An enigma is a considered as a person or a thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand.
The word has its Greek and Latin roots, in words which mean “a riddle” or “a puzzle”.

>> An enigma has the tremendous capacity to attract followers or to detract the critics.
>> An enigma has the intriguing potential to captivate its fans or to puzzle its doubters.

When we analyse history and personalities down through the centuries, one can definitely come to a conclusion…
… that there has been no person who deserves a greater merit to being an “enigma” than Jesus Christ.

The life of Jesus, historically speaking, was a journey from being a semi-skilled Jewish carpenter in a tiny village in northern Palestine to an itinerant prophet, a wonder worker and a social revolutionary… one who confronted the religious and social institutions of his times so radically that he was put to death for it.

The Gospel of the Day presents this “enigmatic” Jesus confronting closed minds and blocked hearts, in recognising Him as the Messiah and Saviour…and an invitation to each of us, to make a radical choice for Him!

Jesus puts forward the parable of the tenants.

The tenants were entrusted with the vineyard by the Master, and were expected to provide the produce in due time.
>> They were entrusted fully with the taking care of the vineyard.

The Master places a lot of trust in the servants.

He gives 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 presents Himself as the cornerstone…
… “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone..” (Mt21:42)

In ancient practices of building, the cornerstone was the principal stone.
>> It was placed at the corner of the edifice or the building.

The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the whole building structure.
>> A cornerstone gives direction to the rest of the foundation.

It also is the support on which the rest of the building relies for strength and stability.

Jesus is the cornerstone…of Salvation.. of the Church.. of His People!
>> At the same time, Jesus can also be  “a stumbling block”

As it is written in Romans 9:33:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame”

>> To those who believe…
…  Jesus is the cornerstone of their faith and their life.

>> To those who do not believe…
… Jesus is the stumbling block in their faith!     

Who is Jesus in our life?
The cornerstone? Or a stumbling block?

The cornerstone to build a wonderful life in God and grow in holiness…
>> Or a stumbling block which causes us to be proud in our own merits and not depend on Him?

The cornerstone to stand firm and strong in faith to withstand every storm of life…
>> Or a stumbling block which makes us uncertain, hesitant and cause a collapse in life?

Jesus is indeed the greatest “enigma”
>> This “enigmatic” Jesus has the tremendous capacity to attract followers or to detract the critics.
>> This “enigmatic” Jesus has the intriguing potential to captivate its fans or to puzzle its doubters.

Jesus can remain the “enigma” who will be forever misunderstood or mysterious…
… Or He can be the “enigma” which becomes the guiding force for fullness in life!

Let us make Jesus the “cornerstone” of our life and faith!

Live Jesus! God Bless!

We live in a world of contrasts.
Contrasts are encountered at every sphere of our life.

>> Socially, we find contrasts among the various classes…
… the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, the caste distinctions, the racial and language divides…

>> Emotionally, we find contrasts in our experiences…
…  joyful situations sandwiched between tragic moments, moods varying between situations and people, temperaments changing from person to person…

The Gospel of day presents some of these contrasts in a vivid manner…and could be termed as a “parable of contrasts” –  the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

This parable is set out as a play… a two-act play.

The plays takes place on two stages…
… the stage of this world
… and the stage of the other-world.

The contrasts are plenty:

In the First Act….
>> A rich man  – a poor man
>> The man is rich but unnamed – the man is poor but is named, Lazarus (meaning ‘God Helps’)
>> The rich man clothed in purple  – Lazarus clothed fully with sores
>> The rich man caressed with fine linen – Lazarus licked by the dogs
>> The rich man feasted sumptuously – Lazarus desired to be fed by what fell from the table.
>> The rich man died and was buried – Lazarus died but was carried by the angels.

In the Second Act…
>> Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom – the rich man is in Hades.
>> Lazarus receives good things – the rich man was in torment.
>> Lazarus was comforted – the rich man was in anguish

This “parable of contrasts” is also …
… a “parable of comfort and consolation”
… a “parable of challenge and confrontation”

>> It’s a “parable of comfort and consolation” because….
… Lazarus, who had undergone great misery and suffering was blessed with the presence of joy of the Lord.

