Here is an interesting read….

First dentistry became painless;

Then bicycles chainless

The latest steel rustless,

And probably laws, enforceless.

Next, cookery became fireless,

Telegraphy wireless,

Cigars nicotineless

And tennis courts, grassless

Soon oranges were seedless,

The proper diet, fatless,

The motor roads dustless,

And coffee, caffeineless.

Our times are such that there are many advancements made as a result of great technology.

However a danger has also appeared in rendering things to be made “¬¬¬____less”

Our prayers seem to be devotionless

Charity heartless

Preaching depthless

And religiosity, faithless!.

While it’s wonderful to allow technology and modern techniques to make our life ‘easier and relaxing’, it’s a grave danger to allow the same “relaxing and easing” tendency to overpower our spiritual endeavours!

The Gospel of the day is a warning by the Lord to be wary of this inclination to “relax” and “loosen” things which are pertaining to God and thus be exposed to the risk of being “lowered” in the eyes of God.

“Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven… ” (Mt 5: 19)

The Lord addresses Himself as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5:18)

God, in the Old Testament, while delivering the commandments to the people of Israel, had strictly enjoined on them to keep His decrees and laws close to their hearts and to follow them carefully:

“But take care, as you value your lives! Do not forget the things which you yourselves have seen, or let them slip from your heart as long as you live; teach them, rather, to your children and to your children’s children.” (Dt 4:9)

But as time passed on and generations went by, the intensity in the following of these commandments drastically reduced.

• The laws began to lose their original spirit and motive.

• The instructions of the Lord were abandoned for their spiritual value

• The commandments began to be followed more from a social perspective

There began a “loosing” and “relaxing” of the commandments and the laws of the Lord!

The Greek word for “relaxing”, that Jesus speaks of in referring to the commandments of God is a word – “luo”.

This word “luo” can imply different meanings:

• It could be to break up or to demolish or to destroy that which is bound up firmly.

• It could be the loosening of the bond of matrimony between a husband and wife

• It could be to loosen any person or thing, that is tied or fastened to something

• It could be the undoing or dissolving of anything or any thought or idea.

• It could be to annul or subvert something especially laws or authority.

This “luo” is a grave danger to which all of us are also exposed to…

The danger to allow lethargy to troop in, in the name of “easiness”

The danger to allow lukewarmness to creep in, in the name of “convenience”

The danger to allow sluggishness to dominate, in the name of “broadmindedness”

The Lord today invites us to examine and probe into areas of our life that needs a real “tightening” and “intensification”

Has my prayer life become relaxed and casual…

>> Can I “tighten” it up, to grow in deeper communion with the Lord?

Has my participation in the Holy Eucharist become too monotonous and more “ritualistic”…

>> Can I “intensify” my preparation and participation in this most sacred act of the world?

Has my reading of the Word of God taken a backseat or lost its significance in my daily life…

>> Can I “tighten” it up, in order to draw strength from the mighty sword of God’s Word?

Has my relationship with my fellow people and the needy ones, devoid charity and kindness…

>> Can I “intensify” with a truer interest in their concerns and making a difference in their lives?

Let us seek to have and live…

A life that is sinless…

A faith that is fearless…

An enthusiasm that is limitless…

A joy that is deceitless

And a hope that is endless!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A common observation that is noticed among many children, is the fear and apprehensions of some subjects in the school or college.

>> Among these subjects, one which would top the list of subjects which causes tension and undue worry, is certainly, Mathematics!

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

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

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

But one thing is for certain…

… that the Lord sure loved to keep out Mathematics when dealing with important spiritual dimensions.

… that the Lord indeed would transgress the norms of Mathematics when engaged in vital spiritual aspects.

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

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

It was probably a genuine doubt of Peter, which arose from his own personal experiences.

He must have had some difficulties in forgiving, out of his wavering temperament, perhaps!

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

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

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

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

>> The Lord does away with the mathematical rules in forgiveness!

