Blessed Mother Mary. 

Zechariah and Elizabeth. 

Bartimaeus. 

Martha. 

Mary Magdalene. 

Levi. 

Peter. 

Thomas. 

Zachaeus. 

Man crippled for 38 years. 

The Samaritan Woman. 

The woman caught in adultery.  

The widow who offered the two mites.

Malchus. 

The thief alongside Jesus on the cross…
Relax…
This is not a reference list of all the main persons of the New Testament for some research purpose or study. 
But for a moment, let’s look at the lives of these persons…. 

>> All of them had to face some sort of trouble in their lives…some hitches and dilemmas, were a part of all their lives.

 

Now, if each of them, were to be placed on trial, as in a court, and judged according to our standards and our human yardsticks….

… Perhaps, most of them would be been condemned and convicted. 
Some of them would have been humiliated in public…

… some abused with insults and foul language

… some perhaps would be stoned or even put to death!
This is Human Judgment.
But in the Light of God’s mercy and by God’s way of judging…

… we know the story of all their lives!

Human Beings are least equipped to judge, but their judgments are miserable & condemnable

>> God is fully equipped to judge, but His judgment is praiseworthy & encouraging!
That’s the difference in Judgment between Human Beings and God!

In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus says, “Do not judge!” (Mt 7:1)

We need to clarify what does the word JUDGE mean…
>> Jury makes judgments. 

>> Schools make judgments on students. 

>> Companies make judgments on candidates in an interview or in cases of promotion/demotion. 
All these may not constitute the judgment that Jesus means. 

Judging, in the sense of Jesus, is condemning! 

>> It is to have a negative and pessimistic attitude to human beings and condemning and rejecting them outright and absolutely!!

We could consider “Judge not” from three aspects:

1. We are unworthy to pass a final judgment on any person or situation:

>> We need to let God be God and as human beings, we need to know our limitations. 
2. We are not to judge the motives of other people: 

>> Human beings see only the external…

… God sees the heart of the person! 
3. We are not to be petty faultfinders: 

>> We need to cease having a “microscopic vision”, in order to scan and scrutinize the faults and weaknesses of others. 

In the light of today’s Gospel, we need to examine certain aspects of our life…

Do I…

… maximize the sins and faults of others and minimize mine?

… come to quick, hasty and negative conclusions? 

… pass critical stories to other?

… have a strong bias to find others guilty?

… be too harsh even when speaking the truth?

… dilute an unkind remark by saying, “I was only joking.”

… say something critical and then trying to cover it up?

Even after this examination, if there is a tendency to judge, then there is one person we can be critical of…

… Yes, Our Own Selves! 
Yes, let us be judging our actions, our behaviours, our thoughts…

…. and seek to purify our lives, rather than indulging in mud-slinging on others! 

It’s high time we give up the “vulture-culture”! 
Vultures, as we know, are birds, which fly across landscapes and terrains, and with their sharp eyes, swoop down on rotting, dead flesh…

… any flesh that is decayed, becomes a great feast for them!
The “vulture-culture” is very much in our society too… 

>> We tend to relish on the decay, the weaknesses, the faults, the miseries and dark areas of others lives! 
Am I, in anyway, contributing to this foul-practice?? 

>> Yes, let’s stop being Vultures!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Five-year old Jack was in the kitchen as his mother made supper.

 

She asked him to go into the store-room (the place where much of the provisions were stored) and get her a can of tomato soup.

 

But li’l Jack didn’t want to go in alone there and cried:  

“It’s dark in there and I’m scared, Mamma”

 

She asked again, and he persisted in his refusal.

 

Finally she said, “Jack, look… there is nothing to fear in going to that store-room. Jesus will be in there, with you…”

 
The constant request and this assurance made Jack to walk hesitantly to the door and slowly open it.

 

He peeked inside, saw it was dark, got all frightened and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: “Jesus, if you’re in there, would you, please, hand me that can of tomato soup?!”

 
Well, this little anecdote highlights a common trend that is evident in many of our lives:

>> Fear takes an upper hand in many of our activities and renders us fragile…

>> Fear has a strong grip over our minds and hearts in many situations and makes us weak…
 

The Gospel of the Day is a clarion call by the Lord to ward off anxiety-causing fears and instead to be courageous in our life as a Christian.

