Most of us would have experienced the “falling asleep” or “numbness” of arms, legs and feet, especially while sitting cross-legged (usually while sitting on the floor).

Right?

Technically known as “peripheral neuropathy” or “paresthesia”, this syndrome is caused by the compression of specific nerves.

When one sits cross-legged, sleep with arm above the head, or position any limb in such a way to put excess pressure on a nerve, that nerve will stop sending impulses normally.

If the pressure is great, or the duration long, the nerve will eventually stop sending impulses altogether.
>> That particular area will  essentially then “fall asleep” or feel “numb”.

Once the pressure is relieved, the nerve starts functioning normally again and one is able to  move the limb.
>> It may, however, take some time to work properly and one may feel some tingling, “pins and needles”, during the process.

Spiritually speaking, it is very much possible that one experiences such “falling asleep” or a “numbness” in one’s conscience.
>> This is Spiritual Paresthesia!

This “lack of sensation” can cause one to be “life-less” and “feeling-less” to…
… constant occurrences of sin and evil doings
… frequent aberrations in moral and ethical life
… even constant spiritual reminders that the Lord gives us

The Gospel of the Day presents a case of “Spiritual Parasthesia”, which could perhaps, be a reality in our lives as well…

Jesus, in the Gospel of the day, declares Himself as “The Way, The Truth and The Life” (Jn 14:6)
>> This reply of the Lord came in response to the query of Thomas, the Apostle who asked Jesus, “Lord, we do not know, where you are going; how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5)

Thomas, along with the other disciples, had by now, spent quite a lot of time with Jesus, their Master….

>> They had encountered Jesus as The Way….
… the Way Forward: when sicknesses and problems of life had crippled the lives of many

>> They had encountered Jesus as The Truth….
… the Truth Uncompromised:  when lies and malicious forces sought to thwart the plans of the Kingdom of God

>> They had encountered Jesus as the Life….
… the Life in Abundance: when hopelessness and sin would cause people to give up any aspirations for life

Yet, the disciples failed to recognise these Aspects in Jesus.

They were perhaps, in a state of “spiritual parasthesia”…
… being numb to understanding Jesus
… unable to sense the words and depths of the Words of Jesus.

And so when Thomas put forward the doubt: “Lord, we do not know, where you are going; how can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5)…
… Jesus emphatically declared, ” I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE!” (Jn 14: 6)

The Lord wanted the disciples to overcome their “spiritual parasthesia”…
…and come to be aware of the Reality and Greatness of His Presence in their life!

Perhaps, we too often find ourselves in a state of “spiritual parasthesia” or “spiritual numbness”!

One of the main factors, which can cause this state of “spiritual numbness”, is the reality of sin in our lives…
… which many times, we either deny or fail to acknowledge.

In the teachings of Jesus, one of the stand-out factor was His uncompromising attitude with respect to sin.

And perhaps, this is where Jesus as a Holy Person stands out incomparable with all other great spiritual or philosophical leaders of the world.
>> This is also where Christianity as a religion stands out unmatched with any other belief system or practice of spirituality.

For Jesus and in Christianity…
… there is an uncompromising teaching on the need to root out sin and evil offences
… there is an absolutely unparalleled insistence on removal of sin for spiritual progress
… there is an unsurpassed assertion on being holy and pure to be in communion with Him

We need to make an honest examination of our conscience…

Is our life suffering from a “spiritual Parasthesia” or “numbness to what is holy” or a “lack of sensation to sin”…
… Do I continue to pursue, persevere or promote deeds of sin, even though I am aware of it, or has been brought to my notice?
… Do I fail to be sensitive to issues of immense sin and evil happening in and around me, in people and situations, and instead become indifferent and uninterested?

A persistence in this spiritual “Parasthesia” or numbness can very dangerously sever our relation with the Lord.

The Lord proclaims that “In My Father’s house, there are many rooms…” (Jn 14: 2)

He wishes and desires, that all of us….
… should dwell with Him!
… should enjoy eternal life in Him!
.. should reach the heights of holiness!

But this also requires our genuine co-operation to the Grace of the Lord…
… by seeking to get over our spiritual Parasthesia or numbness…

This process of getting out of this spiritual “Parasthesia” will involve feeling some “tingling pins and needles” of reparation, penance and atonement.