It’s gives comfort and consolation to us, who need to be strengthened in our moments of trials and hardships, knowing that the Lord will surely look with mercy on His needy ones.
>>>> “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 3)

>> It’s a “parable of challenge and confrontation” because…
… the rich man, who had a luxurious life, was condemned to torments, and had to endure the flames of suffering.

It’s a great challenge and a confrontation before us, who need to realise that indifference and an attitude of closing one’s eyes to the pain and misery of the other can be disastrous and punishable
>>>> “He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.” (Prov. 21:13)

The world of contrasts needs a Gospel of Comfort and Consolation, and towards this, we are challenged and confronted…
>> Challenged to get rid of our attitudes of indifference and lethargy to help the needy ones.
>> Confronted to overcome our tendencies to remain satisfied in our comforts and close our eyes conveniently to the necessities of the other.

Let us make our life a Good News of Comfort and Consolation.

God bless! Live Jesus!

It was the place known as the Place of the Skulls…
A Man had died…a cruel death… an unjust death!

Nature had witnessed the excruciating suffering of this Man.
And nature, silent and speechless, yet responded in its own manner:
·       Darkness enveloped over the whole land…

·       The earth quaked in anger and desperation…

·       The rocks split wide and many tombs opened up…

A few people had also witnessed the terrifying suffering of this Man.
And these people, though had voice and power, responded in their own manner:

·       Some were sadistically and treacherously ‘feasting’ their senses with the agony of the Man…

·       Some were appallingly indifferent and shockingly lukewarm…

Very few were enormously heartbroken and shattered..

Among these were a few men….
·       One by name, John… who was a Beloved of the One who died

·       Another was Nicodemus… who a secret follower of the One who died

·       Yet another was Joseph… who was from Arimathea, another disciple of the One who died

Among these were also a few women…
·       Most notably, the Mother of the One who had died!

·       Among others, a Mary of Magdalene… a Mary, who was the mother of James and Joseph

There was also another woman…
The last few hours had been extremely terrible for her.
She had witnessed the horrible suffering and death of a Man…and also experienced the pain of the Man’s Mother.

This woman herself had two sons.
>> And she knew the agony and pain of a mother seeing the suffering of her precious children.
>> And through those dreadful moments, this woman remembered an incident that had happened in her life…

Some weeks back, she had approached this Man with a favour for her children (Mt 20:20)
Her children, were the disciples of the One who had died.

She had requested, “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left, in your kingdom”
(Mt 20:21)

But the Master had responded, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”
(Mt 20:22)

She had not really understood the meaning of the Cup, back then.
>> She was more interested in securing a good place for her children, as it the case for every mother.

But, now….
…standing before that same Master…who had died a horrible death… she understood what was meant by the “Cup”
… standing before the same Master’s Mother… who had borne immense pain of Her Little Child’s death… she understood what was meant by “drinking the cup of suffering”.

She realised…
… the path to glory is only by treading the way of the Cross.
… that more than asking for places of honour, a true commitment to do God’s Will was needed
… that her request was triggered by a ordinary human concern and not tuned to seeking what was more needed by the Lord.

And standing before the Cross, she would have wished and prayed..
“Lord, not a place of honour, but grant that my children would follow you passionately!
Lord, not a seat of glory, but grant that my children may be faithful to you for life!”

This woman, invites each of us also…
… to put our focus totally on the Kingdom values and not on transient material concerns.
… to live in absolute commitment to God’s Mission and leave rewards to the mercy of God

·       Are we ready to put into place “first things first”…God’s Kingdom over every other materialistic wanting…?

·       Are we ready to prioritize our concerns and     focus… seek holiness and salvation over other transitory aspirations…?

>> Let us look to the Cross to draw greater inspiration to prioritize our needs and wants.

>> Let us look to our Blessed Mother who sought God’s Will for Her Child above all else.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Examine whether the given statement is true or false…

>> This looks like a familiar, age-old expression, isn’t it?

 
Well..this used to be one of the many questions which all of us would have faced..in our exams, in our school-days.