 

 

Our Blessed Lord gives His instructions to His Apostles as they are being commissioned for the mission journey.

 

Today He touches upon one of the core emotions that can affect the Disciples in their mission endeavour: the emotion of Fear.

 

Jesus says, “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Mt 10:30)

 

Jesus seeks to cast off fear from His followers by showing them the preciousness and value of their lives… and how much of importance they are to Him.

 

For this, he presents the example of a sparrow.

 

Though quite strange, Jesus probably had a very pertinent reason for this choice of the common sparrow.

 
During the time of Jesus (unlike in many of our modern developed cities), sparrows were so common that they were practically worthless.

 

Two sparrows were sold for a ‘cent’

 

The word “cent” is the Greek word ‘assarion’.

• An assarion was worth only 1/16 of a denarius.
One denarius was the day’s wage for a rural worker.

 

So, by simple math, a single sparrow was worth only 1/32 of a day’s wage of a rural worker.

 
Another aspect to be noted is…

 

• In Mt, Jesus says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?” (Mt 10: 29)
• In Lk, Jesus says, “Are not five sparrows sold for a two cents?” (Lk 12: 6)
 

If two sparrows could be purchased for a cent, then a person should get only four sparrows for two cents.

>> Then why the ‘fifth’ sparrow?

 
Probably the fifth sparrow must have been an incentive offered by merchants to get people to buy more sparrows.

 

The fifth sparrow was given, just merely to sweeten the deal!

 

 

Our Blessed Lord used this practice of buy-four-get-one-free sparrows to illustrate how much God values life.

 

He emphasizes that said that not even one sparrow is forgotten before God.

>> Even a nearly worthless free sparrow is not overlooked by God.

 

>> He takes immense interest even in an unappreciated bird!

 
Therefore, Jesus says, “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Mt 10:30)

 

>> When we have a firm conviction of how precious we are to the Lord – Who is All-Powerful and All-Mighty – our every fear will be banished away!
>> When we grow in our awareness that I am really very much worth to God – who is All-Knowing and All-Good – our every apprehension will be relaxed!
 

Fear is one of the core emotions that can affect our life as a Christian:

• Fear takes an upper hand in many of our activities and renders us fragile…

• Fear has a strong grip over our minds and hearts in many situations and makes us weak…
 

But the deeper we are convinced that I am precious and prized to the Lord, the lesser will be our fears!

 

“What need I fear, when thou art near, O King of night and day” is a refrain from a Christian hymn!

 

 

Yes…

 

>> Fear can either prevent or propel

… Prevent from moving forward, being afraid of what will happen

… Propel to have a stronger determination and rouse the enthusiasm levels

 

>> Fear can either be a barrier or a boost:

… Barrier that does not allow any initiative to be taken or any thought-process to progress

… Boost that accelerates the resolve and willpower and helps march towards the goal

 

Are we going to let “fear” to PREVENT and act as a BARRIER in our lives?

>> Or can we, convinced of the Lord’s mighty presence in our lives and our preciousness to Him, let “fear” to PROPEL AND BOOST our Christian Missionary lives….!

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

There was a school system in a large city that had a program, to help children keep up with their school assignments…

… during the time when the children were admitted for sicknesses.

 
One day a teacher who was assigned to this program, received a call asking her to visit a particular child.

 

She took the child’s name and room number and had a short talk with the child’s regular class teacher.

 

“We’re studying about words in his class now – nouns and adverbs,” the class teacher said, “and I’d be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn’t fall too far behind.”

 

The hospital-program teacher went to see the boy that afternoon.

 
The boy had met with a bad accident, been badly burnt and was in great pain.

 

Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, “I’ve been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs.”

 

When she left after teaching, she felt she hadn’t accomplished much.

 
But the next day, a nurse asked her, “What did you do to that boy?”

 

The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize.

 

“No, no,” said the nurse. “You don’t know what I mean. We’ve been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, you met him, his whole attitude has changed.

 

He’s fighting back, responding to treatment…

>> It’s as though he’s decided to live!”

 
Two weeks later, the boy explained that he had completely given up hope until the teacher arrived.

 

Everything changed when he came to a simple realization which he expressed it this way: “They wouldn’t send a teacher to teach about words, and work on ‘nouns and adverbs’ with a dying boy, would they?”

