cry, “No…..don’t leave me….”

But, the Lord has conquered this death!

Let us look on to Him, on the Cross, and find greater meaning and hope in life.

May our Blessed Mother Mary who bore the pain of the death of Her Beloved Child on the Cross…

… be our refuge and strength.

>> May the prayers and example of the Church Triumphant be our inspiration and courage.

Let us also keep in mind, that this day of the “All Souls Day” as well as the Month of November is a time to gain Indulgences, that the Church offers.

(1) A plenary indulgence for the faithful departed in purgatory can be gained, by visiting a cemetery, each day between November 1 and November 8 and praying for the departed, even if the prayer is only mental.

(2) A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on All Souls’ Day (or on the Sunday preceding or following it, or on the solemnity of All Saints), devoutly visits a church and recites an Our Father and the Creed.

(3) A partial indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, can be obtained when the prayer:

>> “Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

…is recited

(Let’s also keep in mind the conditions to be fulfilled for the reception of the Plenary Indulgence:

a. Do the act of the Indulgence (prayer/act) while in a state of grace

b. Receive Sacramental confession within 20 days

c. Receive Holy Communion

d. Pray for the Pope’s intentions (Our Father and Hail Mary, and/or other appropriate prayer), is sufficient),

e. Have no attachment to sin (even venial) – the person needs to make ‘an act of the will’ to love God and despise sin.

Yes, let us pray:

“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace…

… Amen.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – Let is walk, joyously, dear souls, among the difficulties of this passing life …

>> These pains will have an end when our life ends, after which there will be only joy, only contentment!”

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Who is your favourite hero/heroine?

This is a question invariably most of us have either asked others and we ourselves have been asked.

Heroism is a much overblown idea in our society .

>> We live in a world surrounded by super heroes!

Hollywood and Bollywood and “other woods” give us movies about superheroes who can leap tall buildings at a single bounce, vanquish their enemies with a solitary gaze and reign supreme with their out-of-the-world capabilities!

Heroism, in our world, has been quite associated with power, fame, popularity etc…

> They are super-exciting.

>> They are breathtaking.

>>> They give an “ooh…wow” feeling!

Today, the Holy Mother the Church is geared up to celebrate Her Heroes!

Of course, Heroes with a difference?.

>> Heroes, who really, made a difference!

>> Heroes who have achieved great heights of perfection, in God’s sight!

Today is a day of immense celebration of these superheroes of God… The Solemnity of All Saints!

One catchword that dominates today’s celebration is JOY.

>> There is much JOY in belonging to God.

>> There is much JOY is being saved in Christ.

>> There is much JOY in suffering for the Lord.

Being joyful does not mean, that all is perfect and without any faults.

>> Being joyful means, one has learned to look beyond those imperfections.

And this is Christian Holiness!

Christian Holiness is wholeness?

? a wholeness that?s experienced in one’s being, as a result of living life in perfect union with the Will of God.

Today the Church invites us to lift our gaze to heaven, and thank and praise God for the innumerable people who not only persevered in their faith while they lived on earth, but actually lived their lives in such a way that they built up Christ’s Kingdom in the world.

The saints are not superheroes in the worldly sense…

>> What sets them apart is not their miraculous power!

>> What sets them apart is not their popularity and fame!

Rather, what makes them saints, is their faith and their discipleship and their service to others.

The word..SAINT…sometimes strikes an odd chord in our minds…

>> Saints are considered to be people beyond our reach and too holy for our lives

>> Saints are considered to be people for whom the path to sanctity was made easy and cosy.

>> Saints are considered to be people who are given a special boon from God to live a holy life.

But the truth perhaps, is quite contrary…

>> Saints are people who are truly very close to us and lived in simple and ordinary life situations like us.

>> Saints are people who had to struggle through many hardships and trials in the path to holiness.

>> Saints are people who co-operated with the grace of God and remained faithful to their commitment and call

Every Christian is called to a life of Holiness and to be a Saint…

How is this possible in our lives…?

The Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus, in today’s Gospel shows us the path… (Mt 5: 1-10)

Being a saint…

…by depending on God in all dimensions of our life and seeking His Kingdom above all

…by mourning over our sins and seeking to live a life in repentance.

