A little boy was on stage, reciting a poem, as part of the Sunday School (catechism) competition.

However, mid-way, he forgot the lines of the poem.

His mother was, seated in the front row, to prompt him.
>> She gestured and formed the words silently with her lips, but it did not help.

Her son’s memory was blank.
>> Finally, she leaned forward and whispered the cue, “I am the light of the world.”

The child beamed and with great feeling and a loud clear voice said: “My mother is the light of the world!”

For the child, the mother was the shining light!
>> Godly mothers are indeed, the reflection of God, to their children

Mothers (of course, Fathers are not excluded!) are indeed very special!

Today we celebrate the Heart of a 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, they were One
… in their sorrow, they were One
… and in their love, they were One!

In celebrating the Immaculate (a word which means “unstained) Heart of Mother Mary, we focus our meditation on Her Single-heartedness.

In Mt 6:24, we read, “No one can serve two masters!”.

Sin divides our heart…we no longer remain immaculate….
>> But Mamma Mary, remained focused all through Her life, in doing God’s Will…and remained Immaculate!

The Fiat that she pronounced was lived all through Her life…from the womb to the tomb.

In today’s Gospel reading (Lk 2: 41-51), we read that, “Mary kept all these things in her heart…” ( Lk 2: 51)

When we ponder over the life of our Blessed Mother, we realize, that there were many events and occasions, which our Blessed Mother was probably unable to grasp and understand…
>> The Angel’s dramatic visit
>> The invitation to be the Mother of God
>> The coming of the Three Kings
>> The travel to Egypt on the cold night of the delivery
>> The visit of the Shepherds
>> The prophecy of Simeon
>> The loss of Her Beloved Child at the age of twelve in the Temple
>> The public ministry of Jesus
>> The horrific crucifixion and death of Her tender Child!

Most of these events were probably minimally understood by our Blessed Mother…
… And yet, at every moment, a word pressed upon her precious lips… always:
“Fiat Lord! – Let Thy Will be done, Lord!”

As the Letter to the Hebrews says, “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11: 1)
>> Mother Mary, by Her immense trust and acceptance to God’s Will…
… even when things were not understood fully…
… even when events would generate confusion, doubts and uncertainty…
.. Is the Mother of Faith!

We go through the chores and grinds of daily life…
… and innumerable events and occasions stare at our face.
>> Some are joyful…
… but many are also painful and soul-crushing.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary today invites us to have our minds and hearts, focused on God… “The One who has called you, is faithful”! (1 Thess 5:24)

Like our Immaculate Mother, let us also seek to proclaim:
“Fiat Lord- Let Thy will be done, Lord”…
…. in all moments and situations of our lives!

The last recorded words of Mamma Mary in the Bible are..”Do whatever He tells You!” (Jn 2: 5)
>> Our loving Mother, she teaches us the Gospel of God in these 5 words…

Let us give heed to Her… just as she pondered His Word and lived a Perfect Christian Life
>> Let us also strive to be Immaculate and Holy.

She is the Immaculate Light Who will lead us to greater illumination of Jesus, the Great Light!
>> Let’s  obey Her words, “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU!”

A  Blessed Feast of the Beautifully Immaculate Heart of our Precious Mamma, united to the Sacred Heart of Her Divine Child….
… and to all of us, Her Little Children and Followers of Her Son!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

A young couple were travelling on the bike…a jolly ride.

Fast they went…thru the narrow streets, wide highways, lush-green meadows and fruit-laden fields.

As they moved across a rather long highway, at a high speed…
… the rider – the young husband – realized that the brakes of the bike had failed.

But he didn’t allow his knife to know the impending danger.

Instead as they were conversing,  he asked her, “Do you really love and trust me?”
The wife answered, “Of course I do! And am so happy to love and be loved by you!”

Then the husband said, as he was riding, “Then take off my helmet and put it on for yourself! Let’s see whether you trust in my riding skills!”

The girl- innocent and unsuspecting –  felt it as a challenge, and went on the take the helmet and put it for herself.