 
The gesture of teaching about “words” reinforced hope and courage to that dying boy!

 
Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear.

>> If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today!

 

 

The Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist comes with this great message of “hope”!

 
The Gospel presents the beautiful incident of the birth and naming of St John the Baptist.

 

The birth of John the Baptist is the pivot around which the history of our faith turns.

He was the last prophet of the Old Covenant – and the first of the New Covenant.

 

One of the highlighting aspects of the birth of John the Baptist is the message that “hope is not to be lost, even in the midst of extreme barrenness!”

 
The Gospel of St Luke says that “Elizabeth and Zechariah, both were advanced in years”, but they had no child; Elizabeth was barren” (Lk 1: 7)

 

Elizabeth’s barrenness was also symbolic of the barrenness of the land, of the world and of the entire humanity…

• Wickedness had caused creation to be incapable of nurturing and sustaining life

• Sin had rendered human beings infertile, to bear God’s grace and live in holiness

 

But God…

… is the God of hope

… the God of fulfilling every promise

… and the God of surprises!
>> From the barrenness of Elizabeth emerged the forerunner of the One who is Life!

>> From the barrenness of the world, God gave rise to the Fountain of hope and trust!

 

The entire life of St John – through the key events – is a spectacular reminder of this great virtue of “hope”…

a. The conception of John

Even when there is barrenness all around, we need to “hope” in God who is able to work miracles and give us life and joy!

 

b. The naming of John

Even when there are many worldly voices that seek to distract us from the ways that God wishes for us, we need to “hope” in God and follow whatever He wills, so as to find glory and joy in Him!

 

c. The life of John in the desert

Even when life takes us through the deserts of emptiness, dangers, hardships and misery, we need to “hope” in God who has a definite plan and purpose for our life!

 

d. The beheading of John

Even when we become victims of cruelty, exploitation, wickedness and inhumanness, we need to “hope” in God by living a life of truth, courage, convictions and valour!

 
The Church celebrates the Nativity of only three persons, in her liturgical calendar…

1. Jesus -“Hope” Himself

2. Mother Mary – the Mother of “Hope”

3. John the Baptist – the symbol of “Hope”

 
May our lives become truly rooted in “hope” and become beacons of spreading this “hope and trust” to others.

>> There are many who are sick in our world.

>> There are many who are burnt by the fires of afflictions and at the point of death

>> There are many who have lost all faith in life and give themselves up to despair and dejection

 

Our gestures of teaching about “The Word – Jesus” can reinforce hope and courage to those dying – in sin, in affliction, in depression, in loneliness.

Today we also celebrate the Heart of Our Blessed Mother… the Immaculate Heart of Mary

… the Mother of the Most Perfect Child in the world

… the Mother, Who herself was Immaculate and Stainless!

 

 The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, follows immediately after the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 
Love seeks unity…

… and Jesus and Mary – Son and Mother – were deeply united in Love!

 

>> The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary…

… in their lives, were One

… in their sorrow, were One

… and in their love, were One!

The Immaculate Heart of Mary today invites us also to proclaim:

 “Fiat Lord- Let Thy will be done, Lord”…

…. in all moments and situations of our lives!
She is the Immaculate Mother of Hope, Who will lead us to greater illumination of Jesus, the Hope!

>> Let us always obey Her words, “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU!”

Wish you a Happy Feast of the Nativity of the “symbol of Hope” – St John the Baptist.

>> May Jesus our “Hope” and Blessed Mamma, our “Mother of Hope” strengthen us!
May we always place ourselves, into the Immaculate Heart of our Mother…

… in order to grow more and more, into the Image of Her Son and our Saviour, Jesus! 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 Here is a simple story, familiar to many of us…

 

A young man displayed his heart, one day.

 

It was a sight to behold – without a single flaw.

>> “The most beautiful heart in town” he proclaimed and attracted the crowds to admire it.

 

Then an aged man joined the big crowd.

“Why, my heart is beautiful too”, he said quietly.

 

All eyes turned to see his heart…

 

It was beating strongly, but had a number of scars, patches, deep gouges and several jagged edges.

 

The people stared at that heart!

>> How could he claim to have a “beautiful” heart, they wondered!