>> The statement had to be read…and then decided…whether it was TRUE or FALSE.

The Gospel of the Day today invites us to Make our Life a Statement…and Decide..whether I am True or False…

>> Is my Christian Life a genuine and an authentic one…… TRUE or FALSE?!

The Gospel of the Day presents a Challenging Jesus who seeks to expose the duplicity and deceptive life of the Teachers of the Law and exhorts to lead An Authentic way of Life!

 
Chapter 23 of the Gospel of Matthew is an extremely emotion filled and volatile passage.

 
The Great Master Jesus, is in a confronting mode and minces no words in exposing the duplicity of the Teachers of the Law.

Chapter 23 almost speaks of Jesus reaching a sort of boiling point…

Let’s think of a pan of water on the stove…

You turn the burner on high and slowly the water becomes warmer and warmer …

>> And then, there are a few bubbles in that water and those few bubbles come to the fore…

>>> And pretty soon the water in the pan is furious with bubbles because the water has come to its boiling point…!

The words of Jesus in Chapter 23 come to a boiling point!

 

Today’s Gospel Passage deals with some of the crucial areas of the Teachers of the Law…which very often have a similarity in our lives too…

 

#1: They preach, but do not practice!

>> How often am I in the habit of telling virtues to others…
… but fail to practise them myself?

>> How often do I love to advice goodness to others…
… but fall short of trying to be good myself?

>> How often do I want the whole world to be changed…
… but reach nowhere in trying to improve my own self?

 

# 2: They lay burdens on others..but lift not a finger to help

>> How often do I expect others to achieve perfection…
… but fail to do my own activities with zeal and passion?

>> How often do I want others to fulfil their duties well…
… but miserably unaware of my own obligations and tasks?

 
>> How often do I cause others to be good and holy..
….but indulge myself in deeds of corruption and sin?

# 3: They Practice deeds of Religiosity to be seen by others

>> How often do I parade my acts of charity before others…
… in order to boost my index of popularity?

>> How often do I want my deeds of assistance be noticed by others…
… in order to win admiration and acclaim?

>> How often do I go vocal in boasting of my own achievements…
… in order to become great and famous?

# 4: They love places and titles of honour and respect

>> How often do I seek the best places in society and the Church…
… and try to make a peripheral show of my status?

>> How often do I grow attached to places and titles of glory…
…  and develop an unconscious love for vain glory?

 
>> How often do I get disturbed and even troubled easily…
… when others fail to acknowledge my position and repute?

 
The list of questions is too long…. the record of queries is too extensive…

>> But we need to make this check.. a reality check of our own lives!

 

It is not very difficult to live under the garb of a well-polished and neat looking title of a Christian.

>> It is not very hard to move forward with our Christian lives being peripherally good and “appearing” pious.

But let’s stop fooling ourselves…

On Judgment Day, none of our external packing and wrapping will come to our rescue.

 
In our life here, some day or the other, our hollowness will get exposed if were are not true to our inner selves.

>> A false life does not befit a person who seeks to follow the Authentic Christ.

 
A duplicity in life is not appropriate to a person who wants to walk in the footsteps of the True Christ!

To live an authentic and true life.. is certainly hard…
… and is a treading through paths of difficulties.

 
But in difficulties, grace abounds…in hardships, blessings increases…
…. in adversities, mercy flourishes!

 

The question in the Examination Paper of our Lives is staring at us today:

>> Choose the correct alternative – Is my Christian Life a genuine and an authentic one…… TRUE or FALSE?!

 

 God Bless! Live Jesus!

>> “I like Christ….but not the Church…”

>> “I don’t like the Church which has decayed today into only being an institution…”.

>> “I believe in my own way. I don’t need to go to Church and have someone tell me what to believe…”

>> “The Church is a bunch of hypocrites who like to only brag about their grand old traditions and heritages…”

>> “The Church is just not an exciting place to suit my rocking life & it’s too boring to be in tune with my cool lifestyle!”

These are hard-hitting and rough words that often emerge in opposition to the Church…
>> Perhaps some of us may also agree with those statements or are sadly, even advocates of the same….

