A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step….

>> The construction of a magnificent building is initiated by the laying of a single brick or a stone…  

>> The art of composing a lovely song starts with gathering of the first strains of melody & lyrics…

>> The discipline of writing a spectacular novel commences with penning down the first few words…
There is power in the first step. 

>> There is magic in the first act. 
And…

… there is much potential in the Sowing of a Little Seed…

We are once again encountering the familiar Parable of the Sower in today’s Gospel Reading… 
The Master Sower is back in the Field, broadcasting the Seeds

>> The Seed is the Word of God.
The Seed is little. 

>> It is tiny. 

>> It is small.
But it can become big. 

>> It can become powerful. 

>> It can become very influential.

The Word of God is powerful…

… but it is in the form of a Seed.

>> It however, contains within it, all the potentials of a new life and fruitfulness!

The Seed has a tremendous potential….

… the potential to be the Living Bread (Jn 6:51) – to sustain life, and to strengthen the weak and fragile.
… the potential to be a Bubbling Fountain (Prov 13:14) – issuing forth pure water that refreshes, cleanses and purifies the dirt of sinfulness.
… the potential to be a Powerful Hammer (Jer 23:29) – building and reconstructing broken and shattered lives.
 … the potential to be a Thick Golden Honey (Ps 19:11) – sweet to the taste and satisfying the spirit in moments of distress and pain.
… the potential to be a Bright, Shining Lamp (Ps 119:105) – exposing the darkness and releasing the light of His purity, holiness and righteousness upon humanity.
… the potential to be a Sharp Two-edged Sword (Heb 4:12) – helping to discern between the good & bad, the holy & the profane and the pure & polluted!
… the potential to be a Mirror ( Jam 1:23) – challenging us to look into our interior and also reflecting the attributes of the Most High God in whose image we are created!
Yes, the Seed has a tremendous potential!

The Divine Sower, today, invites us to share in His Divine Work of broadcasting the Seed…

… and helping it realize its full potentials.

The Prophet Jeremiah was called to this purpose… “to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jer 1:10)

Today we gaze at the Family Photo of our Beloved Saviour…

… and specially recall and cherish the Blessings of God, bestowed on the privileged Grandparents of Jesus & the Parents of Blessed Mother Mary – St Anne and St Joachim…

… on their Feast Day.
Hardly anything is known about Saint Ann and Saint Joachim.

>> But one thing, we know with certainty: The legacy of their daughter, Mary – the Woman entrusted by God the Father to become the Mother of God.

 

 It was their teaching, upbringing and example that helped Mamma Mary…

… to say Her Fiat – Yes, to God.

… to stand firm in the midst of unforeseen events.

… to be strong in the face of immense pain and sufferings!

 
Yes, God chose two simple individuals – Anne & Joachim – to help in His Plan for the Salvation of the world.

>> The little, the tiny and the small become mighty in the Hands of God!

A harvest of manifold blessings, begins with the little, the tiny and the small…

… even as simple as a single Seed!

Let us not be afraid to Sow the Seed in our own situations & circumstances.

Happy Feast of Mamma’s parents to all.

>> May their Li’l Divine Prince bless us! Live Jesus!

Friends love to communicate often…

>> Close relationships always seek for intimacy and closeness.

 

This is our common understanding and experience with respect to Human Friendship.

 

 

The same principle holds good for Divine Friendship too.

>> The Lord loves us & seeks intimacy with us…

… and we who love the Lord, also wish to be closer to Him!

 

 

But do we really know what we are asking for, when we say, “we want to be closer to Him”?

 

 

A mother ‘always’ (hopefully the word “always” still holds good in our society which is sadly losing its way, with respect to traditional values and ethics)

… seeks for the good of her child.

 

 

The Gospel of the Day, presents one such caring mother, who aspires and seeks the best for her children.

 

The mother of Apostles James and John, requests the Lord to grant her children a privileged place in the Kingdom. (Mt 20: 20-21)

 

In her tenderness and affection as a mother, she sought her children be always close to the Lord…

>> But the Lord replies…. “You do not know what you are asking”! (Mt 20: 22)

 

Did she really know what it meant to be ‘Close to the Lord’?

 

And what about us?

>> Do I really know what it means to be ‘close to the Lord’?

