There once was a farmer who grew award-winning ‘corn’ (maize). 

>> Each year he entered his corn in the fair-competition conducted at the state-level, where it won a prize.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him.
Among the many great practices that this farmer had adopted, the reporter also learned something highly interesting about how this farmer grew corn…

…and which made him to win a prize every year. 

The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn… his best variety seed…

… with his neighbouring farmers!

“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours…

… when they are also entering into competition with you?” enquired the bewildered reporter. 

“Why sir,” replied back the farmer, “didn’t you know one of the important realities of life?
The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. 

>> If my neighbours grow inferior variety of corn, the cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn as well. 

If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.
This is the reality of life that I have realized: In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

Yes, the farmer was very much aware of the relatedness of life.

>> His corn could not improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improved.

Have we realized this reality of our lives?

>> In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”
Those who choose to live well, must help others to live well too.  

The value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. 

>> And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness…

… for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all!

The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbours grow good corn. 

Let us all Love those that cross our paths.

 

 

Yes, Love is the starting point, the end and the essence of a Christian Life.

 
The Gospel of the Day emphasizes and affirms this aspect of Love: Love of God and Love of neighbour.

The Pharisees come together to trap Jesus with a question from the Law: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment of the Law?” (Mt 22: 36).

 

The Lord of Love is sought to be trapped in a web of malice!

>> This was a complicated question that was put forward to Jesus.

 
The Jewish Law of the Torah comprised 613 precepts.

>> It was certainly a challenge to condense these codes into a single commandment.

 
Probably Jesus would’ve looked into the eyes of the one who asked this question and thought, “Why do You seek to put me to the test?”

 
There was malice and a corrupt intention in the one who questioned.

>> But the greatness of the Lord overwhelms the evil designs of humans.

 
Jesus answers the question which had an evil bent, with an answer filled with goodness…

… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind….

>> Love your neighbour as yourself”! (Mt 22: 37)

 
Bingo..!

>> Two birds with one shot!

 
He not just answered His interrogators but He also proclaimed the summary of the Gospel.

>> He not just silenced His critics but He also won many followers for the Good News.

 
The Pharisee came asking which is “the” greatest commandment (Mt 22: 36)
He expected just one commandment.

>> But Jesus answers with two…and showed that those two commandments are nothing but one!

 
The Love of God and the Love of Neighbour…

>> They were two dimensions of the same Love.

 

And this One Love, with two facets, formed the basis of all the other commandments of the Law!

 

 

The tragedy of our world and our spirituality very often, is the separation of these two dimensions…

 

One loves God….but fails to love one’s neighbour!

>> Another loves the neighbour…but fails to love God!

 
One loves to read and hear and understand God’s Word…but fails to apply it in real life.

>> Another loves to have a lot of social relations…but fails to build a strong spiritual basis.

 

One loves to preach deeply over virtues of the Gospel…but fails to live them in actuality.

>> Another loves to be in friendship with all…but fails in closeness with God, the source of Love.

 

One loves the Church and her teachings…but falls short to serve the society and its peoples.

>> Another serves people…but vehemently hates the Church, the ark of the Sacraments of Love!

 

 

Christian love is not just about emotions.

>> Christian love is not just about feelings.

 

Christian love, is…

… making a decision to serve, even if one does not feel so.

… being faithful, even if one is rejected or even shown indifference.

… being committed, even if one feels an aversion towards the other.

 

 

Easier said, than done….right?

 
This is where, we need to…

… depend on God, the Source of Love itself!

… draw strength from the Sacraments that the Church offers!

… display a Passionate love of God in order to share it with others!

 

Unless we are in Communion with the Lord, all this reflection remains merely a theory.

>> Unless we are joined to God, the Source of Love, all our meditations remain superficial.

 
We need to pray as in the Responsorial Psalm today, “I love you, Lord, my strength” (Ps 18: 2).

 
He is the strength for us to love our neighbour.

>> He is the source for us to share our lives with our neighbour.

>> He is the supplier of hope for us to sustain in our difficulties to love.

 

 

As the famous signboard reads…

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centred….

>> LOVE THEM ANYWAY

 

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives…

>> DO GOOD ANYWAY

 

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow…

>> DO HELP ANYWAY

 

What you spent years building, may be destroyed overnight…

>> BUILD ANYWAY

 

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth…

>> GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU’VE GOT ANYWAY

 
The world is thirsting for Love…

>> Each one of us is called to radiate this Love: Love of God and Love of Neighbour.

 
Yes, let us deepen our realization: In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

>> Let us become an Apostle and Agent and Ambassador of Love!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 A garden of flowers delights most people!

 

A garden consists of a variety of flowers, with varied colours, sizes, shapes.

 

Some flowers tend to capture our attention more…some escape the gaze of our eyes.

>> However, this in no way, reduces or increases their relevance and importance.

 
>>> Each flower has its own specialty.

>>> Each flower has its own attraction.

 

 
Jesus in His garden of ministry, chose twelve apostles.

>> Some apostles tend to capture our attention more…some escape the gaze of our eyes.
However, this in no way, reduces or increases their relevance and importance.

>> Each apostle has his own specialty

>> Each apostle has his own attraction.

 

  
Today Holy Mother the Church celebrates the feast of two apostles: St Jude and St Simon.

 
These are apostles, who in most probability escape the gaze of our eyes.

>> These two saints are usually known as the “unknown apostles”.

 

Yet, they have their own greatness before God and their own importance to inspire us in our lives!

 
The scarcity of their appearance in the New Testament is so vivid that except in the list of the names of the apostles…

… the name of Simon never appears elsewhere whereas the name of Jude makes only a single appearance in the discourse of Jesus after the last supper (Jn 14: 22).