 

The young man remarked, “You must be joking. My heart is perfect, whereas yours is a mess of scars and patches!”

 

“Well”, said the old man, “The heart’s worth is measured by love!”

>> “In giving love, you tear out a piece of your heart – that leaves a gouge – which is patched when you receive love.
If you give more than you receive, then the gouges remain.

They can be painful – but that is the risk you take…”

 

The young man realized the worth of love.

 

Inspired by the true symbol of the heart, the young man, ripped of a piece of his heart, and offered it, with trembling hands to the old wise man.

>> Then he patched the gauged with the large piece that the old man gave him!

 

As the crowd watched in amazement, the two embraced each other!

 
Love, by its nature, gives away…

>> The heart, which is deep-rooted in love, thus bears wounds and patches.

 
Today on this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we contemplate in adoration and meditation on the Heart of our Blessed Lord – pierced and broken and shared – in love for each one of us.

 

In the year 1673, Our Blessed Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary and made her to rest her head upon His Heart; and during which He revealed to her the wonders of His love.

 

He revealed to her, His Sacred Heart…

… and requested her to establish the Feast of the Sacred Heart – the Friday after the Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ- in order to make reparation for sins which offend His Sacred Heart.

 
In her vision, she saw His wounded heart, on fire with love, saying, “Behold this Heart which has loved men so much and has received such little love in return.”

 

It was on June 11, 1899 Pope Leo XIII solemnly consecrated the whole humankind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

 
The Gospel of the day presents the account of how the Heart of our Blessed Lord was pierced with a lance, on Mount Calvary.

“But one soldier thrust his lance into His side, and immediately blood and water flowed out” (Jn 19: 34)

 

The Catholic tradition identifies the water as the symbol of Baptism and the Blood as the symbol of the Holy Eucharist.

• The Water symbolizes purification.

• The Blood symbolizes atonement.

 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus is today one of the most recognizable symbols of the Christian faith.

• The picture consists of the Heart, with the wound of the lance in its side, a crown of thorns about it, a cross above it and flames surrounding it.
This Sacred Heart of Jesus represents not simply His physical heart but His love for all humankind.

 

 

This Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of the Lord teaches us many things…

 

a. It teaches us the immense love that the Lord possesses for each one of us, personally.

 

Have I experienced the tremendous love that the Lord has for me?

 

>> I may feel myself low.

>> I may consider myself to be not very good.

>> I may think that my life is just not worth living.

>> I may deem that my past has ruined my life very badly.

>> I may judge that situations around me can never be changed.

 

Even with all these things, am I convinced that “Jesus loves me”, still… and that He will take me through, by the power of His love?

 

 

b. It teaches us the pain and the agony that the Lord still undergoes as a result of our sin and the sins of the world

 

Do I realize that a sinful life brings tears to the Lord and causes more wounds to the Precious Heart of the Lord?

>> There is nothing which pains the Lord more than sin.

>> It was for our salvation that He shed even the last drop of His blood.

>> He not just wants but insists and demands and commands us to live in holiness.

 

Do I give heed to this “passionate and sincere” call of the Lord to live our lives in sanctity and in accordance to God’s Will in my life?

 

 

c. It teaches us the need to be part of the process of redemption that Christ has won for us and to be shareholders in His mission of bringing God’s love to all

 

Do I become aware that Christ is calling me to be part of His redemptive work of salvation?

>> Christ still suffers and undergoes pains.

>> From the Cross, He cried, “I thirst” (Jn 19: 28)

>> He desires that people who have known and experienced His love become effective agents of bringing His love to others.

>> By a life of sacrifices (tiny or great…little or huge), by simple acts of love, compassion and mercy and by greater participation in the Sacramental Life of the Church, the love of the Sacred Heart can be brought to many more people.

 

Am I willing to take up this responsibility that the Lord is handing on to us?

 

 

The Heart of the Lord is pierced, broken and shared for each one of us.
In the Holy Eucharist, we have the privilege to receive this greatest treasure.

>> In turn, we are to break our hearts and share it with others, to bring the love and compassion of the Lord to the world.

 
May this Solemnity of the Precious Symbol of True Love stir the flames of God’s Love in our hearts and inspire us to set ablaze the world on fire, with His Love and Compassion!