In a few moments, the bike, whose brakes had failed, would soon crash onto a tree…!

The young husband suffered from serious head injuries…
… but the girl, with the helmet on her head, remained safe…
All because, the boy, in his deep love for her, had sacrificed his life, for the safety of his love!

True love, by its nature, moves out of oneself…
… and gives in total self-giving to the other… to the one who is loved!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – in Which is displayed the greatest expression of Love…
… a God who madly loves humanity and gave Himself up, in entirety for us, Whom He loves!

Love is one of the most used words in any language.
>> There is much literature available in any language on Love – poetry, novels, short stories, dramas, epics….

But Love, is also one the most  misinterpreted, misunderstood & abused word.
>> The word ‘Love, in our modern world, is highly commercialized & sensationalized …and very often, ends up losing its real meaning..

It’s in this context, that today we celebrate the Feast of Love…symbolized in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus!

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, shows to us…what is True Love…

Love is not just a passing and fleeting dimension of feelings or words or emotion or sentiments…
>> Love, affects our core…

Love, as expressed in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is Merciful, Sacrificial &All-embracing.

1. A Merciful Heart:
>> The Lord condemns sins, but loves the Sinner! There is hope for the worst sinner and encouragement for the fallen saint! Love is merciful…

2. A Sacrificial Heart:
>> Love gives and gives…without any measure.

The Heart of the Divine Lord, was pierced in Pure Love of us.
Though He knew we are sinners and we are betrayers…
… yet, the Love of the Lord knows no bounds.

He sacrifices Himself, for us.
> He died, that I may Live.
>> He wounded Himself, that I may be healed!
Love is sacrificial…

3. An All-embracing Heart:
The world indulges in categorization of peoples based on class, status, caste, language etc…

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, destroys all pitiable discriminations and inhuman inequity, by expressing love to all…
There is Light and Love and Joy and Peace to ALL peoples!

Love is all-embracing…

The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a reminder and a challenge to each one of us
… to possess THIS HEART… HIS HEART…THE SACRED HEART! 

Is my Heart…
… Merciful?
… Sacrificial?
… All-embracing?

We live in times when heart diseases and ailments are on the rise…
>> Physically: Heart Attacks, Hole in the heart, Congestive Heart failures, Narrowing of the arteries…

>> Emotionally: A Broken Heart,  A Fearful Heart, An Anxious Heart, A Discouraged Heart, A Lonely Heart, A Rejected Heart…

>> Spiritually: An Angry Heart, A Sinful Heart, An Unrepentant Heart, A Lukewarm Heart, A Lustful Heart, An Unfaithful Heart…

We all, possess one or more aspects of these hearts….
Perhaps, , we need a Spiritual Heart Surgery…
… a change of heart…to be more like the Heart of Jesus!

In Ezekiel 36:26, the Lord says, “I will give you a New Heart….”

Jesus, the Lover of our hearts, today, invites us, to look into His Sacred Heart…and find rest and consolation: “Come to me, all you who labour, and I will give you rest!”

Let us seek to unite our hearts…in whichever state it be…
… to the Sacred Heart of our Lord!

The Sacred Heart is burning with love for each of us!
The Love of Jesus ever gives, forgives, outlives;
And ever stands with open hands;
And while it lives, it gives,
For this His love’s prerogative
To give, and give, and give!

>> Let us cast ourselves, into this Burning Furnace of Love, and be filled with a Deeper Passion and Zeal for the Lord!

LOVE is a powerful word… but it is our duty to preserve its purity!

Let us be united with the Sacred Heart of the Lord…
… renew our consecration this day to Him…
… and pray and persevere, to Live Love, in its purity, in its faithfulness and in its truth!

LET’S LIVE LOVE, TO GIVE LOVE ——— LET’S LIVE JESUS, TO GIVE JESUS!

Happy Feast to Jesus, our Beloved…and Happy Feast to all of us, His Lovers!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

“Papa, do you love Jesus?” asked a little child to her father.

The father was an extremely irreligious man – even hating and condemning all religious practises.