 
In the Gospel of Matthew & Mark, the apostle Simon is given the title of a Canaanaean, while Luke mentions him as “Zealot”.

 

This apostle Simon must have belonged to the Zealot Party.

>> The Zealot Party was a first-century political movement among Judean Jews who sought to overthrow the occupying Roman government.

 

According to the Jewish historian Josephus, four main Jewish groups existed at the time of Christ – the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes and the Zealots.

 
The Zealots were known for their aggression and violent behaviour. 

>> They advocated that no one, but Yahweh alone should rule over Israel and hence, obedience to the Roman government should be refused.

 

The selection of Simon, the Zealot as an Apostle, is a great insight into the workings of Jesus, in His Kingdom Ministry…

 

 

The Lord accepts us with our hard instincts.

>> The Lord takes into account our various mentalities and mindsets.

 
In His Divine Love, He squashes all such factors and patterns us into people fit for His Kingdom.

 
>> He doesn’t reject us in our over-zeal.

>> He doesn’t cast us away because of our impulses.
All that He expects is an openness to follow Him fully and allow ourselves to be moulded!

 

The Apostle Jude is given another title by St Matthew and St Mark: Thaddeus.

>> Thaddeus means “the courageous heart”

 
St Jude is one of the most popular saints in our world today, considering the fact that he is called as “The Miraculous Saint”.  

>> St Jude is the one whose aid is often sought when all hope is lost, especially in grave illness & life-&-death situations.

 

There is a story that since his name is identical with Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus, St Jude would hardly be interceded too, except in the most desperate situations!

>> And hence, perhaps, he got identified as the Patron in Helpless Causes!

 

 
St Bridget of Sweden & St Bernard had visions from God asking each to accept St Jude as ‘Patron Saint of the Impossible’.

 

 

> The Apostle Jude teaches us a few insights for our spiritual growth:

 

>> Like the name – Jude Thaddeus – we are invited too, to have a “heart full of courage”.
The Kingdom of God requires brave soldiers and people of immense valour.

 

The Lord needs followers who are imbued with the might of His Holy Spirit and who boldly proclaim the Gospel and witness its values by their lives.

 

No situation of discouragement or setbacks will hinder the march of a “Courageous Heart”!

 

>> St Jude, as the Patron of Desperate Cases, inspires us to have a deeper faith and trust in the Providence and Mercy of God.
The Lord is all-knowing.

> He wills what is best for us.

 

However, in our human frailty, we often tend to lose our hope and become highly desperate.

 

But this Saint teaches to grow deeper in our faith & know that “behind every dark cloud is a silver lining of the sun…(Son!)”!

 
>> St Jude also teaches the powerful role of Intercessory Prayer.
We are all created in the Image and Likeness of God, and each of us have a bounden duty to the other…

… to take care, to love each other and to pray for one another.

 
When we pray for others and bring others to the presence of God, we help them in their difficulties and join with them in solidarity and compassion.

 

 
There are many hidden flowers in a garden.

>> Yet, each one has its own beauty and fragrance and value.

 
These two apostles – St Simon and St Jude – are fairly hidden in the Gospels, and yet we can learn and be inspired much by them.

 
May the life and intercession of these two hidden, yet Great Apostles of the Lord…

… impel us further, to love God and His people…

… and spread the Gospel of God to many more!

 

Happy Feast of the Apostles St Jude and St Simon.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Good dramas produce a great visual treat and also leaves a lasting impression on the mind.

 

One of the characteristics of a good drama is the way it concludes…

>> The conclusion should make the audience to identify with some characters of the story and leave a personal touch for every viewer.

 
One of the best dramatist who has a special niche for such effective conclusions is St Luke!

 
St Luke in his Gospel presents many dramatic stories of Jesus, with a special style of conclusion…that leaves its readers to wonder and ponder…to think and act…!

 
St Luke, in the Gospel of the Day presents one such parable…

… the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.

 

 
What is this conclusion style of St Luke that we are talking about?

>> It could be termed as a “Dramatic Concluding Suspense for Action!”

 
This “Dramatic Concluding Suspense for Action” has three elements in it…

1. It is dramatic: It has some impressive and spectacular elements to wonder and ponder.

2. It has a conclusion, full of suspense: The conclusion remains unknown &a high curiosity is generated.

3. It calls for action: The conclusion impels viewers to reflect on life and to do some action.

 

 

Such parables of ” Dramatic Concluding Suspense for Action ” are a characteristic feature in St Luke’s Gospel:

 

 

Ø The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10: 29-35)

The Good Samaritan left the man at the Inn and said he would come back to pay the extra denarii…

 

Did the Good Samaritan come back? It’s unknown!

>> But, now the onus is placed on the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 
Ø The incident of Martha and Mary (Lk 10: 38-42)

Jesus exhorted Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. Mary has chosen the better part…” 
Did Martha give heed to the words of the Lord and cease to be anxious and worried? It’s unknown!

>> But, now the onus is placed on the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 
Ø The Incident of the Rich Young Fool (Lk 18: 18-23)

Jesus invited the man to sell his possessions, distribute it to the poor and then follow Him…

 

Did the young man do what Jesus told him to? It’s unknown!

>> But, now the onus is placed on the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 

 

Ø The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15: 11-32)

The Father, at the end of the story, invites the elder brother to join in the celebration of the Prodigal son coming back…

 

Did the elder son join the celebration? It’s unknown!

>> But, now the onus is placed on the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 

 

Ø The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk 16: 19-31)

The Rich Man pleads to Abraham concerning the future of his five brothers.