…by living a life of firm gentleness and trusting patience in the midst of injustice and pain

…by becoming agents of justice and seekers of establishing truth

…by giving mercy and compassion to the needy and even to those who we feel, don’t deserve

…by preserving purity in our thoughts, words and deeds

…by striving for establishing peace and harmony even in conflicting situations

…by accepting suffering and becoming stronger in our struggle to establish God’s Kingdom

This Feast day is a chance for us to sneak into the personal diary of the saints… & to “steal” some tips for us to admire and imitate them…

The Saints’ Favourite Food: The Holy Eucharist

The Saints’ Favourite Dress: The Armour of Faith

The Saints’ Favourite Pastime: Doing anything with immense love of God

The Saints’ Favourite Symbol: The Holy Cross

The Saints’ Favourite Moments: Every time they discovered more the depth of God’s Love

The Church has a marvellous number of saints who are canonized.

>> On this special day, we also take our time, to raise our hearts in gratitude, for the many other holy men and women, who sparkle with sanctity, but have not been officially declared so.

A few may be known to us, in our family or friends circle?

>> But most of them, will remain unknown and unfamiliar and unheard.

>> But in the Lord’s presence, they dazzle and shine, in holiness and purity.

This galaxy of Saints beckon and encourage each one of us today to tread this path of holiness.

As St Augustine says, ” Do you aspire to do great things? Begin with the little ones”

…Doing our simple works with much love of God.

…Living our Christian life with much faithfulness

….Seeing the deep presence of God in all areas of our life.

> Let us live a life of self-sacrifice, renunciation and trust in God?.

>> Let us live a life seeking to do God’s will at all times

>>> Let us live a life laced with the tender Love of God in all our activities.

All the saints, the Superheroes of God, are looking deep into our eyes…and inviting us…”Come, dear Child…Be a Saint…”

What is our response?

> Happy Feast to all the Saints in Heaven…the Church Triumphant!

>> Happy Feast to all of us, striving to be saints…the Church Militant!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If we walk steadily and faithfully…

… God will lift us up to greater things!”

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As children, we have often heard short stories…

One of the famous stories we have heard is about the Fox and the Hen.

>> The Fox tries his level best to kill the hen and it almost succeeds, until, the hen, by its cleverness, escapes through the clutches of the fox!

The fox is described with dominative and oppressive characters.

>> The hen is described with a defenseless and subjugated character.

Yet, the hen with its cleverness and adeptness manages to escape through its grasp.

The Gospel of the day presents such similar images of the Hen and the Fox to deliver a powerful message for our spiritual lives.

The passage begins with some Pharisees giving a warning to Jesus to leave that place since Herod wanted to kill Him.

Firstly, we encounter an unusual image of the Pharisees…

>> Usually, they are a group who present a very opposing and critical attitude.

The thought of a Pharisee, usually, brings an image of people who are knowledgeable, yet judgemental and disapproving in their behaviour.

But here is a welcome distinction…

>> These Pharisees display a concern towards Jesus and warn Him of the dangers posed by King Herod.

Why did these Pharisees do so ?

…In malice, to further trap Jesus?

…In jealousy, to keep Jesus away from the crowds?

…In concern, to help in His mission?

We can’t say for sure.

>> We can’t ascertain what really was their motive behind warning Jesus.

But it does allows us space to think that all people cannot be judged as wrong all the time!

>> Atleast an inkling of goodness exists in all, even in the midst of thick evil!

The answer of the Lord to the warning is a strong one…”Go and tell that fox…!” (Lk 13:32)

The image of the fox appears….King Herod.

Why does Jesus call King Herod as a fox?

The fox was an unclean animal for a Jew.

>> More than the slyness of the animal, Jesus was perhaps referring more to its uncleanness.

Herod always had issues with respect to being a clean and credible Jew…

After the death of his father, King Herod the Great (the one who had killed the many innocent male children at the birth of Jesus), this Herod Antipas had been put in power by Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, in 4 BC.

History tells that in 17 AD, to honour his Roman rulers, he build a grand new capital city named Tiberius, after the current emperor, only to discover that it was built on top of an old Jewish cemetery.

