A cute story of a little boy, who loved fruits.

This little boy fellow was once, tempted to pluck some cherries from a tree, which his father had strictly forbidden him to touch.

“You need not be afraid,” said his notorious companion, “for if your father should find out that you have taken them, he is too kind to hurt you.”

“Ah,” said the brave little fellow, “that is the very reason why I would not touch them;

For I know that my father would not hurt me. So I should not hurt him by my disobedience!”

The little boy knew the love of his Father towards him… and so he dared not hurt his Father.

·      He was not afraid of the punishment of the Father.

·      He was instead afraid of the hurt that would cause pain to the Father.

True  love causes a holy and pious concern of not wanting to cause any offence to the one who is loved.

·      True Love casts away all fear!

·      True Love drives away every anxiety!

It is this True Love of the Father that was made known by Jesus to all of us.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus shedding greater light on His intimate relation with the Father and revealing deeper, the love of the Father for each one of us.

Jesus prays, “… so that they may be one, as we are one. I in them and You in Me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that  you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.” (Jn 17: 22b, 23)

The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in the Seventeenth Chapter of St John, is another insight into the intimate relation that Jesus had with His Father.

·      All His life, He sought to do only the Father’s Will

·      All His life, He sought to reveal the love of the Father to the world.

This was driven by the fact that Jesus was in intimate union with the Father.

To His disciples, Jesus wishes to leave this same legacy – the legacy of loving the Father intimately.

·      Jesus wishes to tell us that we have a Father who is deeply interested and caring for us.

·      Jesus wishes to convince us that our lives are secure in the Providential care of the Father.

However, our lives sometimes fails to display this trust and confidence in the providential care of the Father

·      Some of us may have a wrong notion of God being interested only in finding my wrongdoings and punishing me for the same…

·      Some of us may have the wrong notion of God being too holy and majestic that makes Him unapproachable, unavailable and inaccessible!

But Jesus seeks to drive away all such false impressions.

He tells us that the Father…

… is surely the keeper of justice, and may take us through a time of trials and difficulties.

But those are not to be seen as cruel punishments, but loving acts for improvements towards a holier life!

He tells us that the Father…

…. is surely the Lord and Master of the Universe, and is totally aware of even the calamities or hardships that befall our lives

But in all those hard moments, the loving Father keeps us safely in the palm of His hand, not allowing us, His beloved children to get hurt or harmed!

When we are convinced of this deep love that the Father has towards us, we would be able to orient our lives in a way that is worthy of our call as witnesses of Christ.

Jesus by His unity with the Father, enjoyed perfect freedom.

>> He invites us to also deepen our union with the Father and enjoy greater freedom of happiness and joy.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do everything by love…

… and nothing by force!”

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The Question-Answer column of a particular youth magazine, once had a query as follows:

“I’m puzzled about life, and I wonder if you could help me?

Am I different from everyone else of my age?

> Or do they wear false masks as I do?

I go to parties and dances and act as if I were enjoying myself like everyone else I know.

> But I am not enjoying myself at all!

I always feel that there is something missing, and I don’t know what it is. . .

Behind the laughing and the fun, I think I look at life just a bit more seriously than most I know.

> I see more in life than just having a good time.

Do you think this is wrong at the age of twenty?

In a few years will I see things differently?

> Or should I take off the false face now, and act the way I feel?”

The expressions of this young man, faced with a dilemma in life, resonates with the thoughts of many people in the world…

… including perhaps, ours…

>> We get a feel that there is certainly “more” to life…

… than just the peripherals that I daily engross myself in…

>> We get an impression that there certainly is something “higher” in life…

… than just being limited to the external comforts of life…

An answer to this vital dilemma of our life is given expression by the Lord in today’s Gospel: We live in the world, but we do not belong to the world!

Jesus prays to the Father: “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them safe from the evil one.

>> They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)

The call of a Christian is to live as a people “set apart” for Christ.

The Lord wishes, desires, wants and makes it a must that the one who follows Him, must seek to follow Him fully, wholeheartedly and unreservedly.

>> But the Lord was also very much aware that this His desire for a people “totally set apart” would face a lot of challenges and crisis from the Evil One.

>> He knew that His followers would struggle much in living a pure life in the midst of many impurity, uncleanness and contamination.

>> He knew that His followers would find it hard to preserve holiness in the hub of wicked temptations, ensnaring enticements and luring persuasions

We often find ourselves lost in this strange maze of the world….