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, may we ever remain close to You!

 
Happy Feast of the Most Blessed Heart of the Lord!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Most of us have seen those advertisements or billboards which announce some bumper offer or sale.

 

For example…

 

>> Winter Sale on branded clothing: Up to 50% off!*
>> Buy a new house, at just Rs 1000!*
>> Buy one pizza, get one free!*
 

But, a point to be noted is that most of these advertisements of offers and goodies also have a “tiny asterisk – * ” sign next to it.

 

What does the * refer to?

>> It has a catch in it…. Terms and Conditions Apply!

 

The offer is valid, only on the basis of some conditions.

>> The sale is applicable, only on the agreement of some special terms.

 
Well, the Gospel of the Day is the prayer of the Our Father.

>> And one of the ‘offer’ that is mentioned in the Our Father is that of Forgiveness.

 

However, this offer of Forgiveness has an “asterisk *” sign attached to it…

Yes… Terms and Conditions apply!

 

What is the offer?

>> The Forgiveness from God!
 

And what is the condition applied to receive this offer of forgiveness?

>> We, first need to forgive others!
 

The Gospel of the Day is part of the Sermons on the mount in the Gospel of St Matthew.
Jesus is presenting His teaching on various Christian themes.

 
In His teaching on prayer, Jesus teaches the beautiful prayer – The Our Father.

 

The Our Father has seven petitions:

1. Hallowed be thy name

2. Thy Kingdom come

3. Thy Will be done

4. Give us today our daily bread

5. Forgive us our sins

6. Lead us not into temptation

7. Deliver us from evil.

 

 

The fifth petition – for forgiveness – is also accompanied with a clause – “…as we forgive”..

“…and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12)

 

… forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us!

… forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us!

 
Well, does this mean God’s forgiveness is conditional?

>> Certainly NO! 
It needs to be understood, that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!

 

But to receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

To receive this grace of pardon, we need to first pardon others!

God’s Mercy and Forgiveness is unconditional…

… but our reception of the same, is conditional!
 

It means that…

        If we harbour a wrong against other…

        If we continue to nurture hatred against other…

        If we wilfully fail to extend absolution to the other…

        If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…

                ..then we are telling God to not forgive me either!

                …then we are telling God to not shower His blessing on me!

                …then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!

                ….then we are telling God to stop extending His unconditional compassion!

 

The prayer – “Our Father” is indeed one of the most easily learnt and widely used prayers.

>> But this clause of the prayer, which is often overlooked, also makes this prayer dangerous!
This clause of the prayer, which is often not thought of, also makes this prayer challenging!
 

>> Let the prayer ‘Our Father’ make us to make inroads into forgiving others!

>> Let the prayer ‘Our Father’ make us to march forward into extending pardon to others!
 

Let this beautiful prayer, also become a really meaningful one!

Are we ready, to take this “Offer”?

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

The peacock is considered to be one of the most beautiful birds.

 

The peacock’s tail contains spectacular beauty because of the large feathers – bright, gleaming colours and intricate patterns.

 

However, the peacock also has an ugly side to it…

 

When the peacock opens its showy tail, it exhibits the ugliness of its body beneath.

 

Behind the showy and attractive display, lies a repulsive sight!

 

This is a simple imagery of unattractiveness that is displayed when human beings also seek to flaunt their pride and vain glory.

· Any display of pride always results in exposing one’s unattractive face of life.

· Any show of conceit always ends up in revealing one’s cheap side of life.

 

Humility and honesty are two prime virtues that need to embellish the life of every Christian.

 

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of doing away with pride and instead, beautifying one’s life with sincere humility and truthful honesty.

 

Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount continues to target the key areas of one’s Christian living.

 

Today He speaks on the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

 

Jesus condemns these devout exercises becoming instruments to show-case one’s pride and exhibit pomp and self-glory.

 

· With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…

… “sound no trumpet”

 

· With respect to prayer, Jesus says…

… “shut the door and pray to your Father”

 

· With respect to fasting, Jesus says…

…”anoint your head and wash your face”

 

 

One of the fundamental aspects in the Spirituality of Jesus is His emphasis on the intention of the heart.

· Sin is when the heart rejects the working of the Spirit.

· Holiness is when the heart accepts the grace of the Spirit.