So, with a sense of irritation, the father replied, “Jesus is dead, my dear, long, long ago. He was crucified, and that was the end of Him.”

“But Jesus rose again, and did what no other man could do”, continued the innocent child, “and if Jesus was not living now, we could not be living either, as He gives us life and everything else, Papa.”

But the father questioned back, “But how can I love whom I have never seen, my child? Tell me that, my dear!”

The child, at first didn’t know what to reply.
>> The father was extremely happy that his question had puzzled the daughter and hoped that now she would stop the topic.

But the little girl put forth another question, “Papa, how old was I when Mamma died?”

“Hmm…six months, my child”, replied the father.

“Then I can say”, said the child, “that I never saw her, for I don’t remember her at all.
But you have always tried to make me love Mummy, by telling me how good and kind she was; and I do love her!”,

And then with a deeper sense of affection, she continued, “Even though I don’t remember having seen her, I still do love her, Papa!”

By this time the tears were running down the father’s cheeks.

He kissed his beloved child and said, “God has spoken to me by you, my dear! I realise I do need to love God, even though I have not seen Him!
And now you must pray for me, and ask God to give me a new heart, with which I shall love Jesus.”

(Undoubtedly, the prayer of the innocent child was soon answered!)

What about me….
Do I love God?
>> Do I really love God?

Even though sometimes I am am not able to experience His presence…
Even though at times, I go through the hardships and grinds of life…
>> DO I LOVE GOD?

The Gospel of the Day is a mighty invitation and reminder by the Lord, to Love God with our “ALL”…
… All our heart
… All our soul
… All our mind
… All our strength

The passage begins with a member of the scribe, approaching Jesus with a question:
“Which is the greatest of all commandments?”(Mk 12: 28)

This man, who questioned Jesus was no ordinary man or any ignorant person.

He was a scribe
>> Some translations would put it as “a Lawyer”
>> The Gospel of St Matthew describes him as a “Scholar of the Law” (Mt 22: 35)

He was an expert in the Mosaic Law.
…someone who studied the law, interpreted the law and taught the law!

Just prior to the questioning by this scribe, Jesus had silenced six groups of people…
1. The Chief Priests 2. The Scribes    3. The Elders
“As Jesus was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders approached Him, and said….” (Mk 11:27)

4. The Pharisees       5. The Herodians
“They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to ensnare him in his speech” (Mk 12:13)

6. The Sadducees
“Some Sadducees who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus….” (Mk 12: 18)

Most of them had approached and questioned Jesus…
… not to know or learn more about the Law, but to question Him and trap Him!
… not with genuineness in their heart, but with malice and viciousness!

However, Jesus, aware of all this background…
>>> the wicked conspiracy that was brewing against Him
>>> the plot of testing that was hanging in the air

… responds with something immensely marvellous and spectacular:
“The Lord our God, is Lord alone. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength”(Mk 12:29- 30) and
“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12: 31)   

Here was a classic answer…

>> The background in which the question was put forth quite “hateful” and “repulsive”
… but Jesus dares to answer with the sublime answer of “Love”!

>> The Lord was being targeted badly with stones of “hatred, jealousy, aversion and hostility”
… but He gently, but firmly showers back the flowers of “Love, Tenderness and Commitment”!

Love, as Jesus defines, is not simply about feelings and emotions, as is the popular and the ‘commercial’ understanding.

Undoubtedly, Love  has the dimensions of being a tender feeling and an expressive emotion.

But beyond that, Love is…
>> A Commitment
>> A Dedication
>> A Decision
….  that one makes to be faithful – to a person or a duty or a situation!

“Agape” is the Love to which we are called…
… a self-giving love
… a self-sacrificing love
… an other-centered love

>> Life sometimes can be quite harsh to us – making us feel totally lost out, abandoned even by God and even causing us to question the presence and existence of a Just and Loving God…
… But, can we still dare to “love God”?

>>  Life sometimes hits very hard at us – in the form of others not accepting us, others ridiculing, criticizing us and we finding ourselves as the subject of hatred and injustice.
… But, can we still dare to “love our neighbours”?