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

“Seventy seven times” would refer a number, unlimited and uncountable!

>> The frontiers for how many times to forgive are done away with…

>> The boundaries for how many times to forgive do not hold good…

As the Lord spoke these words to Peter, the apostle would himself have recalled…

“Once beside the sea of Galilee, when I encountered the Holy Master, I realized that I was drowning in the waters of sin… and I had asked pardon from the Lord.

>> Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man (Lk 5:8)”

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

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

Many times Peter…

… had sinned against the Lord…

… had caused pain and ache to the Lord…

… had abandoned and betrayed the Lord…

>> But every time, the Lord forgave, wholeheartedly!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most painful words in perhaps the whole of dictionary is the word … “Rejection”

And this is perhaps one word, that has been experienced in life, by most of us…( if not by all).

>> Most of us have felt the sting of rejection…

>> Most of us can recollect instances and situations of rejection even now…

>> Most of feel a twinge within ourselves when we hear this word ‘rejection’…

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, our Master undergoing the painful experience of ‘rejection’.

The background of the Gospel passage of the day is that Jesus is in the Synagogue at Nazareth at the beginning of His ministry.

Being handed over the Scripture from the book of Isaiah, Jesus spoke of the fulfillment of the text that was read:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor….” (Lk 4:18)

The Graciousness of His words and the Eloquence of His speech attracted the audience to Himself.

The first impression was surely a wonderful impression…

… but as time would prove, it is not always the best and lasting impression.

When He began to teach the people of how God has brought His salvation and the message of hope to not just the Jews, but the Gentiles also, murmurs of rejection began to crop up.

>> The message of straight talk to the heart, which affected their inner lives, caused uneasiness to His listeners.

>> The delivery of the truth which had a direct bearing upon their lives and attitudes, caused edginess to arise among His listeners.

And so, there happened a “conversion”…

…. a conversion, not for the good, but for the bad!

They were converted from having a good opinion of Jesus to forming a detestable view on Him

>> They were converted from nodding their heads in approval to shaking their heads and clenching their fists in refutation and denial.

How true a picture is this of many a human nature….

>> We appreciate those persons who speak what I wish to speak…

… but deny those who speak against us, even if they speak the truth!

>> We encourage those people who harp the same tune that we wish to hear…

… but terribly denounce those who play the melody for a genuine transformation!

The Lord was rejected!

>> And He Himself testified to this naked reality, “No prophet is accepted in his own native place” (Lk 4: 24)

The Gospel of John presents this reality in a more dramatic manner, “He came to His own and His own rejected Him!” (Jn 1:11)

Rejection is a part of each of our lives…

>> And the rejection is much greater and true, when one stands for the Truth and the Virtues of the Gospel!

We get rejected…

… by our friends who don’t approve when we seek to live a holier lives…

… by the society which is unable to appreciate those wanting a sanctified life…

But the Lord assures us.. “In all your rejection, look up to me!”

“There was no one who was rejected as I was…

I was rejected when I was born….

I was rejected when I lived…

I was rejected when I died….”

“Are you also going to reject me… I, who have risen from the dead?”

Some of us who use the mobile phones in the dictionary mode, (especially the older version – and not the smartphones), would have experienced this simple fact…

When one types the word “rejected” in the dictionary mode, in a mobile phone, it appears as “selected”…

Try it if you wish….

The same is true when we type in the word “rejected” in the Divine mode…. before the Lord!

He converts every “reject” to a “select”…

>> He converts our rejection to a selection for grace and sanctification

>> He converts our rejection to a selection for purification and strengthening.

Our lives have suffered much pain and our hearts are a canvas of much agony of rejection.

>> But the Lord today invites us to go to Him and seek solace, healing and consolation from Him.

He who was rejected, is the Lord of acceptance!

>> He who was rejected, is the Saviour of hope!

