MEETING THE LORD IN THE DAILY SITUATIONS OF LIFE AND DEPENDING ON HIM

Two friends stood at a large railway station and watched an express-train with the most modern of engines go flying through.

“What a powerful engine!” remarked one of them to his friend, who was the station-master of that station.

“Yes”, said the station-master, who was a Christian, “On the rails!

>> But off the rails, it is the weakest thing in the world!”

“And”, he went on to add, “that’s how a Christian is!

>> His power lies in communion with His Lord, and being on the rail with the Church…

… but when he leaves the path of communion, he is the weakest person in the world!”

Do I understand that my strength as a Christian lies…

… in my communion with the Lord?

… and being on the rail with the Church?

Today onwards we are back to the Ordinary times of the Liturgical Season in the Church.

>> The Liturgical colours shifts from the solemn and majestic ‘golden and white’ colours to the ordinary, yet unassuming ‘green’.

It’s a time…

… to live the solemn celebrations in our regular affairs of life.

… to give witness to the majestic splendour of God’s love in our everyday activities.

>> The Lord, indeed, comes to meet and encounter us in the ordinary situations of our life.

The First Reading is taken from the Old Testament – from The First Book of Samuel

>> This book is a fascinating journey of faith in the context of hopelessness, lack of encouragements, battles, deceptions and undue demands!

We are introduced with some characters as we start this book:

“There was a certain man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah… He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

Now this man used to go up year by year from his town to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord.” (1 Sam 1:1-3)

Who are some of these characters and what do they teach us?

1. Elkanah: A Levite – whose roots probably stretched back to Bethlehem –who  is a God-fearing man and a loving husband. His human circumstance however caused him to have a divided love and he failed to keep the family together.

>> “Am I a God-fearing person and do I fulfil the duties of my family?

>> Do I sometimes fail to preserve the unity in my family, by bowing to the circumstances of my life, instead of giving priority to the needs of my family?”

2. Hannah: Elkanah’s first wife, who was barren. She had to face a lot of humiliation and unjust criticism.

>> “Am I willing to trust in God even in times when I am unjustly criticized or made to go through the muddy waters of humiliation?”

3. Peninnah: Elkanah’s second wife, who had both sons and daughters. She is a person who mocks and derides at the unfortunateness in people, without being grateful to the Mercy of God!

>> “Do I swell up with pride and put down other people, without having any feelings of care and sensitivity?”

4. Eli: He is the priest of the Lord with his duties to take care of the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord that was at a place called Shiloh (the structure at Shiloh was often called a temple because of the presence of the Ark)

>> “Do I remain faithful to all the duties entrusted to me, and do I have a passion for the Lord and His Kingdom?”

5. Hophni and Phinehas: The sons of Eli, who, as we read the book, will be found to be people who failed to live their faithfulness to the Lord

>> “Do I hold on to the Traditions of the Church and remain ever faithful to the Lord in serving Him – even when externally, situations don’t seem to nurture my faith?”

The reading of the day (1 Sam 1:1-8) focusses on Hannah who was barren.

The annual feast in particular was a time of harsh treatment for Hannah

>> As part of the ceremony of apportioning the meat out to the family, Elkanah, the husband, would give multiple portions of meat to Peninnah with all her sons and daughters…

…. but Hannah would normally only receive one portion for herself.

>> Out of the goodness of his heart, Elkanah tried to compensate by giving her a double portion…

… but it didn’t really help.

All such “happy occasions” became in fact, bitter reminders to Hannah!

Life sometimes is apparently quite harsh and humiliating…

… just like it was to Hannah!

In all such situations of our life, can we remain faithful and loyal to the Lord?

>> Do I realise that “without being on the rail of communion with the Lord, we are highly weak and fragile!”

In times when we become victims of jealousy, can we still hold on to the Lord “as the Pride and Pearl of our Life?”

>> In moments when we are sidelined and not given our due worth, can we bank on the Lord “as the Pillar and Foundation of our Life?”

We are invited, in our most desperate and painful situations, to trust that God is in control…

… and to find comfort in prayer!

This is what our Blessed Lord will tell the first disciples, when He would invite them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” (Mk 1:17)

>> The Lord, indeed, comes to meet and encounter us in the ordinary situations of our life.

The disciples were to leave their boats and nets…

… their strengths and assets

… their worries and concerns

>> And completely depend on the Lord and have Him as “the Pride and Pearl” and “the Pillar and Foundation” of their life.

May we understand that our strength, as a Christian, lies…

… in our communion with the Lord

… and being on the rail with the Church!

As St Paul says, “I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me!”…

… May we join with the Psalmist to offer our life to the Lord and tell: “I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord!” (Ps 116:17)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “He will unfailingly be pleased with our patience…

… and take note of our diligence and perseverance!”

——————————–

An incident is told about St Katherine of Alexandria.

Katherine was a noble and learned young woman in this cultural hub of the ancient world of the 4th century. She had attained a lot of popularity in the town of Alexandria.

>> She was a Christian.

This was the time of the persecution of Christians by Emperor Maxentius.

