There is a funeral custom of a particular Austrian Royal Family.

>> This is in a church in which the Hapsburgs, the former ruling family of Austria are buried.

                         

It is called the “Knocking Ceremony”

>> The custom takes place at the burial of every member of the Imperial Family before the entrance of the Capuchin cloister church.

 

 

When the coffin arrives at the entrance, the Grand Chamberlain knocks three times with a silver cane on the door of the Church which contains the Imperial crypt.

 

The guard inside asks: “Who is there?”

 

The Grand Chamberlain proclaims the name and titles of the deceased Hapsburg Emperor: “I am (Name) … Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia…..etc….”

 

Upon hearing this, the porter refuses to open the door and says: “I do not know you.”

 

The Grand Chamberlain knocks on the door again and in answer to the porter’s question “Who is there?” gives, this time, just the name of the deceased Emperor: “I am (Name) … His Majesty, the Emperor and the King ”

 

The guard inside, again refuses admission: “I do not know you.”

 

For a third time, the Grand Chamberlain knocks on the door and the guard asks: “Who is there?”

 

This time, the Grand Chamberlain simply says: “I am (Name)… a poor mortal and a sinner.”

 

To this, comes the response: “Come in.”

 

The progression in the questions and answers shows a progression towards humility.

>> It is only the humble who can be admitted to the Presence of the Lord!

 

Where there is humility, there is forgiveness of sin and celebration of mercy

>> Where there is only pride, there is criticism of sinners and condemnation of generosity!

 

 

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful incident of a contrast of experiences:

>> The humble being received into the forgiving love of God

>> The pride being reprimanded to acknowledge the mercy of God!

 

 

The Gospel is the forgiveness and healing of the paralytic, when Jesus comes to His own city (Mt 9:1)

 

Seeing the paralytic being brought on the stretcher, and admiring their faith, Jesus had said:

“Courage child, your sins are forgiven” (Mt 9: 2)

 

 

However, some of the scribes got annoyed and commented: “This man is blaspheming” (Mt 9:3)

 

But Jesus, who reads the hearts of all people said:

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, He then said to the paralytic ,’Rise, pick up your stretcher and go home” (Mt 9:6)

 

 

Jesus was seeking to establish an important aspect…

>> Every sin has its evil consequences on a person

 

It is not that every sickness/evil/ill-happening is a result of sin…

…but the reverse is always true: That Sin always has a negative influence on a person!

 

 

The paralytic man was brought on a stretcher by the people (Mt 9:2) for a physical healing

 

But Jesus demonstrates to the man, his friends as well as to all around…

… that more than physical healing, one needs a spiritual cleansing

… that it is only a spiritual empowerment that can lead to integral material health

 

This spiritual empowerment…. This spiritual cleansing…

… needs the element of Humility!

 

Humility is expressed in this incident by the man who “was brought on the stretcher”

 

>> The paralytic lay in utter helplessness and misery

>> The paralytic was totally vulnerable and powerless

 

These elements constitute humility…

… acknowledging one’s helplessness and depending totally on the power of God

… accepting that one is vulnerable and weak and needs God’s strength to be empowered

 

The scribes who were criticizing Jesus failed to have these elements…

>> They instead swelled up in pride and false knowledge

 

 

Only where there is humility, can there be forgiveness of sin and a celebration of mercy

>> Where there is only pride, there is criticism of sinners and condemnation of generosity!

 

Are we sick and paralysed today?

>> Maybe our family and community lives are paralysed by attitudes of indifference, uncaring attitude, arguments and financial difficulties

>> Maybe our personal lives are paralysed by uncertainties, lack of hope and shortage of inspiration and motivation

>> Maybe our societal lives are paralysed by rejection from others, misunderstandings and unhealthy experiences of corruption and injustice.

 

We need the healing touch of the Lord… We need an empowerment

>> This healing has to primarily begin from the spiritual dimension

>> This empowerment needs to start first from the spiritual perspective

 

When we go to the Lord in humility, we will be touched from within

… a spiritual cleansing happens and a spiritual empowerment is kindled!

 

The Lord came into the world, primarily as a Saviour…

… to save us!

>> And He intends that all of us seek Him with this prime motive above all…

… spiritual graces above material blessings

… growth in holiness over prosperity of earthly riches

 

One of the most important means that the Lord provides this opportunity to receive His Mercy and Healing is the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

 

Just as Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health…

… so too Jesus wants the Church, through the Holy Spirit, to continue his work of healing and salvation especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

>> The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a Sacrament of Healing!

 

We need to examine ourselves…

>> Has examination of conscience become part of our daily Christian lifestyle?

>> Do I frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often and thus receive forgiveness of sins and strength for our spiritual life?

>> Do I make sufficient preparation for the Sacrament, and also seek to hold on to the promises and resolutions made at the Confessional?

 

Every Confession is to become a life-changing experience!

>> Confession is not a license to do more sins

>> Confession is not a permit to living in sin, thinking that “God will anyway forgive!”

 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a great privilege…

… It is also a Sacred Duty and places a moral obligation to seek to grow in holiness!

 
Yes, let us realize…

… that it is only the humble who can be admitted to the Presence of the Lord!