Let us be willing to…
… let go a life of sin
… embrace the words of the Lord
… and live it joyfully and fervently in our life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high ranking diplomat who represents a state.
>> He/she is usually accredited to another sovereign state, or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign.

The ambassadors have some general functions…
>> Diplomatic :
Conducting negotiations with the host government, representing their state in meetings and delivering messages on behalf of their own government, receiving messages the host government for relay back to their own; being the spokesperson for their government etc.

>> Ceremonial:
Representing their government at public events in that host country and being the most visible symbol of their own country

>> Administrative:
Overseeing the operations at the embassy and of other diplomats and staff.

This word “ambassador” is also often used more liberally for persons who are known, without national appointment, to represent certain professions, activities and fields of endeavour.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the “Ambassador” of His Heavenly Father, and who in turn, invites each of us to be His Ambassador and of His Kingdom in our world.

Jesus says: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send, receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives the One who sent Me” (Jn 13:20)

Jesus came into this world to reveal the love and mercy of God.
>> He is the Love made flesh and the Mercy incarnate.

While on earth, Jesus sought to be the perfect Representative of God, His Almighty and Beloved Father.

Finding deep communion in long hours of prayer, Jesus would emphatically give witness to His Father, by His mighty deeds of power, spectacular wonders of healing and His heart-touching words of eternal life.

This mission of being the Ambassador of the Father, was however, not without its shares of pain for Jesus…
… He had the face the pain of being rejected by His own people
… He had to bear the agony of being betrayed by His own chosen one
… He had to face the humiliation of the worst form of execution known those days

Yet, none of this could deter the Lord from choosing to be the “Ambassador” for the Kingdom of Heaven.

He today invites each one of us to be an “Ambassador” for Him and His Kingdom.

Like an ambassador of the state or a country, perhaps we too have certain functions and roles as being the privileged “Ambassador for Christ”…

>> Diplomatic:
In the sense of not being compromising, but a function that makes us to be convinced and passionate in preaching the message of the Lord and His Kingdom to others.

Nothing should bring us low or falter us from standing firm in proclaiming His Word and standing for His Gospel virtues.

>> Ceremonial:
In the sense of not being show-off or parading mere externally, rather a duty that requires of us to make our very lives and every action a witness of the Love and Mercy of God.

~~ Our very words should reflect the goodness of the Lord
~~ Our very actions should radiate the gentleness and holiness of the Lord
~~ Our very life should mirror the self-sacrificing and altruistic nature of the Lord.

Administrative
In the sense of not being power-hungry or position-seekers, rather,with a servant-like attitude, seeking the good and upliftment of others.

As a representative of Christ, we must also feel the obligation within us to bring others to the faith in Jesus and make His message of love and holiness to spread to all.

The spiritual growth of the other ought to become a genuine concern for me!

St Paul in his Second Letter to the Corinthians echoes this call and invite of the Lord, to be His Ambassadors…
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Cor 5:18-20).
 
May we be firm and joyful in being an “Ambassador for Christ and His Kingdom”!

God bless! Live Jesus!

“I keep six honest serving-men…
They taught me all I knew;
Their names are What and Why and When, and How and Where andWho”

–  Words of the author, Rudyard Kipling who is famous for his book, “The Jungle Book”

This concept of 5W’s and 1H – What, Why, When, Where, Who and How – is extensively used in journalism, especially while writing a factual news story.

It is said that one of the classical methods in writing the opening paragraph of a news story should contain answers to, as far as possible, all these 5W’s and 1H.

The Gospel of the Day presents St John presenting a ‘Recapitulation Passage’ on Jesus.

This passage gives a neat answer in tune with the concept of 5W’s and 1H…
>> WHO Jesus is?
>> WHAT did Jesus do?
>> WHY did Jesus come?
>> WHERE did Jesus come?
>> WHEN did Jesus come to be?
>> HOW did Jesus come?

1. Who Jesus is:
St John presents Jesus as ‘the Saviour of the World’: “… for I do not come to condemn the world, but to save the world” (Jn 12: 47b)

Jesus is not the one who condemns or  denounces or reviles a person…
… Instead He is the One who saves, the One who redeems and the One who atones.