Christians were given only two options:

>> Worshipping the emperor (which would violate the First Commandment)…

… or being put to death

In this context, the Governor of Alexandria also came up with another plan to humiliate and discourage the Christians.

He invited the famous Katherine to debate a group of fifteen (some say 50) of the best pagan philosophers and orators…

… Hoping that this dispute would refute all her pro-Christian arguments and thus morally discourage other Christians as well!

Katherine accepted the challenge.

>> They gathered in the governor’s palace and the discussion began.

But the plan backfired.

Instead of Katherine being converted, several members of the panel (some sources say all members) were actually converted!

>> They asked for baptism immediately, so as to receive God’s grace into their souls.

But the governor was furious and condemned them all to immediate death.

To that, Katherine with concern and care assured all the new-converts that since they so sincerely desired to receive the sacrament…

… their own blood would take the place of water, and their own martyrdoms would take the place of baptism.

Those men were willing to give up everything else, only in order to receive the friendship and grace and Jesus Christ.

That’s the power of God’s Love!

>> And that’s the Power of Witnessing to God’s Love!

The fire of God’s Love that was kindled in St Katherine of Alexandria, at Baptism…

… continued to blaze in her, setting many other souls on fire for love of God!

Does the Fire of Love, that had been kindled in us, at our Baptism…

… continue to blaze powerfully in us?

>> Or has the fire been diminished and lessened?

Today, Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus…

… and with an invitation: To “fan into flames” ( 2 Tim 1:6) the fire of God’s Love that has been kindled in us, at our Baptism!

The liturgical season of Christmas, celebrating the self-revelation of God through Jesus, comes to an end with the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord.

This incident of the Baptism of Jesus is greatly significant and important….

>> It is one of the few passages that appears in all the four Gospels.

>> It was the first public revelation of the Three Persons of the Trinity

>> It was the first official declaration of Jesus as the Son of God to the world.

For Jesus, it was…

… a moment of identification with us sinners.

… a moment of decision to begin His public ministry.

…a moment of approval when His Father called Him as His “beloved Son”.

Each one us, as Christians have been baptized in the Lord!

What does Baptism mean to us?

>> What has Baptism meant to us?

Baptism is a time when we call ourselves to have “put on” Christ…

… a time of conversion…from the old to the new!

For a moment, let’s borrow the idea of how the Jewish conversion would be effected…

… so that we could have a better and a deeper understanding of our Christian Baptism

For a Gentile man to become a full-fledged Jew there was a basic three-step process:

1. The first was to offer a sacrifice

A heifer or a pair of turtledoves was brought to the priest and given as a burnt offering to God. This meant some expense involved.

It required hardship, forfeiting  and sacrifice oneself to become a new person!

2. The second was circumcision – the cutting away of a piece of flesh from a man’s body.

For a Jewish boy, this was done when he was 8 days old, thus the pain wasn’t remembered.

>> But an adult male, who wanted to become a Jewish proselyte, had to undergo this procedure, regardless of his age.

It required deep pain, immense agony and even shedding of blood to become a new person!

3. The third was baptism.

The person stripped off all of his clothes.

>> He then went into the water naked before the Rabbis…

… dipped himself under water making sure to fully immerse his entire body!

It required a lot of humility and self-sacrifice to become a new person!

Christian Baptism may not have these external signs and actions as that of the Jews.

>> But the internal aspects are much more strongly present…

… and even more valid!

To be a Baptized Person in Jesus – a passage from the Old to the New, requires….

1. Sacrifice of oneself

…. Willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the Lord, in the form of money, talents, time, energy etc…

>> He who wishes to follow me, must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me (Mt 16:24)

2. Undergoing pain and suffering

… Openness to share the agony and grief of life through various life situations and being patient and faithful in all trials …

>> “The Lord your God will circumcise your heart… to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…” (Dt 30: 6)

3. Embracing a life of humility and dependence on God

… Readiness to overcome our pride, our selfish desires and interests and allow God’s grace and mercy to flow through us…

>> “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1Pet 5:6)

Most of us have been Baptized when we were too little…

We were not aware….

>> But those who loved us and cared for us, were aware.

Today very often, the Ceremony of Baptism gets reduced to a mere ritual with only celebrations and get-togethers

>> We need to instead, revive the primary aspect of Baptism: As a life-transforming process, with its intrinsic elements of pain and sacrifices!

Baptism was a beginning… an initiation…into a life of grace…

… a journey with the Lord!

The Spirit of the Lord is within us…

And the call from Deep within us is strong:

“Rise up from slumber, if you are sleeping…

As a Baptized Christian, you have a very noble vocation and an immense responsibility…

Christian Life is no joke

… it does not tolerate passivity

… it does not allow lethargy!

Look up..

Mother Church is waiting to embrace you in deep love with Her Sacraments…

>> Mother Mary and all the Saints and Angels are encouraging you to become a Saint…

Yes, You are a Baptized Child of God

… Consecrated to the Lord

… Holy to Him!

Be true…

>> Be Faithful…

>> Be Enthusiastic…

>> Be Proud… to be a Christian”

Yes, the fire of God’s Love that has been kindled in us at Baptism…

… ought to continue to blaze in us, setting many other souls on fire for love of God!