 

May we knock at the “Door of the Lord’s presence”, acknowledging in humility, that “we are mortals and sinners”…

… seeking to be healed of all the “paralysis” in our life…

 

>> And thus, hear the Saviour Lord telling us:

“Take heart, my child, your sins are forgiven!

Rise, take up your stretcher and go home!”

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Four boys were on an expedition – through the rivers and valleys and the mountain ranges.

 

At the end of the day, they camped – with supper by a campfire – in a lonely ravine.

 

However, at midnight a terrific thunderstorm encountered them.

 

The boys were forced to take refuge from the storm in the barn of a farmer.

 

They felt safe from the stormy rain and lay on the hay…

… when suddenly they heard loud noises…

 

This time not that of nature.. but of a human voice – loud and wild.

>> All through the night they heard that terrible shouting.

 
Somehow, in fear and trembling, they managed to through the night.

 

When dawn appeared, they come down from the barn, and realised the reason for the noise…

>> The farmer’s father was insane, a maniac…locked up in one of the rooms of the house!

 

 

The expedition of the boys ended up with a dual-storm-experience!

… the storm of nature’s fury – in the thunderstorm and heavy rainfall

… the storm of human anger – unleashed by that poor man who was insane

 

The Gospel of the Day along with yesterday’s Gospel passage, present two storms that are encountered by Jesus and His Disciples…

… the storm of nature’s fury – as They got caught in the heavy tempest while in the boat (Mt 8: 23-27)

… the storm of human anger – as They met the two demoniacs coming out of the tombs (Mt 8: 28-34)

 
In both the “stormy” and “turbulent” encounters, Jesus calms the “violence” and displays His supremacy as the Lord of all storms and turbulence.

 
The Gospel of the Day is the incident of the healing of the two demoniacs.

 

The word “demons” might immediately put off many a people…including perhaps some of us…

 

“Modern and learned” sceptics of the Bible dismiss demon-possession as rubbish!

• Some might say that it was just a primitive manner that people had, to describe psychic or social disorders.
• Some might say that it was just a superstitious belief and practice.
 

But when we consider the Bible in its totality and especially the ministry of Jesus, it is very evidently seen that there is not much accommodation to superstitious beliefs or practices.

 

Any false or fanciful superstitious stuff was in fact, corrected or rectified!

 

The Church teaches that the Devil is real, and not just a mythical personification of evil.

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that Satan “acts in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and … his action causes grave injuries” (CCC #395).

 
Pope Francis, in his first homily quoted: ‘He who does not pray to the Lord, prays to the Devil.’ 

 

This then is an important aspect that we see in today’s Gospel… Jesus performing this miracle of exorcism, showing His supreme power and authority over the satanic forces.

 

 

What is my understanding of Satan and the evil forces?

 

I need to realize that this real force opposes anything that is spiritual and holy.

>> This also means that wherever there is a spiritual action taking place, there is an opposition by the Devil and his evil power.

 

• Do I arm myself with deeper faith, courage and conviction in God’s power?

• Do I equip myself with greater holiness and sanctity to withstand evil influences?

 

The “Our Father” is a powerful prayer which invokes the power of God against the evil: “… and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil”

 
Another important and interesting dimension that we see in today’s Gospel passage is the repulsion and disgust for Jesus…

 

This repulsion is displayed by two groups:

1. The two demoniacs

2. The people of the town

 

And this repulsion is characterised by a singular word – “begging”

>> The demoniacs BEGGED Him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine” (Mt 8: 31)

>> Thereupon the whole town came to meet Jesus, and when they say Him, they BEGGED Him to leave their district” (Mt 8: 34)

 

• The demoniacs couldn’t stand the Holiness and Power of the Lord and so they “begged” Him to cast them into the swine
• The people of the town – we are not very sure, what exactly were their reasons – too had a repulsion to the Lord and “begged” Him to leave their district.
 

In both the cases, one thing is clear:

>> Holiness was opposed and was found repulsive by evil forces!

 

Where there is Holiness, evil cannot stand!

>> Where there is Sanctity, satan finds it unbearable!
 

This then, makes it imperative on our parts, as Christians, to embrace ourselves closer into holiness and immerse ourselves deeper into the power of God!

 

Evil is a reality…

>> But the power of God, is a much stronger force!
Jesus says, “Fear not, I have conquered the world”

 

May we grow deeper in our relation with the Lord, and with Him, be strong and bold against the “storms” of the evil one!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

We live in a world of wonders…

 

 For example…

 

Salt is a wonder.

• It is composed of two dangerous substances – Sodium which is explosive when exposed to moisture and Chlorine which is poisonous.
But salt is so very stable!

 

Alnico magnets are a wonder.

• It is composed of three non-magnetic substances: aluminium, nickel and cobalt.
But it is the strongest magnet in the world!

 

Water is a wonder.

• Its chemical formula is H2O – Oxygen is flammable and hydrogen readily burns.
But unite them, to get water and we put out fires with it!

 

 
But above all these things of nature and the natural phenomena, we have the greatest wonder in the Lord and Creator of every “object and situation” of wonder, Himself – God!