 

 

St James enjoyed a privileged place in the Band of the Apostles of Jesus.

 

He was in the Core Group… one of the Three – Peter and John being the other two…

… who had the opportunity to be with the Lord in some of His special and extraordinary moments.

>> Raising the dead daughter of Jairus…

>> Transfiguration on the mountain top….

>> Moments of praying and agony in the Garden of Gethsemane….

 

James was indeed physically close to the Lord..

>> But the Lord today invites James and his brother John…his mother…the disciples…

… and each one of us…to really realize the meaning, of asking to be closer to Him.

 

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… making changes in our lifestyle, to be in accord with the Will of God!

>> Look at the lives of St Joseph… St Paul… St Peter…St Matthew

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… To get out of comfort zones &taking risks in life, for Christ’s sake!

>> Look at the lives of the Good Samaritan…Nicodemus…Simon of Cyrene

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… giving up a sinful life and amending our ways to seek for holiness!

>> Look at the lives of Zacheaus, the Woman caught in adultery, the Samaritan Woman, the Good Thief

 

Being close to the Lord means…

… embracing sufferings that come our way, seeing the Providence of God!

>> Look at the lives of Mother Mary……St John the Baptist….St Stephen…. St Paul

 

 

In asking to be close to the Lord, we also say that…

… Yes Lord, I will share in your cup of suffering.

… Yes Lord, I will join you on the way of the Cross

… Yes Lord, I will unite with your death on the Cross!

 

 

The mother of John and James realized this…

>> That’s why we find her….at the Foot of the Cross (Mt 27:56)

 

The Mother of James and John understood.

>> She got close to Jesus.

>> She remained till the end.

>> She drank the Cup!

 

 

John, also realized this…that’s we find him… at the foot of the Cross (Jn 19: 26-27)

St John understood.

>> He got close to Jesus.

>> He remained till the end.

>> He drank the Cup!

 

 

James also realised this… that’s why we find hi… killed by the sword, in witness to Christ, His Master (Acts 12:2)

 

St James understood.

>> He got close to Jesus.

>> He remained till the end.

>> He drank the Cup!

 

 

The Lord also promises..

He who shares my cup…also shares my Glory!

>> He who shares my cross..also shares my Rising!

 

 

The Apostle James, went close to the Lord… drank the Cup…

… and he shares in the Joy of the Lord

 

 

Today, he intercedes and invites and beckons us, to come closer to the Lord…

… and partake in the Lord’s Joy and Glory!

 

 

Shall we also seek to be close…really close…to our Jesus, our Beloved Friend?

 

 

Happy Feast of the Apostle James!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Thriller Movies have a great audience…>> Reality Shows have a wide range of popularity. 

>> Programmes with sensational appeal have a massive demand.
Our age loves to be tingled with breathtaking visuals and magnificent signs.

Check out the number of videos and movies and songs we have on our gadgets…

>> Look at the wide range of photos that we shoot and the selfies we click (which perhaps never we may see again!)

The demand of our external senses is very high in our generation.
A fallout of this excess is also reflected in our Spirituality and our Religious Outlook….

>> “We seek for greater external signs and wondrous miracles, even to believe in God!”

The Lord, therefore, thunders in today’s Gospel Reading, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign…”

Signs are not bad.

>> Symbols are not without meaning. 

>> External expressions are not unwarranted. 
They certainly do have their proper place and a meaningful nature.

The Bible is not alien to signs and wonders…

>> Moses’ rod became a serpent; 

>> Red Sea parted so that God’s people could cross.

>> Water flowed from a rock when Moses struck it.

>> Manna fell from the sky to feed God’s people.

>> Baalam’s ass spoke.

>> Aaron ‘s rod blossomed.

>> The sun stood still at Joshua’s command.

>> Gideon’s fleece became wet and dry according to his request to the Lord. 

>> Elijah pronounced a drought upon the land… And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain … ”
Many many examples are available!

  
But when outward signs fail to generate any positive emotions…they divorce from their intention!
>> When signs stop being an aid to increase in faith…

… they lose their meaning
>> When symbols cease to be a passage for inner understanding…

… they fail in their purpose.