Let us re-kindle the fire and love of being a Christian….

>> Let’s renew our Baptismal vows!

>> Let’s live our Baptism!

Happy Feast to all of us, baptized with our Dearest Lord!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When the daughter of a strange land was about to espouse an Israelite, the law commanded her to put off the garment of her captivity, to pare her nails, and to shave her head;

>> Even so the soul which aims at the dignity of becoming the spouse of Christ, must put off the old man, and put on the new man, forsaking sin…

… moreover, it must pare and shave away every impediment which can hinder the Love of God!”

——————————–

The Greek mythology has a character named Narcissus whowas renowned for his beauty.

>> He was exceptionally proud; so much that he even disdained those who loved him!

One day, Narcissus was attracted to a pool of water.

He saw his own reflection in the water and fell in love with it. He failed to realise that it was only an image!

>> Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, he drowned in the waters!

An obsessive love of his own-self drowned him!

A true appreciation, real honouring and genuine love of oneself is highly important & needed.

>> But when this self-directed love crosses the boundary, it can lead to obsession and fixation!

Are we in anyway getting drowned, knowingly or unknowingly, as a result of an excessive love for our self?

The Gospel of the Day invites and challenges us to ponder over this aspect by presenting the dramatically humble personality of John the Baptist!

One of the most supreme and vital messages that we learn from the life of John the Baptist is Humility – a virtue in direct contrast to the dangerous vice of Pride!

There are two kinds of pride (if we are to use this term): good and bad.

‘Good pride’ is our dignity & self-respect…

>> ‘Bad pride’ is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.

What is pride, as a vice?

>> In simple words, it could defined as “wanting our own way!”

Therefore, what is humility as a virtue?

>> In simple words, it could be defined as “wanting God’s Will!”

This is what we learn from the life of St John the Baptist.

He sought not his own way, but the way of the One who sent him.

>> He wanted not his light to shine, but the Light of Him who sent him.

The Gospel of the day has a scene of dispute arising…

John the Baptist, by his bold preaching and his radical life-style had attracted many disciples.

Some of these disciples come and tell John, “Rabbi, the One who was with you across the Jordan, to Whom you testified, here He is baptizing and everyone is coming to Him” (Jn 3:26)

These disciples of John…

… seem so resentful of Jesus that they don’t even mention His name!

… are distressed that Jesus and His disciples are more successful than they are!

… are irritated that their Master has not come up with any remedy yet!

There seemed anxiety in their voice…

>> There seemed anger in their tone!

John had preached about repentance…baptized…and had pointed to the coming Messiah

This should have been a time for John’s disciples to celebrate, now that Jesus was coming to the forefront!

But they forgot an important aspect of ministry: That we are doing all for HIM!

The disciples of John, perhaps, sought a “narcisstic” attention to their own ministry…

>> They, perhaps, adopted a “narcisstic” style in their works and activities…

Looking into just themselves and their interests….

>> Seeking to fulfil only their objectives and motives…

But John the Baptist – their master – remain unperturbed and undisturbed.

>> He displays an angelic countenance of humility!

As St Augustine says, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels”

Like a good coach, who drills discipline & restraint into “his men”, John tells his disciples, “Let’s get back to the basics!”

John reminds His disciples…

… that His ministry is not of his own, but received from God!

… that He is not to take centre-stage, but only the One greater than him!

… that He was not to be the Messiah, but only the forerunner of the Messiah!

>> John reminds His disciples that He is only the friend of the bridegroom.. (Jn 3:29)

In our life, it is easy for us to lose our focus from the Lord and have a “narcisstic” style of preferences for our own selves…

>> We may tend to forget the blessings that the Lord has showered on us…

… and instead attribute all successes to our own talents and abilities.

>> We may lose sight of the Lord, the real purposes of our vocation and the mission…

… and instead seek to fulfil our personal agenda and motives.

It is easy to bask in the glory of popularity and fame.

>> It is satisfying to enjoy the sunshine of reputations and recognitions.

… but let them never lead us to have a “narcisstic” approach of just “looking into” ourselves.

Let us have the humility to acknowledge that it is God’s power being manifested in our works.

>> Let us have the acceptance that it is God’s graces that has lifted us to a high position.

Yes, “drown” not in the murky waters of pride, egoism and selfishness…

>> Rather let us “sail” together with the Lord over the clean waters of humility and meekness!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let us not lower our eyes without humiliating at the same time the heart.

>> Let not others think we want the last place…

… without truly desiring it.”

——————————–

Life sometimes is quite strange!

>> Often, when things go all well and it seems that everything is fine…disasters strike in life.

This is an experience of many of us in our lives.

Think of a man who is in his early thirties…

He has a wonderful wife, with two lovely children.

>> It’s a home with lot of joy and happiness…

One day, the man comes back home after work – he is a mason.

On coming back, he informs his wife of a tiny sore that has been nagging him for sometime

>> This sore had turned a bit reddish after the heavy days of work.

With much insistence and persuasion by the wife, the man agrees to show it to a doctor.

After the initial check up, the doctor tells them:

“Well, the sore certainly has grown a bit. I have some of my initial observations, but I need to work on them still.