 

>> How often do we realize the wonder of His Being?

>> How often do we be thankful for the wonders He does in our lives?
 

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder and an eye-opener for us to realize the “wonderful” Person that we have in the “boat” of our lives – Jesus – and to be grateful for Him for His “wondrous” presence!

 
We are with the familiar passage of the calming of the storms.

 

The Gospel of Matthew reports the fact that when Jesus and His disciples got into the boat, there was sudden violent “storm”… (Mt 8:23)

 

The Greek word that is used for “storm” is “seismos”…

>> Seismos means a “shaking” or a “commotion” or a “tempest” or an “earthquake”

      

(It is from this word “seismos” that we get the word “seismic” which refers to earthquakes)

 

The disciples were right in the midst of something like a “sea-earthquake”

>> And it came on “suddenly”!

 

How often is our life too so similar…

 

We sail across calmly, enjoying the peace and serenity of life…

… when suddenly…… we are hit by a deadly storm…in the form of….

• a major crisis in the family or the community

• an unexpected sickness to us or to our loved one

• some unimaginable disaster arising in our work-place

• an inexpressible pain or an absolutely unforeseen problem

 

We find ourselves totally despairing in the thick of that “seismos”, that “storm”.

 

The waves hit the boat of our lives so badly and violently…

… that for a moment, our heart skips a beat and we think, “is it all going to be over?”

… that for a split-second, we let go of every hope and we feel, “is it really the end?”

 

But the Lord who was always with us, in our boat, relaxed and calm, “gets up, rebukes the winds and the sea, and there is great calm” (Mt 8: 26)

 

>> It is as if the whole world is His classroom, and the Master Teacher gets up and demonstrates His power to His students!

>> It is as if the waves and the winds are getting “too naughty” and Jesus, the Lord, gets up and “rebukes and chides” them!

 

And suddenly the disciples realised something spectacular…

>> All this while, in the midst of the storm, they were shocked and appalled at the “wonder” of the mighty wind and the raging tempest.

 

But now… right before them and with them… was a Person who was the Source, Creator and the Perfection of all Wonders – “Jesus”!

 

• The “wonder” of the Lord’s presence far outmatched those of the deadly side of nature!

• The “wonder” of the Mighty Creator greatly surpassed that of the crisis they faced!

 

The Gospel says that the disciples were “‘amazed’ and said “What sort of a man is this, whom even the winds and the seas obey?” (Mt 8:27)

 

>> How often do we realize the wonder of His Being?

>> How often do we be thankful for the wonders He does in our lives?
May we also, like the Disciples, learn to experience deeper and mingle with the “wonder” of the Lord – especially in the Most Holy Eucharist, where He is truly and really present…

… so that we can sail through the storms of our life, in faith and hope!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

  A young man joined the military service as a soldier.

 

One morning, he was ordered by the sergeant to report for duty at the canteen.

>> He, however refused.

 

The sergeant threatened to report him to the officer that day.

 

“All right,” said the young man, “go ahead. I did not enlist to be a bartender but a soldier, and I will not report at the canteen!”

 

His action of refusal was duly reported to the major who sent for him.

>> His companions taunted him as being “adamant” and “snobbish”

 

 

The young man went to the Major – with trembling knees but a steady heart – for he knew he was right.

 

The officer asked him, ‘Are you the young man who disobeyed orders this morning?’

>> “Yes, sir, I am.”

 

“Why did you do it?”

 

“Simply because I do not believe it is right to do what I was asked to do.

I enlisted to be a soldier and not a bartender.’

 

The officer arose quickly from his chair.

A trickle of fear went down the spine of the young man!

 

However, the officer extending his hand, said: “Young man, you are the kind of man we want.

 

I am glad to see a fellow who has the courage of his convictions.

You are not obliged to report at the canteen.

I am proud of your convictions!”

 

The young man was supposedly considered by others as being “adamant” and “proud”…

>> But the officer realized the worth of this young man – as having a courageous character of convictions!

 

 

True commitment and steadfast faithfulness in life requires the power of convictions and certainty!

 
Today we celebrate the Feast of St Thomas – who is popularly (or rather infamously) called as the “Doubting Apostle”.

 
He was probably considered by others as being “adamant” and “proud”…

 • It was his search for convictions in life that made him seek for a proof for the Lord’s appearance

• It was his desire for certainty in life that caused him to doubt at the words of his companions over the Lord’s Resurrection.

 

The Lord realized the worth of this young man- as having a courageous character of convictions!

 

 

When we go through the life of St Thomas as seen in the Gospels, we encounter a person constantly displaying courage, expressing commitment and seeking for convictions.

 

St Thomas indeed stands out among the other apostles…

 

1. It was probably St Thomas who first expressed his desire to give up his life for the Lord and His Kingdom…

“Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (Jn 11: 16)

 

>> St Thomas becomes a motivation for all those who follow Christ, to be bold and brave and even to give up one’s life for the Lord and His Kingdom

 

 

2. It was St Thomas who had the simplicity and the openness to ask Jesus when the Lord had declared that “Where I am going you know the way..” and the Lord had responded “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”…

 

“Master, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5)

 

>> St Thomas becomes a consolation to all those who face genuine uncertainties in spiritual life and encourages to remain like a child – in openness, simplicity and frankness.
 