And this is the reason Jesus condemns the Pharisaic mentality of Seeking for a Sign…
>> They sought a sign, in order to test…

… but not to believe
>> They asked a sign, in order to satisfy curiosity…

… but not to trust
>> They demanded a sign, in order to scheme evil talks…

… but not to have faith!
Signs become mere external fancies. 

>> Miracles become mere magic shows

The Gospels are not alien to such false and untrue demands…

• At the Birth of Jesus, King Herod sought to see Baby Jesus…not to worship…but to kill Him!

• At the Temptation, Satan tempted to change stones to bread….not to believe…but to lure Him!

• At the Trial, King Herod Antipas hoped Him to perform a sign…not to save Him..but to mock Him!
Jesus condemns all such unnecessary demands for a sign and external phenomenon.

>> “…but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah the Prophet!” (Mt 12: 39)

The Prophets of Old, performed many miracles. 

>> Jesus also did.
The Prophets of Old, even performed the great miracles of raising the Dead. 

>> Jesus also did. 
The Prophets of Old, however, were never able to raise themselves from the dead. 

>> But Jesus rose!

Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the fish, so was Jesus in the belly of the earth!

>> But Jesus rose….and that has become indeed, the Greatest Sign of all times!

The Pharisees demanded a sign…

>> Jesus answered with a sign…

… the greatest of them all: His Resurrection!

And yet……yet, DID THEY BELIEVE? 

>> The answers can be speculated.

But the question before us is…

>> Am I believing?

>> Am I believing and living, the Power of the Resurrection in my life?

>> Have I reduced the reality of Jesus being Alive, to a mere expression of the lips?

>> Do I also display this Sign in my life, my activities, my words etc – that Jesus is Risen?!

Let us not be carried away by mere External Glitz and Glamour…

>> Let us open our eyes to see the many wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives!

>> Let us become aware to see that He is Risen, and Alive and Working…in amazing ways, in our Life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most baffling and mysterious aspect in our world is the active & dynamic presence of evil in this world.

Today the Lord Jesus ventures into opening His mind on this crucial Reality of our lives….
Last Sunday, we were with the Generous Sower, who was madly liberal in sowing on different types of soil and which had their corresponding results.

>> This week, we are back to the field…. But our deliberation is not on the Sower or the Seeds…but on the presence of Weeds among the Wheat.

Let the botany in us, focus today on The Weeds…. the Irritable Weeds!
Botanically named Lolium temulentum, the weeds are also called Darnel or Tares. 

>> These weeds have a characteristic of making one feel poisoned with drunkenness, when consumed.  

>> They also have the deceptive characteristic of bearing a close resemblance to Wheat. In fact, these weeds are also called as False Wheat!
So the enemy in the parable…is a Learned Deceiver… 

He sows this deceptive and misleading weed among the innocent and harmless wheat!

But the Lord, the Ultimate Judge gives out a strong, yet strange command, “Let the weeds not be pulled up, lest the wheat be uprooted with them; let them just grow together until harvest!” (Mt 13:29-30)

>> Some mysteries in life cannot be fully understood…

… but they are to be boldly lived
>> Some struggles in life cannot be totally eliminated…

… but they are to be bravely challenged
>> Some problems in life cannot be completely solved…

… but they are to be fearlessly encountered

Here is another hard reality to be digested: 

God uses the very wickedness and injustices of evildoers to perfect his Elect.

>> As the saying goes: “God writes straight, even with crooked lines!”

The triumph and prosperity of the wicked are short-lived…

  …whereas the reward of the Christian who suffer from their wickedness is everlasting. 

Hard and Unpopular and even Impractical statement, right? 

>> But Facts remain facts – we consent or not!

This leads us to a vital aspect of our Practical Christian Living: To be Patient with ourselves and with others…

… in dealing with sin, with unacceptable practices, with unalterable addictions, with evil tendencies, with horrifying obsessions and with abominable disgraces.
Often…

… we lose our cool in finding ourselves to be imperfect and sinful even after years of trying

… we have our blood boiling seeing the various scandals and shameful incidents in the Church

… we bite our teeth in anger glaring at the atrocities and inhumanness in our society and the world

… we go mad in encountering silly disputes and appalling indifferences in our families & communities
But the Lord says: “Hold On….!”