>> Why don’t you stay up here in the hospital for a few days, so that I can further examine?”

And so they agree.

As days pass, the sore gets more infectious.

The doctor, now is ready with his well-studied and examined decision.. ” I am sorry to inform you… but you are infected with… Leprosy!!”

Hearing this, the man is terrified.

Leprosy, he knew, was not just an ordinary sickness.

>> It was a slow death sentence – distanced from family, distanced from society, distanced from self!

Imagine that situation of the happy living family!

The man is now to leave his wife and children; his land and work;

…  He is to go and live with people who were afflicted with a similar disease.

>> This was the law of the land.

>> This was the regulation practised in this area.

The Law required the lepers to keep as far away from all healthy people as possible.

Whenever someone drew near who did not have leprosy, the leper was supposed to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!”

So, with a heavy heart and a crushed spirit, the man leaves his loving wife and two children.

>> He goes off alone… to die!

He couldn’t even have an animal for a companion.

>> If he touched even a dog, the dog had to be killed so that it did not carry the disease back into the city.

Life as a leper was just too horrible and miserable!

Life sometimes is indeed quite strange!

The Gospel of the Day presents one such leper… A man who was “full of leprosy” ( Lk 5:12)

One fine day, however,  this leper looks up and sees a small group of people following a Man.

That man, the leader, he comes to know…

… is Jesus.

The leper has heard about Jesus.

>> He would wish to hear Him.

But the Law did not permit to go close!

As the group passes their way, this leper man remembers what the Law taught Him..

>> And he begins to shout, “Unclean! Unclean! I have leprosy! Stay away from me! Unclean!”

But then a strange thing happens!!

Jesus keeps coming closer to him.

>> His shouts increases… louder goes his cries…”Unclean, Unclean!”

But Jesus keeps coming closer and closer… till He has reached the leper man!

The leper has now been afflicted for many years.

He misses his family very deeply.

>> He knows he is at the edge of life… undergoing a slow death!

But…

… Before him, now stands, someone, who he has heard, has tremendous power!

… Before him, now stands, someone, who he has heard, can unshackle any bondage!

And so, with tears filling his eyes and dread filling his shocked face, he asks, ” Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean!” (Lk 5:12)

>> It was a cry of agony.

>> It was a wail of immense anguish.

He had suffered much.

>> He had been separated from loved ones for long.

> Now he wanted a deliverance.

>> He wanted freedom from the captivity.

>>> He wanted a wholesome life in his loathsome existence!

And then comes the spectacular words of Jesus, “I do will. Be clean!” (Lk 5:13)

The Lord touches him!

>> His body was touched!

>> His heart was healed!

>> His soul was cleansed!

Life was restored! Happiness was returned!

Do you and me also feel sometimes like a leper?

>> Situations of happiness being snatched away?

>> Moments of love and affection being afflicted?

>> Times of joy, serenity and calmness being affected?

Unloved? Rejected? Despised? Abused? Helpless? Hopeless? Dying?

We may be going through hard times…

>> We may feel that life is unfair to us…

>> We may feel that existence is meaningless…

But…

… The Lord wants to restore us!

… He wants to make us whole again!

>> Life is strange…

… but the Power of the Lord is more strong!

>> Life is complicated…

… but the Grace of the Lord is more compelling!

The Lord is here to touch us!

>> Let’s extend to Him our hands.. our hearts.. our lives…!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

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!”

——————————–

A carpenter is a person who works with wood.

The carpenter uses various tools and implements in order to cut, shape, chisel, carve and cut into the pieces of wood.

>> Gives new shapes… repairs the broken ones…polishes the rough edges etc…

The Gospel of the Day is an encounter with such a Carpenter.

Well… he is no ordinary one….

>> He is the Great Carpenter of Nazareth.. JESUS!

Jesus is in His hometown of Nazareth.

>> He walks into the synagogue, as was His custom.

>> He is handed over the book of prophet Isaiah and reads a prophetic passage.

All were amazed at His gracious words and they began to ask each other, ” Isn’t this the Son of Joseph” (Lk 4:22)

Yeah, Jesus was the Son of Joseph, the carpenter!

>> And this Child of Joseph, was Himself also a carpenter!

>> The people would have murmured this statement to belittle Jesus.

>> The people would have referred Him so, because of their bias and prejudice.

>> The people perhaps called Him that way to show that He was just ordinary – one of them.

But what the people murmured or muttered or grumbled was indeed true…

>> Even later on, the people would refer, “Is He not the carpenter, the son of Mary…” (Mk 6:3)

Truly, Jesus is the Carpenter…

>> Not just an ordinary one, but the Great Carpenter of Nazareth!

The Jewish people were in great expectation of a Messiah.

>>Their concept of a Messiah would have been one who is very powerful, kingly, majestic etc.

But Jesus, the Messiah doesn’t ornament Himself with all such expected grandeur.

>> He doesn’t robe Himself with a showy magnificence or armour Himself with majestic works.

He takes the role of a Carpenter.

>> He identified Himself with the common people…

>> He became one with humanity with hard labour and gritty toil.

On one of the tombstones, in Great Britain, there is an epitaph written for a man named Thomas Cobb.