 

· When the heart consents to evil, sin occurs

· When the heart consents to grace, goodness is affirmed.

 

>> An act of almsgiving happens, when the heart willingly gives – in generosity and with wholeheartedness

>> An act of prayer happens, when the heart seeks communion with the Lord – in openness and with faithfulness

>> An act of fasting happens, when the heart self-sacrifices and renounces – in sincerity and with willingness

 

When the intention of the heart is genuine and sincere, then one remains least bothered of external attractions and publicity…

… there is no desire to seek for attention and appreciation for one’s devout actions

… there is no inclination to want acknowledgement and recognition for one’s pious deeds

 

And this is the ideal to which Jesus invites us:

>> A religion that spreads not simply on the basis of external shows.. but on the basis of genuine spirituality

>> A faith that grows not merely on the strength of pompous deeds… but on the foundation of true dependence and trust in the Lord

 

Is my practice of religion resembling a peacock’s display of feathers – wanting to flaunt one’s pride and vain glory – but in the process…

… exposing one’s unattractive face of life?

… revealing one’s cheap side of life?

 

 

Let us give heed to the wisdom from the book “Imitation of Christ” and seek to grow in humility and dependence on the Lord:

 

“Do not think yourself better than others lest, perhaps, you be accounted worse before God who knows what is in man.

>> Do not take pride in your good deeds, for God’s judgments differ from those of men and what pleases them often displeases Him”

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Any guesses on who could be given the All-time Best Teacher Award? 

Well…in the light of the Gospel Reading these days, from the Fifth Chapter of St Mathew…

…its not too difficult to guess…

>> Right?

 

 

Yes…

… And the award goes to:

>> JESUS…the teacher-par-excellence!

 

 

It is said that…

… Some books/thoughts are to be just tasted

… Some are to be just swallowed

… while Some others are to be chewed and digested!

 

 

Well… Here is a teaching given by Jesus, best Teacher, that is certainly not too easy to digest…

 

Listen to His Words: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!” (Mt 5:44)

 

 

Sometimes when we hear the word ENEMY…

… our thoughts go to some enemies of the nation or some social criminal

 

So perhaps, some of us, may think of some person who has harmed us deeply or cheated us, and has turned to be an enemy…

 

>> But if we analyze our lives closer… we may observe that most of us, have many enemies in our lives…

 

 

An Enemy, is defined by the Oxford Dictionary, as “a person or thing, hostile or opposed to something; that harms or weakens someone/something”

 

A little more closer examination of our lives…and we can discover perhaps…

…. many people fall into this definition!

>>Many in our family or the community…

>> Many in our workplaces

>> Many in our friends circle

>> Many in the society

 

Very often, we get so easily offended when our egos our hurt…

… we get opposed in our life of luxury or comfort

 

So many of them weaken our selfish interests and motives…

…. there are often so many tussles and mental game, and we have so often grudges against all these people

 

 

The list of enemies… though apparently unnoticed, is perhaps deeper….

>> And today the Lord says: “Love those enemies… and pray for them!”

 

 

The Lord wants us to be perfect (Mt 4:48)

 

It is a high demand

>> It is a huge challenge.

 

But we also know one thing…

… if it were not possible, the Lord would have never said it

 

So therefore, let us pick up this challenge of the Lord…and seek towards perfection..

 

 

St John Paul II says: “Do not be afraid to be the saints of the Third Millennia!”

 

>> Let us not remain in idealistic talks and thoughts…

… rather, let us translate the words and challenges of the Lord, in our practical and daily life.

 

>> Let us pluck off the weeds in our lives, and make our lives a beautiful and pleasant garden to the Lord!

 

 

Yes, let us be inspired by Jesus, the Best Teacher, Who not just “taught, but practiced”…

… and thus, seek to be His ‘good students’.

 

 

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

India honours Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the nation.

 

The New Testament made a great impression on him, especially the Sermon on the Mount, which went straight to his heart.

 

He would say to one of his disciples, “The gentle figure of Christ, so patient, so kind, so loving, so full of forgiveness that He taught His followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek, I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man…” 

 

“The message of Jesus as I understand it,” said Gandhi, “is contained in the Sermon on the Mount unadulterated and taken as a whole…

 

The Gospel of the Day presents this lofty teaching of Jesus on non-retaliation and the power of forgiving love.