3. It was St Thomas who refused the trust the words of his companions on the issue of the Jesus’ Resurrection. 

>> He knew that many of his companions had impulsive reactions and therefore, could not be believed for their words. Therefore, he insisted that his belief in Christ’s Resurrection would depend only on His personal experience with the Lord

 

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in His Hands and put my finger into His side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25)

 

>> St Thomas becomes a refuge for all those who grapple with spiritual anxieties – lack of consolation in prayer life, deep longing to experience God and many confusions regarding spiritual teachings and faith experiences

 

 

In St Thomas we have a saint who is very human and with whom we – who are often prone to mistakes and frail in weaknesses – can easily connect.

• He was brave, but also had his moments of feeling lost

• He was courageous, but also had his moments of seeking answers for doubts

• He was enthusiastic, but also had his moments of staying away from the faith-community

 

 

St Thomas is a shining beacon of courage.

• He had his doubts.

>> But once cleared, he became a person of immense conviction.

 

This conviction made him to travel across many lands to give witness to Jesus, His Lord and Master… and even to give up His life, in martyrdom!

 

Yes, True commitment and Steadfast faithfulness in life requires the power of convictions and certainty!

 

May St Thomas help us, with his intercession and inspiration, to become Christians of Conviction and Certainty and to firmly cry out, in joyful acclamation, “My Lord and My God”

 

 

Happy Feast of St Thomas, the Convinced Disciple of Christ!

Happy Feast of Faith and Belief, Boldness and Courage to all!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A very well-respected and fine Christian gentleman, died in a particular village.
The entire village, mourned his death, and felt the grief, at the passing of this man…

…who exemplified charity and goodness and who always placed Christ at the centre of his life. 

Among all the kind words that were spoken at the funeral, the most heart-touching, came from a man who was least expected to speak good.

This man, was a hard-core drug addict and given to a life of drunkenness and debauchery.

>> Tried as much as he could, he was still unable to fully overcome his bad tendencies.
The entire village had scorned him…

… abandoned his case.
(But this “all-forsaken” man had been greatly accepted and encouraged by the gentleman who died.

>> In fact, it was his constant reinforcement that had become a source of hope for the “abandoned” man to revive his life!)

Standing next to the grave, this man acclaimed the gentleman in these words: 

“He had a heart for everybody – good or bad, lost or least!

>> Never for a moment, did he think about the unworthiness of the other!

But all he did was…”extend his hand, in help, to all!”

That was indeed a wonderful tribute to a Christian:

“Having a heart for all – Extending, his hand, in help, to all!”
The Christ-centric life had enabled the gentleman to “Have a heart for all – Extending, his hands, in help, to all!”

>> Are we ready, as followers of Christ, to do the same?

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder of the Great Call of Jesus to follow Him, in the “way of the Cross”…

… with a deep exhortation to translate this “following” into a “life of kindness”!

The Gospel passage very clearly enunciates the demand placed on a Christian:

Giving Christ, the first place in life!
Jesus says: “He who loves father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me…” (Mt 10: 37)

Undoubtedly – and rightly so – the society places “honouring of one’s own family members, especially parents”, with the highest sense of social obligation.

Jesus, in no way, negates this supreme duty of one’s familial responsibilities.
But He goes a step further, in the demand to be His disciple: Giving God, the top most priority!
What does this point to?
For a person, generally…

… One’s feelings are most tender and filial towards one’s family members…

>> Jesus demands: I deserve to be loved more tenderly!
… One’s duties are oriented towards the well-being and growth of one’s family…

>> Jesus demands: My Kingdom deserves greater attention and devotion.
… One’s concerns are centered on the future of one’s family…

>> Jesus demands: Your relationship with me and your salvation, is to be the prime concern of importance.

These demands in no way, reduce our Family Commitments

>> Rather, it places a demand on us: That our Christian Families ought to become Christ-Centered!

>> This would make us to “seek for holiness, in perfectly carrying out our duties of the family, with Christ as the Head of the Family!”

As St Francis de Sales says in his classic book – The Introduction to Devout Life:

“When God created the world He commanded each tree to bear fruit after its kind; 

And even so He bids Christians,—the living trees of His Church,—to bring forth fruits of devotion, each one according to his kind and vocation.

This then, is the meaning of those strong words of Jesus…

… which demand a greater affinity and loyalty to Him, than even to one’s closest family members.

It is thus, when we “Give Christ the first place in our life!” that our lives become epitomes of kindness!

It is here that the Lord assures to those, who are willing to have Him at the centre of their lives:

“And whoever, gives to one of these little ones, even a cup of cold water, because he is a disciple…

… truly I tell you, will not lose his reward!” (Mt 10: 42)

In this simple verse, the Lord highlights the magnanimity of doing “little acts of kindness”

1. Who can do these acts? 

>> “Whoever”
One can be a priest… a consecrated person… a family person… a single… a poor person… “an unlucky” one… a “nobody” in the society…

>> “Whoever” we be – We can, all, do these acts of kindness!