>> It says, “Here lies Thomas Cobb, who mended shoes to the glory of God, for 40 years.”

Yes, glory and honour can be rendered to God in any activity- small or great, menial or expert!

What is my understanding about the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me?

>> Am I aware that in all works – small and great, I can be giving glory to God?

>> Do I perform all my tasks, with a Sacred Sense that it’s an extension of God’s creative works?

A carpenter’s work is to fashion new things from ordinary wood and also to repair things that have been damaged.

The Great Carpenter of Nazareth is wanting to do the same in our lives…

>> He wants to create us anew and refashion our lives.

>> He wants to give new shape and utility to our brokenness and damaged parts of life.

Are we ready to let the Great Carpenter of Nazareth to work in our lives?

>> Hammer in some of the nails of discipline and virtues?

>> Chisel away sin and other unwanted portions of our life?

>> Polish some places of life that have lost its sheen and shine?

>> Drill in some screws to tighten the lethargic and sluggish areas of life?

>> Level some habits in us that can hamper the balance of our spirituality?

>> Measure some of our activities to determine how much exactly is needed?

In Mt 12:20 we read, “… a bruised reed, He will not break..”

We all of us have our brokenness in life… damages in relations… bruises in thoughts..

>> But the Great Carpenter assures that He will not let our bruised reeds be broken!

> He wants to mend us..

>> He wants to repair us…

>>> He wants to fashion us anew!

As a stanza in one of the lesser-known carol titled, “Behold a little Child” goes…

“Christ, Master Carpenter,

We come rough-hewn to Thee;

At last, through wood and nails,

Thou mad’st us whole and free;

In this thy world remake us, planned,

To truer beauty of Thine Hand.”

Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is upon this Great Carpenter of Galilee, “…to bring glad tidings to the poor;

Liberty to the captives; Recovery of sight to the blind;

Let the oppressed go free;

To proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Lk 4: 18-19)”

Knock…Knock… The Carpenter is already here…

>> Let’s open the door to Him…

… no matter, even if the door is also damaged!!

Let us entrust our lives into the care of the Great Carpenter of Nazareth….!

God bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Be patient with all, but especially with yourself. Do not trouble yourself about your imperfections.

>> Always have the courage to pick yourself back up and begin again every day…

… for there is no better path to success in the spiritual life than always to begin again and never to think that you have done enough.”

——————————–

Played with li’l children?

When elders play some game, with little children, we usually change some rules of the game.

>> It could be a game of cricket, or football or just passing the ball etc…

We relax some of the rules to make it easy for the child to enjoy the game a little more.

>> Sometimes for fun, we even, play badly, so that the child may win…

>> Sometimes, we even make some adjustments and act as if we don’t know how to play well..

>> Sometimes, we even play, as if we are losing very badly so that the child may enjoy more…

We do a bit of “acting” and do some pretence, in order to see the reaction of the children.

Well…

… for the Lord, we are li’l Children…

>> And no doubt, He too loves to play some tricks with us, His Kids!

The Gospel of the Day is an example of how the Lord loves having “some fun” with us, His Little Kids…

The Lord has performed a stupendous multiplication of the five loaves & two fish among the five thousand men. (Mk 6: 34-44)

He then makes His disciples to get onto a boat, while He retires to enjoy His precious moments with His Abba Father on the mountains, to pray. (Mk 6: 45-46)

>> It’s at that time, the disciples, who are out in the sea, travelling on the boat, face a great storm.

As the disciples are struggling against the waves that hit them and the gushes of wind lashing against their boat, Jesus comes walking on the sea, towards them.

St Mark’s Gospel  is very particular in mentioning a strangely overlooked statement: “He meant to pass them by” (Mk 6: 48b)

>> Another translation of this sentence would read, “He intended to pass them by!”

Now, that’s strange, right?

The disciples are struggling for life and are in deep danger…

>> And does the Lord wish to just pass them by?

The boat is to capsize and it’s a terrible resistance against the forces of nature…

>> And does the Lord just want to pass them by?

Did He not see them?

>> Or does He not care?

Well.. this is where we introduce the aspect of the Lord having some “fun” with His children!

On another occasion also, Jesus would do something similar…

On the road to Emmaus, with the two disciples, when they reach close to their destination, Jesus does a similar “prank”

“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus gave the impression that he was going on further” (Lk 24:28)

Yet, on both occasions…

… when Jesus is called up, He responds positively.

In the boat, when the disciples saw the Jesus intended to pass them by, they cried out in fear.

>> And this prayer… of fear and worry… was heard by the Lord, and He responds!

On the way to Emmaus, when the two saw that Jesus was going away, they requested his presence.

>> And this prayer… of earnestness and desire…was heard by the Lord, and He responds!

Similar situations here…

>> The Lord in a sort of a “prank”

… intends to pass by.

It seems that He is not so interested in their concerns…

>> Yet, when they call out to Him

… He responds!

Just like elders while playing with children, who “act” for sometime….

Jesus’ “acting” of  being disinterested or “not knowing what to do” pays off…

>> The disciples reach out to Him in earnest prayer…and a miracle is performed!

> The Lord seems to pass by, not because He is not interested in us.