>> He who was rejected, is the God of healing!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” is an Encyclical by Pope St John Paul II

>> It was published on April 17, 2003

>> “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” is a Latin phrase for “The Church from the Eucharist”

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” offers a deeper reflection on the mystery of the Eucharist in its relationship with the Church.

>> The goal of this encyclical was to “rekindle”, at the beginning of the Third Millennium, our “amazement” at the mystery that is the Eucharist

>> “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” is divided into 5 Chapters:

(i) The Mystery of Faith: It explains the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist which, through the ministry of the priest, makes sacramentally present at each Mass the body “given up” and the blood “poured out” by Christ for the world’s salvation.

>> The celebration of the Eucharist is not a repetition of Christ’s Passover. It is the one sacrifice of the Cross, which is re-presented until the end of time.

(ii) “The Eucharist Builds the Church”: When the faithful approach the sacred banquet, not only do they receive Christ, but they in turn are received by Him.

>> The Church is united to Her Lord Who, veiled by the Eucharistic species, dwells within Her and builds Her up.

(iii) “The Apostolicity of the Eucharist and of the Church”: ust as the full reality of Church does not exist without apostolic succession, so there is no true Eucharist without the Bishop. The priest who celebrates the Eucharist acts in the person of Christ the Head.

(iv) “The Eucharist and Ecclesial Communion”: Faithful to the teaching of the Apostles, united in the discipline of the sacraments, she must also manifest in a visible manner her invisible unity.

(v) “The Dignity of the Eucharistic Celebration”: The celebration of the Holy Mass is marked by outward signs aimed at emphasizing the joy which assembles the community around the Incomparable Gift of the Eucharist.

(vi) “At the School of Mary, ‘Woman of the Eucharist’”: Reflects on the analogy between the Mother of God, who by bearing the Body of Jesus in Her Womb became the first “tabernacle”, and the Church who in Her heart, preserves and offers to the world, Christ’s Body and Blood.

>> The Eucharist is given to believers so that their life may become a continuous Magnificat in honor of the Most Holy Trinity.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” strongly promotes Eucharistic devotion outside of the Mass as a Source of Grace for deepening our own Faith as well as increasing Communion within the Universal Church

>> “The Eucharist is a Priceless Treasure: by not only celebrating it but also by praying before it outside of Mass, we are enabled to make contact with the very Wellspring of Grace.

>> A Christian community, desirous of contemplating the Face of Christ… cannot fail also to develop this aspect of Eucharistic worship, which prolongs and increases the fruits of our Communion in the Body and Blood of the Lord

2. The Encyclical clarifies and sheds light on the allegation that the Catholic Church is attempting to “re-crucify Jesus” every time Mass is celebrated.

>> The Mass makes present the Sacrifice of the Cross; it does not add to that sacrifice nor does it multiply it.

>> What is repeated is its memorial celebration, its “commemorative representation” (memorialis demonstratio), which makes Christ’s One, Definitive Redemptive Sacrifice always present in time.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” for this Season of Lent?

1. Trying to spend more time in Eucharistic Adoration

2. Learning more about the Teaching on the Holy Eucharist, and trying to explain to those who don’t understand/misunderstand the Holy Mass

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Set apart a fixed day/time (depending on the situation and context of one’s life – either once a day/once a week/once a month)…

… to spend time with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

>> If possible, do so, along with the entire family/community

2. Read at least the First Chapter of“Ecclesia de Eucharistia” (From articles 1-20)…

… in order, to get more clarity on the Church’s understanding of the Holy Eucharist

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharistia”help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Ecclesia de Eucharistia” can be found at:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

William Charles Macready was an English drama actor.

There is a tale told about this great artiste.

An eminent preacher of the Word of God, once said to this celebrated actor: “I wish you would explain to me something.”
>> The actor was confused….”Well, what is it? I don’t know what is that I can explain anything to a preacher!” 
 

But the preacher continued to put forth his query: “What is the reason for the difference between you and me?
>> You appear before crowds, night after night with fiction, with fantasy…
… and the crowds come wherever you go.