2. To whom can these acts be done? 

>> “To Little Ones”
These “little ones” include the unnoticed people… the rejected ones… the ones whom society scorns and frowns upon… the people who are abandoned… those who are not given a “second chance”

>> “Little Ones” – All, are “worthy” to receive these acts of kindness

3. What kind of acts of kindness are these?

>> “Giving even a cup of cold water!”
Giving water in the thirsty and dry land of Israel, was not a very “famed” act.

>> It was considered simple, petty, common and ordinary. 

Yet, for Jesus, this was an important act of kindness.
Also to be noted is that, giving “cold” water, would certainly, take some “extra effort” on the part of the provider.

>> Thus, though a simple act, it did involve the elements of “sacrifice and self-giving”
>> “Giving even a cup of cold water” for us can therefore, include…

… “a friendly hello or a smile to people around us, who might be looking for encouragement in life”

… “a whisper of prayer for a person in distress”

… “a gentle touch of concern to a worried family member or a friend in trouble”

… “a listening ear to a broken family, a shoulder to a depressed soul or an emphatic heart for a disturbed person”

… and many many more…..!

It is when we have Christ at the centre of our lives, that all our “simple acts of kindness” also become “salvific” in nature…

… which will prompt the Lord, on Judgment Day to declare:

“Whatever you did, for one of the least of My brothers, you did it for Me” (Mt 25:40)

Yes, the Lord exhorts us, as His followers to “take up our Cross and follow Him” (Mt 10:38)

May we be blessed with the Grace to lead a Christ-centric life …

… and thus, to “Have a heart for all – Extending, our hands, in help, to all!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The Roman military was one of the most successful and powerful in world history.

>> It dominated the Western world for over a thousand years.

 

• The Romans believed themselves to be descendants of Mars- literally, the sons of the war god.

• They were a proud and uncompromising people who, above all else, excelled at the art of warfare.

 

 

The core of Rome’s military strength lay in the professionalism of their heavy infantry.

 
The Gospel of the Day begins with a beautiful narrative of a healing encounter that an officer of this mighty Roman Empire had…

… with Jesus, the greatest Emperor of the Everlasting Empire of God!

 
The Gospel begins with the verse, “As Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, beseeching Him and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress” (Mt 8: 5-6)

 
A centurion was a professional officer of the mighty army of the Roman Empire.

 

Even though, theoretically, this word traces its roots to the Latin word ‘centum’ which means one hundred, a Centurion in the Roman Army was one who commanded 80 men.

 

When the Centurion made his request to Jesus, our Blessed Lord answered him, “I will come and cure him” (Mt 8: 7)

 
It is very remarkable to note what the Centurion answered in reply.

 

He says, “… For I too am a person UNDER authority” (Mt 8: 9)

 
Some other translations would read, “… For I too am a person SUBJECT TO authority”

 
Though he was a ‘Centurion’ – a person with 80 people under his ‘beck and call’, it is fascinating to see that he doesn’t say, “I am a person WITH authority” or “I am a person FULL OF authority”

>> Instead he says, “I too am UNDER authority”.

 
What was the authority that he was UNDER?

 
To know this, it would be good to see what was the position of the Centurion in the Roman Army.

 

>> Above the centurion was a senior centurion… (a total of 80 men for a Centurion)
>> Above this senior centurion, were sixty centurions… ( a total of 4800 men)
>> Above the sixty centurions were six tribunes… (each tribune had 3000 men.. so total 18, 000)
>> Above the six tribunes, were the two consuls.
>> Above the consuls, was the Emperor!
 

It was in this very long line of delegated authority that the Centurion of our Gospel passage stands.

 
The Centurions were also chosen from the best of the best.

 

A Roman soldier did not become a centurion overnight.

>> It took years!

 

The special ‘cohorts’ within each legion made up of veterans of sixteen years or more, were the normal source for men to be promoted as centurions.

 

The historian Polybius wrote:

“In choosing their centurions, the Romans look not so much for the daring or fire-eating type, but rather for men who are natural leaders and possess a stable and imperturbable temperament; 

>> Not men who will open the battle and launch attacks, but those who will stand their ground even when worsted or hard-pressed, and will die in defense of their posts.”

 
It was such kind of a man who stood before Jesus, requesting for a healing for his servant.

 

We usually look at Jesus as a soft, gentle and affectionate person.

>> But this Centurion saw Jesus as the Commanding Emperor of a mighty army!

 

In Jesus, he saw a man of strength… a man of power… a man of immense authority!

 

 

And so He tells Jesus, “… only say a Word, and my servant will be healed” (Mt 8: 8b)

 
The Centurion looked at Jesus as the head and person-in-charge of the mighty army of God.

>> He believed that the Lord had immense power and strength
>> He trusted that the Lord vested tremendous authority and influence
 

It was not necessary for Jesus to come to his house.

>> Instead, all it needed was a “Word” from Him….

… a command as in a military set-up

… an order as in the armed forces

 

 

 

Jesus is marvelled at this tremendous faith of the centurion and lavishes His praise on him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith” (Mt 8: 10b)

 
Is my faith comparable to the faith of this Centurion and can I be inspired by his marvelous belief?