>> We immerse ourselves too much in worldly activities and works….

… But, somehow at the end of the day, when lying down on our beds, we, perhaps, feel ourselves lost and not having a true sense of satisfaction!

>> We plunge ourselves to enjoy a lot of worldly pleasures, comforts and luxuries…

… But, somehow, after having been sort of saturated with those externals, we, perhaps, find ourselves still unhappy or experiencing a void!

>> We engage ourselves in an excess use of the social media, networking sites, chatting applications and remain attached constantly to modern communication gadgets…

… But, somehow, though we are in contact with many people, we, perhaps, realize that there is a grave presence of loneliness and not having genuine relationships of love and true care!

And therefore, Jesus, the ever-practical, sensible and realistic Master…

… Firstly, prays for His followers for strength and courage: “I pray for them…. Holy Father, keep them in Your name… “(Jn 17: 9a, 11b)

… Secondly, reminds His followers on the need to set their hearts on Him because they belong not to the world: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17: 16)

This then ought to be our strength and hope, as we seek to live a Holy Christian Life in this world, often corrupted by sin and transgressions.

1. Knowing that Jesus has prayed for us….

>> In His prayer, we can find hope and blessings

>> In His prayer, we can find encouragement and support

2. Setting our heart entirely on the Lord and not being totally attached to the aspects of the world

>> In His Love, we find meaning in our relationships

>> In His Presence, we ought to engage all our activities

Light passes through pollution, but doesn’t get contaminated!

>> Every Christian, a reflection of the Light of Christ, ought to be such…

… focused on the Lord, seeking to be pure and unsullied, in holiness and sanctity.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “God indeed loves those souls who are tossed about by the storms and waves of the world…

… provided they receive their travails from His Hand

>> And, like mighty warriors, endeavor to remain faithful amid the fray!”

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A senior priest – who was known to be very prayerful – was asked by the youth of his parish:

“Dear Father, we are all aware that you depend so much on the power of prayer.

Can you help us to also have a similar dependence on prayer?”

The elderly priest, looked at the eager longing of the youngsters and replied:

“My dear young people…

… My life of faith has taught me a few lessons in prayer.

And what I have learnt, I share with you…

I have always seen, that in prayer…

… If the request is wrong, God says, “No.”

… If the timing is wrong, God says, “Slow.”

… If the intention is wrong, God says, “Grow.”

>> But if the request is right, the timing is right and the intention is right, God says, “Go!

So in all prayer, the key is simple: Be open to hear No or Slow or Grow or Go

>> And do His Will always!”

Have we discovered the joy of praying…

… and the patience to wait in hope, in our prayers?

The Gospels present Jesus as the Model of praying.

The Gospel of the Day is this beautiful expression of Jesus praying…

… and presenting to us elements which need to become part of our own prayer life.

The Seventeenth Chapter of the Gospel of John is traditionally called as the High Priestly prayer of Jesus.

The Gospel passage of the day (Jn 17: 1-11) presents a few basics and essentials of prayer:

1. Jesus prays for the glory of the Divine

Every prayer ought to be an expression of praise, worship and exaltation of the Holy Name of God.

Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to Your Son, so that your Son may glorify You!” (Jn 17: 1)

The lips of the Lord moved in praise of His Father and seeking the glory that was due to Him.

• Is my prayer an expression of my desire to ‘lift up the name of the Lord on high?”

• Or does my prayer degenerate into merely asking for things and wanting to focus the attention on me, than the Divine?

2. Jesus prays for the gift of eternal life for His people

Every prayer ought to have its intention aimed towards eternity!

Jesus prayed, “.. just as You gave Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all You gave Him” (Jn 17: 2)

The purpose of the Lord was clearly focussed on eternal goodness and everlasting benefits.

• Is my prayer an articulation of my longing for heaven and centred towards seeking the higher-things of life?

• Or do I get limited in my prayer with merely earthly and transitory things of life; not that they are unimportant, but whether they snatch away our minds from the true needs and requirements of life?

3. Jesus prays with an expression of His intimacy with God and His People

Every prayer ought to be a manifestation of my unity with the Lord and the people to whom I am connected.

Jesus prayed, “I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you and you gave them to me… ” (Jn 17: 6)

The prayer of the Lord showed that He was in intimacy with the Father and was in close union with the people in His life

• Is my prayer a sign of my close friendship with the Lord as well my close binding with the many people in my life?