I preach the essential and unchangeable Truth, and I am hardly getting any crowd.

How do people flock to something unreal and false, but shy away from something which is true and life-saving?” 

With a naughty grin, the talented actor, Macready answered:
“This is quite simple! I can tell you the difference between us.
>> I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your Truth as though it were fiction!” 

Great answer, right?

 
The actor was able to present on stage, fantasies and imaginations, with a great force of truth and certainty.
>> The preacher was unable to present true and precious facts of God’s Word with the same intensity of conviction and integrity!

Thus, fiction though unreal, received attention and accolades.
>> Facts, though real, failed to be attractive and appealing!

This is a tragedy of our generation perhaps….
>> Worldly and materialistic aspects are presented to be onderful and amazing…
… and they draw fans and admirers

>> Spiritual and Divine aspects fail to be presented as wholesome and salvific…
…and they are drastically losing out on followers and the faithful.

The Gospel of the Day is a strong warning to examine the state of our Christian Faith, and be willing to make radical changes to prevent our lives from the danger of being an anti-witness.

Jesus went up to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover (Jn 2: 13)

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem , there would have been hundreds and thousands of people – huge crowds crammed into the narrow city streets and an astonishing hustle, bustle and noise in the temple itself.

This chaotic scene – highly excitable and thrilling experience for those gathered – was also a peak business time for all the religious artefact traders.
>> Selling lambs and oxen and pigeons for sacrifices
>> Retail of  appropriate food items to eat
>> And exchanging of currency for people who came in from different places were the different businesses that were on…

Jesus walked into the Temple… into the midst of all this chaos.
>> He looked around and saw the state of affairs of the Temple.

The place was a Holy Place.
>> It was to be a place…
… of sanctity and purity.
… of worship and prayer.
 

But, now the atmosphere was totally changed!
>> The search for sanctity was replaced with focus only on external rituals.
>> The pilgrimage of holiness was substituted for money matters and business interests
 

Religion was losing its charm and charisma and instead being reduced to mere rituals and external pious practices!
 

This made the Lord, to have His righteous anger kindled.

He drove out the sheep…
>> He chased away the cattle…
>> He threw out the dove sellers…
>> He overturned the money tables…
>> He scattered the money all over the floor…
“Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace” (Jn 2: 16)

Jesus was not a person opposed to the traditions and law of His time.
>> He was a Jew, born and brought up, steeped in the law and the ways of the synagogue.

But He was certainly opposed to the way it was being practiced!
>> He was certainly opposed to the manner in which the law had lost its essential values!
 
Therefore, as a Prophet, committed to restoring the basics of God’s Law…
… Jesus seeks to reinstate the true meaning of worship of God!
 

“Will God be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil…
>> God has told you what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:7)

 

Today We are challenged by the Lord, to make a critical examination of our own selves…
>> Is our religion losing its charm and charisma and instead being reduced to mere rituals and external pious practices?

>> Is our Faith failing to make transformations in life and only donning on uninteresting customs, routines and habits?

>> Is my life as a Christian falling short of being passionate and zealous and rather becoming an anti-witness to the ideals and virtues of the Gospel?

There is a much greater attraction today to worldly and pleasurable aspects…
… but a drastic reduction in matters of spirituality and religiosity.

There is a greater pull and attachment to seek gratification in material and transitory aspects…
… but an enormous decline in interests for a holy and sanctified life.
 

We need a real cleansing and a purification…
… of our basic interests and inclinations.

We need a real rejuvenation and restoration…
… of our primary focus on the Kingdom and centering of the heart on True Worship.
 

Let us always remember: “Our lives may be the Only Gospel that people may ever read…”
>> Will it seem to be a fiction…?
… or will it be impressed upon as a fact?

  

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There’s a story from the land of Spain about a father and son who had become estranged.

The son had run away as a result of some misunderstanding.

>> But the father set off to find him.

He searched for months and months… but to no avail!