>> Have I accepted Jesus as the Saviour of my life…
… or is He just some great teacher or just a wonderful philosopher or even just a great Man?

>> Do I grow in my conviction that the “WHO” of Jesus primarily consists in Him wanting to save me from my sin, and wanting me to lead a holy and sanctified life, so that I can belong to Him completely?

2. What did Jesus do?
St John presents Jesus as ‘speaking the Word of Life’: ” Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge Him; the word that I spoke, will condemn him… ” (Jn 12: 48)

Jesus, the Eternal Word, spoke His words which guarantees life, and life in abundance (Jn 10:10b)
That is why St Peter confessed to Jesus, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6: 68)

>> Am I keen in listening to the words of Jesus, that He speaks to me,especially through His Holy Word in the Bible?
>> Do I seek to live and base my life on these Words and teachings that the Lord speaks to me?

3. Why did Jesus come?
St John presents Jesus coming ‘to lead from the darkness of death to the light of eternal life’: “I came… so that everyone who believes in me, might not remain in darkness; … His commandment is eternal life” (Jn 12: 46, 50)

The Lord, who is the light of the World, came to the world so that all may share in His Life, His Eternal Life.

>> Am I fixated in the mundane pleasures and transitory luxuries of the world, and giving no heed to the spiritual side of my life?
>> Do I orient my life towards to the higher aspects of life, gazing heavenward, and preparing my spiritual life to be worthy of eternal life?

4. Where did Jesus come?
St John presents Jesus as ‘coming to this world’: “.. I come into the world…” (Jn 12: 46)

This is a significant lesson that we are taught: that Jesus came into this world.

He came to sanctify and redeem our world.

In Incarnation, Jesus descends to our world… sinful, corrupt and prone to evil tendencies.
He does not abandon this world…
> He does not give up on any of us…
>> He does not forsake us in our misery…

>> Do I make space for Jesus to enter into my world, even if I am aware that I am sinful or prone to bad habits or constantly falling into failures?
>> Am I willing to accept the transformations that will be demanded of me, when Jesus descends into the realms of my life, and exhorts me to be walking with Him on His way of the Cross?

5. When did Jesus come to be?
St John presents Jesus as ‘existing with the Father, from eternity’: “… and whoever sees Me, sees the One who sent ME; .. I say as the Father told Me” (Jn 12: 45, 50b)

Jesus, the Son, is the visible image of God, the Father.

With the Father, He has existed from all ages, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
He is the Lord who is unchanging.
> He is the Lord who is all-knowing and all-loving.
>> He is the Lord who has the complete control over my life.

>> Do I possess the faith to be firm in my trust in the Holy Providence,knowing the Jesus knows everything, especially in my moments of hardships and trials?
>> Am I reflecting the image of God in my life, just as Jesus reflected the image of His Heavenly Father, knowing that this is possibly only by being in close union with the Lord, in devotion and discipleship?

6. How did Jesus come?
St John presents Jesus as ‘coming as the light to the world’: ” I come into the world as light… ” (Jn 12: 46)

Jesus came to the darkness of our world, by being the Light.
All His teachings radiate with truth
> All His deeds shine with holiness

>> Do I be firm in my principles and values to hold on to the teachings and commandments that the Lord, lovingly invites me to live?
>> Am I courageous to be the shining light even when many forces of darkness around me, try to put off this holy radiance of the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

‘Speech recognition technology’ is a technology that has been on for a few years and has been gaining immense use in recent times.

This technology recognizes spoken words and converts them to digitally identifiable signals or waves.

Such a technique is in wide use in various gadgets and instruments…
>> To initiate phone calls, select radio stations or play music from a compatible smartphones, MP3 player or music-loaded flash drive.
>> In fighter aircrafts, in setting radio frequencies, commanding an autopilot system, setting steer-point coordinates and controlling flight display.
>> Students who are blind or have very low vision can benefit by using to convey words and then hear the computer recite them, as well as use a computer by commanding with their voice.
>> Speech recognizers are also used in video games in order to input various commands and control access

This technique taps on the logic of recognizing the “sound” or the “speech”

Spiritually considering, such a “speech recognizing technique” is vital in forging a close and intimate relationship with the Lord.