 

It is significant to read that in this Passage of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus is instructing some of the core personal tasks that has to be taken up by each individual Christian.

• The Sermon on the Mount makes a personal obligation on each Christian

It is worth meditating and reflecting on each line of this Great Sermon, and examining to what extent am I living this lofty and powerful teaching of the Lord in my life.

 

One of the highly debatable and confusing teachings of Jesus is contained in today’s Gospel reading.

 

Jesus says, “Do not resist the one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5: 39)

 

This verse could easily raise a lot of doubts and questions…

• Did Jesus mean that Christian should be passive to evil?

• Did Jesus teach that we should suffer unnecessarily in the face of social evils?

• Did Jesus teach passivity and being lethargic when one encounters wickedness and evil?

 

The one direct answer to all such doubts is seen in the light of the life of Jesus Himself…

• He was always actively against evil and sinful activities

• He was a constant opponent to oppression, condemnation and human wickedness

 

Then what would have Jesus meant by those strong phrases of “resist evil.. and turning one’s cheeks?”

 

There could be, speaking in general terms, three responses to evil:

1. Opposing with violence

2. Bearing everything passively

3. A courageous non-violence

 

The first two responses are also popularly called as Fight or Flight

…either FIGHT against the evil… or take FLIGHT from the evil situations

 

FIGHT: oppose with evil and violence

FLIGHT: run away from the situation or passively be submissive

 

But the way of Jesus is a higher one… a much higher and bolder one: the way of ACTIVE NON-VIOLENCE.

 

The Greek word that is used by St Mathew, for “resist” is “antisthemi”

 

‘Antisthemi’ is not a passive or a weak term.

It was a classical Greek ‘military’ term.

 

It means…

… to take a stand against, to oppose or to resist

… to establish one’s position publicly by conspicuously “holding one’s ground,”.

… It means refusing to be moved (” being pushed back”)

 

This clearly shows that “to resist evil” is not merely a passive act of submission, rather is a firm, courageous and bold action of holding onto one’s convictions of truth and opposing every reaction to subdue truth.

 

This is further illustrated in the example that Jesus gives, “of turning one’s cheek, when hit on the right cheek”

 

In the culture of Jesus, the left hand was commonly used for unclean tasks, and only the right hand was considered appropriate for such actions as striking another person.

 

Now, its common sense to note, that if one hits with the right hand, it would hit the other person only on the “left” cheek.

 

Therefore, if the person is hit on the “right” cheek, as in the example of Jesus, it simply means, that one was hit with a “back-hand”.

 

What is the significance of a back-handed slap?

A backhanded slap, had a greater message than merely hurting or causing pain…

Instead, it meant to be an act of “severe” humiliation… of “terrible” insult!

 

A backhand slap, in the time of Jesus, was the usual way of admonishing inferiors:

Masters backhanded slaves; husbands, wives; parents, children; men, women; Romans, Jews.

 

What is the response that Jesus suggests for such an act of dreadful humiliation?

Not Fight… Not Flight.

Rather, a strong and bravely opposing act of courage: “turn the other cheek as well!”

 

It is a calculated response intended to invite the aggressor to consider his or her actions.

This bold action of turning one’s cheek robs the oppressor of the power to humiliate.

 

It is as if the oppressed person is saying,

“Try again if you want, buddy!

Your first blow failed to achieve its intended effect.

I deny you any power to humiliate me!”

 

This was how our Blessed Lord who gave this supremely lofty teaching demonstrated in His life… by dying on the Cross!

• The Cross was a powerful opposition to evil and sin.

 

The One who died on the Cross did not die a passive death…

Rather, He boldly preached against every act of oppression and mightily spoke against every form of discrimination!

 

As Christians, we need to be bold and courageous to “resist” every evil and sinful deed.

In Christ, we have a teaching that is not passive, but is “extremely” active and powerful.

 

To merely FIGHT or simply make a FLIGHT in the face of oppressions, is cheap and ordinary…

In fact, it is “no spirituality”.

 

But to “be bold in one’s convictions” and “to oppose” evil, even to the point of giving up one’s life, is a lofty, supreme and mighty spirituality.

• Jesus embodied this spirituality.