• Or am I failing in my prayer due to a breakage of relation with the Lord due to sin, and suffering from disturbance of mind due to damaged and hateful links with the people in my life?

4. Jesus prays for the unity and safety from the evil

Every prayer ought to make me closer to the Lord and His people and cause to me stay further away from the evil.

Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one” (Jn 17: 11b)

The heart of the Lord moved to seek to protect the people He loved and also grow in greater intimacy

• Is my prayer constantly drawing me to purge away sins from my life, so that I can remain in His name, and also make me assist His people in service?

• Or does my prayer life make no effect on me to stay away from the evil and fail to be expressed in loving actions of charity and help?

The Lord desires that just as He prayed, in close intimacy with His Father, we too may grow in our life of prayer and union with the Heavenly Father.

Yes, let us always remember that in all prayer, the key is simple:

“Be open to hear No or Slow or Grow or Go

>> And do His Will always!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If you give up prayer because of dryness or distractions (which all the saints experienced at one time or another)…

… you might very well miss out on other opportunities to experience God’s love and wisdom in ways you never imagined!”

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Space scientists in the 1960’s and 70’s made several efforts to help astronauts (cosmonauts) to have a safer and healthier stay in space.

The major hurdle to this was the fact that no matter how well prepared physically the cosmonauts or astronauts for the trip…

… even a short stay in space had a massive negative influence on their health.

Weightlessness (antigravity) and lack of movement (hypokinesia) caused immediate retardation of the whole body space traveller – muscles, bones, peripheral and central nervous systems degenerated within several hours to a large extent.

Upon return to Earth, the astronauts had to readjust to Earth’s gravity and experienced problems standing up, stabilizing their gaze, walking and turning.

They needed a long-term intensive rehabilitation to get back in shape.

To counteract this, a running suit laced with elastic bands was utilized.

>> The function of this elastic band, was to resist every move that the cosmonaut would make.

>> This resistance would force them to exert extra strength.

This worked!

When they had resistance, their muscles were stronger and it prepared them for recovery back into the earth’s atmosphere.

>> The greater pressure they exerted, the stronger was their physique and faster did it help them to get back to normalcy faster.

How true is this of our life as well!

>> The easier our life, the greater is the possibility of our spiritual fibre being weak…

>> The comfortable our living, the higher are the chances of being lax and lethargic…

Strength of any kind grows, only by exertion!

And therefore, the Gospel of the Day will present Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples and we, His followers to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.

>> Jesus will tell, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16: 33)

The Lord in His final discourses to the Disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.

>> Jesus is a not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth.

>> Jesus is not a Master who hides the real facts of following Him.

He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.

>> He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)

Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.

He is bold to tell them, “… Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)

Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.

>> Sometimes, we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”

>> Sometimes, we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”

>> Sometimes, we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”

But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.

>> Rather, we need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.

When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.

… But when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances that tend to relax our relation with Him

When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord

… But when life is too cozy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life

When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God

… But when life goes on a smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life

Adversities in life act as elastic bands that cosmonauts or astronauts use…

…. They function in a way, to resist our every good action and aspiration…

>> But resistance ought to make us exert greater effort and have a stronger dependence on the Lord!

The greater the adversities, the stronger ought to be our dependence and trust in the Lord.

>> Strength of any kind grows only by exertion!

Let us not get discouraged by the problems of life… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!

Let us seek the intercession St Charles Lwanga and his companions – the 22 Ugandan Martyrs – who offered their life for the Kingdom.

May the remarkable words of St Charles Lwanga, as he was being burnt to death: “It is as if you are pouring water on me. Please repent and become a Christian like me!”

… inspire us to also face all the resistances of Christian Life and to remain bold and faithful to the Lord and His Kingdom.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “ Do not become upset when difficulty comes your way

>> Laugh at its face…

… and know that you are in the Hands of God!”

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It was a torrid sunny afternoon.

A missionary priest – serving in a tiny village for a number of years – was visited by his family.

>> The weather was pretty bad in this area

>> The people of the village were also known to be devious and dangerous.

His family members – who were pretty rich – were much dismayed and disappointed at the living conditions…

…. and wondered why this priest had to undertake so much of hardships and struggle.

With much distress, the younger sister of the priest asked him, “My brother, why have you abandoned the comfort of our home to be lost so miserably in this part of the world?”