>> Life sometimes is very unfair to us, we feel – by not rewarding us with rewards, that we consider, we deserve, in answer to the hard-work we put in.. or by not allowing us to enjoy the joys of life and instead bombards us with tensions and worries
… Can we still go out of the way and live a life “In Love and For Love”?

When one’s life is truly centred on love for God, one also begins to express this love to one’s neighbours , in concrete and certain acts of love
>> When one’s life is drawn into real service for humankind, one slowly but surely has to realise that the source of these charitable deeds is God and thereby one is to draw closer to the Lord.

May our life be a constant check to see if we are living under the banner of these two fundamental commands of Christian life – Love of God and Love of neighbour!

And thus, in the depths of our hearts…
>> even with all the troubles, problems and uncertainties clouding our lives
>> even if we are unable to see the power of God leading us
…  we can still whisper and even shout: “I REALLY LOVE YOU, MY GOD!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

An old man and his wife, who had spent their life, in the villages, were taken to the railway station by their son, who had a job in the city.

It was for the first time in their life that this old couple was seeing a train!

The husband was highly d at the sight of that large locomotive.
>> He looked the engine over very carefully, and shook his head.

“Well, what do you think of it, father?” asked the son with eagerness

“She’ll never start,” was the firm answer by the disbelieving father: “she’ll never start.”

However, in a few minutes, the conductor waved, the bell rang, the locomotive puffed, the train moved slowly at first, then faster.

It was disappearing in the distance when the son inquired slyly: “”Well…what do you think of it now?”

The old man shook his head more violently than before and blurted out with greater assertion:
“She’ll never stop,” he affirmed; “she’ll never stop!!”

How often is this true of many people…
… Pre-Conceptions often close the mind; and one is unwilling to open anything new
… Prejudices often  shut one’s understanding; and one becomes adamant in refusing to learn!

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!
>> Truth can never be forced upon..
>> Truth can never be thrust on anyone…
Rather, Truth with the freedom it allows, is taken in only by the one docile to it!

The Gospel of the Day presents another group of  opponents -characterised by rigidity to accept the truth and blocked in mentality to be docile –  who try to put down and prod our Blessed Lord in His teachings.

Yet, Jesus, who is source and perfection of all wisdom, fails to get bogged down – instead traps them in their own arguments and leaves them faced with a mighty challenge to change!

The Sadducees came to Jesus to put forward a hypothetical riddle regarding the question of the Resurrection.

The Sadducees were the top people in the nation, the elite group of aristocrats who owned a lot of land, wealth and rank.

They were the power brokers in Israel’s supreme court, the Sanhedrin.
Even the high priests came from the families of the Sadducees.

They were selective in what they accepted from the Scriptures.
>> They rejected all the historical books.
>> They also rejected all the psalms and the other ‘writings’ like Job and Ecclesiastes.
>> Not one of the books of the prophets would they accept.
They were left with just the first five books of Moses.

Moses was their person of authority.
That is why when they come to Jesus, they characteristically begin, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us…” ( Mk 12:19)

They also rejected the resurrection of the dead.
>>  “Men stay dead,” they said; human beings only have this life here and now.
That is what they believed; no judgment; with death, the soul perishes with the body.

We live in a world where we also encounter many of the “modern” Sadducees.
>> People who live as though there is no Resurrection..
>> People who deny giving any significance for life after this life
>> People who fail to uphold any teachings or thoughts that support a life after death

For such “modern” Sadducees,
… Life consists in basically enjoying the pleasures of this present life to the maximum!
… Life is not to be drowned in “boring” piety and “dull” devotions with a hope for the future!

Perhaps, some of us, may also share such thought-patterns  of the Sadducees.