He missed his son…

>> The name of his son was Paco.

He missed Paco…

Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an advertisement in a national newspaper.

The ad read:

“Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I accept you, as you are. I love you. Your Father”.

On Saturday, 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers!

Paco was a very common name in Spain…and the ad appealed to many Pacos, who were estranged from their father…and sought to come back home!

>> The world is thirsty, seeking to be quenched from the fount of forgiveness.

>> The world is hungry, seeking to be satisfied from the storehouse of forgiveness.

The Gospel of the Day is a strong reminder by Jesus, to experience the forgiving love of the Lord and in turn to become “instruments of forgiveness”!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is perhaps one of the most popular, the most loved, the most sentimental and the most meaningful of all the parables in the Gospel.

One of the lasting images that this beautiful parable impresses upon the readers is that of a Loving Father in patient waiting for the return of the son.

The Son had abandoned the love and protection of the Father.

It could have been…

… because of some misunderstanding…

… because of some pride and arrogance…

… because of some selfishness and egoism…

… because of some immaturity or peer pressure…

Whatever be the reason…

….  a rupture had occurred in the beautiful relationship!

>> The son sought to find enjoyment in many worldly pleasures…

…meanwhile the Father was left with a seemingly never-ending wait for his beloved!

>> The son drowned himself in the pleasurable waters of enjoyment and gratification…

… meanwhile the Father sought to keep floating on the waters of hope and optimism!

The Father kept waiting…and waiting…

>> Every evening as the sun set… and as the darkness would engulf the land…

… the hopes of the Father would have diminished and a gloom darkened in his mind!

>> Every morning as the sun arose….and as the bright rays enraptured the land…

…the expectations of the Father would have intensified and a glow lit his heart!

And thus the Father kept waiting and waiting for the son to return.

Finally, when the son returned, the long wait of the outstretched arms of the Father, waiting to embrace his beloved was over…

“… while he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him…”( Lk 15: 20)

The father’s joys knew no bounds!

The son was considered lost… the son was considered dead…

>> But now here he is… found…and alive!

What a beautiful picture!

>> A son who comes back in repentance, clasped in a deep affectionate hug with his father who longed for the return of his beloved!

Our heavenly Father wishes to have this same picture, with each of us….

We have often gone away from the Love of our Heavenly Father…

… by our sins and disobedience

… by our selfishness and egoism

… by our pride and worldly pleasures

… by our immaturity and misunderstanding

But He now waits in eager expectation and hope for our return to Him…

>> Shall we not run to the open and outstretched arms of our Blessed Father?

In turn, we are also invited, exhorted and challenged to become “an instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation”

May the forgiving love that we have received from our Heavenly Father be extended and widened to all the people in our life too.

Let the words of our Beloved Heavenly Father be a powerful invitation to us, ” All is forgiven. I accept you, as you are. I love you. Your Father.”

God bless! Live Jesus!

An enigma is a considered as a person or a thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand.
>> The word has its Greek and Latin roots, in words which mean “a riddle” or “a puzzle”.

•       An enigma has the tremendous capacity to attract followers or to detract the critics.
•       An enigma has the intriguing potential to captivate its fans or to puzzle its doubters.

When we analyze history and personalities down through the centuries, one can definitely come to a conclusion…
… that there has been no person who deserves a greater merit to being an “Enigma” than Jesus Christ.

The life of Jesus, historically speaking, was a journey from being a semi-skilled Jewish carpenter in a tiny village in northern Palestine…
… to an itinerant prophet, a wonder worker and a social revolutionary!
>> One who confronted the religious and social institutions of His times so radically that He was put to death for it.

The Gospel of the Day presents this “Enigmatic” Jesus confronting closed minds and blocked hearts, in recognizing Him as the Messiah and Saviour…
… and an invitation to make a radical choice for Him!

Jesus puts forward the parable of the tenants.

The tenants were entrusted with the vineyard by the Master, and were expected to provide the produce in due time.
>> They were entrusted fully with the taking care of the vineyard.