The better our “technique” in recognizing the voice of the Lord, the closer will be our relationship…

The Gospel of the Day presents this aspect of “listening” to the voice of the Lord: “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn 10:27)

Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd.

One amazing quality of sheep is that they have the ability to internalise the voice of their shepherd, their master.

The sheep in the Middle East, were generally reared for their wool, rather than the meat.
>> This meant that the sheep would be with the Shepherd for quite some time.

A bond of relationship would develop between them.
>> The shepherd would seek to care affectionately…
… the sheep, in turn, would seek to obey its master

>> The shepherd would lay down his comforts to safeguard…
…  the sheep, in turn, would look to follow its guide

The shepherd would have a particular speech or voice, that will help to call out a particular sheep…
>> This sheep would, gradually, ‘internalise’ this sound or name and will respond to this call of its loving shepherd!

This is the illustration that Jesus uses to point out that His “sheep will follow Him, because they will recognize His voice” (Jn 10:4)

But we live in a world, where there are often many other “noises” which prevent us from hearing the Voice of the Good Shepherd.
Are we aware of these “noises”?

>> The “noise” of sin which prevents us from hearing the sweet, gentle voice of the Spirit within us…
>> The “noise” of worldliness that causes us to be attracted to the pleasures of comforts and avoid the whispers to holiness and sanctity…
>> The “noise” of discouragements and lukewarmness that makes us to be apathetic and indifferent to the needs and service of others and of God…
>> The “noise” of obstinacy and hard-heartedness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit which are transmitted through the Scriptures, the Church Teachings and the inspirations of people and situations of life.

All such noises affect the “speech-recognising” ability in us to hear clearly and distinctly the Voice of the Lord.

We need an upgrading of our “speech-recognizing” system…
>> We need a servicing of our “speech-recognizing” mechanism…

The Great Shepherd is waiting for us to be heard…
>> He is gently talking to us… He is softly whispering to us…

Let us do away with any “noises” that affect the “speech-recognizing technology” of our spiritual lives…
… and hear our Great Shepherd telling us:
” I know you… you are to follow Me.
I will give you eternal life; you shall never perish.
And no one shall snatch you out of My Hand!” (Cf. Jn 10: 27-29)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A person once came to a Catholic Priest, wanting to make fun of his faith and beliefs.

He especially wanted to take a dig at the Church’s understanding of the Holy Eucharist.

And so he asked, “How can ordinary bread and wine turn into the Body and Blood of Christ?”
The Priest answered, “Well, it’s simple to understand… The food that you eat daily, does it not change into your body and blood? Then how much more is it not possible for Christ to do the same?”

But the person did not give up.
He asked, “But how can the entire body of Christ be in such a small host? It sounds so kiddish to me!”

“Does not the whole vast landscape fit into your little eye?”, replied the priest.

The answer made a lot of sense…But the person still persisted and said,”How can the same Christ be present in all your churches, at the same time?”

The priest then took a mirror and let the person look into it.
He then let the mirror fall to the ground and break and said “There is only one of you and yet you can find your face reflected in each piece of that broken mirror at the same time.”

These were some of the simple yet practical applications that were offered to let the Great Mystery of the Holy Eucharist be understood.

The Holy Eucharist – the Body and Blood of Jesus –  is the greatest treasure that the Church offers to Her children…
Yet, the Holy Eucharist sometimes, also becomes the great barrier for people to misunderstand and misinterpret the Church.

The same was true even in the time of Jesus.
>> The mention of His Body and Blood caused great division, misunderstanding and led to the misinterpretation of Jesus.

The Gospel of the Day is an account of the Lord declaring the necessity of being partakers of His Body and Blood to be having a share in eternal life.

Jesus continues His discourse on He being the “Bread of Life”.

The Lord surprises His hearers by saying that He is “the bread that came down from heaven” (Jn 6:51a)

He shocks them even further by saying that “the bread that I give is my flesh for the world” (Jn 6:51b)

This caused a dispute among the people, ” How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” (Jn 6:52)

The bold declaration of the Lord that He would give His Flesh and His Blood as food and drink, caused a huge scandal among His listeners and it cause deep divisions and disputes.