The brother – the missionary priest – with much joy in his voice replied:

“My sister… you remember how once, God rescued me from the perils of immoral life and gave me new life.

>> I was dead in sin…

…but His Grace raised me up.

And so, when I have decided to give my life as a priest to the missions, my sole motto is:

‘Reserve Nothing, Retreat Never, Regret Not Once!’

The missionary priest had experienced the love of the Risen Lord…

… raising him from lifeless situations

>> And had committed his life to the Lord and the missions.

Have we experienced the Power and Love of the Risen Lord, Who reigns at the Right Hand of the Father?

Can we also make a proclamation of the motto:

>> Reserve Nothing (for oneself)

>> Retreat Never (from one’s goal)

>> Regret Not Once (for the choice one has made)’!

Today is the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord.

This is the day…

… on which He gave the mission mandate of preaching His Good News to the entire world.

… on which He ascended to the Heavens, as a culmination of the Glory of the Resurrection

In our proclamation of the Apostles’ Creed, we affirm, “… He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty!”

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is a declaration of various pointers for our reflection…

1. The Ascension is an event that reminds the glory and majesty of the Lord, who is sovereign over all

The Lord ascended.

Elsewhere in the Bible, we have incidents of persons being taken up to heaven

• Enoch was taken up by God: “Then Enoch walked with God and he was no longer here, for God took him” (Gen 5:24)

• Elijah went up: “As they walked on conversing, a flaming chariot and flaming horses came between Elisha and Elijah, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind” (2Kgs 2: 11)

Mother Mary was ‘assumed’ into heaven, body and soul (Dogma of the Assumption)

However, Christ ‘ascended’

>> It was His Power that made Him to ‘go up’ to the heavens.

This is a tremendous demonstration of His Divinity, His Glory and His Power!

2. The Ascension is an event which radiates hope to the suffering and optimism to the distressed

The interesting saga of Christ’s life, beginning with….

>> His simple yet powerful event of His Birth…

>> His ordinary yet impressive event of His ministry…

>> His agonizing yet impactful event of His passion and death…

>> His glorious and spectacularly amazing event of the Resurrection…

….finds its joyful and resplendent finale in His Ascension to the heavens.

This is a beautiful exhibition of how a life, lived in faith and commitment, even if it has to go through the barbed wires of pain, humiliation, suffering and uncertainty has a splendid and magnificent ending!

3. The Ascension is an event that prods our memory and commitment to be the missionaries for the Kingdom of God

The Lord’s concluding words to His apostles constituted a binding mandate…

… to go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation

… to be an instrument of His power to cast out demons, to speak in new tongues, to endure poisons, to lay hands on sick and restore them to recovery.

This is a dutiful reminder of how the Lord trusts and has immense confidence in each one of us to be the proclaimers of His word.

• The Lord wishes to reign over in our hearts.

• He wishes to be the sovereign ruler of our lives.

May the Feast of the Ascension be a reminder for us to open our hearts to let the Lord to be in total command of our lives.

May the conviction in His love, the zeal to be His Missionaries and the passion to make this world a holier place help us, even in the face of torrid suffering and hardships, to exclaim…

>> Reserve Nothing (for oneself)

>> Retreat Never (from one’s goal)

>> Regret Not Once (for the choice one has made)

Happy Feast of the Ascension!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When the house is on fire, people are ready to throw everything out of the window.

>> When the heart is full of God’s love, people are certain to look upon all else as of little worth!”

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A cute story is told of six year old Sally.

Sally loved to walk to and from, school, daily.

One evening, as she came back from school, it was too cloudy.

>> The skies were dark; with a frightening intervention of lightning and thunder.

>> But Sally still enjoyed to walk in those overcast conditions.

As she reached home, her mother was extremely worried.

More than anything, she was worried that her little daughter would be extremely frightened by the heavy storm and the peals of thunder and lightning.

However, as the mother saw her daughter coming from far, towards home, she was surprised.

>> She could see her little daughter looking up to the skies, every time a lightning flashed.

In curiosity, the mother asked the daughter, when she reached home:

“My child, were you not afraid of this dreadful climate? And why at all were you looking up, every time that there was a lightning?”

The little girl, with all her innocence said:

“Why at all should I be worried, Mamma?

God is always walking with me, isn’t it?

>> And moreover, today, He was taking pictures of me. So I kept looking at those flashes with a big smile!”