 

Did those five brothers meet with the same fate or did they live a better and virtuous life? It’s unknown!

>> But, now the onus is placed on the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 

 

Ø The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers (Lk 17: 11-19)

The Lord enquires the Samaritan leper about the nine other lepers who also had been healed.

 

Did any of those nine lepers come back to the Lord to thank Him? It’s unknown!

>> But, now the onus is placed on the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 
 

The Parable in the Gospel – the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree – follows this style of “Dramatic Concluding Suspense for Action”.

 

The man who had the fig tree planted in his orchard, comes looking for fruit….

But finding no fruit, he gets disappointed and orders it to be cut off…

But the gardener pleads for another year to cultivate and fertilize it….

 

Did the Owner allow for another year?

Did the tree produce fruit after one year?

Did the tree continue to live or was it cut down?

 

All these answers are unknown!

 

But, now the onus is placed on the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 

 

If I am the fig tree in the Parable and the God is the Owner, then we have some things to ponder on…

 

God who has planted me in His orchard, comes looking for fruit…

>> Do I produce the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5: 22-23)

 
If He doesn’t find the fruits, he gets disappointed and warns us….

… we have been blessed with many graces and we are expected to live in response to those favours of the Lord. But if we don’t, it causes pain to God, who is our Loving Father.
>> Do I waste away God’s graces in my life and disappoint the expectations of my Father in Heaven?

 

But the gardener pleads for another year to cultivate and fertilize it.

>> The Lord doesn’t give up on us. He seeks to give us another chance…

Am I willing…

… to accept to have the ground around me cultivated and weed out the unbecoming things like sinful tendencies and bad habits in and around me?

… to be fertilized & be nourished by His Word & His Body and Blood in the Eucharist & thus gain strength to produce fruits?

 

 

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree has a “Dramatic Concluding Suspense for Action”.

Our lives too often resemble this Barren Fig Tree…

 
The questions are posed before us…

>> The answers are to be answered by us.

 

And the onus is now placed on we, the readers and a thought is left with You and Me…

 
Let us respond positively & with God, the director…

…and make the drama of our lives a beautiful and a witnessing one!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

St Ignatius of Loyola is the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
There is an interesting incident narrated about a couple of tourists who visited the Jesuit headquarters in Rome. 
There is a large statue of the St Ignatius majestically displayed in this house.

>> Underneath are also inscribed the words of the Saint to his friend St. Francis Xavier, when the latter was commissioned to spread the Gospel across the globe: 

“Ite, Inflammate Omnia!”
When translated, the motto reads: “Go and set the world on fire!” 

As, the two tourist friends admired at the words of the wonderful saint and were speaking about the greatness of the saint…

… One of them noticed a fire-extinguisher that was placed on the adjacent wall
(The red-coloured fire-extinguisher was of course, placed, in case of any emergency)
But seeing the motto of the Saint and this fire-extinguisher from the same view, the tourist made an interesting comment:

“Well! The Saint asked us to go and set the world on fire…

… but we Christians, probably seem more to be going around with a fire-extinguisher and putting it off!”

Every Christian is expected to set the world on fire…
But are we people “on fire”?

>> Or is the “fire” dying out, and failing to have its intended effects?
Our Blessed Lord was greatly filled with zeal to “set the earth on fire”…

… and desires all His followers to share in this passion for the Kingdom of God.

 

The Gospel of the Day begins with Jesus exclaiming:

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing” (Lk 12: 49)

“Fire” in the Bible is an imagery of many aspects…

>> God’s judgment (Jdt 16:17; Is 66:16; Am 7:4; 2 Pt 3:7)

>> God’s protective presence (Ex 13: 21, 2 Kgs 6:17)

>> Purification (Nm 31:23; Ez 22:19-22, Zec 13: 9), 

>> The Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11, Acts 2:3). 

>> God’s Holiness (Dt 4:24)

>> God’s glory (Ez 1:4, 13)

Fire also has many characteristics:

>> It warms… refines… transforms… burns!
The Lord who was greatly zealous to “set the earth on fire”, invites us to examine:

>> Am I filled with zeal, to blaze the world “on fire”… 

… the fire of God’s love?

… the fire of God’s purging mercy?

… the fire of God’s judgement with respect to sin and evil?

The following two verses of today’s Gospel passage comes in as a shock?

>> “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, division!” (Lk 12:51)
The Gospel of St. Mathew’s version of the same verse reads:

“Do not think I have come to bring peace. I have to come not to bring peace, but a sword… (Mt 10: 34)

These verses become more surprising in the context of…

>>The Sermon of the Mount where in Mt 5:9, it says, “Blessed are the peacemakers”

>> The description of the Messiah where in Is 9: 6 it says, “He (Messiah) will be called “Prince of Peace” 
Why does St Mathew use the words “peace and sword”? 

>> Why does St Luke use the words “peace and division”?

This could be a technique called “Juxtaposing”.
Juxtaposing simply means to place two things side-by-side or next to each other…

… especially to compare or to emphasize on the contrast.

This technique is used extensively in the Bible… 
>> “Unless a grain of wheat dies, it will not give life” (Jn 12: 24)

>> “Light shines in the darkness” ( Jn 1:5)

>> “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit” (Mt 7:18)
Thus we see…

… life and death

… light and darkness

… good and bad

 This “juxtaposition” we also observe in our daily life. 
>> Any artist or a person with some aesthetic sense will vouch for the fact that, in order a highlight some light-coloured flowers in a bouquet…

… a darker background is preferred. 
>> Even in our style of dressing, we prefer to wear dark-coloured trousers…

… along with light-coloured shirts. 

The logic is simple: Juxtaposing two contrasting stuff emphasizes the meaning.