>> No pious Jew ever entered it, and was occupied exclusively by the pagans.

Herod also had his moral issues…

>> He divorced his first wife, in order to marry Herodias, the wife of his brother, Philip.

John the Baptist had been a persistent critic of Herod for this dubious marriage.

Herod had John killed because he had promised his daughter anything she wanted if she danced for him, and John’s head on a platter is what she wanted.

True, that King Herod Antipas was a powerful man and a person of great influence.

… But Jesus, the King of Kings and the God of all, fears him not and calls him “a fox”!

>> When one is filled with the mighty Spirit of God, no earthly forces can cause fright or scare!

>> When one fully trusts in the strength of God, no worldly might can cause anxiety or dread!

>> When one is committed to one’s convictions and missions, no power can deter away from it!

This leads Jesus to give another image…

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how many times, I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…“

The image of a mother Hen appears…Jesus Christ

It is one of the most overtly feminine references to God in all of scripture.

Jesus will be the mother hen who stands between the chicks and those who mean to harm.

She has no pointed fangs or rippling muscles.

>> But all she has, is her willingness to shield her babies with her own body.

If the fox wants them, he will have to kill her first.

This is the image that Jesus for Himself… a Hen.

>> It lays bare God’s vulnerability. 

Here is the contrast…

King Herod, presented as a Fox…powerful, rude, forceful.

>> Jesus, presented as a mother Hen…protective, sacrificial, shielding.

This mother Hen, Jesus, invites each of us, His chicks, to find shelter under His wings.

Am I willing to take shelter under the wings of Jesus, the mother Hen?

The Gospel  has a sad note : When the mother hen tried to gather her chicks underneath her wings, “they were unwilling” (Lk 13:34b)

The chicks are unwilling to remain under the shade of the hen’s wings…

>> Maybe they wanted more freedom…

>> Maybe they just wanted to have their own way of living life…

>> Maybe they did not find the mother hen too exciting, whereas the active fox attracted them…

We too are sometimes so…

>> We fail to come under the shade of God’s wings…

>> We become unwilling.

The story of the fox and the hen continues…

Do I get attracted more to the energetic and tempting fox…

>> Or do I find rest, shelter and protection under the wings of the mother hen?

The choice is before us…

On this last day of the month of October – the month of the Rosary – let us thank the Lord for the gift of our Blessed Mother…

>> And praying the Rosary – which is a journey through the Life of Jesus, holding the Hands of our Mamma…

… let us be inspired by our Blessed Mother to live for God and reach out in service to His people, remaining under His Protective Care!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When we abandon all to Him, He takes a tender care of us…

… and His Providence for us is great or small according to the measure of our abandonment!”

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Human beings are inquisitive and curious.

>> By nature, humans tend to seek to know many things.

One of the prime among all such seeking is the questions concerning the life after this life.

>> What will happen after I die?

>> Where will I go after my death?

>> Is there such thing called as a heaven or hell?

>> Will go really punish or will He lavish the license of heaven to all?

Such eschatological questions often disturb our minds & we become a bit perplexed over an uncertain future.

The Gospel of the Day presents such an eschatological question being posed to Jesus, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” (Lk 13:23)

Jesus, has a very unique way of dealing with questions and doubts.

When we scan through some of such incidents, wherein Jesus has been asked a question or a doubt, we often find that He either doesn’t give a straight answer or sometimes even doesn’t give any answer…

… A lawyer comes to Jesus and asks, “Who is my neighbour?” (Lk 10:29)

>> Jesus doesn’t give a direct answer; instead responds with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

…Some people tell Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the sacrifices, and expected Jesus to make some comments (Lk 13:1)

>> Jesus doesn’t explicit a clear teaching; instead responds with the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.

In today’s Gospel incident too, Jesus is asked about how many will be saved.

>> But Jesus chooses to respond with the Illustration of the Narrow Door.

Why does Jesus do so?

>> Why does He not respond directly to such questions, and instead answer in some other form?

One of the tendencies among many believers, including perhaps some of us, is that…

…we tend to miss the actual point, in the process of discussion.