Yet, the Lord addresses us, just as He did to the Sadducees, “Are you not misled because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mk 12: 24)

>> The Scriptures clearly testify to the various references that are made to the fact of the “dead” not really being dead… rather, alive in the Lord
>> The power of God clearly testifies that God as the one who created creation out of nothing, also has the power to grant new life to those who are dead

The Gospel passage ends with the statement by Jesus, “You are greatly misled” (Mk 12: 27b).
>> Another translation would read, “You are quite wrong”

The Lord was not afraid to clearly and bluntly tell the Sadducees that they were wrong and misled in their understandings.

And perhaps, if we are in the category of being a “modern” Sadducee, the Lord uncompromisingly tells us also, “You are greatly misled”

We need to be open to the voice of the Lord, calling us to trust deeper, in the presence of a life after this life.
>> Let not our prejudices shut our understanding; and we becomes adamant in refusing to learn!

Truth is received and understood only by the one who is open and willing to accept it!

May we grow to be more docile to the voice of the Lord, so that we may mould our present lives in perfect tune to God’s Will, and thus be able to enjoy a life of Resurrection – true happiness in eternity!

Let us seek the intercession of the Saint of the Day, St Justin – the Martyr and give heed to his words: ” Sound doctrine does not enter into a hard and disobedient heart”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

One of the greatest violinists of all time was Niccolo Paganini.

He had his first performance at the age of 11.
>> It is said that his great technical ability revolutionised violin techniques across Europe.

When he died in 1840, he had willed his violin to Genoa, Italy – the place of his birth.

But he had it done on a condition: that no artist ever plays his instrument again.

Glad to have the violin come into their possession, the people in the city of Genoa agreed to the request, and they put it in a beautiful case for everyone to see.

But, unfortunately, wooden violins  have a certain peculiarity:
>> As long as they are handled, they show no wear…
…  But if it remains unused, it begins to decay!

This is what happened to Paganini’s violin.
>>  His once-exquisite instrument became worm-eaten and useless.

Wooden violins of other artists have been handed down from one gifted musician to another…
…. and they continue to bring great music to audiences.
>> But Paganini’s violin is a crumbling relic of what it once was!

Such will also be the case with a Christian…
… If one does not spend one’s life in service!

A Christian’s “unwillingness to serve” may soon destroy one’s capacity for usefulness!

Today, is the  Feast of the Visitation…
…  A beautiful incident of how Blessed Mother Mary became a person, who rendered Her life “in service” to God and others – and thus gave full bloom to the graces of God within Her!

This Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother has its origin in the medieval times.
>>It was observed by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its practise spread throughout the entire Church.
>> Previously it was celebrated on July 2….
… now it is celebrated on 31st May – between the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord ( Mar 25) and the Birth of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24) , in conformity with the Gospel accounts.

One of the interesting term used by St Luke in his description of this incident (Lk 1: 39-56) is the word “HASTE”.
St Luke says: “In those days, Mary arose and went with HASTE…..” (Lk 1: 39)

The Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and announced the Good News that She was to be the Mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1: 31)
>> Mary was “overshadowed by the Power of the Most High” (Lk 1: 35)
>> The Angel had also pointed to the mighty work that was done in the life of her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1: 36)

The Annunciation became the turning point in the life of Mary!

She was no longer the same…
… The simple girl had been exalted and chosen to be the Mother of the Most High God!
… She would no longer be seeking to do her desires; She would seek to God’s Will at all times!
… Her life would no longer be carried by her plans; Her life would be impelled by what God wanted!

The Child in Her, would now make Her to be “always in haste”!
… In haste: to serve others
… In haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God
… In haste: to have Jesus as the centre of Her life

The Holy Spirit completely possessed the Virgin Daughter of Nazareth and impelled her to act.