Peace, is generally defined as a situation where there is no violence or war. 

>> Sword, on the other hand, signifies conflict, struggle and death. 
Peace, is normally understood as a situation of calm and absence of conflicts

>> Division, on the other hand, points to disturbances, instability and turmoil.

What is the meaning of this usage of “juxtaposition” in today’s Gospel passage? 
The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy (Rom 14: 17)
To establish this peace or this Kingdom of God…

… sword is an inevitable reality!

… division is an inescapable consequence! 

>> Disturbances, instability , turmoil, conflict, struggle and even death is a real possibility!

That’s why Jesus would go on to say:

“From now on a household of five will be divided… three against two and two against three..” (Lk 12: 52)
>> These verses are an import from Mic 7:6 which speaks of “division in the household”.
 In the Jewish Society…

… the household was one of the strongest units of loyalty and binding.
 However, Jesus shatters all these pre-conceived notions and demands: 

“Loyalty of a disciple to Jesus is to be much higher than even to his own household!”
All intimate relations, even that within the family, are to be given subordinate status in our Love for Jesus.
It is also interesting to note the order of people mentioned in Lk 12: 53:

… Father vs Son, Daughter vs Mother, Daughter-in- law vs Mother in Law. 
It is always the young vs the old. 
What could be the meaning? 

 
The Kingdom of God will cause a sword of division…

… It will be a division of the Young vs Old!
Young and Old are not to be considered in the physical sense… but in the spiritual sense!
Young as being people who are “new”… those by giving up a life of sin, choosing to be part of the Kingdom of God.

>> Old as being those people who are “unrepentant”… those who cling on to sinful ways and oppose the Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is always characterized by people who are willing to be “new” in the Spirit…

… young at heart and mind, full of dynamism and full of enthusiasm.

What are the implications of all what we have said today?

1. The establishment of peace in the Kingdom of God is always accompanied by the sword of division

>> Are we ready to face the struggles and difficulties that surely will come on our way, as we work for the Kingdom?
2. In this our mission of establishing the Kingdom, we are demanded to have a loyalty to Jesus that is higher than all other relationships. 

>> Are we ready to sacrifice? Perhaps our relationships or our way of thinking or even our lifestyle? all for the sake of loyalty to Christ?
3. The Kingdom of God demands that we always be young – dynamic, enthusiastic, cheerful and energetic.

>> Are we ready to always remain Young at heart and in mind, for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

Jesus, Who was greatly filled with zeal to “set the earth on fire”…

… desires all His followers to also share in this passion for the Kingdom of God.
Yes, let us become Christians “who set the world on fire?!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most modern trends that we find in an increasingly urbanizing culture is the importance placed on ‘Fitness’.

 

A lot of emphasis is placed on being health-conscious and maintaining oneself to be fit and fine.

>> As a Christian, this aspect of being healthy is to be extended beyond the physical body to also the spiritual dimension of our lives.

 
One needs to be not just physically fit, but also be spiritually strong.

>> One needs to be not just bodily healthy, but also be spiritually tough.

 

It is this spiritual strength &toughness that will help us to be always ready to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.

 
The Gospel of the Day gives an exhortation to be prepared and arm ourselves for the coming of the Lord: “You must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour, you do not expect” (Lk 12:40)

 
 

The Greek word used for the term “ready” is “hetoimos”…

…. from a noun “heteos” which means “to be fit”

 
It has a connotation of being prepared and seeking for fitness!

 

 

There are several factors which affect the Fitness of our Physical Bodies…

… and perhaps the similar factors could also be applied to the fitness for our spiritual lives.

 
1. Faulty Food affects the Fitness of our Physical Bodies

Proper food plays a vital role in having a healthy body. 

>> It is very important to regulate the intake of our food and to have a check on the type of food.

 
We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

 

What is the type of food that I am feeding for my spiritual life?

>> Do I often eat the food of “negativity and pessimism” and often munch on speaking ill of others?
>> Do I lavish myself on unhealthy thoughts of lust and desires, harmful words of indecency and dangerous actions of immorality and wickedness?

 

>> Do I feed myself with the precious Word of God and nourish myself with His inspirations and wisdom?

>> Do I nourish myself with His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist? 

 

2. Faulty lifestyle affects the Fitness of our Physical bodies.

It is important to have a disciplined and self-controlled lifestyle in order to maintain our fitness. 
A regular habit of exercises and workouts coupled with moments for relaxation and leisure from tension-filled works is important.

>> One must also avoid various bad addictions which can hinder having a good physical identity.

 
We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

 

What is the type of lifestyle I am leading, with respect to my spiritual life?

>> Do I exercise myself with the daily and regular habits of prayer, Bible Reading, pious practices and devotions?

 >> Do I spare time and energy to make some sacrifices and reparations for various causes, especially as a remorse for our sins?

 

>> Do I make constant efforts to give up on some of our bad cravings, obsessions or habits?

  

3. Faulty environment affects the Fitness of our Physical bodies.

It is also essential that one maintains a clean and good environment in order to prevent being affected by diseases or sicknesses. 

>> One must also seek to avoid any harmful situations or surroundings which can adversely affect the health.

 
We need to apply this same principle to our spiritual lives as well…

 

What is the type of environment that I am providing and surrounding my spiritual life?

>> Do I keep myself away from occasions of sin and shield myself away from harmful possibilities like bad books, friends, movies or songs, jokes and other cheap entertainments?

 

>> Do I strengthen my spiritual life with the powerful grace that is bestowed in the Sacrament of the Confession by a regular acknowledgment of my sins?

 

>> Do I seek the company of good people, nurture spiritual friendships and also foster a childlike companionship with the holy saints and angels?