 

>> Do I look on the Lord and have confidence in Him, as the One infested with all power and glory – able to overcome every crippling force of the world?

>> Do I consider and trust in the Lord as the Mighty Emperor with all supremacy and dominance – able to conquer every problem that I face and triumph over any sinful situation?

 

The Lord is the great healer.

>> He is the One who takes away our every infirmity and disease.

 
As we thank the Lord for six months of this year, and as we enter into the second half of this year…

… Let us grateful to the Lord for all His blessings, and offer our lives, in trust, into His Caring Hands!

May we be inspired by the deep faith of the Centurion, and grow in our trust and belief in the Lord, knowing that…

… We need to be bold soldiers, because we have a Powerful and Authoritative Commander!

… We need to be courageous citizens, because we have a Mighty and Awesome Emperor!
 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An integral system of education consists of proper blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application.

 

Theory refers to learning ideas and concepts, principles and philosophies regarding a particular subject through books, media, encyclopedias, academic institutions, classes, lectures and other sources.
Practicals refers to the ability of using that information and applying it in a real-life context.

 

• Theoretical knowledge shows the whole forest – builds the context and helps to set strategy.

• Practical knowledge shows a single tree – puts forth the situation and challenges to act.

 

In recent times, many of the subjects and the curriculum in institutions, insist and demand on both the theoretical knowledge and the practical dimension of knowledge.

 
The Gospel of the Day is the narrative of the ‘first in the series’ of practical applications of the theoretical knowledge that Jesus has expounded through the Sermon on the Mount.

 

The incident of the cleansing of the Leper in Mt 8: 1-4 is placed immediately after the Great Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1- 7:29)

• The Sermon on the Mount was the theoretical knowledge that Jesus expounded

• The cleansing of the leper was the theoretical application of some of those principles

 

At the start of the Sermon on the Mount, we read “When Jesus saw the CROWDS, He went up to the mountain…..” (Mt 5:1)

>> At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, we read, “When Jesus came down from the mountain, great CROWDS followed Him” (Mt 8:1)

 

• Many people in the crowd have listened and marvelled at the teachings of Jesus.

 

• Many of them now follow Him…

o Perhaps to see how He would apply those lofty teachings in real life

o Perhaps to see whether all those high ideas were really liveable in actual life

 

And what is the scene that they encounter?

 

A leper who approaches Jesus!

 

“A leper!!”… Yucks!!

>> “Stay away, all” would have been the united chorus of that multitude of crowd!

 

Leprosy was one of the most feared and dreaded disease of the ancient world.

 

The Hebrew word for leprosy (Tsara’ath) comes from a root word which means “to scourge or to strike.”

 

Leprosy was very often, considered a curse. 

>> It was incurable and highly deadly – blatantly evident on the body and an ugly sight!

 

Leprosy was almost a ‘living death’, with many sweeping implications.

 

A person would be declared a leper after tests were performed (Lev. 13).

Once declared a leper by the priest, the leper had to be cut-off from contact with society.

 

• He had to display marks of mourning, as if for the dead (thus, to touch him would defile oneself)

• When someone drew near, he had to call out, “Unclean! Unclean!”

• He had to remain outside the camp with no access to the temple or perform any worship.

 

Leprosy was, indeed, a living death!

 

The crowd who saw this leper approach and worship Jesus would have had mixed feelings – shock… anger.. unpleasantness…

 

They would have been also very curious what would Jesus do…

“He preached so much… let’s see what He does now”

“Is He really going to touch and get defiled by that dirty leper?”

 

 

But the Lord was not just well-versed in theoretical knowledge; He was also the perfect executioner of applied knowledge!

 

 

>> Theoretically He had said…

“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and the Scribes, you shall not enter the Kingdom of heaven” ( Mt 5:20)

 

• Practically…

He now goes beyond the ceremonial stipulations of the Law and ‘touches’ and heals the leper (Mt 8:3)

 

 

>> Theoretically He had said…

“.. take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt 6:1)

 

• Practically…

He tells the leper not to make a publicized show of his cure; instead to ‘show himself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded’ (Mt 8:4)

 

 

>> Theoretically He had said…

“Judge not, that, you may not be judged” (Mt 7:1)

 

• Practically…

He doesn’t condemn or despise or mock the leper who comes close to him and instead expresses his whole-hearted willingness to shower mercy on him by saying, “I am willing; be clean” (Mt 8:3)

 

 

Theoretically He had said…

“Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the Will of the Father in heaven” (7:21)

 

• Practically…

He puts into effect His teachings, ‘walking the talk’ and fulfilling the Will of the Father to be a Healer and Saviour to people.

 

 

The Lord was not just an eloquent and effective preacher but also a committed and convinced practiser of what He spoke.

• His deeds matched His wonderful words!

• His words produced dazzling deeds!

 

This then is the invitation to us too:

>> To have an integral Christian Life by being a Preacher of the Word (in whichever little or insignificant way possible) and a Practiser of the Word (through a witnessing and charitable life)

 
May the touch of the Lord take away any ‘leprous’ tendencies in our mind and life and free us from any bondage in order to live a firm and committed Christian Life!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

There were two brothers were convicted of stealing sheep in a particular place.