> The Lord acts as if He is passing by, not because He does not care for us.

It is rather just His way of making us to also reach out to Him in prayer

>> Divine disposition does not do away with human actions….

>> Divine help does not rule out human initiatives.

We are not to sit back and wait in passivity for God’s help…

>> We are to call out on Him, in prayer, in faith, in love!

Our lives sometimes have to face the consequence of this “prank” or “acting” of the Lord.

>> We struggle in the boats of our life, against dreadful storms of problems…

>> We row hard with all our might, and sometimes feel that it’s going to be the end of our life…

We get frightened and are afraid that somehow the waves will have the better of ourselves…

                                                                                                                                                                        And the Lord, just “seems” to pass by

>> But when we cry out in deep anguish and fear… the Lord hears!

Our anxiety and fears itself becomes a prayer in the Presence of the Lord!

                

Is our life passing through  deadly storms of faithlessness and isolation?

Are the dreadful waves of hardships and miseries assaulting us?

Does it seem that the Lord is “just passing by”?

Lift up the sagging and weary spirits…

The Lord is very much with us!

Lets open our hearts and lives to Him…and hear Him say, “Take courage, it is I… Do not be afraid!” (Mk 6:50)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If, when stung by slander or ill-nature, we wax proud and swell with anger…

… it is a proof that our gentleness and humility are unreal, and mere artificial show!”

——————————–

Wish you a Merry Christmas!

>> May the New-born King fill our hearts, with His Joy and Love!

Reflection Capsules will not be sent from Dec 25, 2019 to Jan 05, 2020 as I will be away to preach a retreat.

>> Request your prayers for me and the retreatants. I pray for you!

God bless! Live Jesus!

An elderly person was asked what was the meaning of Christmas for him.

He replied:

“I look around and find so many things changing…

>> The dialer phone that itself was so rare and making a phone call was such a difficult thing…

… is today eased with the high-pace technology of mobile phones and even video calls!

>> The cyclostyle machine for printing and the stenography style of taking down notes…

… is shadowed today with 3D Printers and Speech-to-text softwares!

>> The long tapes of recorder cassettes and the oversized gramophone records that would play my favourite music as well as the news I heard on my old radio…

… are given a fresh face with internet music and satellite radio!

I see things changing all around me.

But one aspect that I can be completely convinced of is this: ‘Christmas – the Birth of Jesus, our Saviour – is an unchanging factor in this changing world’!”

Of course, we do have our arguments to say that the “celebration style” of Christmas has surely undergone drastic, dramatic (and in some cases, even dreadful!) changes.

But the fact remains that Christmas, which is primarily, the celebration of the Birth of Christ…

… is an unchanging factor in this changing world!

In this dramatically changing world, we are set to celebrate the Greatest Revolutions of all time – “Christmas”

This revolution started in the most unlikely places of all…

…In an ordinary stable – outside a forgotten village called Bethlehem.

It involved three simple persons on earth…

… Jesus, the Babe,

… Mary the Virgin Mother

… Joseph the Just Man

>> Hardly glamorous, significantly unnoticeable and glaringly simple people!

Yet…

… the revolution that began from this Stable has had the greatest effect on humanity.

His birth was to ring in…

… a Political Revolution – Jesus being the King of the World!

… a Social Revolution – Unifying all classes and castes and races!

… an Economic Revolution – Bringing Hope to the poor and the oppressed!

… a Moral Revolution – Emphasizing on intentions of the heart and the mind!

… a Spiritual Revolution – Forgiveness and Salvation for all ready to receive Him!

Let us reflect on some simple, yet significant aspects of this “unchanging factor in our changing world” …

1. The beauty and the greatness of God’s Wisdom is to delight in insignificant things…

God loves to take simplicity in life, and decorate it with His Divine touch!

>> He feasts on ordinary situations and transforms them into amazing moments of Divine Experience!

>> He enjoys to descend into li’l hearts and converts them to glorious dwellings of His Divine Presence!

2. Joseph and Mary, went about place to place, inn to inn, looking for a birth place. (Lk 2:7)

It’s a Divine Paradox that the Creator of the entire Universe sought for a place to be born!

>> Am I ready to make my the “stable of my heart” ready to receive the Lord?

3. The Lord was born in a manger.

Wood was to escort Jesus, all through His Life…

>> The wooden manger would give Him shelter when He was born…

>> Wooden tools would accompany Him as He grew up as a carpenter…

>> Wooden boats will be His pulpit for preaching His Word on the Kingdom…

>> The wooden cross would be His instrument of Salvation and Redemption of the world…

The wooden manger is be a reminder to us that Christmas is the Season, not just of joy, but also of hardships and responsibilities in life!

4. Christmas is Christ + Mas(s) = the Mass of Christ…. the Sacrifice of Christ!

When we wish Happy Christmas, let’s also remember that the Crib & Cross are two sides of the great sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth.

In the Crib, Jesus descended from heaven and became weak and vulnerable.

>> On the Cross, Jesus embraced sinfulness of the earth and became helpless and miserable.

The Caravan from the Crib to the Cross is Celebrated and Commemorated at Christmas!