The word “Church” is often a stumbling block for many…
>> There’s something which makes to feel uncomfortable!

Today we celebrate the Feast of the “See of St Peter” (Chair of St Peter).
>> This Feast celebrates Christ choosing St Peter to “sit” in authority as the visible leader of the Church on earth.

The Gospel of the Day presents to us the Faith Statement of Peter, the leader of the band of the Apostles and Jesus declaring to him that, “…on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!” (Mt 16:18)

The Great Rock..entrusts to Peter, the rock and assures Him that the Church will always stay rock-grounded!

The Lord had and still has.. great Faith and Trust in His Church…..
>> But, personally, we need to ask: Am I still shaky regarding the Church?

Let’s get to some of the Basics of the Church.

The word “Church”….in Greek…is Ekklesia.
>> Ekklesia can be split to two words… “ek” = out of + “kaleo”  = to call

This gives us an important meaning of EKKLESIA – THE CHURCH…. TO BE CALLED OUT OF….

>> The Church is a body….to be called out of the world…
…  into being a Family and Fellowship in God!

>> The Church is a body…to be called out of materialistic and worldly gains…
… .and be a sign of hope and salvation!

This gives us a clue to many aspects of the Church…and which will help our own understanding…
>> The Church is not a mere building… the Church is the People of God.

We reduce the Church in our everyday vocabulary to a mere building made of stones and cement..

But, the Church is made of living stones (1 Pet 2:5)
>> And all of us need to contribute our mite in keeping alive this Church of God.

>> Do I give my share of talents and gifts to the Church is keeping it effective and relevant for our modern times?

>> Do I make sacrifices and offer prayers for the Church so that she may stand strong in the midst of struggles?

>> Do I promote and encourage the teachings of the Church and find beauty and wisdom in them?

Perhaps one reason we find ourselves in a cribbing position, with respect to the Church is because of our failure to understand its nature and also have our own misunderstandings and prejudices…

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who am I” (Mt 16: 13) he got varied answers…
… some surprising
… some unexpected

>> The Mystery of Jesus was so great…
… people failed to grasp who actually He was…

>> The Mystery of the Church is also great…
… that people fail to understand her and even form opposing opinions!

We may feel that the Church is too traditional and too conservative and too authoritarian…
>> But we fail to see that she has preserved much morals…kept safe human values..and promoted holiness

We may feel that the Church is all too mistaken in many areas and has committed many blunders…
>> But we ought to know that the Church has a human dimension and despite it, the Spirit of the Lord leads

We may feel that the Church is just too bad with scandals and hypocrites and has lost all credibility…
>> But we need to realize that the evil one attacks those who strive for sanctity and tries to disrupt God’s plans

>> The Church undergoes the pain of many a misunderstandings…
… Christ too underwent the same.

>> The Church suffers the bad name of being called by many names….
… Christ too underwent the same.

From a negative aspect, What is a Hospital?
>> Diseases, Blood, Pus, Screaming, Pains, Twisted bodies, Suffering..

But from a Positive Aspect, What is a Hospital?
Care, Healing, Love, Solace, Relief, Aid, Selfless Service….

Our Church can be understood in similar tones…
Weaknesses are plenty…yet, when seen from a Divine perspective, she is Holy!

All of us are concerned about the growing rejection of Church and Christian values in our society…
>> But we who are Baptized…and who seek the good of the Church, ought to join our hands and seek to revive the relevance and importance of the Church.

>> The Church has its weaknesses…
… but the Church needs Powerful Persons… in You and Me!

>> The Church has its negatives…
… but the Church needs Passionate Lovers of God… in You and Me!

>> The Church has its flaws…
… but the Church needs Committed Preachers of the Word… in You and Me!

The Body of Christ while hanging on the Cross was weak ….but “No bone of His was broken” (Jn 19:36)

>> The Church of Christ while living in the world maybe weak….but No bone shall be broken!
“…on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!”

Let The Great Rock help us to stand firm and become passionate in service of the Church!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

Myopia is a commonly found eye condition.
Popularly, it is also called as “near-sightedness” or “short-sightedness”.