 
Christian Life is a battle and a warfare…

… against the forces of the Evil.

 

We need to arm our spiritual lives mightily with the power and strength from God.

 
It is easy to give up on fitness.

>> It is easy to live a relaxed life and take life too casually.
But such a careless life, will lead us to a tragic end as that of the Unfaithful Servant in the parable that the Lord tells in today’s Gospel (Lk 12: 45-46)

 

It has been recorded that a Greek commander, just before a coming battle is reported to have said: “The secret of victory is in getting a good ready.”

 
Let us constantly be on the guard in our spiritual lives following the words of St Paul of the Cross,  

“The kingdom of God is within you.

>> Reanimate your faith often when you study, work, or eat; when you retire to rest, or rise in the morning.

Make loving aspirations to God. Let your soul be penetrated by these pious sentiments as by a precious balm.

>> This great God is nearer to you, so to speak, than you are to yourself.”

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 One of the common songs that many of us know is…

“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning… Keep me burning till the end of day…”

 

Every Christian is called to become a beacon of light in the darkness and to be a shining star in the ambience of every night.

 

The Gospel of the Day too shares this aspect and reminds the aspect of being watchful for the Coming of the Lord.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Be ready, dressed for service, AND KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT…” (Lk 12: 35)

 

To keep our lamps lit – is the reminder and challenge of the Gospel today.

 

 

At our Baptism, we all have received the Light of Christ. 

>> This light, is not just to be preserved, but is to be nurtured and fostered daily.

 

But we live in a world when there are many a winds seeking to put off this light in us.

>> We live in a world, where there is a strong engulfing of the darkness trying to drown the light in us.

 

 

What are the different winds that are seeking to put off the Light of Christ in us?

 

1. The wind of “losing the focus from God”

 

>> King David

King David was a shining light to the people of his kingdom, as long as he followed the teachings and had his focus on God.

 

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.

He allowed himself to focus on the object of his pleasure by sinning with the wife of Uriah.

 

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

 

>> Samson

Samson was a shining light of power and might, as long as he was faithful to God and had his focus on God.

 

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.

He allowed himself to focus on the object of his delight by revealing the secret to Delilah

 

 The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

 

>> Peter

Peter was a shining light to his disciples as a person of faith, as long as he followed the instructions of his Master to walk on the waters.

 

But when he allowed his focus to shift from the Lord, he began to sink.

He allowed himself to focus on the object of his fear and self-panic.

 

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

 

 

2. The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests”

>> Saul

Saul was adorned to be the first king of Israel; however, as his reign continued, his own selfish motives began to creep in his kingship.

 

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the approval of God.

 

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him?

 

>> The Pharisees and Scribes

The Pharisees and Scribes during the time of Jesus, insisted much on their selfish agenda in the imposition and following of the Laws.

 

When they “began to be more self-centered”, they began to lose the favour of God.

 

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in them…

 

>> Judas

Judas was chosen to be one of the Twelve in the mission of the Lord; but as time grew, he continued to feed his greed for money and wealth

 

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the esteem of God.

 

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him…

 

 

3. The wind of “false principles and ideologies”

 

 

>> People of Israel

The people of Israel had been blessed with the commandments of God. They, however, were dismayed at the delay of Moses on Mt Sinai, and instead got enamoured and attracted to false gods and especially to the deity of mammon and wealth.

 

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they angered God and brought upon themselves the wrath of the Lord.

 

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

 

>> People of Galatians 1:6

St Paul accuses the people of Galatia that they were abandoning the Gospel which they first heard, and instead were being attracted to the pleasurable and false teachings of the false prophets.

 

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they strayed away from the path of salvation.

 

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

 

 

Let’s examine our own lives…
>> Am I allowing the wind of “losing the focus from God “to put off the light in us?

 >> Am I allowing the wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” to put off the light in us?

 >> Am I allowing the wind of “false principles and ideologies” to put off the light in us?

 

 

As the saying goes, “We can’t prevent birds from flying over our heads, but we can certainly prevent them from laying a nest on our heads!”

 

We cannot prevent these winds to rage and hit our lives…

… but we can certainly prevent them from blowing off the Light of Christ in us!

 

 

This strength comes from our determination, perseverance & commitment…

 
But above all, being united with Jesus, the Source of Light…

… in daily prayer

… frequent sacraments

… constant nourishment with the Word

… and faithfulness to our daily duties of our vocation and life!
May our lives, burning with the lamp of Christ, become a constant melody of “keep me burning till the end of day…”

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

Many things in life follow the principle of “Inverse Proportionality”

 

The Principle of Inverse Proportionality can be explained that when the value of one unit increases, there is a decrease in the value of another unit…

 

>> The time taken for a journey is inversely proportional to the speed of travel…

… Higher the speed of travel…..lesser is the time taken for the journey

 

>> The brightness of light that is seen is inversely proportional to the distance from the source of light

… The more the distance between the source…..the lesser will be the brightness of the light that is seen

 

 

This principle of Inverse Proportionality can be also applied to spiritual entities…..

 

>> The greatness of a person is inversely proportional to one’s level of pride

… The greater the person…..lesser is the pride of that person

 

>> The sanctity of a person is inversely proportional to the occasions of sins one indulges.

… The more holier the person…the lesser will be the occasion of sins one falls into

 

 

 

This principle is also seen strongly in today’s Gospel Reading…

>> The closeness of a person to God is inversely proportional to one’s dependence on material things

…The closer the person is to God….the further one will be from material things and pleasures

 

>> The distance from the Kingdom is inversely proportional to the amount of worldly riches one possesses

… The closer one is to the worldly riches…the farther one will be from the Kingdom of God

 

 

 

In the Gospel of the day, we see the clear illustration of this fact through the story of the Rich Fool.