>> Do your best…and leave the rest to Me! 

>> Aim for perfection….but be not saddened by scandals…

This certainly is no excuse for us to deny our duty and responsibility and even an obligation to avoid wickedness and dissuade evil practices.

>> But we may never find ourselves in PERFECT elimination of evil and sinful behaviours…

… either in our personal life, or societal life or even in the life of the church.

>> The Ultimate Eliminator is the Lord Himself…

>>The Supreme Conqueror is the Lord Himself!

Is it all too abstract, theoretical & impractical talks?… 

… NO!

St Paul gives an assurance in Romans 8:26-27: 

” The Spirit comes to our aid in our weaknesses. He Himself will intercede for us, when we co-operate with Him.”
And God Who is all-powerful shares His Omnipotence with us…

… in the Holy Sacraments

… in Prayer

… in the Bible

… and in the Church
Let us tap this power of God, and be strengthened in our lives!

>> Let us try to do our utmost….but let us also permit to encounter disappointments…!

>> Let us strive for the finest….but let us fret not too much over failures and frustrations…!
The Lord knows all. 

>> The Lord sees all. 

>> The Lord has the perfect solution to all.

St Faustina would say…”our sins and weaknesses and miseries are like little sticks, before the burning furnace of the Love of God”. 

Let us throw our little sticks into this burning furnace…

>> Let God be God in our Lives – the Ultimate Judge and Defeater of all Evil!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“And near Him I always will be, For nothing can keep me away…

… He is my destiny!
I will follow Him

Ever since He touched my heart, I knew
There isn’t an ocean too deep, A mountain so high it can keep

Keep me away, away from His love”
  – Lyrics from the song, ” I will follow Him” from the movie ‘Sister-Act’

Love is a powerful force. 

>> Love is stronger even than death!
The Lord is the greatest lover of our hearts…and He seeks to be loved by us too….

>> He has touched our hearts in some way…and He longs for our response of love!

Today we celebrate the Feast of one such person who deeply loved the Lord – St Mary Magdalene.

St Mary Magdalene is probably most well-known for false details and unproven claims of her life.
Keeping aside all such controversial and unfounded talks, on this Feast Day, we shall reflect with St Mary Magdalene and seek to grow in Love of the Lover of our Hearts!

The Bible presents St Mary Magdalene as a woman who loved Jesus intensely and passionately.
She teaches us remarkable things for each one of us to Love the Lord deeper:
1. She Followed Him

Luke 8:2 presents Mary Magdalene as having been cured of seven demons. 
Her experience of the Healing of the Lord, made her to Follow Jesus, in His ministry of preaching and healing.
>> Am I following the Lord? 
All have us have, in our life, have experienced the power of the Lord. 

>> But do I truly follow the Lord?

2. She was Persistent to seek Him

The Death of her Lord had rocked Mary Magdalene…

… and she seeks persistently, in the tomb where Jesus was laid. 
Even though she witnessed an empty tomb, her heart longed to see the Saviour….” so she stayed outside the tomb weeping”(Jn 20:11). 

>> Am I persistent to seek the Lord? 
I have often had setbacks in my prayer life, work situations & aspirations. 

>> But do I still persevere in looking for the Lord?

3. She was Single-hearted in her search for Him

In her search for Jesus, whom she misunderstood as a gardener, Mary Magdalene expresses her sincerity and frankness and single-mindedness – “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 
>> She sought no empty phrases or consolations…but the Lord alone!  

>> Nothing and none else could suffice her..but the Lord alone! 
>> Am I single-hearted in my search for the Lord?

I am sometimes content with fleeting pleasures, transitory consolation and momentary comforts in my spiritual life. 

>> Do I rather be single-hearted in my longing for the Lord?

4. She was enthusiastic about Him

Once she recognized the ordinary gardener as her Precious Master, Mary Magdalene is enthusiastic and fervent about Him. 
Nothing could stop her from proclaiming Him. 
In the words of St Bernard, “she became an apostle to the Apostles”.

>> Am I enthusiastic in my life? 

As a Christian, I have in me the influencing, the powerful and the salvific good news of the Lord. >> Am I enthusiastic in sharing about the Lord to others?