It is a state of the eye that causes distant objects to appear blurred, while close objects can be seen clearly.

Coming from the greek word, “muōpia”, which literally means “trying to see like a mole”, myopia is a condition of the eye that causes the image that one sees, when looking at a distant object, to be out of focus, but in focus when looking at a close object.

Well, this short-sightedness or myopia is limited to not just the physical eye…
It can also easily be applicable to our general outlook of life or our spiritual life.

Yes, it is often found that one becomes short-sighted in life – seeing things only as they appear at the moment, and unable to take the long view of matters.
This is “spiritual myopia”
This is “spiritual short-sightedness”

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus inviting us to become aware of the presence of a possible “spiritual myopia” in our lives and to take measures to get rid of this condition.

The passage begins with the statement.. “You have heard that it was said….. But I say to you”

It must be borne in mind that the region in and around the ministry of Jesus, was multicultural and multilingual.
Under the Roman Empire, there was an infusion of languages… Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew…

Many of the common people of Israel usually spoke in Aramaic or Greek and perhaps Latin.
In this multi-linguistic situation, the reading and understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures (which was in Hebrew) was mainly by the religious leaders of the time – the Pharisees and the Scribes.

This therefore gave them the chance to interpret the Scriptures in a manner that reflected their own personal and biased teachings.
As time passed, this style of interpretation finally led to the situation that just observing the Law in an outward allegiance was sufficient in fulfilling God’s demands.

The fulfilment of following the Law was reduced to a mere external practise.
The spirit of the law was sacrificed for the letter of the law!
The inner dimensions and requirements were abandoned.

A “spiritual myopia” had crept in…
A “spiritual short-sightedness” had overpowered them…

•       They were fixed only to doing the stipulations, but failed to live the spirit of the Law
•       They were limited to a vision of doing only the externals, but got blind to the internals.

And therefore, Jesus warns the people to be aware of this “spiritual myopia” and to see beyond..
…to the real requirements of the law
…to the core of God’s commandments

Jesus attacks the method of interpreting Scripture with a limited vision and perspective…
He contrasts the Pharisees’ interpretation of the law with the law’s real meaning, by using the formula : “You have heard that it was said to those of old. . . . But I say to you . . .”

Six times in the second half of Matthew 5, Jesus uses this formula…speaking about…
… anger (Mt 5: 21-22)
… adultery (Mt 5: 27-28)
… divorce (Mt 5: 31-32)
… oaths (Mt 5: 33-34)
… retaliation (Mt 5: 38-39)
… loving enemies (Mt 5: 43-44)

•       Each time Jesus described the “limited” interpretation of the law…and each time He “broadened” the vision of the law.
•       Each time Jesus put forth the “myopic” explanation of the law…and each time, He “enlarged” the understanding of the law.

Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual myopia”?
… limited in my vision of the love of God and failing to extend His charitable love to all
… limited in my vision of the law of God and being stuck to my egoistic interpretations
… limited in my vision of the mercy of God and blocking it from reaching our enemies.

Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual short-sightedness”?
… having eyes fixed only on materialistic aspects and failing to see heavenly realities
… having eyes fixed only on what happens externally and failing to understand inner facts
…having eyes fixed only on being pious outside and failing to have a genuine intimacy within

In the Nazareth Manifesto, at the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus declared that He has been sent, “to proclaim…recovery of sight to the blind…” (Lk 4:18)

Let us seek the grace of the Lord, to touch our eyes, and help us be healed of our spiritual “myopia”

God Bless ! Live Jesus!

The phrase “(to) raise the bar,” or “raising the bar,” is an expression used to convey the idea of gradually setting the accepted minimum standards higher in order to achieve an objective or level of excellence.

 
This term came into common usage through the tracks and field sports event of high jumping and pole vaulting.

Ø In these events, the athletes run and jump, to propel themselves over the obstacles (the bar).

Ø In each subsequent round of competition, the bar is raised, making the target more challenging.

 
The athlete who displays the greatest stamina and successfully crosses the highest bar wins the event.

 
Jesus is an amazing “athlete” who raises the bar of Christian living.