 

Jesus says:

“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Lk 12: 15)

 

“Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Lk 12: 21)

 

 

 

What makes this Principle of Inverse Proportionality to work in terms of Richness and the Kingdom?

 

>> Worldly possessions takes one’s heart away from possessing God as the Greatest Treasure…

>> Money and Richness causes one’s mind to not depend on God and on His Providence and Intervention…

>> Prosperity and Affluence makes one’s soul to stray away from the Hand of God and His Love and Care…

 

 

It is a reality and happening in our world today that….

>> On one side, the money in one’s hand is more…

… but the amount of happiness and peace is less

 

>> On one side, the wealth of the world is increasing…

… but the poor in the world are in no way decreasing

 

>> On one side, the capacity of buying is much high…

… but the actual acquiring of real satisfaction is too low

 

 

Are things all too negative?

>> Is the situation too grim and bad?

>> Is there not a way out of this crazy maze?

 

 

“For humans it is impossible…but for God, all things are possible!” (Mt 19: 26)

 

There is a BIG lesson in that verse for our world today…

>> All too often, human beings…

… have asserted supremacy and power in conquering the world…

… have claimed superiority and dominance over all realms of living…

… have boasted proud statements and haughty actions in claiming to be all powerful…

 

 

 

The power and capacity of human beings, certainly is much…..but it is still with a limit.

 

> Today, we are called to understand, accept and acknowledge this limit…

… this constraint!

… this boundary!

 

>> When we make an effort to share our riches with others…

… God is able to bolster our spiritual blessings!

 

>> When we learn to be detached from our attachments to money…

… God is able to attach Himself to our lives!

 

>> When we seek to grow less dependent on our wealth…

… God is able to be the One on whom we can rely totally!

 

>> When we try to give up our materialistic thinking…

… God is able to fill our inner desires and longings of the soul!

 

 

It may be hard for us to let go of our dependence on material wealth

>> But God will strengthen us!

 

 

Let’s follow the words of Holy Father Pope Francis:

“So often we today can find our faith challenged by the world & in countless ways, we are asked to compromise our faith, to water down the radical demands of the Gospel & to conform to the spirit of this age…

… LET’S PUT CHRIST FIRST!”

 

 

The Principle of Inverse Proportionality is a reality in our spiritual lives…

 

>> Let’s depend less and less on the power of money…

… so we can grow more and more close to the Lord!

 

>> Let’s give minimal control to the power of richness…

… so that we can give maximum control to the Lord!

 

 

Yes…

>> Less and less of me…

… and More and More of You, O Lord!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A commonly known story is told of a Mathematics Professor.

 

He was to give to a test to the class on Trigonometry

(Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics dealing with the relations of the sides and angles of triangles and with the relevant functions of any angles.)

 

 

Before commencing the class, the Professor announced:

“Dear Students, Today I am giving you two tests.

One is a Test on Trigonometry, the other is a Test on Honesty!

 

One will test your obligation to your professor…

… the other will test your obligation to God.

 

 

I hope you will pass them both

>> But if you must fail one, let it be trigonometry

 

For there are many good people in this world today who cannot pass an examination in trigonometry…

… but there are no good people in the world who cannot pass an examination in honesty.”

 

 

How about us?

 

 

Life is an examination, that is posed to us.

>> Do we seek to write it “honestly, and in tune with the Gospel”?

 

Are we ready to take up the Christian mission of “constantly seeking to fulfil all our obligations to God – in love and with joy –  and in selfless service to one another?”

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a challenging passage to always become aware of our duties in life…

… and especially to give the first and prime importance to the obligations due to God…

… to God, our life giver

… to God, our sustainer

… to God, our meaning and purpose of life!

 

 

We have today with the incident of people seeking to trap the Lord with a query on whether or not to pay taxes to Caesar.

 

The query on “should taxes be paid to Caesar or not” was asked by two groups: the Pharisees and the Herodians.

 

It is interesting to note that forces with evil and crooked intentions often work in tandem.

>> These two groups, normally opposed to each other, join hands, to oppose Christ.

 

Here is a fulfillment of the quote: “The enemy’s enemy is my friend!”

 

 

 

The Pharisees resented and opposed the payment of tax to Caesar…

…because they considered Israel as a sovereign state under God’s rule and therefore should not pay taxes to another king.

 

The Herodians, on the other hand, accepted and supported the payment of tax to Caesar…

…because they belonged to the political party of Herod, the king of Galilee, who owed his power to the Romans.

 

Saying a NO would bring Christ before the Roman government for treason.

>> Saying a YES would bring Christ before the Jewish authorities for blasphemy.

 

 

The forces of evil had posed a severe danger to the Mission of Christ.

>> The answer by Christ would be very vital and important to the continuity of His Mission.

 

 

But the Missionary Jesus…who was convinced of His purpose and aim in life, had the best answer…

“Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God!” (Mt 22:21)

 

 

He did not deny paying to Caesar.

>> He rather, raised the level to one’s relationship with God, who is the sole authority of life & the giver of all things and goods.

 

The answer baffled and amazed the ones who had come to interrogate Him.

>> The Mission had not only been saved…the Mission received a greater boost.

 

 

The Lord was convinced of His Mission in life…

… the Mission of ‘always being faithful to the Will of His Father’!

 

 

 

He was convinced that He belonged to His Father and that all authority comes from Him.

>> He was totally sure that His purpose and aim in life was not earthly, but of the divine realm.

>> He was fully certain of His mission in life, to live a life dedicated to His Heavenly Father.