The beautiful incident of the Visitation of Mother Mary teaches us this beautiful lesson:
When Christ grows inside of us, we will be in HASTE….
… to reach out to others in service
… to spare no efforts to get out of our own comfort zones of pleasure, relaxing and lethargy
… to forget one’s own needs and be totally other-centred and radiate joy and hope to others

Mother Mary becomes the “Woman on the move” –  on a continual and constant journey:
… She would embark on an hard trip to Bethlehem, while pregnant (Lk 2:4)
… She would again move – after the birth of the Child – along with Joseph, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:14)
… She would return back to Nazareth, under the instruction of the Angel of God (Mt 2:23)
… She would further travel to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and there would go in search of Her Beloved Child, when He was lost (Lk 2: 45)
.. She would be travelling with Jesus in His ministry – may not be physically, but Her Heart and Soul completely accompanying Her Son
… She would, finally, even accompany physically, with Her Innocent Child on the Way of the Cross (Jn 19: 25)

Mother Mary lived the words of the poem which centuries later would be formulated by another great Saint – St Francis of Assisi:
“It is in giving that we receive…
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life…”

The Feast of the Visitation is a reminder for us examine some of the important aspects of our life…
… Am I a person allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and take complete possession of me – my words, my thoughts, my actions?

… Am I a person, having Jesus in me, impelled to reach out to the other in service? As St Paul says: “The love of Christ impels me” (2 Cor 5:14)

… Am I a person, who is daring to be a “person on the move” – moving out of my safe comfortable zones, moving out of conditioned and prejudiced mindsets, moving out to make my life of praise and honour to God?

St Ambrose says: “Delayed efforts are foreign to the grace of the Holy Spirit”

Charity is never idle!
>> Charity is always on the move …
… Sensitive to the needy
… Seeking to do good

May the graces of God in us, not  get stagnant, or decayed or rusted …
… instead may they be extended in loving service to God and His people…

And thus our life be a beautiful Magnificat: “My Soul magnifies the Lord my God, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”

Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother Who moves us, constantly…towards Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

We have come to the end of our Preparation of the Feast, and today we have celebrated this Great and Wonderful Feast – the Lord has blessed us with His wonderful gift – His Body and His Blood!

Feast Days often, get celebrated with much show and pomp…or sometimes, its significance can get lost in external celebrations and festivities…But, let this not happen to this Sacred Feast Day….

The Feast that we have celebrated today… is a Feast for All the Days of the year…. The Lord is present in the Blessed Sacraments in our Chapels and our Churches…all the days…!

It is our duty to be with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament, whenever possible.

Let this Feast we have celebrated help us to make some practical resolutions and simple ways, so that we can love the Lord, more in the Eucharist, and thus become a Eucharist in this our broken and fragmented world.

St. Francis de Sales says, “When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”

To reflect
 Can I make extra efforts to prepare for the Holy Mass and also be aware of the Presence of the Lord, after Holy Mass?

 Is it possible for me to spend daily some time, with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament? For those of us, where physically, it is not possible to be with the Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament, can I spare sometime to be with the Lord, in prayer and devotion, in which ever place possible…?
 Can I show an extra devotion to the Lord, especially when we pass before some Chapels or Churches, and become a living witness to God’s infinite love in the Eucharist?
 Can I see the Broken Body and the Blood of the Lord, in the broken lives of the people in my life – my family, my work place, my community, my church, my society, my nation, my world?
 Can I spread the Devotion of the Blessed Eucharist to other peoples…especially to lukewarm and tepid Catholics, that all may know and realize, the Presence of the mighty Treasure of Grace, Power and Love, in this Beloved Sacrament?

Prayer
Most Holy Jesus, who bless our lives this precious and most-valued gift of the Eucharist, bid us we pray, that we grow in our devotion and love to You! As St Francis de Sales says, “We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day”, help us to raise our hearts to you, that we may continually be blessed with Your presence.

Make me Your bread to nourish the hungry, make me your wine to quench your thirst and make me Your comfort to all those who cry. Blessed Mamma, the Mother of the Holy Eucharist, help us to radiate, the Love of Christ to all People…Amen!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

A commonly known story goes thus…

An Arab sheikh, once gave a banquet for his son.
>> He invited his friends to share his hospitality.

His one request was that each guest bring a small skin of wine as his contribution to the feast.

On the appointed day the skins were emptied.
>> However, the further discovery caused immense embarrassment for the host as well as the like: most of them contained water!