He invites all His followers to also follow Him in living a “higher” standard of life.

The Gospel, over the next few days, shows the manner in which Jesus “raises the bar” of certain areas of Christian living…

Today He deals with the important dimension of anger.

 
Killing is considered to be a serious evil in every society and every religion.

 
Killing in its basic form is usually considered only in the sense of the physical body.

 
But the Lord today “raises” the bar” in the understanding of killing…

“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill’; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment’. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judgment….” (Mt 5: 21)

 
The Lord expands the understanding of killing beyond the physical body…

 
A person engages in killing… if, by anger…

…the social standing of the other person is upset

…the emotional state of the other person is wounded

…the spiritual balance of the other person is disturbed      

We could understand anger from various perspectives…

 
>> Anger as Quick temper

Prov 15:18 says, “An ill-tempered man stirs up strife…”

 
It is said that speak when one is angry, one makes the best speech that would be regretted much!

 
Quick temper sometimes…

…. forms part of our temperament

… comes even unknowingly

… is instigated by other’s actions
 

Yet, in all this, one ought to…

… rise quickly from remaining in the state of anger.

… become conscious of the occasions which can excite anger

… see that the temper is not fed or nurtured or intensified
 

>> Anger which leads to stubbornness

Eph 4:26: “…. do not let the sun to set on your anger”

Sometimes, the anger within is allowed to grow so much…

…that we get habituated to getting angry for even tiny and trivial matters

…that we lose our peace of mind, and sometimes even become indifferent

…that we choose not to budge from our position or viewpoint and remain adamant

Yet, we need to make efforts…

… to try to overcome our ego and self mentality and seek to make amends with the person

… to lower oneself in humility (even if we are right) and ease the situation of annoyance

 
Anger needs to be sanctified…channelled in the proper way!

 
One may feel a ‘just’ anger at….

… the immense corruption in the world and even in religious circles

… the forces of evil that seem to root away even faint traces of hope

… the indifferent and unchanging attitudes and temperaments of people which is sickening.

Yet… 
…. even these ought to get channelled properly

…even these ought to be routed in the right manner

 
Yes… even our just anger needs to be sanctified and purified in the burning furnace of God’s Love.
 

>> Anger is indeed a major tendency that is a cause of distress for many of us.

>> Anger is indeed a prime inclination that is a root of sin for many of us.

Let this season of Lent be a time of making genuine, practical and realistic efforts in the fight to sanctify and purify our anger.

 
Yes, the Lord is “raising the bar” higher… of holiness, of sanctity, of perfection.

Undoubtedly…

… it is painstaking

… it requires deeper attempts

… it requires committed determination!
 

But the Lord assures His grace to help us and His Love to encourage us!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

 

·       A little child of four years, constantly asks the mother to allow him to play a game ‘fire-fire’ with his friends, which involves using matchsticks and papers
 
·       A little boy seeks permission from the father to allow him to put out his head, to feel the strong breeze, as their car drives across very fast through the city

·       A little girl of five, is insistent in wanting to cut onions, with a sharp knife, just as her mother does.

 

What do you think would be the answer of the parent in the above situations?

Would they allow….Yes?….. or No?

 

Surely, No…right?

All of the above situations involved some danger…

All the above situations involves some risk..

And so, the parent, in the full interest and care of the child, would outrightly deny permission.

 

The parent would try to explain…

… that playing would fire, is dangerous pastime

…that putting the head out of the speeding vehicle would be fatal

…that trying to use the sharp knife can result in accidental cuts and wounds.

 

But would the child understand?

In some cases…they might.

But in many cases…perhaps, No!

The child would start weeping…crying…throwing tantrums!

They would even yell… even wail saying…

 “Why do you deny me?”…”You don’t give me what I want”.. “You don’t understand me”..etc..

 

Is the parent really bad in denying the child?

Is the parent wanting to make the child sad by giving what is asked?

Certainly No!

 

It is, in fact, out of deep love that the demands are not fulfilled as per the child’s desire.

It is, in fact, out of much care that the query are not answered as per the child’s wants.