 

 

We too, in our Christian lives, often face such situations of dilemma and trouble…

… in a world getting addicted to consumerism, materialism, relativism and sensationalism, the challenge to live “honestly and in tune with the Gospel” is especially great indeed.

 

 

Situations may force us to give in to abandon ‘faith’, and follow only what ‘reason’ teaches…

>> Situations may make us to give up our ‘values’ and follow the ‘vain standards’ of the world…

>> Situations may cause us to dilute the Church teachings to accommodate our wants and pleasures…

>> Situations may incite us to loosen our hold on true traditions to pave way for a “modernistic” lifestyle…

 

 

The challenges to our Mission as a Christian and as a Catholic are much.

>> But like our Lord Jesus – the First Missionary and our Leader in Missions – we ought to stay convinced and remain enthusiastic to spread the Mission of the Lord.

 

 

Each of us, in any way of life, is a Missionary…

>> We have a Mission to belong to the Lord and to Him completely.

>> We have a Mission to spread the Love of the Lord to the whole humanity.

>> We have a Mission to bring peace and harmony and wholeness for the entire humanity.

 

>> We have a Mission to orient our lives to the values of the Gospel and to travel heavenward.

 

 

Let’s rekindle the fire and zeal of the Missionary Jesus, our King and Leader…

… and constantly write the Examination of Life, “honestly and in tune with the Gospel”

 

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An African slaveholder had a poor black slave-boy who, having heard of the Christian missionaries and their preaching, had a desire to go and hear about Christ.

The boy crept away quietly one evening.

>> But he had to pass by his master’s window, and was seen by the slaveholder.
“Where are you going?” called the master.
The boy, trembling, answered, “Me go to hear the missionaries, Massa.”

(“Massa” is the word used for a master)
“Oh really? If ever you go there”, answered the master, “you shall have thirty-nine lashes and be put in irons.”
 The boy answered, “Me tell Massa – me tell what you said, to the Great Massa.”
 

“What do you mean – tell the Great Massa?

Is there a Great Massa?” asked the man angrily.
 

“Me tell the Great Massa. He is the Lord of Heaven.

I tell Him that my massa was angry with me because I wanted to go and hear His Word.”

Greatly astonished (and a little afraid as well), the master said, “Go along and hear them, then.”

After the boy had gone, the master became restless and troubled.
He had not thought that he himself had a Master (Massa) in Heaven, who knew all that he was doing.

>> He decided to follow the slave boy to the Christian service.
 

He stood in the rear of the little assembly, as he heard the Missionary asking the people from the scriptures:

“The Lord is asking, Do you love Me?

>> Is there anyone here, who dares to confess his love for Christ?”

The black boy sprang forward…

… and holding up both hands, with tears pouring down his cheeks, he cried out earnestly:

“Yes, Massa, me do love You! Me love the Great Massa, with all my heart!”

The slaveholder went home still more astonished, but convinced of the power of the Gospel.

>> As a result he gave his heart to God and lived a consistent Christian life.

The bold and powerful witness of the little black boy brought about a conversion in the life of that man.

What about us?
>> Are we also bold and powerful, in giving witness to Christ and His Gospel Values in our modern society?

Like the little boy, do we also, by our life proclaim:

“Yes, Massa, me do love You! 

Me love the Great Massa, with all my heart!”

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by our Blessed Lord with a challenging tone, to be powerful and bold, in acknowledging His Presence.
Jesus says: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God;
But he who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God” (Lk 12: 8-9)

The Christian Life is a life seeking to profess and proclaim the Lord…

… by word and deed

… with lips and actions

… in happy moments and through struggles of life!
 

Do we do that?
>> Or have we sometimes been…

… shy?

… afraid?

… reluctant?

… uncertain?

… or even negated?

 

We could reflect on some aspects of our life, whereby we examine, how much do we acknowledge the Lord in our life

1. The Blessings of the Lord

God has gifted each one of us with immense Graces and Blessings.
Do we acknowledge ‘the Blessings of the Lord’ in our Life?

… with a word of thanks and gratitude, everyday?

… by seeking to be, in turn, a blessing to others, by a life of service?
 

2. The Providence of the Lord

Providence refers to the Protective care of the Lord, at all times, in every situation.

>> When we look back into our life, we see how beautifully, God constantly leads us.

True, there are times when we have felt the “absence” of God or the Lord being “at a distance” from us, especially in situations of struggles and suffering

>> But, when look back later… we do find… “God had been joining all those ‘dots of loneliness’ and making a beautiful picture!”
 

Do we acknowledge ‘the Providence of the Lord’ in our life…

… by being more optimistic, knowing that our God will surely have His way, and make “rivers to flow, even in the deserts”?

… by not falling into anxiety or extreme worry; instead allowing ourselves to rest on His Caring Heart, knowing, that He is holding us tenderly in His Arms, as a Shepherd holds the tender lamb?
 

3. The Love and Mercy of the Lord

Each of our life is a beautiful saga of God’s Love and Mercy
We have been created in love… we have been initiated to Salvation in His Mercy

>> We have been constantly encouraged by His Love… we have been continually lifted by, by His Mercy
 

Do we acknowledge ‘the Love and Mercy of the Lord’ in our life…

… by seeking to always do His Will in our Life and letting go of our own ego and selfish desires?

… by turning to Him in repentance, when we go away from His Love?

… by infusing more love into every action that we do, and thus witnessing His Face of Mercy to all around us?
 

4. The Authority of the Lord

The Lord is the Supreme Authority of this entire universe.

>> It is His Power and Wisdom that sustains everything.
 

The presence of evil and sufferings around us, may sometimes, make us question His Power and Glory.