Let us learn from St Mary Magdalene…

… her commitment in following of Jesus

… her persistence in waiting for Jesus, her single-heartedness in searching for Jesus, and her enthusiasm in telling others about Jesus. 

St Mary Magdalene…

… is a beautiful model of being a Disciple

… is a wonderful example of being a Divine-Seeker

… is a classic illustration of being a Dispenser of the Good News

St. Mary Magdalene holds a unique place in the history of Jesus. 

>> The One who rose from the grave of death, appeared first to her, who herself experienced a rising from the grave of sin!
>> She was the first (as per the Gospel accounts) to see Him alive and the first to hear His voice.

>> She became the first evangelist in Christian history.
She is the Mourner who turned into a Missionary!

Let us passionately love the Lord, like St Mary Magdalene, 

… ‘cos there isn’t an ocean too deep, a mountain so high it can keep

keep us away, away from His love!

Happy Feast of St Mary Magdalene – the Disciple, the Divine-Seeker, the Dispenser of the Good News!

>> Happy Feast of Tender Love and Mercy to all! 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

The dial of a clock is a beautiful illustration of the way God deals with human life.
The hands on the dial of the clock are God’s Hands – passing over and over again…

• the short hand, being the Hand of God’s Discipline

• the long hand, being the Hand of God’s Mercy
• The short hand – the hand of Discipline…

…. passes slowly, but surely

… strikes at each hour too
• But the long hand – the hand of Mercy…

… passes much faster and surely too

… showers down sixtyfold of blessing for each strike of discipline
And another interesting aspect….?
Both the hands are fastened to one firm and secure point – the Beautiful Heart of the God of Love!
God’s discipline in the form of trials is a surety in life…

• But much more abundant in life, are His mercies that are scattered regularly all through…

And both these dimensions – Discipline & Mercies – stem forth from the Immense Love of God!
The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful presentation of Jesus as the God of Love who, though is a Disciplining God, displays His Heart of abundant mercy and invites His followers to become People of Merciful Love!
The Gospel passage begins the incident of the Disciples being caught by the Pharisees plucking the heads of grain and eating them, on the Sabbath Day.
The Pharisees who were the strict proponents and protectors of the Law, found it a great offence when they found the disciples were doing an “illegal and unlawful” act, as per their Sabbath prescriptions.
Therefore they accuse, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath” (Mt 12:2)
But Jesus is quick to point out the folly that the Pharisees were falling into…

>> The folly of being crime-finders than being mercy-givers!

>> The folly of becoming petty-accusers than being generous-forgivers!
Jesus brings out two practical examples to show the “duplicity” and the “unkind” attitude of the Pharisees:
1. David’s ‘grave’ violation of the Sabbath was acceptable whereas the Disciples ‘minor’ act was condemned!
>> David unlawfully ate of the tabernacle showbread which was reserved only for the priests.

But this “not lawful” act of David was not condemned
>> The Disciples on the other, actually did not break the Law…

The Hebrew law had made provision for those in need to eat when they passed through a field of grain (Dt. 23:25; cf. Ruth 2:2-3)
But over the years, the tradition had evolved a series of ‘violations’ that were considered violations of the Sabbath Law.
One of these ‘violations’ was ‘ plucking and eating’ the grain – that the disciples did.

However, this act was most certainly not for commercial gain, as envisaged by the Law
Therefore, in reality, the Disciples had not really done anything “unlawful”

Yet, they were condemned!
2. The daily duty of the priests on the Sabbath was considered as being “normal” whereas the ‘exceptional’ act of the disciples to satisfy the basic human need of hunger was considered ‘aberrant’!
The work done by the Priests who served on the Sabbath Day, was acceptable.

However, the action done by the Disciples was considered violation of the Law!
Jesus makes another statement here, “I tell you, something greater than the Temple is here” (Mt 12: 6)
What was Jesus, in fact, also saying?
“You permit the priests of human-made temples to work, but you do not allow the Disciples of the Living Temple to work?
Is that not showing your duplicity on one side, and your lack of knowledge of the Messiah on the other?!”
And therefore, Jesus makes that bold and firm statement, echoing the prophet Hosea (6:6):

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice!” (Mt 12: 7)
Jesus passed through a field where condemnation was scattered; but He sows the seeds of mercy all around!
Today, you and me, are invited to do the same…

To become people who show mercy and compassion, rather than being “judgmental” and “overly-critical” people!
We are invited to be like the Lord, as illustrated in the ‘dial of a clock’:

>> Having a hand of discipline that passes only slowly…

>> But also having a hand of Mercy that traverses more often…

But both, being fastened tightly to a Heart, full of compassion and love!
We may live, passing through the fields of unjust condemnation and outright critics.