 

In accordance with the brutal punishment of that society, both were branded on their forehead with the letters S T, which stood for “Sheep Thief.”

 

One of them, unable to bear the stigma, ran away to a foreign place.

 

But people would ask him about the letters on his brow, and what they meant.

>> Thus he wandered from land to land.
Finally, full of bitterness, he ended his life and was buried in a forgotten grave.

 
But the other brother, repented of his misdeed and did not go away from his home.

 

He said to himself: “I can’t escape from the fact that I stole sheep.

>> So I will remain here, until I win back the respect of my neighbours and myself.”

 

As the years passed by, he established a reputation for respectability and integrity.

 
One day a stranger in this town saw this man (by now, old) with the letters S T branded on his forehead.

 

He asked a native what they signified.

 

After a little thought, the villager said: “It all happened a great while ago, and I have forgotten the particulars; but I think the letters are an abbreviation of SAINT.”

 
The man whose forehead was branded with ‘S T’ to signify SHEEP-THIEF, had repented and revived his life so much…

…. that other people, by now, experienced him as a SAINT

 
Yes…. The marvellous grace of God in the penitent and a believing heart is able to transform the ‘detestable scars and branding of sin’ into an ’emblem of honour and beauty’!

 
It is this transformative power and grace of the Lord that we thank and celebrate on this Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul.

 
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Love of God is that it brings people of contrasting characters and temperaments to come together in the Church.

 

• The love of God respects individuality, but forges together beautiful relationships.

• The love of God maintains personal traits, but mingles together wonderful team-efforts.

 

Such is the power and beauty of God’s Love!

 
St Peter and St Paul were certainly quite different – in their upbringing, in their temperament and in their nature…

 

• St Peter probably just had, what is called in our days ‘elementary education’.

• He was a fisherman, married with a family, and had the enormous privilege of having known and worked alongside Jesus during his ministry.

• He was chosen by Jesus as the leader of the apostles

• He was impulsive by nature and often said and did things without a prior second thought!

 

On the other hand…

• St Paul was a graduate from one of the prestigious universities of his day (perhaps, like the Oxford or Cambridge in our days) and had been tutored by the famous leader of the Hillel School of Rabbis called Gamaliel.

• He was very well-versed in the Scriptures and lived passionately by the Jewish Law

• He spent his early years persecuting Christians and seeking to end the movement called “Christianity”

• He was converted after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.

 
There is more…

 

>> The real name of Peter was ‘Simon’, meaning: ‘he who hears’ (from Hebrew) or ‘flat-nosed’ (from Greek)

>> His nickname was ‘Cephas’ in Aramaic or Petros in Greek, meaning ‘the rock’.

 

 

>> The real name of Paul was ‘Saul’, meaning: ‘asked for’ or ‘prayed for’ (from Hebrew)

>> His nickname was “Paul’, meaning ‘short in height’ or ‘small’

 

 

• St Peter denied Jesus three times before His Crucifixion; later, after the Resurrection, he would be asked to affirm three times to the question, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

 

• St Paul persecuted the Church and affirmed the stoning of the first martyr, St Stephen; later, he would be asked the pertinent question on the road to Damascus, “Paul, Paul, why are you persecuting Me?”

 

 

Despite all these differences, the two apostles had an important aspect in common: They both took part in the mighty miracle of “repentance”

 

 

Ordinarily, both these persons would have perhaps drowned themselves in the sea of sorrow and misery, if they got stuck to their past life and depended only themselves…

 

Peter could have felt…

“I was given so many special privileges by the Lord.

I was to be a model for others to follow.

I had even boasted that I would give up my life for the Lord!

 

But now I have failed…

I can never ever be credible in life!

 

What would others think of me?

I would be branded forever by others… An imposter… A traitor… A boaster… A betrayer!

It’s the end of my life… It’s all over for me!”

 

 

Paul could have felt…

“I have been such a dreadful persecutor

My name and presence would cause such terror to the innocent followers of Christ

 

I have made my life an absolute wreck…

I can never be credible in life!

 

What would others think of me?

I would be branded forever by others… A persecutor… A tormentor.. A tyrant… A Cheater!

It’s the end of my life.. It’s all over for me!”

 

 

 

But they did not look into themselves… rather looked onto to Christ!

And they found strength… they found hope!

They found the Grace to Repent!

 

Yes…. The marvelous grace of God in the penitent and a believing heart is able to change and transform the ‘detestable scars and branding of sin’ into an ’emblem of honour and beauty’!

 

Today they are remembered with honour and admired with great respect…

St Peter and St Paul are the pillars of the Church!

Their names today stand for mighty courage, passionate love for the Lord and faithful submission to God’s Will

 

Is my life also being “branded” with guilt or shame or misery or unfaithfulness or sin?

• Let’s not get discouraged and drown ourselves into misery!
Instead, may we look to the Lord, who is ever merciful and compassionate, and receive the grace of repentance, which can help us to also become saints!

 
Happy Feast of St Peter and St Paul – the mighty and valiant warriors of our Faith!

 
God Bless! Live Jesus!

The world is fraught with a lot of dangers. 