Well, that’s the innocent heart of a child…

… who trusts in God, and knows that He would be with her, in all the walks of life!

How happy are we, if we recognize that our Heavenly Father is deeply in love with us, His children, and never ceases to express His caring affection to us, at every moment.

The Gospel of the Day is a testimony to Jesus affirming the assuring and loving presence of God, our Heavenly Father.

Jesus declares these beautiful words, which ought to be inscribed in golden shades, on the canvas of our hearts, “… the Father Himself loves you…” (Jn 16: 27a)

This is indeed one of the mightiest and loftiest truth that we all need to know, experience, be convinced of, and live constantly in its assurance…

… the truth that “The Father Himself loves us!”

Every person longs for love and longs to be cared for…

Human love, however, sometimes fails to answer to this basic and essential need.

> Sometimes people around us get too busy, to even care for us…

>> Sometimes, people from whom we expect love, fail to understand our need…

>>> Sometimes, people who ought to care for us, fall short of their responsibility….

All this could leave a feeling a hurt within us.

>> All this could imprint a wound of sadness inside of us.

But in such moments of feeling lonely and desperation, especially, Jesus assures and promises us that we are not abandoned or left lonely…

>> Instead Jesus emphatically proclaims that just as He was loved by His Father, we too are loved by our Heavenly Father!

>> It is confidence in this tremendous love of the Father…

… that will make us to seek whatever we wish in life, knowing that our prayers will be answered, in the way and the time, that He, My Father wishes! (Jn 16: 26)

His Love will make me delight in His Will, letting go of my personal desires!

>> It is conviction in this unconditional love of the Father…

… that will make us to enjoy a deep sense of joy and bliss, knowing that in any situation of gloom or sadness or tension or worry, He, My Father, is taking me through! (Jn 16: 24)

His Love will make me want to do only His Will, setting aside my individual wantings!

Our Heavenly Father, our Abba is in deep love of each one of us…

>> The Crucifix is the proof of this “mad love” of the Father.

May we, with His grace, deepen our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father.

>> He is busy… but busy expressing His tender love to us.

>> He is busy writing… writing His letters of His precious love to us.

May we always realize that He is walking with us, through every stormy and rainy situations of life…

… and we can boldly look up to the pealing flashes of troubles, with a smile, acknowledging: “My God is always with me!”

As we begin this new month of June, let us also seek the intercession of the Saint of the Day, St Justin – the Martyr – and give heed to his words: “Sound doctrine does not enter into a hard and disobedient heart”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “He asks for your own heart.

>> Give is such as it is!

Are we not aware that everything that is remitted into His Divine Hands is converted to good?”

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One of the greatest violinists of all time was Niccolo Paganini.

He had his first performance at the age of 11.

>> It is said that his great technical ability revolutionized violin techniques across Europe.

When he died in 1840, he had willed his violin to Genoa, Italy – the place of his birth.

But he had it done on a condition: that no artist ever plays his instrument again.

Glad to have the violin come into their possession, the people in the city of Genoa agreed to the request, and they put it in a beautiful case for everyone to see.

But, unfortunately, wooden violins have a certain peculiarity:

>> As long as they are handled, they show no wear…

… But if it remains unused, it begins to decay!

This is what happened to Paganini’s violin.

>> His once-exquisite instrument became worm-eaten and useless.

Wooden violins of other artists have been handed down from one gifted musician to another…

…. and they continue to bring great music to audiences.

>> But Paganini’s violin is a crumbling relic of what it once was!

Such will also be the case with a Christian…

… If one does not spend one’s life in service!

A Christian’s “unwillingness to serve” may soon destroy one’s capacity for usefulness!

Today, is the Feast of the Visitation…

… A beautiful incident of how Blessed Mother Mary became a person, who rendered Her life “in service” to God and others – and thus gave full bloom to the graces of God within Her!

This Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother has its origin in the medieval times.

>> It was observed by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its practice spread throughout the entire Church.

>> Previously it was celebrated on July 2….

… now it is celebrated on 31st May – between the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord ( Mar 25) and the Birth of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24) , in conformity with the Gospel accounts.

One of the interesting term used by St Luke in his description of this incident (Lk 1: 39-56) is the word “HASTE”.