But like the Lord, may we become persons, who sow the seeds of Mercy and Compassion!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Many of us would have come across the acronym “RSVP” in Invitations for marriage, baptism, birthdays, wedding anniversaries or some other social events.
>> RSVP stands for Repondez S’il Vous Plait ( in French) which is translated as

Reply, If you please!

The purpose of this RSVP is that the person sending the invitation, would like you to tell him or her, whether you accept or decline the invitation.

Today, Jesus, the King of all Hearts, presents a thrilling and a pleasant invitation…”Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden…”(Mt 11:28)

Every invitation is to contain “By Whom”, “To Whom”, “What” and a “When”!

Lets analyze these aspects in the Invitation of the Lord
1. BY WHOM is the invitation:

 Jesus came into the world, primarily as a Saviour! 

 
>> He’s in deep love with us! 

“…You are precious in my eyes and I love You!” (Is 43:4). 
As a Beloved Lover, it is He who tugs at the strings of our hearts & beckons us to Himself.

2. TO WHOM is the invitation: 

 He extends His cordial and warmest invitation to each one of us who is weary and heavy-burdened….personally!
The Greek word for Weary is “Kopiao”…which means to toil & become weary to the point of exhaustion! .
>> Weary could refer to the internal exhaustion caused by seeking Divine Truth through mere Human Wisdom. 

>> Heavy Laden could be the external burdens caused by futile peripheral efforts & works to seek the Divinity.  
Many of us certainly, reach the point of exhaustion and fatigue in our everyday works and life and in our search for salvation.
Yes, You and I, each one of us, is today, an honoured and a privileged Invitee!

“Behold, I stand at the door and Knock!” (Rev 3:20).

3. WHAT is the invitation: 

To rest in His Sacred Heart & to Learn from Him Gentleness and Humility.
A haughty heart robs the person of spiritual insights…

Pride renders a person to look only to oneself; the gaze on the Lord is considered meaningless.
This is where the Pharisaic Mentality went wrong. They saw legalism as the vehicle to heaven. They lost sight of God’s desire for the heart.
>>They glorified the Law of Moses, but failed to see the Glorious God of the Law!
The Kingdom belongs to the Gentle and Humble…and that’s what Jesus invites us to learn!

4. WHEN is the invitation: 
“Why delay good things in life?”

 The Yoke of the Lord is easy.. because it is HE who takes up the burden…

… we are only sharers in His Divine Yoke!
He gives us a yoke which is made to fit our needs and abilities perfectly well!
And the Time is NOW!

The Invitation is already posted and the Master is waiting!
What is our Response….

>> RSVP…. Repondez S’il Vous Plait?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A little girl child was to undergo a risky surgery.
She was placed upon the table and the surgeon was about to render her a dose of anaesthesia.
“Before we can make you well, dear, we must put you to sleep”, said the surgeon to the li’l girl.
With a cute smile, she said sweetly, “Oh, if you are going to put me to sleep, I must say my prayers first.”
So she got on her knees and said the child’s prayer.
“Now I can go to sleep”, said the sweet child.

The surgeon, later, testified that this action of the child moved his heart greatly…

… and he himself, prayed, that night, for the first time, in thirty years!

The power of the little child to influence was amazing…

… even on a person who was much older to her!
>> There is great sincerity and openness in the actions of little children.

>> There is immense authenticity and truthfulness in the deeds of little ones.
 

It is this childlike faith and simplicity that finds an expression of appreciation from our Blessed Lord in today’s Gospel.
 

Jesus says, ” I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes” (Mt 11:25)
 

When we go back to the first book of the Bible –  Genesis – and to the Garden of Eden, we encounter the first temptation scene – between the serpent and Eve.
 