The Master places a lot of trust in the servants.

He gives the freedom… a responsible freedom…
…which could be meaningfully used and nurtured
…or which could be woefully misused and manipulated.

However, the tenants, who were trusted immensely, probably lost their focus on the real trust and diminished in their commitment and responsibility to their Master as well as their duty.
•       Their personal interests gained greater prominence over their entrusted duties.
•       Their selfish agenda gained the upper hand over the faithfulness to the Master.

This led to them to a total denial of all the emissaries and servants of the Master, who were sent to collect the produce.
>> This denial was extended even to the Master’s own Son!

This denial of the Son led to the letting loose of the anger and fury of the Just Master!
•       A squandering away of the responsible freedom, led to the downfall of the tenants!
•       A failure to give heed to the emissaries and servants caused them to face the Master’s rage!
•       A denial and rejection of the Master’s own Son, with a cruel intent, caused their destruction!

Are we also, as Christians, as tenants of the Heavenly Master failing in our responsibilities and duties?

The Lord presents Himself as the cornerstone…
… “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..” (Mt 21:42)

In ancient practices of building, the cornerstone was the principal stone.
>> It was placed at the corner of the edifice or the building.

The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the whole building structure.
>> A cornerstone gives direction to the rest of the foundation.
>> It also is the support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability.

Jesus is the cornerstone…of Salvation.. of the Church.. of His People!
>> At the same time, Jesus can also be  “a stumbling block”

As it is written in Romans 9:33, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame”

•       To those who believe, Jesus is the cornerstone of their faith and their life.
•       To those who do not believe, Jesus is the stumbling block in their faith!     

Who is Jesus in our life?
>> The cornerstone? Or a stumbling block?

The cornerstone to build a wonderful life in God and grow in holiness…
… or a stumbling block which causes us to be proud in our own merits and not depend on Him?

The cornerstone to stand firm and strong in faith to withstand every storm of life…
… or a stumbling block which makes us uncertain, hesitant and cause a collapse in life?

Jesus is indeed the greatest “enigma”
>> This “enigmatic” Jesus has the tremendous capacity to attract followers or to detract the critics.
>> This “enigmatic” Jesus has the intriguing potential to captivate its fans or to puzzle its doubters.

Jesus can remain the “enigma” who will be forever misunderstood or mysterious…
… or He can be the “enigma” which becomes the guiding force for fullness in life!

Let us make Jesus the “cornerstone” of our life and faith!

Live Jesus! God Bless!

Schindler’s List is a 1993 American epic historical period drama film, which received 7 Oscar awards.

This movie is based in the true story of a Catholic businessman, Oskar Schindler, who lived in Poland during the 2nd world war.

After a life of initial notoriety, in which he made a lot of money, by betraying his own people…

… Schindler, later realised the horrors of the Nazi rule.

He began to use his wealth and influence…

… in order to save his fellow Jews from the holocaust.

By the end of the war, he was reduced to having very little money

>> But in the process, had managed to save hundreds of Jews from being killed.

The last scene of the movie depicts, Schindler being thanked by the people whom he had saved.

But suddenly, Schindler began to weep!

>> Looking around at the people who were rescued, he exclaimed: “I could have done so much more!”

Holding up his gold watch, he moaned, “This could have bought someone’s freedom!”

>> He wished that he could have started sooner in helping people, so that many more could have been rescued!

>> His self-centredness had caused failure in saving many more people!

It was a an agonizing experience of the negative effects of “indifference in life” and the “sin of omission”!

We need to examine our life and check:

>> Am I a person who misses out on doing the good we can?

>> Do I fail to reach out the needy, even though I am able?

>> Has self-centredness became a way of life for me?

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful message to look deeper into these aspects of our life…

… and seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented!

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is set out as a play… a two-act play.

>> The plays takes place on two stages:

… the stage of this world

… and the stage of the other-world.