The same is so much true in our own world, when the Church declares the Holy Eucharist to be the True and Real Body and Blood of the Lord, there is so much dispute and division caused.

>> Not many are able to accept this understanding
>> Not many are convinced of this teaching
>> Not many even believe this to be true
>> Not many are passionate either

The Catechism of the Church declares that “the mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique”

“In the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.”

The questions now arise before us…

>> My belief and understanding of this most Precious and Treasured Gift of the Holy Eucharist – “the source and summit of Christian Life”
… Do I believe with conviction that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Eucharist?
… Do I celebrate and participate in the Holy Mass with this Divine Fervour?

>> What is the effect that this Sacrament of Total Self-giving on me?
… Does the reception of Jesus, the Love Incarnate, make me in turn to be more loving towards others and do I make deliberate choices to extend love to all?
… Does the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist impel me also to make sacrifices – even tiny, insignificant, unnoticed – for the cause and good of others?

>> My contribution to spread the good news of the Holy Eucharist to others
… Am I being a person who radiates the love of the Eucharist to others, by my conscious efforts to be respectful, reverent and devoted in the Chapel or Church and also become aware of the Lord’s Presence, when passing by Churches or handling Sacred objects?
… Do I tell to other people about this exciting, real presence of God in the Holy Eucharist, to other people, especially the sick, the suffering and those in distress, that they may experience the Real and True healing presence of the Lord?

Let us grow in the Love for the Holy Eucharist and deepen our faith and conviction in Him.

As St Francis de Sales tells us…
“When the bee has gathered the dew of heaven and the earth’s sweetest nectar from the flowers, it turns it into honey and hastens to its hive…
… In the same way, the priest, having taken from the altar, the Son of God (who is as the dew from heaven, and true son of Mary, flower of our humanity), gives him to you as delicious food.

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.”

May Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist always be praised, and may our Blessed Mother Mary, the Mother of the Eucharist, intercede for us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Novum Testamentum in Vetere latet,
Vetus Testamentum in Novo patet”

This is a well-known Latin axiom, formulated by St Augustine.

It speaks of a Biblical truth…
>> In the Old Testament, the New is concealed,
>> In the New Testament,  the Old is revealed

The Old Testament pre-figures many of the aspects, situations and people of the New Testament.

The Gospel of the Day presents a classic example of some elements of the “Old Testament being found in the New”.
 
The Sixth Chapter of the Gospel of St John can be called as “the great discourse on the Bread of Life”

Jesus declares Himself as the “Bread of Life” (Jn 6:35), Who came down from heaven.

On hearing this statement of the Lord, the Jews “murmured” about Him (Jn 6:41)
>> They knew that Jesus was only the son of Joseph.
>> They knew the father and mother of Jesus.
>> They were very familiar with His human origins

Therefore, the statement of Jesus that “He was the bread, Who came down from heaven” caused a great deal of “murmur”.

The Greek word that is used here for murmur is a word, “gogguzo”…

This “gogguzo” means…
… any low, continuous sound as of a brook, the wind, trees etc or low indistinct voices
… a mumbled or private expression of discontent
… to show “smouldering discontent”,  droning on in a low, constant murmur

This similar “gogguzo” was also expressed by the Israelites, in their long journey in the desert.

When Moses led the large multitude of the Israelites through the desert, the impatient crowd, raised their voices in complaint against Moses and Aaron, “Would that we had died at the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread” (Ex 16:3)

The Israelites also “murmured”!

In response to this “murmuring” of the people, God Yahweh provides them with the “flesh of the quail” and the “bread of the Manna” (Ex 16: 4-15)
>> In the Gospel, when the Jews “murmured”, Jesus provides them with a reply of the “flesh of His body” and the “bread of His Life”

Jesus told them, “Stop murmuring among yourselves… I am the Living Bread that came down from heaven… the bread that I give is my flesh for the world ” (Jn 6: 43, 51)

The Israelites were given perishable flesh of the quails and they who ate the Manna, died.
>> But Jesus, now gives His imperishable flesh of His Own Body and offers the Eternal Manna as the Bread of our life!

It is in the Holy Eucharist, that the Lord offers this imperishable food and salvation to each of us.

What is our perception and passion towards this True Life that Jesus offers in the Holy Eucharist?