Each guest had reasoned that, since everyone else would bring wine, he might be able to make a substitution and not be detected.
<> They were entrusted fully with the taking care of the vineyard.

The Master placed a lot of trust in the servants.

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

However, the tenants, who were trusted immensely…probably lost their focus on the real trust and diminished in their commitment and responsibility to their Master as well as their duty.

>> Their personal interests gained greater prominence over their entrusted duties.
>> Their selfish agenda gained the upper hand over the faithfulness to the Master.

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

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

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

The Lord has entrusted us with many responsibilities…
>> To promote and grow in our faith…
…. by a faithful prayer-life, co-operation with the graces of God, keeping away from a life of sin etc.

>> To be faithful to the vocation and works we are called to do…
… by constantly renewing our resolve in the works we do, remaining focussed on our calling etc.

>> To encourage others to increase in faith and in love of life…
… by being interested In their well-being, supporting them, teaching them etc.

The Lord presents Himself as the cornerstone…
… “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..” (Mk 12: 10)

Jesus is the cornerstone…of Salvation.. of the Church.. of His People!

>> We need to find strength and support in this Cornerstone…
… the cornerstone to build a wonderful life in God and grow in holiness…
… the cornerstone to stand firm and strong in faith to withstand every storm of life…

Let us come to understand that the price of enjoyment always comes at a price: of responsibility.
>> And it is “freedom with responsibility” that ensures valid enjoyment and proper satisfaction.

May the intercession of the Saint of the Day, St Joan of Ark who said… 
“One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying”
…. be an inspiration for us.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

(A): THE RITE OF THE DISMISSAL

Having been nourished with the Bread of Life and the Chalice of Salvation, we spend a few quiet moments, enjoying and relishing the sweetness of the Lord.

We are busy in the world with too many things… umpteen engagements, different activities, varied tensions and concerns, difficult dealings, crazy disturbances, bothering problems, strained relationships, acute financial difficulties,  turbulent job affairs, disorderly lifestyles, instable existence etc…. the list can go on and on….

In this midst of all this jumble and mishmash….. in the post-communion moments during the Holy Mass, we are allowed to experience a calmness and a stillness…a joy which is beyond limits and a peace, which is unparalleled.

Sometimes, in life, to escape the grinds and hardships, we get involved into many “escapist” techniques….some resort to being workaholic; some become alcoholic; some involve in character assassination and image-disfiguring; some get a kick in life with drugs or other addictions…etc
But the Lord, the lover of our souls and the caregiver of our hearts, in the Most Holy Eucharist, blesses us with His peace and His grace…. We need to dwell in Him, in these precious moments, after having received Him.

As a lover in the loving embrace of the Beloved…as a child in the consoling care of the mother…as a tender lamb in the gentle arms of the Shepherd…so we are .. in the Presence and Love of the Eucharistic Lord.

In the final prayer, and the blessing, we once again affirm our thanks and gratitude, to the Lord, for His magnanimous love.

The apostles were called to “be with the Lord” and to “be sent out”. In the Gospels, Jesus invites His followers, to first “follow Him”..and once they have been schooled with Him, He says, ” to go out..“

The Holy Eucharist follows the same formula… after having been with the Lord and been nourished, we are invited to go out, to become sharers of the Word and give food and life to a starved and broken world. We bless ourselves with the Blessing of the Trinity and give a Yes to the call of the Lord, to go and glorify the Lord, by our lives!

To Reflect
 Do I continue to be aware of the Eucharistic Lord in the post-communion moments, and offer Him my bouquet of thanks and praise?
 Am I able to pronounce with joy and conviction, the Call of the Lord, to go and live the Holy Eucharist? I need to realise, that what I have worshipped, what I have heard in the Word of God and what I have experienced in the Holy Eucharist, now needs to be lived, in my daily life.
 Do I continue to be aware of the Eucharistic Lord, in me, during other times of the day?

Prayer
Blessed Jesus, you nurture us with Your living presence in the Most Holy Eucharist. Help us to continually live in your presence, that our works may have the Divine touch. Help us that we become a Sacrament, a Sign of Your Love and Joy to all in our lives, Amen. 