 

Very often, is this not, our relationship too, in our prayer experience with God?

·       We ask God for fulfilment of certain aspects…but we don’t seem to have it rewarded in the way we wish.

·       We ask God for an answer in certain problems…but we don’t seem to get the solution in the manner we expect.

And so sometimes, we get agitated…we get irritated…we even lose our faith and trust!

The Gospel of the day presents the teaching of Jesus on having a proper attitude and disposition in prayer.

 

The Lord gives the analogy of the human father to expound the right understanding we should have with respect to prayer: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him” (Mt 7: 11)

 

The Lord is clear in proclaiming that the God our Father would very surely bestow “good” things on His children.

“Good” things….

“Good” not from our perspective…but from the way God looks at it.

“Good” not from the way we understand…but from the manner God sees it.

Just as the child who thinks is asking “good” things…we too ask many “good ” things..

But… 

… sometimes we are denied

…sometimes we are given after a while

…sometimes we are given something else

 

The denial…or the delay…or the different…is not because God wants to make us sad…

It’s simply because God loves us much deeply and cares much abundantly!

 
Yes, it is God’s pure love and unfathomable wisdom which sometimes causes…

…denials in our prayers

…delays in what we ask for

…differences in our demands and wants      

>> What seems proper for us, in God’s amazing understanding, might not be proper!

>> What seems good for us, in God’s immeasurable wisdom, might not be good!

>> What seems just for us, in God’s glorious insight, might not be just!

 

Ø Are we ready to grow in our trust in God, our Father, who knows and cares for us immensely?

Ø Are we ready to build our faith in God, our Father, who will take us through any situation in life?

 

Let’s trust in God more and more…because we can only see a little bit down the road, but God can see every curve!

Let’s trust in God more and more…because we can only see the struggling caterpillar, but God can see the beautiful butterfly!

Let’s trust in God more and more…because we can only see the dark dismal clouds, but God can see the bright sunrays waiting to shine forth!

 

God Bless! Live Jesus!

>> Thriller Movies have a great audience….

>> Reality Shows have a wide range of popularity…

>> Programmes with sensational appeal have a massive demand…

Our age loves to be tingled with breathtaking visuals and magnificent signs.

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

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

The demand of our external senses is very high in our generation…
 

A fallout of this excess is also reflected in our Spirituality and our Religious Outlook….

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

 

And the Lord thunders in today’s Gospel Reading, “This is a wicked generation… it is asking for a sign…”
 

Signs are not bad.

>> Symbols are not without meaning.

>>> External expressions are not unwarranted. 

 
They certainly do have their proper place and a meaningful nature.

 

The Bible is not alien to signs and wonders…

>> Moses’ rod became a serpent; 

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

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

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

>> Baalam’s ass spoke.

>> Aaron ‘s rod blossomed.

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

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

>> Elijah pronounced a drought upon the land… And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain …

The examples are plenty plenty more……..

  

But…

… when outward signs fail to generate any positive emotions..they divorce from their intention…

…when signs stop being an aid to increase in faith…they lose their meaning

…when symbols cease to be a passage for inner understanding….they fail in their purpose.

 

And this is the reason that Jesus condemns the Pharisaic mentality of Seeking for a Sign…
 

>> They sought a sign ….in order to test…but not to believe…

>> They asked a sign….in order to satisfy curiosity…but not to trust

>> They demanded a sign…in order to scheme evil talks… but not to have faith.

 
Signs become mere external fancies.
>> Miracles become mere magic shows

 

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

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

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

•At the Trial, King Herod Antipas hoped Him to perform a sign…
… not to save Him..but to mock Him!

 

Jesus condemns all such unnecessary demands for a sign and external phenomenon.

“…but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah the Prophet!”

 

>> The Prophets of Old, performed many miracles.
… Jesus also did.

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

>>The Prophets of Old, were never able to raise themselves from the dead.
… But Jesus rose!

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

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

The Pharisees demanded a sign….Jesus answered with a sign…the greatest of them all..His Resurrection!

And yet……yet, DID THEY BELIEVE?

The answers can be speculated.

 

But the question is..

Am  I believing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!