1. This parable could be perhaps called as a “parable of contrasts”!

The contrasts are plenty:

In the First Act (Lk 16: 19-22)….

>> A rich man – a poor man

>> The man is rich but unnamed – the man is poor but is named, Lazarus (meaning ‘God Helps’)

>> The rich man clothed in purple – Lazarus clothed fully with sores

>> The rich man caressed with fine linen – Lazarus licked by the dogs

>> The rich man feasted sumptuously – Lazarus desired to be fed by what fell from the table.

>> The rich man died and was buried – Lazarus died but was carried by the angels.

In the Second Act (Lk 16: 22-31)…

>> Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom – the rich man is in Hades.

>> Lazarus receives good things – the rich man was in torment.

>> Lazarus was comforted – the rich man was in anguish

2. This parable could be perhaps also be called as a “parable of comfort and consolation”!

It’s a “parable of comfort and consolation” because….

… Lazarus, who had undergone great misery and suffering was blessed with the presence of joy of the Lord.

It gives comfort and consolation to us, who need to be strengthened in our moments of trials and hardships, knowing that the Lord will surely look with mercy on His needy ones.

>> “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 3)

3. This parable could be perhaps also be called as a “parable of challenge and confrontation”!

It’s a “parable of challenge and confrontation” because…

… the rich man, who had a luxurious life, was condemned to torments, and had to endure the flames of suffering.

It presents a great challenge and a confrontation before us, who need to realise that “indifference in life” and the “sin of omission” are extremely punishable.

> It tells that the attitude of closing one’s eyes to the pain and misery of the other is disastrous!

>>>> “He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.” (Prov. 21:13)

We live in a world of contrasts…

… the rich gaining much and the poor losing much day by day!

… the corrupt enjoying worldly success while the honest often helpless on the losing side!

… the powerful lording over all others while the simple of heart crushed in oppression and misery!

This “world of contrasts” needs a “Gospel of Comfort and Consolation”, and towards this, we are “challenged and confronted”…

>> Challenged to get rid of our attitudes of indifference and lethargy to help the needy ones.

>> Confronted to overcome our tendencies to remain satisfied in our comforts and close our eyes conveniently to the necessities of the other.

The ways of the world constantly allure us…

…To be “dressed in purple linen and fine clothes” (Lk 16:19) and to be self-centred: “Just go about with our business and don’t consider other’s needs”

… To be “dining sumptuously” (Lk 16:19) and to look to only one’s own comforts and needs: “Live and let live. I don’t need to care about others, when I have my own cares to be attended to!”

But the Christian way of life is a challenge to this “rich man’s style of living”

>> There can be no excuse given to us…

… if we miss out on doing the good we can!

… if we fail to reach out the needy, even though we are able!

… if self-centredness has become a way of life for us!

Time is short…

… and our life is limited!

Let us begin today, with no further delay…

>> To do the good we can…

… in the best way we can!

… to all the people we are able!

… in every situation that is possible!

Let us seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented…

… and in this world of contrasts, make our life a ‘Good News of Comfort and Consolation’.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Story of a Soul” is the autobiography of St Thérèse of Lisieux- also called as The Little Flower.

>> It was first published on September 30, 1898 – one year after her death at the age of 24.

>> This book outlines the spirituality that was lived and exhorted by the St Therese – “The Little Way”

B. What does it speak of?

>> The ‘Story of a Soul’ is St. Therese’s autobiography.

>> The book is divided into 11 chapters:

… Beginning with her first memory, it traces her life, ending with her blissful death in the convent.

>> “Story of a Soul” tells of how the Way to Holiness was not great and noble deeds but the fulfillment of the smallest duties with great love and complete reliance upon God.