>> St Luke says: “In those days, Mary arose and went with HASTE…..” (Lk 1: 39)

The Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and announced the Good News that She was to be the Mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1: 31)

>> Mary was “overshadowed by the Power of the Most High” (Lk 1: 35)

>> The Angel had also pointed to the mighty work that was done in the life of her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1: 36)

The Annunciation became the turning point in the life of Mary!

She was no longer the same…

… The simple girl had been exalted and chosen to be the Mother of the Most High God!

… She would no longer be seeking to do her desires; She would seek to God’s Will at all times!

… Her life would no longer be carried by her plans; Her life would be impelled by what God wanted!

The Child in Her, would now make Her to be “always in haste”!

… In haste: to serve others

… In haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God

… In haste: to have Jesus as the centre of Her life

The Holy Spirit completely possessed the Virgin Daughter of Nazareth and impelled her to act.

The beautiful incident of the Visitation of Mother Mary teaches us this beautiful lesson:

When Christ grows inside of us, we will be in HASTE….

… to reach out to others in service

… to spare no efforts to get out of our own comfort zones of pleasure, relaxing and lethargy

… to forget one’s own needs and be totally other-centred and radiate joy and hope to others

Mother Mary becomes the “Woman on the move” – on a continual and constant journey:

… She would embark on an hard trip to Bethlehem, while pregnant (Lk 2:4)

… She would again move – after the birth of the Child – along with Joseph, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:14)

… She would return back to Nazareth, under the instruction of the Angel of God (Mt 2:23)

… She would further travel to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and there would go in search of Her Beloved Child, when He was lost (Lk 2: 45)

.. She would be travelling with Jesus in His ministry – may not be physically, but Her Heart and Soul completely accompanying Her Son

… She would, finally, even accompany physically, with Her Innocent Child on the Way of the Cross (Jn 19: 25)

Mother Mary lived the words of the poem which centuries later would be formulated by another great Saint – St Francis of Assisi:

“It is in giving that we receive…

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life…”

The Feast of the Visitation is a reminder for us examine some of the important aspects of our life…

… Am I a person allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and take complete possession of me – my words, my thoughts, my actions?

… Am I a person, having Jesus in me, impelled to reach out to the other in service? As St Paul says: “The love of Christ impels me” (2 Cor 5:14)

… Am I a person, who is daring to be a “person on the move” – moving out of my safe comfortable zones, moving out of conditioned and prejudiced mindsets, moving out to make my life of praise and honour to God?

St Ambrose says: “Delayed efforts are foreign to the grace of the Holy Spirit”

Charity is never idle!

>> Charity is always on the move …

… Sensitive to the needy

… Seeking to do good

May the Graces of God in us, not get stagnant, or decayed or rusted …

… instead may they be extended in loving service to God and His people…

And thus our life be a beautiful Magnificat: “My Soul magnifies the Lord my God, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”

Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother Who moves us, constantly…towards Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It was the two virtues of charity and humility which motivated Mary, and made her leave her little Nazareth…

… for charity is never Idle

>> It burns in the hearts where it dwells and reigns, and the Most Blessed Virgin was full of it, because She bore Love Itself in Her Womb.

She made continual acts of love, not only for God…

… She also loved Her neighbor in a most perfect degree…

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“Just a minute, honey, and I will be ready…”

… thus goes the words of the wife who is busy with her make-up, while her husband keeps waiting, impatiently looking at his watch.

He knows it’s getting late to go for the scheduled program.

>> He also knows that the phrase “just a minute” would last a much longer time!

“Oh, Yes, I will get the work done in the next ten minutes…”

… thus goes the words of the official when asked to speed up the pending paper work of the renewal of a contract by a perplexed client.

But the client knows the work will take much longer to be completed

>> He knows that the phrase “in the next ten minutes” would last a much longer time!

“Yes, Mummy, I will clean up the room right now…”

… thus goes the words of kids, when asked to clean up their room, which is in a state of mess

But the Mother knows that this cleaning up would be further delayed and would need more reminders

>> She knows that the phrase, “right now” would last a much longer time!

These are some of our day-to-day experiences of not being able to come to terms with “delays and uncertainties” with respect to time.

> Such delays and uncertainties, often put us through tensions or anxiety or an “uncomfortable” state of mind!

In the Gospel of the day, the disciples also undergo this experience… of “delays and uncertainties” with respect to time.

Jesus tells His disciples, “A little while and you will see me no more; again a little while and you will see me” (Jn 16:16)

But these words of Jesus put the disciples into a state of dilemma

>> They failed to grasp the meaning of the words of Jesus and were confused!