>> Sometimes, the presence of pains and miseries in our life, may also make us doubt His Power and Authority
But can we recognize, that God, in His infinite Goodness and Wisdom, works out everything for our good (Rom 8:28)
 

Do we acknowledge ‘the Authority of the Lord’ in our life…

… by offering our lives to His Supreme Wisdom, and marching forward with Hope, knowing that “the One Who has begun His Good Work in us, will bring it to completion” (Phil 1:6)

… by seeking His Permission in all the activities that we engage in, so that His Grace will inform us, in the best and right path?
 

5. The Presence of the Lord

The Presence of the Lord surrounds and encompasses us at every moment… at every step of our life.

>> This Presence is especially cherished and celebrated in the Sacraments, that the Church offers.

Do we acknowledge ‘the Presence of the Lord” in our life…

… by turning our hearts, in conscious awareness, to the Presence of the Lord, in the midst of our work and activities?

… by longing for and meaningfully celebrating the Sacraments that the Church offers?
 
As a Christian, surely, it is not easy to profess and proclaim.

>> But the Lord invites each one of us, gently and tenderly, to acknowledge Him in our lives.

It is when we grow in these “areas of acknowledgement” that we can boldly and powerfully proclaim before anyone and everyone:

“Yes, Massa (Master), me do love You!

Me love the Great Massa, with all my heart!”
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Some of us have been to a circus at some time or the other in our life.
 

One of the most important characters in a Circus is…undoubtedly…the Clown.

>> The Clown has the ability to make people laugh and see the lighter side of life.

>> The Clown usually always appears with a smiling countenance.
 

This amusing and humorous appearance of the Clown is a result of the Mask that is worn.
But the clown perhaps has an important lesson for us all of us to learn…

>> The Clown says… “All people, in actuality, wear masks.. only mine is seen outside!”

Very true perhaps, isn’t it?
“All people, in actuality, wear masks… only mine is seen outside!?
 

This mask that many of us wear is the Mask of Hypocrisy and Duplicity!
 

We are into a reflection of this aspect of Hypocrisy yet again, in today’s Gospel, with Jesus? insistence on this evil tendency with a greater force & urgency.
 

>> Hypocrisy is a vice which is much hated by Jesus.

>> Hypocrisy is a vice which Jesus constantly asks to weed out.

>> Hypocrisy is a vice which often lurks its head in our lives, knowingly or unknowingly.

> Hypocrisy is duplicity.

> Hypocrisy is pretense.

> Hypocrisy is a facade.
 

 It is…

…  trying to be someone, that one is not.

… deceiving others by presenting a false self.

… masking one’s real identity to show one to be someone else.
 

The word “hypocrisy” is a composite word in the Greek.

>> It comes from the joining of two words ….

… Hupo is the Greek word for “under”

… Krino, is the Greek word  “to separate or judge.”
So Hupo + Krino = Hypocrisy means to “be under or stay under and separate or judge”!
 

This word was mainly used in Greek theatres and plays to describe those “actors who would speak their parts, behind a mask”!

Hypocrites in real life, extend this “acting” to their everyday life…

Hypocrites are people…

… who try to impress others, in order to hide their real lives!

… who act more spiritual and holy than they actually are!

… who behave to be too good before others, but a sham within!

Do I have any of such “hypocritic …acting” aspects in my life?

Our Lord calls this vice of hypocrisy as a Yeast…

>> Jesus speaks to His disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy” (Lk 12: 1b)
Why Yeast? 
Yeast or Leaven is something that is used in baking.
>> Yeast has the great property of Influence…

A little amount of yeast is enough to raise the dough or to leaven the batter.
It has a great characteristic of exercising a great amount of influence, though little in quantity!
 

Hypocrisy is such…

… though a little amount, it is highly Influential, like the yeast.
>> Hypocritical people are able to boast much about themselves and exert harmful controls!

>> Hypocritical people are able to make other people highly pessimistic and negative!

>> Hypocritical people are able to drain out the spirit and the enthusiasm in others!
 

>> Yeast starts slow, but grows very quickly…
Yeast starts its activity in a slow manner, but it spreads very quickly and rapidly.

>> It has the great characteristic of exercising its great influence in a timid manner, but rises very fast and swiftly.
Hypocrisy is such… though it starts slow, it spreads its influence speedily, like the yeast…
>> Hypocritical people appear subtle initially, but later it becomes almost a part of their nature!

>>Hypocritical people appear harmless initially, but later consume people by its strong effect!

>> Hypocritical people appear gentle initially, but later it becomes a dangerous influence!

How does Hypocrisy usually originate? 

>> Usually from a Fear…
>> Fear of the people makes one to adopt a totally different disposition and character.
>> Fear of the situations makes one to adjust with a duplicate personality and behaviour.
>> Fear of one’s weaknesses makes one to alter the style of life and tamper with one’s nature.

That’s why the Lord, in today’s Gospel would strongly exhort, “Fear Not!?
>> When we banish the fear of many factors, we are able to be our real self.
>> When we cast away the fear of our material worries, we are able to live our true identity.
 

God is our Loving Father… a Caring Person…He wants us to grow in Holiness and Sanctity.

>> But He also knows that our double standards in life and our pretence and dual-facedness in many areas of our life, is a block to His Grace in us.
 

We all wear masks, and the time sometimes comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.
The Lord today invites us to peel away our mask of hypocrisy by casting away our fears, by throwing ourselves into the care of our Loving God, our Beloved Father in Heaven!
 

Let us not be a clown who has a plastic smile because of the mask…

… Rather become a people, who truly rejoice and radiate the joy and happiness of being the precious children of our loving Father in heaven!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!