>> Desiring the lowest place in all things and fulfilling all the duties of the state in life, the Little Flower describes of how she offered many penances for the conversion of sinners, especially during her final illness and the dark night of the soul she suffered at that time.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. Focuses on the “Little Way” of Holiness

>> It is a challenge to break the notion that “spirituality and holiness” consists primarily in heavy austerity and hard penances alone

>> It shows of the most important element needed towards holiness – perfect trust and holy love

2. Presents the method of “offering to God” all what we do in life

>> Every action of ours can become an “offering to God” and thus “an act of saving” others

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Story of the Soul”” for this Season of Lent?

1. Doing everything with love

2. The virtue of Trusting in God

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Consciously make a prayer (or at least, become aware) – “I am doing this work/activity, for the Love of God and only for His Glory!”

2. Love God and give Him the First Priority and Place in life

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Classical Book of Spirituality “Story of a Soul” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Story of a Soul” can be found at:

http://www.catholicbible101.com/St.%20Therese%20Story%20of%20a%20soul.pdf)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

It was the place known as the Place of the Skulls…

>> A Man had died…

… a cruel death

… an unjust death!

Nature had witnessed the excruciating suffering of this Man.

>> And nature, silent and speechless, yet responded in its own manner:

>> Darkness enveloped over the whole land…

>> The earth quaked in anger and desperation…

>> The rocks split wide and many tombs opened up…

A few people had also witnessed the terrifying suffering of this Man.

And these people, though had voice and power, responded in their own manner:

>> Some were sadistically and treacherously ‘feasting’ their senses with the agony of the Man…

>> Some were appallingly indifferent and shockingly lukewarm…

Very few were enormously heartbroken and shattered..

Among these were a few men….

>> One by name, John… who was a Beloved of the One who died

>> Another was Nicodemus… who a secret follower of the One who died

>> Yet another was Joseph… who was from Arimathea, another disciple of the One who died

Among these were also a few women…

>> Most notably, the Mother of the One who had died!

>> Among others, a Mary of Magdalene… a Mary, who was the mother of James and Joseph

There was also another woman…

The last few hours had been extremely terrible for her.

>> She had witnessed the horrible suffering and death of a Man…

… and also experienced the pain of the Man’s Mother.

This woman herself had two sons.

>> And she knew the agony and pain of a mother seeing the suffering of her precious children.

And through those dreadful moments, this woman remembered an incident that had happened in her life…

Some weeks back, she had approached this Man with a favour for her children (Mt 20:20)

>> Her children, were the disciples of the One who had died.

She had requested, “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left, in your kingdom” (Mt 20:21)

But the Master had responded, “You do not know what you are asking.

>> Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” (Mt 20:22)

She had not really understood the meaning of the Cup, back then.

>> She was more interested in securing a good place for her children, as it the case for every mother.

But, now….

…standing before that same Master…who had died a horrible death… she understood what was meant by the “Cup”

… standing before the same Master’s Mother… who had borne immense pain of Her Little Child’s death… she understood what was meant by “drinking the cup of suffering”.

She realised…

… the path to glory is only by treading the way of the Cross.

… that more than asking for places of honour, a true commitment to do God’s Will was needed

… that her request was triggered by a ordinary human concern and not tuned to seeking what was more needed by the Lord.

And standing before the Cross, she would have wished and prayed..

“Lord, not a place of honour, but grant that my children would follow you passionately!

>> Lord, not a seat of glory, but grant that my children may be faithful to you for life!”

This woman – the mother of the two sons, who are also called as Sons of Zebedee: James and John – invites each of us also…

… to put our focus totally on the Kingdom values and not on transient material concerns.

… to live in absolute commitment to God’s Mission and leave rewards to the mercy of God

>> Are we ready to put into place “first things first”…

… God’s Kingdom over every other materialistic wanting…? (Mt 6:33)

>> Are we ready to prioritize our concerns and focus…

… seek holiness and salvation over other transitory aspirations…? (1 Pet 1:16, Mt 6:21)

>> Let us look to the Cross to draw greater inspiration to prioritize our needs and wants.

>> Let us look to our Blessed Mother who sought God’s Will for Her Child above all else.

God Bless! Live Jesus!