5. Jesus, the Divine Babe came primarily as the Saviour of the world

>> “For today in the city of David, a Saviour has been born for you..” (Lk 2:11)

>> Jesus came to the world with a very specific mission: to save people from sin and grant eternal life to those who believe in Him (Jn 10:10)

>> He is the only person Who took birth to die! It was by His death, that He was to achieve the mission of granting life to all.

>> Therefore, the celebration of Christmas has to be primarily a celebration made in “repentance and renewal”

If the heart doesn’t repent, then Christmas can never be celebrated truly!

Christmas is the story of a God passionately in love with us, and deeply desiring that we belong to Him, and Him alone!

6. Jesus, the Divine Babe deserves a wonderful gift on His Birthday

Birthdays become occasions to gift the one who is celebrating.

>> Jesus, the Birthday Baby surely deserves the best gift.

But what can we give Him?

>> All what we have and all what we are, comes from God anyways!

So is there anything, that I can call of my own?

>> Yes!

Probably the only thing which belongs to me, is my sin!

This Christmas, beyond all other gifts and preparations, we could gift our “sinful life” to Him.

>> It might feel bad for us to give all that ugly part of our life.

But our Blessed Lord invites us to give of our self to Him entirely – broken, weak, dirty, impure, lost- as we are, to Him, so that He can renew us and make us a new person (Rev 21:5 – “Behold, I make all things new”)

As Bishop Fulton J Sheen says:

“You give me your humanity, I will give you my divinity.

>> You give me your time, I will give you my eternity.

>> You give me your slavery, I will give you my freedom.

>> You give me your death, I will give you my life.

>> You give me your nothingness, I will give you my all.”

7. Carols will be sung in great festivity on this special day.

There were two types of Carols sung on Christmas Day when Jesus was born.

>> The Carols of Joy when the Angels sang in deep acclamation and mirth – “Glory to God”!

>> The Carols of Pain when the mothers cried in deep pain for their li’l babes who were executed!

There are two types of Carols song even today in our world…

>> The Carols of Joy – people uniting for social justice; hearts turning to the Lord in true contrition; people expressing care & love etc

>> The Carols of Pain – the number of terrorizing acts around the world; families, societies and even churches divided because of money, language, race, caste; increased sense of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life…etc.

Carols ought to remind us of these two aspects… Joy and Pain in life!

When carols of Joy and Pain in life, are sung with Confidence in the Lord, we will be blessed to sing the Carol of Celebration on the Day of Salvation!

8. Christmas is a great time of celebration – but let us never forget Christ

The celebration of the Birth of Baby Jesus demands space in our hearts!

Let us take utmost care that during this Christmas, Jesus, the Tiny and Tender Babe does not get…

… drowned in the avalanche of cakes and sweets

… buried in the frenzy of shopping and decorations

… drunk in the dirt of revelry and partying

… lost in the celebrations with Santa Claus and exchanging of gifts

Rather, let us make sure that Jesus, the precious and beautiful infant…

… is held close to the heart and given a pledge of our life and love

… is lavished with kisses of our true promises and renewed consecration

… is showered with true smiles of our Love for Him, His Word, His Eucharist & His Church

Yes, Jesus is…and He alone is…and ought to be… the Reason for this Season!

>> May He be born, not just in the crib in houses or church, but in our Hearts and Lives!

Happy Birthday to our Dearest and Beloved Baby Jesus!

>> Congratulations to our Blessed Mamma for Her “Yes” and to Blessed Joseph for his care!

A Blessed and a Holy Christmas to all of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus….always!

Music has been a popular part of the celebration of our Lord’s birth for a long time!

The Bible records that many characters in the Christmas story almost instantly responded to the events surrounding the birth of our Saviour with songs.

In our own days, we take immense delight to sing Christmas carols.

>> We also get a special feeling in lifting our voices in joy and thrill…

Today we have on the stage of the Gospel a beautiful Hymn being sung.

The title of the hymn is “Benedictus” and it is sung by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist!

The setting of this song is during a very gloomy period in the life of the nation of Israel.

Israel had been chosen by God from among all nations to be a priestly nation to the rest of the world.

>> But this nation that was to lead all other nations to God, was being led by a pagan empire.

Israel was under the domination of the Roman Empire.

>> The Roman Kingdom was the last in a long line of pagan nations that had ruled Israel.

The ruler in Zechariah’s day was King Herod.

Herod was not a man of God.

>> In fact he was just the opposite – a very degenerate man.

>> He had introduced Roman temples into the land and had built idols to the Roman gods.

Under his leadership Israel became a land filled with immorality.

>> The spiritual life of the Jews lost its vitality.

In the midst of these dark and cloudy moments, Zechariah sings the “Benedictus” – a Song of Blessing!

A child had been born…

…signaling the Coming of the Messiah.

>> John the Baptist ushered in a period of singing praises and glory to the Lord.

> Like a drop of fresh water in the deserted land…

> Like a gleam of light in the midst of thick darkness…

> Like a faint melodious tune in the thick of deep silence…

The life of Zechariah and Elizabeth was favoured with reasons to sing blessings to God!

It’s interesting to analyse the names of this simple yet wonderful family – Zechariah, Elizabeth and John.