It is interesting to note the words, when the serpent tempts Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, and Eve puts forth the reason for not eating:

•          The serpent says, “… God knows well that the moment you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad” (Gen 3:6)

•          The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes and desirable for “gaining wisdom” (Gen 3:7)

This then was the first temptation: To Know – seeking for wisdom; seeking for knowledge.
 

However the Lord says that wisdom is hidden from the wise and the understanding, and instead revealed to the babes, to those childlike.
 

What makes the Divine Wisdom to hide from the wise and reveal to the childlike instead?

We could consider a couple of reasons….

1. The wise depend on their own strength; the childlike have a sense of dependency
One of the qualities or rather a condition of little children is their “helplessness”!
 

Little children are helpless…

… to be taking care of even their basic needs

… to be able to meet their basic emotions
They therefore have a sense of dependency!

2. The wise have over-confidence in themselves; the childlike trust on others

Another of the quality of children is their basic sense of “trust”
They tend to easily trust the others…

… in meeting their needs and in having what they desire

… in being protected and being taken care safely

These two great qualities of the childlike are what helps the Divine wisdom to be revealed to them:

•          A sense of dependency: Depending on God, the Father in every moment of life

•          A sense of trust: Trusting in the Lord for every need and believing in His providence
 

The Gospel of the Day makes us to examine our own lives and check the level of childlike qualities that we possess…

>> Do I possess a sense of Dependency on the Lord…

… or is my reliance only on my own self-worth and abilities?
>>  Do I possess a sense of Trust in the Lord…

… or do I fall into constant anxieties and apprehensions?
 

May we seek to depend and trust more in the Lord, with a childlike faith, so that the Lord may rejoice in us and He – the Wisdom – may reveal Himself more and more to us!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

(Statutory Warning: The dangerous Jesus is on the prowl…..Beware as you read….)

Many of us have heard of the tagline of a company which announces… “We are better than the best…”

>> Lovely phrase, ah?

The Gospel of the Day, however presents shocking and saddening words from the Mouth of the Most Prolific and Influential Prophet ever….Jesus… with an even stronger tagline…”They are worse than worst!”

 
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida!” (Mt 11:21)

The context of this deadly utterance by the Lord is when he reproaches the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, where mighty deeds and miracles had been done, but they had still not repented.

These three towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were called as the “Orthodox Triangle” –

Close to the Galilee Lake, these towns were filled with devout Jews, who took the Law of Moses very seriously.

>> Adding to this traditional Jewish Faith, these towns also had the great privilege of being witnesses to many miracles, events, preaching and deeds of the Lord Jesus.

The Gospel says, ” If the MIRACLES performed in you…..”
Note the word, “miracles”…Plural !!

>> Not just a single miracle…..but many miracles.

>> Perhaps not just a single word…

… but many words and sermons and preaching!
>> Perhaps not just a single healing…

… but many healings and cures and restorations!
>> Perhaps not just a single warning…

… but many warnings and exhortations and appeals to repentance!
And Yet… yet, they DID NOT REPENT!

>> They KNEW TOO MUCH…but BELIEVED TOO LITTLE!
And Jesus condemns these towns…. “They are worse than the Worst!”

Let’s consider the state of these “Worst” Towns…to which the Lord compares this “Orthodox Triangle”?
Tyre and Sidon….Sodom

>> Tyre and Sidon: These were condemned cities (Cf. Ezek 26 – 28) and were embodiments of the Pagan Canaanite Culture, Pride and an Evil Arrogance
>> Sodom: This was a damned city (Cf. Gen 18:16-33) and was an epitome of gross immorality, sexual perversion, widespread corruption and a complete rejection of God.

But Jesus says… the Orthodox Triangle – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum….are worse than these worst! 

>> Dirtier than the Dirtiest! 

>> Unholier than the Unholiest! 

>> Ungodlier than the ungodliest!

These people had plenty of knowledge… 

They went to the synagogue faithfully….

They knew the Torah of God…
But when Jesus came to them, they wouldn’t repent. 

>> When Jesus worked miracles, they wouldn’t believe him.

Miracles only amazed them…startled them…shocked them…..but they did not lead them to God!
Hold on!!!
Is there any resemblance between My Life and these cities of the Orthodox Triangle?
Do I boast of my knowledge of God? Do I be satisfied with a mere Church-going Spirituality?