>> There are physical, social, emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational dangers etc. 
Most of the time, we are aware of these dangers, and we take means and measures, to be protected from them, and to keep ourselves free from harm.
But there is also an most important area – Spiritual Dangers – of which, many of us…

… either remain ignorant

… or don’t pay much attention

… or take it very lightly.

Today, the Gospel discusses one of the most powerful dangers, in Spiritual Life: DECEPTION!

The power of this danger lies in the fact that it is very “subtle”, very “tricky” and apparently appears to be highly “good”!
The Lord begins today’s Gospel with the word, BEWARE! (Mt 7:15)

Am I really on the watch, with respect to my spiritual life, or I am, exposing myself to the Deceptive techniques of Satan?

There is an extremely deceptive way, in which Eskimos in the North Pole kills an animal… especially a wolf…

The Eskimo coats a very-sharp knife with animal blood & allows it to freeze. 

>> Then he adds another layer of blood & another & another – until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood. 
Next, the hunter fixes this blood-coated knife in the ground with the enticing sharp edge of the blade upwards. 
When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent…

… he begins to lick it, tasting the fresh, frozen blood. 

>> Then he licks faster, more & more voraciously, lapping the blood until the knife edge is almost bare.

So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf is mysteriously unaware of the naked blade on his own tongue…

… nor does he recognize the instant at which his thirst is being satisfied by his OWN warm blood. 
Unknowingly, his life leaks away…as his craving for the tempting blood increases….
The Result? 

>> A Dead wolf! 
The Reason?

>> Deception!
All from the suicidal blade -…..caused by the great and cunning technique of Deception!

We have in the world, today…

>> Many religious philosophies

>> Varied spiritual methods

>> Attractive theological views

… which present Religion and Pathways to God in a very alluring, charming and pleasant way. 
But let us give heed to the Cry of the Lord… BEWARE! 

>> Let us not bleed away our precious spiritual life!

Are we a seeking a Life without the Cross and the Crucified Lord?

>> Are we fascinated to a Prosperity Gospel which glorifies richness & success & good social life…

… but nothing on repentance, virtuous life & inner holiness?
Let us also BEWARE…

… of the books we read

… of the talks we engage in

… of the music & the songs we delight in

… of the jokes we indulge in

… of the habits we occupy ourselves wit
Are they in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves?

>> We need to BEWARE!
Jesus said… ” By their fruits, you will know them..”! (Mt 7:16)
What are these fruits?

St Paul tells us in Gal 5:22: “The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!”
Let us always be on the watch…

… BEWARE!

Today let us specially seek the intercession of St Irenaeus, the 2nd century Church Father and Apologist. 
Let us give great heed to his words of warning, and thus seek to Love Christ and His Church more fervently and faithfully…

… “Error, indeed is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. 

>> But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced more true than truth itself.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Like dieting?

 

Here are some “interesting” and “humorous” diet tips…

• If no one sees you eating what you like, it has no calories
• If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they will cancel each other out.
• Food taken for medicinal purposes does not count. This would include buttered toast, cheese sandwich, chocolate jam…
• Snacks consumed during a movie do not count as they are part of the entertainment.
• Late-night snacks have no calories.
 

Dieting, over the last few years, has grown to be a fashionable trend.

>> Many try to look slim and fit

>> Many are more health-conscious.

>> Many want to shed off any extra kilos
 

But when it comes to a spiritual realm, perhaps all of us need to do a “spiritual dieting”!

• A dieting to shed off the extra “fat” of sin and evil inclinations
• A dieting to reduce the overweight of “unholy” thoughts and “impure” feelings
• A dieting to burn away the bulging flab of “uncharitable” deeds and “critical” speech
 

This “dieting” is a necessity to be “slim” and “fit” and “fine” in order to enter through the narrow gate that Jesus proposes in today’s Gospel.

 

Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate… for the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Mt 7: 13-14)

 
The Sermon on the Mount continues with Jesus presenting the wonderful message of the Kingdom of God and its radical requirements.

 

One of the key aspects in the Sermon on the Mount is the demand made on the part of the disciple to “make a choice”

• One has to radically “make a choice” for the Kingdom of God.
• One has to stay committed to this “choice” that is taken and live it to the fullness.
 

It is this “choice” that will determine whether our entry to eternity…

… eternal condemnation – is through the “wide gate” or

… eternal life – is through the “narrow gate”.

 

Jesus says that it is easy to pass through the wide gate…

• All those who choose not to live in accordance to the Gospel values

• All those who are content to make life “merry” and just “live life to the max”

• All those who fail to respond to God’s Grace and deny having a life in Him
But this will lead to doom and condemnation!

 

To pass through the narrow gate is hard…

• All those who make a choice to live according to the teachings of the Lord

• All those who boldly seek to proclaim the Kingdom by their faithful and holy lives

• All those who constantly hold on to the Lord despite hardships and difficulties in life
But this will lead to joy and eternal life!

 
The choice for the Lord and His Kingdom requires us to shed away unnecessary “fat and flab” and ‘diet’ ourselves into being “fit and fine” to enter through the narrow gate.

 
Are we ready to “diet”?

God Bless! Live Jesus!