>> Zechariah means ” God (Yahweh) remembers”

>> Elizabeth means “the promise of God”

>>>> John means ” God (Yahweh) is gracious”

The union of Zechariah (“God remembers”) and Elizabeth (“the promise of God”) gave birth to John (“God is gracious”)

Zechariah + Elizabeth = John

>> God remembers + the promise = God is gracious!

Yes, God remembers His promise, and thus shows that He is gracious!

Our lives may often be in darkness or undergoing a night of dryness…

> Our lives may seem to be devoid of true peace and happiness…

> Our lives may be rendered meaningless or hopeless…

Yet, Zechariah, Elizabeth and John invite us today, to sing a song of Blessing to God!

>> When we live in God’s love, we can sing the chorus of service!

>> When we trust in God’s providence, we can sing the chorus of joy!

>> When we hope in God’s mercies, we can sing the chorus of faithfulness!

With the armour of faith, the shield of hope and the sword of love, let us join Zechariah and Family to sing our Hymn of Blessing to God Yahweh!

>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is challenging in His gentle inspirations!

>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is merciful in His Divine Compassion!

>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is generous in the Blessed Eucharist!

>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is majestic in His Holy Sacraments!

>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is faithful in His gracious promises!

>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is vibrant in His Holy Church!

On this eve of Christmas, let us fervently prepare our hearts – in holiness and sanctity – to prepare a beautiful crib for our Blessed Lord, Who comes as a Babe…

… in our hearts

… in our lives

… and in our homes!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight.

>> It enables us to see God in all things…

… as well as all things in God!”

——————————–

Ssshhhhhhh…………………..Silence!!

For some people, Silence causes an awkward feeling in this our noisy world.

>> For some people, Silence creates an uncomfortable feeling.

For some, not so much.

> For others, definitely yes.

>> For many of us, silence is rare. 

And when silence is rare, silence can be uncomfortable.

>> A moment of silence when we listen to our favourite song causes a little irritation.

>> A pause of silence by an eloquent preacher causes people to focus back the attention.

Silence sometimes is much more louder than any noise or sound

…Right?

The Gospel of the day takes us through a fascinating journey of Silence.

>> A God who breaks His silence by blessing His People with a Prophet.

>> A father whose silence is broken by his faithful response to an amazing Divine intervention.

>> A Child who sets free the silence of a Mother who had been shamed in society.

The Birth of John the Baptist is a beautiful drama through the medium of Silence.

1. A God who breaks His silence

The Bible is a witness to many people feeling God taking a moment of silence.

>> In 1 Sam 3.1: “Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli.  And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.”

>> In 1 Sam 28: “And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or Urim, or by prophets.”

>> In Amos 8.11: “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the Lord God, ‘when I will send a famine on the land – not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.'”

The silence of the Lord was very much profound…

And then after Prophet Malachi, there was again a great silence…

>> For nearly 400 hundred years, there was no prophetic writing.

These are called “The Silent Years”…

But with John the Baptist, the silence of the Lord was broken…

This speaking of the Lord could be compared to a lover eagerly waiting for her partner to talk to her after a long time…

The silence was very long

… the silence was a bit painful too..

>> But once the silence is broken, there is great thrill and happiness…

God, the Lover, renews His soothing and comforting talks with His People and ushers in the time to invite them to His love and affection

2. A father whose silence is broken

The birth of John the Baptist also lead to the breaking of the silence of his father, Zechariah.

When the angel Gabriel had appeared to Zechariah, he did not believe the message of the Angel of God and as a result, was rendered speechless (Lk 1: 20)

The silence of Zechariah could also be symbolic of the silence of God….

Just as John the Baptist signalled the breaking of God’s silence, Zechariah, his father too had “his tongue loosened and spoke, blessing God” (Lk 1: 64)

>> The silence was broken with a shower of praises and glorification of God.

>> The silence was banished with a shout of genuine worship and honour of God

3. A Child who sets free the silence of a Mother

The Birth of John the Baptist also led to people praising his mother, Elizabeth, who for long had been barren and had been in disgrace. (Lk 1: 25, 58)

>> She had suffered much disgrace in silence.

>> She had underwent much agony in silence.

>> She had gone through much humiliation in silence.

But now there was every reason to break the silence and rejoice with gladness!

Is my life going through a period of Silence with God?

>> Is my life in a silent mode because of many disturbing factors and crippling issues?

>> Is my life passing through a desert of silence as a result of storms of troubles and nights of calamities?

We are invited to look into the incident of the Birth of John the Baptist and find hope!

> We are invited to meditate on the Birth of John the Baptist and discover optimism!

The Lord speaks to us in the Silence of our Life.

>> There is much treasure hidden in the silent moments of our living.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jn 1:1)

Through the breaking of His silence through John the Baptist, God is preparing us to receive His personal Word, His Son. 

At times God seems silent…

But He is never distant.

> He is near.

>> He is close.

>>> He is personal. 

And He speaks through His Word made flesh –  “Jesus”!

Ssshhhhhhh…………………..Silence!!

>> Listen to Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “A judicious silence is always better than truth spoken without charity!”

——————————–