The Israelites in the Old Testament as well as the Jews in Jesus’ time, “murmured”…

>> Do I also “murmur” and remain indifferent to believing in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist?
>> Do I also “murmur” and fail to prepare myself well to receive Jesus, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
>> Do I also “murmur” and become unmindful or even disrespectful to the Presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, in the Chapels and in the Churches?

May this lengthened meditation on John 6 – the “the great discourse on the Bread of Life” – help us to deepen our faith and zeal for Jesus, in the Most Holy Eucharist.

It is this devotion and union with the Lord, alone, that can make us also, in turn, a Eucharistic people – breaking and giving ourselves – for the welfare and salvation of the world!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

One of the most simple moral stories that all of us have heard is that of the thirsty crow.

One hot day, a thirsty crow flew all over, looking for water.

For a long time, he could not find any.
>> He felt weak, and lost all hope.

Suddenly, he saw a water jug below the tree. He flew straight down, and was delighted to see some water inside it!

Sadly, he found that the neck of the jug was too narrow and it was impossible for him to access the water.
>> He tried to push the jug to tilt, for the water to flow out but the jug was too heavy.

The crow thought hard for a while.
Then looking around it, he saw some pebbles and an idea struck him.

He started picking up the pebbles one by one, dropping each into the jug.
As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising.

Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink.
His plan had worked.. His thirst had been quenched! 
     
The moral of this story is to “Think and work hard, you may find solution to any problem”.

But when we consider this story from another perspective, we notice that it also shows the deep craving inside every creature, to satisfy one’s thirst.
>> One is restless till this thirst is fulfilled…
>> One is impatient till this craving is satisfied…

This agitated thirst is also innate in every human being…
… a thirst for the Divine, for the Transcendental.

And this thirst, compels humans…
… to search… to seek…
… for the source of satisfaction
… for the fountain of fulfilment

But how wonderful it would be to be knowing and to be convinced that this “thirst” can find its fulfilment only in God.
>> And how wonderful it would be, if all human beings could be properly guided and correctly directed on this path of finding true contentment.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus promising this fulfilment and contentment to all those who come to Him and believe in Him – the Bread of Life.

Jesus declares, “I am the Bread of Life; He who comes to me shall not hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (Jn 6: 35)

The crowds who had been fed by Jesus, by the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, came in search of Jesus… probably expecting more…
>> They wanted still more…and they express this to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always” (Jn 6:34)

In John Chapter 4, we read the story of the Samaritan woman, by the well of Jacob, who had also expressed a similar desire.
>> She said to Jesus “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water” (Jn 4: 15)

This desire to receive bread or water, so that one may not hunger again or be thirsty again, is the innate desire and longing within each human being…

Each of us, deep within, are thirsty and hungry….wanting to drink water and eat food that will quench the longing, forever.

It is this search that makes people to go out and seek the various sources of satisfaction.

>> Some feel to have found this fulfilment…
… through worldly pleasures and bad habits like smoking, drinking, obsession with sex, drugs etc, which only lead to momentary external satisfaction and short-lived bursts of thrill.

>> Some feel to have found this fulfilment…
… in the various philosophies,  new-age patterns of life and naturalistic means of spirituality etc, which may have traces of truth, but fail to provide authentic and fullness of life.

But Jesus, today, boldly and unambiguously declares that its only in HIM that true and complete fulfilment of life can be found: “He who comes to me shall not hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (Jn 6: 35)

Are we convinced of this fact, that its only in Jesus, that I can achieve true and complete happiness…?

Like the Prodigal Son (Lk 15), we may have strayed away from this path of truth, to seek our own means and ways to find happiness and satisfaction.

But the Lord, today, calls us back to Him..
… to His Heart
… to His Church
… to His Eucharist
…. to experience Him fully.

>> To those who have strayed, the call of the Gospel, is to come back to the paths of truth
>> To those who are holding on to Him, the call of the Gospel, is to deepen the conviction, that in Him alone, can the hunger of my soul and the thirst of my heart be fulfilled.

>> To those who have strayed, the Lord invites to build the virtues of humility, docility and openness to the Spirit.
>> To those who are holding on to  Him, the Lord invites to build the virtues of patience, firm trust and a passionate longing.