They began to have a discussion on the phrase of Jesus – “a little while”

>> “What does he mean by ‘a little while'”? (Jn 16: 18)

>> How long was this “little while” going to be?

>> How does He define the phrase “a little while”?

If they knew exactly how long this “little while” would last…

…. then they would have been more courageous and patient

But now the disciples find themselves to be confused and in dilemma.

However, Jesus the Good Shepherd, knew the confusion of His little sheep

>> Jesus, the Master, knew the perplexity of His simple followers

But He doesn’t define the phrase “a little while”

>> He doesn’t say that it is a particular moment of time that can be considered as a countdown!

>> He doesn’t refer to it as being an exact measure of time, to which one can count and gauge!

Instead, Jesus defines “a little while” in terms of an experience…

…an experience of weeping and lamenting turning into rejoicing

… an experience of sorrow turning into joy (Jn 16:20)

Is our life today in a state of crisis and confusion?

> Is our life today passing through waves of troubles and the deserts of anxiety?

>> Is our life today moving along the rough terrains of calamities and the valleys of brokenness?

Then the Lord assures us…

… “In a little while” and things will be fine!

… “In a little while” and the sunshine will appear again!

We might complain… How long is this “little while”!

We might argue…. this “little while” is being too agonising!

But the Lord invites and challenges us to look to Him, telling us…

“I too have had my painful and agonizing moments… in My life and especially on the Cross

I too had My experience of feeling ‘how long is this little while going to last’…

But I stood firm and patient in trusting the Will of My Father…

… I held on the mighty Providence of my Father and knew that a bright morn awaited Me”

Yes, Jesus, through the Gospel wishes to encourage us and strengthen us…

… in sufferings, to love Him strongly!

… in hardships, to trust in Him deeper!

… in uncertainties, to depend on Him greater!

Surely, life will take us through many experiences… of “delays and uncertainties” with respect to time.

… We may tend to lose our patience!

… We may feel like giving up!

… We may want to quit!

But let us turn to the Lord for strength, grace and courage…

… and listen to Him whispering to us…

“Hold on my Child! I am with you….embracing you in my arms!

In Me, your weeping will be changed to rejoicing

In Me, your sorrow will be turned to joy!”

Let us seek earnestly for this gift of deeper trust and complete surrender to the Mighty Providence and Holy Will of the Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Have patience to walk with short steps…

… until you have wings to fly!”

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William Lyon Phelps was an American author, critic and scholar who taught the first American university course on the modern novel.

He taught English literature at the Yale University for forty-one years until his retirement in 1933.

Once, while correcting an answer-paper, before Christmas one year…

… Phelps came across a note (like the kind, even these days, some children would do in an examination, to appease and please their teachers!) in the answer paper: “Only God knows the answer to this question. Merry Christmas.”

A bit amused, Phelps returned the paper with this note:

“For that answer, God gets an A  grade – outstanding.

>> And you get an F – below satisfactory. Happy New Year!!”

This little humorous incident (without being too critical), when looked from a global spiritual perspective, points out a grand and complex reality:

There are many questions of life which will keep baffling humanity.

To some, answers will be found

>> To some, answers will be known.

But to many, there will be a mysterious silence.

We does not have an answer to all questions in life.

>> Yet, life encourages us to walk ahead, with trust and hope.

As Christians, this trust and hope finds a greater meaning and strength, because we have the assurance and promise of the Lord that He is with us, and solutions for life’s problems will be revealed to us, in and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel of the Day is this assurance of Jesus that even though many things are not understood in life, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us, in time and as needed, the mysteries of life and of our faith.

The Lord had been with the disciples for quite some time and had instructed them on many teachings.

>> Even at  the final discourse, in the context of the Last Supper,  Jesus teaches His chosen ones many things.

Yet, He still has many more things to tell and teach.

But like a loving parent, who knows the grasping power of the child….

>> Like an understanding teacher, who realises the comprehending capability of the student…

Jesus knows, that the disciples would not be able to understand still further His teachings.

And so He says, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (Jn 16:12)

But He does not leave the Disciples in this state of hanging in mid-air…

>> He assures them of the Might Power that will follow His going away from the disciples.

>> He promises them that the Holy Spirit will descend on them and they would realise, gradually, the power and depth of His teachings!