(B):  THE POST-MASS REFLECTIONS

In life, there are many experiences, which leaves a great impression on our minds and in our hearts. Some of these, as time passes, are forgotten..but some….some remain deeply impressed, and have an intense bearing on our life thereafter. The most sublime and the highest of such experiences, ought to be the Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist.

It may sound theoretical….it may be written off as impractical…it may even be condemned as not being credible and unbelievable and unreliable and unrealizable… but the fact is that……..The Holy Eucharist can make us saints… the Holy Eucharist can make our lives a litany of true joy and peace!

After having been nourished by the Word of the Lord in the Liturgy of the Word, and strengthened by the Body and Blood of the Lord, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we are now invited and challenged, to give this nourishment and this strength to other people in our life.

The Eucharist that we have celebrated, now needs to be lived….
the Eucharist that we have relished now needs to be actualized in our daily lives…

ery often, I fail to see the treasure hidden in my home, and run after other “transient” sources of joy, alternative modes of spirituality, variant methods of lifestyle, unconventional techniques of philosophy and healing… but little do I see the treasure in our own Catholic Church – especially the treasure of the Most Holy Eucharist!

• There can be no better gift than the Holy Eucharist…

• There can be no lasting healing than the Holy Eucharist…

• There can be no higher challenge than the Holy Eucharist…

• There can be no supreme consolation than the Holy Eucharist…

Has the Eucharist, really become, the Centre of my Christian Life?

To reflect
 The Holy Mass challenges & invites us to offer our lives completely to the Will of God. Am I willing to surrender myself to His Will, though sometimes, it can be painful & agonizing?

 The Holy Mass requires me to be in good harmony and peaceful relation with other people. Am I becoming worthy of the forgiveness and mercy that  I have received from the Lord? Or do I continue to keep grudge, anger or unforgiveness towards people?

 The Holy Mass invites to break my body in service of others, to shed my blood in love, to suppress my evil inclinations & egoistic mentality. Am I willing to take up this hard task?

 Perhaps, many times in the past, we have celebrated and participated in the Holy Mass.. But has it really become a Reality and a Mighty Force in my Life?

Prayer
Most Holy God, who fill our lives with Your Life in the Holy Mass, give us the grace and the courage, to live out the Holy Mass in our daily lives. We realize that participation in the Eucharist is not a mere, unrealistic spiritual act; rather it is real and a life-transforming experience. Help us to live in You always, and may all our actions and deeds, be a participation, in the sacrifice which you have offered at Calvary, and which we have commemorated at the Holy Mass, Amen!

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation, rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.
He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said, “By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.
My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.
But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.
How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how did the fussy gentleman react to this bold and true reply of the preacher.
(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…
>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” (Mk 11: 28)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 11 of St Mark’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…
1. The entry into Jerusalem (Mk 11: 1-10)
2. The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mk 11: 11-14)
3. The re-entry to Jerusalem and cleansing of the Temple (Mk 11: 15-18)
4. The re-entry to Bethany, observation of withered tree and teaching on faith (Mk 11: 19-26)
5. The third entry into Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus’ authority (Mk 11: 27-33)

>> The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…
… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

>> The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…
… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

>> In Jesus, they perceived a threat.
… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke than to service of God

>> In Jesus, they sensed a danger.
… a danger to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

>> In Jesus, they identified a menace.
… a menace to their comfort-rendering style of spirituality and way of life.

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – seek to put Jesus to the task and question His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

Their eyes are closed to see the goodness of the Lord
> Their hearts become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience
>> Their lives are rendered blocked to be willing to make necessary changes for the good.

Instead…
… they only find fault with the Lord
… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…
>> The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
>> The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also?
> A mentality of harshly criticising…
>> A tendency to inhumanly  condemn…
… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

May we be able to root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead of self-growth in holiness and humility.

God Bless! Live Jesus

– Fr Jijo Manjackal msfs
  Bengaluru, India