…we fail to grasp the actual thing needed, in the course of many doubts.

We wonder…

… about who all will be saved

… when this world will come to an end

… how many people will make to heaven or be cast to hell

These simple questions lead to complicated ones…

>> What about people who have never heard about God?

>> What about those souls in distant lands who never had a chance to know what is God?

These complicated questions further leads to some conclusions…

>> What kind of God sends people to hell?

>> If the God of the Bible is so, then I don’t want to believe in Him!

>> I would better not believe in any God and rather live my life the way I want!

Well… this is the sad part!

It is not that questionings or doubts are bad…or not that they are not encouraged…

But sometimes, such interrogations make us to miss the main point.

>> We get so entangled with doubts of the future, that we fail to prepare for the future.

>> We get so busy asking about eternal life, that we fail to live a life worthy of it!

But Jesus brings home to point…

>> What is needed utmost is an upright life…in faith and in repentance.

>> What is most needed is to live a life pleasing to God and in seeking to do His Will.

This is the narrow way.

>> To live a life of faith, in the midst of challenges and crises, is hard!

>> To live in total repentance and brushing aside sin at every point of life, is hard!

>> To live a life seeking to live in tune with God’s Will, even if it is demanding, is hard!

This is the narrow way, to which the Lord invites us.

Let us not get too much webbed in the questions and doubts, and lose focus of what’s most needed: Faith, Repentance and Doing His Will.

>> Let us seek for this grace!

God Bless! Live Jesus

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The truly patient man neither complains of his hard lot nor desires to be pitied by others.

>> He speaks of his sufferings in a natural, true and sincere way, without murmuring, complaining or exaggerating them!”

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“Little Is Much When God is in It!”

Jesus in the Gospels loves to use simple, tiny and insignificant objects, to project His message of the Kingdom!

Today He uses the example of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven in describing the Might of the Kingdom!

The mustard seed & leaven would’ve hardly received any attention in the normal sense.

>> But Jesus, the Master Artist paints these li’l objects into the Mighty Canvas of the Kingdom & delivers a powerful message…

>> The Kingdom of God has its humble beginnings….but it develops into a Powerful Force!

>> The Kingdom of God often starts very insignificantly…but it expands into a Huge Reality!

>> The Kingdom of God initiates in an unnoticed manner….but it enlarges into an Influential Entity!

Little Is Much when God is in It!

The mustard seed develops into a Tree, which renders shelter to the birds of the air (Lk 13: 19)…..

• The sinners find a solace in this Tree….

• The sick encounter support in this Tree..

• The rejected have a remedy in this Tree…

• The cast-outs meet consolation in this Tree….

• The prostitutes experience peace in this Tree…

The leaven which is little, makes the whole mass of dough to rise (Lk 13: 21)…

•The rod in Moses’ hand…a shepherds’ ordinary crook…became a mighty symbol of God’s Power

•The jawbone with Samson…. a decaying useless bone…became an instrument of killings thousands of enemies!

•The stone in David’s hand….an unnoticed stone… became the means of conquering the gigantic Goliath!

Little Is Much When God is in It!

>> We live in times when many things are explained or rejected in terms of science, psychology, post-modern modern philosophies and assorted spiritualties

>> We live in times when material values and worldly attitudes are corroding our lives.

>> We live in times when ethical principles and traditional virtues often get kicked into the backyard!

>> Times are bad. Times are worsening. Times are sickening…

>> Times, are even, sometimes seen to be hopeless, scary and terrifying!

But we also ought to realize that…

… many things, which cannot be discovered and understood through the microscope of science and modern theories can be discovered by looking through the eyes of faith!

Yes, massive things can be seen and achieved by looking through the miniscule eye of Faith!

Our efforts and attempts to spread God’s Kingdom may be just minor and appearing to be insignificant…

… like the Mustard Seed and the Leaven.

But, Little Is Much When God is in It!!

May we seek the grace to realize the power of “little things” and “little efforts” in building up the “Great Kingdom of God” and to spread the “Immense Love of the Lord” to all!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Great occasions for serving God come seldom…

… but little ones surround us daily!”

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