“But when He comes, the Spirit of Truth, He will guide you to all truth” (Jn 16: 13)

Our lives too remains a blank question-paper, with questions hurled at us, and answers found wanting!

Situations and circumstances put forward many uneasy, awkward and even unanswerable questions to us.

>> We look for answers.

>>We seek for solutions.

Sometimes we get.

>> But many times, we fail to obtain.

It may lead us to desperation.

>> It may even lead us to anxiety.

But the Lord assures us…

…  that He has the answer to every question in the world

… that He has the solution to every problem of our life.

But not all will be told to us, or revealed to us, at once.

>> They will be conveyed to us, at the appropriate time, in the appropriate situation.

From our part, what is simply needed is…

… an openness to His Spirit

… a trust in His Divine Providence

… a constant seeking to know His Will

The underlying principle for this simple, yet, seemingly hard to practise philosophy of life, is the fact that “God Loves Us” immeasurably…

… and that every moment of our life, is taken care by Him.

>> His glory fills the heavens and the earth.

>>  His knowledge permeates every event of life.

Let us seek to grow in this faith and trust in the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them…

… but bend them with gentleness and time!”

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Here is an interesting  prayer, that perhaps, many of us might have not actually made…

… but perhaps, is echoed, in the depths of one’s heart:

“Dear God,

So far today I’ve done all right.

I haven’t gossiped, I haven’t lost my temper.

I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or over-indulgent.

>> I’m very thankful for that!

But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed…

… and from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot of help, Amen!”

Do we realise that we are prone to sin?

>> Or have we become quite “lethargic and tepid” in matters concerning sin?

Becoming aware that we are weak and fragile, helps us to depend more on the Power and Grace of God…

… Failure to realise so, will make us to bank only on ourselves and thus will lead to great falls!

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the Grace to be aware of the “sinful areas and tendencies” of our lives…

… And helps us to totally depend on Him, to live a holy and credible life.

Jesus, in the Gospel of the day, enlightening on the coming of the Holy Spirit, speaks of the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting the world regarding sin.

He says, “And when He ( Holy Spirit, the Advocate) comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation” (Jn 16: 8)

One of the standout factors in the teachings of Jesus is His uncompromising attitude with respect to sin.

And perhaps, this is where Jesus as a Holy Person stands out incomparable with all other great spiritual or philosophical leaders of the world.

This is also where Christianity as a religion stands out unmatched with any other belief system or practice of spirituality.

For Jesus and in Christianity…

… there is an uncompromising teaching on the need to root out sin and evil offences

… there is an absolutely unparalleled insistence on removal of sin for spiritual progress

… there is an unsurpassed assertion on being holy and pure to be in communion with Him

The Lord points out to this prime role of the Holy Spirit: Convicting the world of sin.

St Peter, after His first proclamation on Pentecost Day, had the hearers’ conscience convicted of sin. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and they asked Peter and the other apostles, ‘What are we to do, my brothers?'” (Acts 2:37)

It is the Holy Spirit that causes a person to become aware of one’s state of sinfulness and living an evil life.

>> This also means, that when there is “a loss of the sense of sin”, the workings of the Holy Spirit is also highly dormant and latent.

A “loss of sense of sin” occurs, when the Holy Spirit fails to have an active role in one’s life!

We need to make an honest examination of our conscience…

Is our life suffering from a “lack of sensation to sin”:

>> Do I continue to pursue, persevere or promote deeds of sin…

… even though I am aware of it, or has been brought to my notice?

>> Do I fail to be sensitive to issues of immense sin and evil happening in and around me, in people and situations…

… and instead become indifferent and uninterested?

A persistence with this tendency can very dangerously sever our relation with the Lord.

>> It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we become ‘convicted’ of this spiritual malady and make efforts to overcome them.

Let the reality of sin be recognized and acknowledged in our lives and in the world.

May we have a heart that is open to accept this “conviction of sin” by the Holy Spirit and to co-operate with Him to remedy this spiritual woe!

As we thank God, every morning, for the gift of life, let us also, with humility and total dependence on Him, pray:

“…in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed…

… and from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot of help, Amen!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) –”The bee has no other remedy for its sickness, but to expose itself to the rays of the sun…

… expecting heat and healing from its splendour!

Let us also place ourselves before the Crucified and say to Him: O splendid Sun of our hearts, You will revive us with the rays of Your goodness…

… we will not move from here, until Your heat brings us back to life!”

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