• Many great men and women in history have been inspired by it and lived it.

 

As Christians, the followers of the Bold Jesus, are we ready to embrace this “powerful” spirituality?

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Wishing all of you, a Happy Feast of the Most Blessed Body and Blood of Christ.

Check out the latest video – “text-based”… on The Holy Eucharist!

http://youtu.be/bAq2QjletDo

God bless! Live Jesus!

We are on the eve of the Feast of the Greatest Gift that God has given in our Catholic Faith – The Holy Eucharist

>> The Feast of the Corpus Christi – The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

As we prepare for this Great Feast, let us seek to grow in our Devotion for the Holy Eucharist.

We shall today, quickly go through some “unnoticed” parts of the Holy Mass, which often go unrecognized- and realize its significance, in order to love the Holy Mass, more deeply and devoutly. 
THE INTRODUCTORY RITE: 

 The Opening Prayer: Called as the ‘Collect’, this prayer, gathers together all the intentions, and unites with the prayer of the High Priest, Jesus Himself.

• Action: Use the moment of silent, to bring before the Lord all intentions and prayers
LITURGY OF THE WORD: 

 Signing ourselves on the forehead, lips and the chest: We seek His Help to cleanse our minds, lips & hearts, that we may worthily receive Jesus, the Word into our lives!

• Action: Use the moment, to truly have clean thoughts (mind), sincere words (lips) and honest feelings and deeds (heart)
THE OFFERTORY

 The Offering of Bread and Wine: The Gifts, represent fruits of our labour. As the gifts, we pray, that we too be changed into His Body and Blood.

• Action: Use to moment, to offer our entire life to the Lord – just as we are – with all our situations, struggles, aspirations and hopes.
 The mingling of a drop of water in the wine by the Priest: The water represents, our littleness, which is totally mingled with the wine, signifying, our intention to be one with the Divine Lord 

• Action: Use the moment, to sincerely wanting to be united with the Lord and becoming more and more like Him!
 The washing of the hands: The Priest – the representative of the People of God, cleanses himself and prepares, for the Most Holy Sacrifice of Calvary.

• Action: Use the moment, to repent of our sins and praying earnestly, never to fall into sin again!
THE PREFACE

 Lift up your hearts: Our minds and hearts need to transcend our human worries, concerns and troubles, and be raised in heavenly contemplation

• Action: Use the moment, to ascend to the heights of glory, in order to recognise and be united to the Will of God in our lives.
 Prayer: The Church enlists (as per the Liturgical Season or the theme) the various ways in which the Lord has worked in human history. We (the Church Militant), seeking intercession for the Faithful Departed (the Church Suffering) join the beautiful choir of the saints and angels (Church Triumphant) and angels, singing Holy Holy, Holy to the Most High God! 

• Action: Use this moment of intense praise and Divine worship, to be longing to possess Heaven and to be filled with the radiance of this joy in this world. 
THE COMMUNION RITE

 Epiclesis: The portion where the power of the Holy Spirit is invoked, so that the gifts of bread and wine, may be transformed into Divine Species.

• Action: Use this moment, to pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, that His Power may overshadow us
THE CONSECRATION

 A small piece of the host is mingled with the Sacred Wine: Signifying the unity of the Body and Blood of the Lord pointing symbolising Resurrection, and also the Unity of the Body of Christ, the Church. 

• Action: Use this moment, to pray for the grace to share in His Resurrection and to love the Church and be thankful for our Catholic Faith
THE HOLY COMMUNION 

 A moment when heaven touches the earth…when the Divine lowers itself to embrace the fallen Humanity, to raise it up to Divine status… 

• Action: Use this moment, to be totally absorbed in the mighty ocean of God’s Mercy and experiencing the consummation of His Divine Love!
THE RITE OF THE DISMISSAL

 We are asked to be the Eucharist to one another – breaking ourselves, in service!

• Action: Use this moment to pledge to be a True Missionary, giving His Love to all – in the little way, that we can!

There is nothing more beautiful on this earth, than the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist – the Holy Mass!

>> As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI says: “The Eucharist is our most precious treasure… it contains all the mystery of our Salvation!”
Yes, Let us truly “Experience and Enjoy the Eucharist!” 

God Bless! Live Jesus!