May Jesus, the Bread of Life, always be the source and summit of our Christian living.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Our generation is a much trendier and health-conscious one….
>> Right?

People, especially, in the urban areas, do spend a great deal of time and energy in seeking to be more fashionable, more good-looking and being more healthy.

As part of this inclination, the modern trend is being highly conscious of the “diet” that one takes…
>> One is keen to know which food will help one’s body to remain fit and healthy
>> One is conscious to supplement foods that will keep one stronger and also appeal to the taste buds, at the same time.
>> One is also eager to plan out one’s meals and food-eating habits, that suits one’s lifestyle, in order to promote good health , shape and wellbeing.

But it would be nice and good to also check what is the condition and state of our “spiritual diet”.

We do tend to give a lot of importance to our “physical diet” in terms of the food to be eaten and that which are to be avoided.
>> But what is the importance that we accord to our “spiritual diet”?

Is my “spiritual diet” nourishing – my soul, my spiritual wellbeing?
>> Is my “spiritual diet” leading me to good health – of holy thoughts and purity of heart?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the Spiritual Dietician, exhorting the most important element, that is to be part of  the “spiritual diet” of everyone who follows Him – the Holy Eucharist – through the “Bread of Life” discourses.

After the feeding of the large multitude of people by the multiplication of the loaves, the people sought Jesus.
>> Jesus, knew their hearts longed not for Him, but for the bread-giver!
>> Jesus knew they were following not Him, but the food-provider!

So Jesus sought to put the matters in the right perspective and teaches them about the real food that they should be longing.
>> It is in this context that Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; He who comes to me shall not hunger and He who believes in me, shall never thirst” (Jn 6: 35)

Jesus declares Himself as the bread of life.

The Greek word that is used here for “bread” is “artos”.
>> This “artos”….
…  refers to food composed of flour mixed with water, and baked.
… also refers to food of any kind or food in general.

As “bread” or “food” is essential for the physical life
… Jesus as “the bread of life” is required for the spiritual life!

Without bread, physical life would perish….
… Without Jesus, the bread, spiritual life would perish!

It is this simple a logic…
>> It is this crucial a fact!

In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus offers this “bread of life” for us…
… to be our nourishment and strength
… to be our sustenance and energy
… to be our life and forte

What is our disposition and attitude towards Jesus, the “Bread of Life” in the Holy Eucharist?

History is a witness, that through centuries, there have been many saints, both men and women, who have lived for major chunks of their lives, just on the Holy Eucharist.
>> They would take no food or drink, but ONLY received the Holy Communion, everyday.

A few notable among these saints are…
….  St Catherine of Siena (in the 1350’s….. prior to her death, for seven years, she took no food into her body, except the Holy Eucharist)
…  St Nicholas of Flue (lived in Switzerland as a hermit, in the 1400’s… for nearly 19 years, lived without any food, except the Holy Eucharist)
… Blessed Alexandrina da Costa of Portugal ( of the 20th century… for the last thirteen years of her life, lived on the Holy Eucharist alone)

Our Lord himself explained to Blessed Alexandrina why He gives this grace to his some of His saints:
“You are to live by the Eucharist alone,” Jesus told her, “because I want to prove to the world the power of the Eucharist and the power of my life in souls.”

This greatest Treasure of Lives – the Holy Eucharist  – the Bread of Life…
… eagerly longs for our reception
… keenly awaits for our adoration

As Pope Benedict XVI says,
“In the sacrament of the altar, the Lord meets us, men and women created in God’s image and likeness, and becomes our companion along the way.

In this sacrament, the Lord truly becomes food for us, to satisfy our hunger for truth and freedom.
Since only the truth can make us free, Christ becomes for us the food of truth.”

>> Shall we not renew our love and commitment to receiving the “Bread of Life” more frequently, more devoutly, more passionately and with greater preparedness?
>> Shall we not revive our affection and dedication to spend more time with the “Bread of Life” in the Blessed Sacrament, to gain strength, to atone for sins and to offer the world for its sanctification and healing?

Let the Holy Eucharist  – the Bread of life – become the essential, the integral and the most fundamental constituent of our “Spiritual Diet”

God Bless! Live Jesus!