>> Do I remain an ineffective witness to the many miracles worked and the blessings showered in my life?
 

Let’s stop taking blessings for granted! 

>> Let’s stop thinking mere external rituals are a guarantee for salvation!

>> It’s better not to have a miracle…

… than to have a miracle and not repent.
>> It’s better to be sick and not cured… 

… than to be cured and not give the glory to God.
>> It’s better not to experience God… 

… than to experience God and stay the same as you were.

Let’s stop fooling ourselves…saying things are fine and All is well!
>> Our conscience needs a real-time check… 

>> Our hearts deserve an honest examination…

There is sure Hope…in the Lord. But only if we are repentant

There is sure mercy…in the Lord. But only if we are amending

There is sure Blessing…in the Lord. But only if we are penitent

The Orthodox Triangle is a stark reminder to us… 

>> Lets never bypass opportunities & graces that come our way!

Let the cry of the Lord, “You are worse than the Worst”….never ever be addressed to us…
We Pray.

>> We make Efforts. 

>>We seek for Grace!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Every society or organization or a way of life draws up rules and regulations…

… to which its members have to promise obedience.

 

A faithful commitment to these guidelines will help for the true growth of the society and help the members to genuinely enjoy all the rights and privileges. 

 

Christianity as a Life Style, also has its Rules and Regulations and it demands Commitment!

>> The Cross forms part of this Basic Rule of Christianity.

 

 

The ‘modern’ Christian however, is often afraid and oppose this dimension of Christianity: The Cross!

 

Bishop Fulton Sheen presents before us this mentality which is fast catching up in our world…

>> It is termed as Staurophobia… The Fear of the Cross!

 

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation of the Message of the Cross…

… an invitation to follow the Crucified Christ

… a challenge to faithfully carry the crosses of our life.

 

 

Jesus says, “He who does not take his cross and follow me, is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10: 38)

 

 

Our Blessed Lord loves to jolt static minds and the inert understandings..

>> He doesn’t promise cushy comforts…

… He demands Commitment to the Cross!

 

 

Those who choose Christianity as a Life Style, ought to be…

>> Losers of oneself

>> Be carriers of the Cross

>> And then Follow Him!

 

Christianity, as a Life Style, has the Cross as its Basic Rule and it demands Commitment!

 

 

But the very mention of the word “Cross”, sometimes puts people off…

>> “Not again the Cross”

>> “Enough of pain and suffering”

>> “We go to Church to relax and be comforted; not simply to hear of the Passion &Anguish of the Suffering Jesus on the Cross; we only prefer the Glorious & Victorious Christ”

>> “Stop being pessimistic with Sin & Repentance…. Just be optimistic with Joy & Salvation!”

 

These are often, the “happening” buzz phrases and popular opinions…even in our religious environs.

 

Staurophobia – the Fear of the Cross …is creeping stealthily but mightily in our lives…

>> We like to be Saved…

… but we Fear the Cross of repentance of our Sins

 

>> We like to receive Blessings…

… but we Fear the Cross of living an honest life

 

>> We like to live a peaceful life…

… but we Fear the Cross of trusting in God’s Providence

 

We like to be prosperous…

… but we Fear the Cross of being generous and compassionate

 

>> We like to be called good..

… but we Fear the Cross of being Faithful to the teachings of Christ

 

>> We like to have joy…

… but we Fear the Cross of giving up attachments & belong totally to God

 

Yes, We often, Fear the Cross…

 

 

But Christ – Crucified on the Cross – promises His Choicest Rewards to the ones, who dare to take up the Cross…

>> They will find Life…

>> They will be rewarded…

>> They will find true joy and peace…

 …says the Lord.

 

 

Have we really accepted Christianity as our Life Style?

>> Then Let us Embrace the Cross..

>> Let us drive away the Fear of the Cross

 

Let Staurophobia ( Fear of the Cross) be willfully banished

>> Let Staurophilia (Love of the Cross) be willingly accepted!

 

St Camillus says, “Commitment is doing what you said you would do, after the feeling you said it in, has passed”.

 

 

Let us remain committed to the Cross of Christ and celebrate Christianity with conviction!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!