(Based on the Holy Week)

We have entered into the Most Blessed Week in the Liturgical Calendar

The Holy Week commemorates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord.

The Lord came to this world to die.

The shadow of His cross was cast on every event of His life.

And now, we are ready to mingle ourselves with those Sacred Moments of commemorating His Cross.

April 14, 2025
On MONDAY, we have the Gospel wherein Mary anoints the feet of the Lord (Jn 12: 1-11)

We could ponder on some aspects…
a. The deep love of Mary
… Least bothered of what others felt.
… Least mindful of her own shame or dignity
All that mattered to her was Jesus and love for Him

Can I grow in my spiritual life, to possess such a unique and undivided love?

b. Danger of piety being covered up under the cloak of materialism, duplicity – Judas.
His focus was moved from “Following the Lord” to “Plotting against the Master”

Is my love for the Lord, losing its sheen and getting corrupted with worldliness?

April 15, 2025
On TUESDAY, we ponder with the Lord in His final discourse to His disciples (Jn 13: 21-33, 36-38)

We could dwell on some of the aspects…
a. The various attitudes towards the Lord, highlighted through the Disciples
… John, the beloved disciple, who could remain close to His heart.
… Simon Peter, the wavering disciple, genuinely wishing to follow the Lord, but failing often due to human limitations.
… Judas, the betraying disciple, in whom darkness had slowly encompassed and the night of sin was being encountered.

Am I growing in my love for the Lord, to be His beloved, or am I still floating on the waters of uncertainty or am I going downhill into spiritual darkness, failing to hold the hand of the Lord?

b. The prime importance needed in preparation to receive the Lord in the Holy Mass.
The Apostles had the privilege to participate in the First Holy Eucharist.
… however one of them, received the Lord with a deliberate and purposeful sin in the heart, which led to bringing death upon himself, at the reception of the Life-giving Bread.

Do I make the necessary preparations to receive the Lord worthily in the Holy Eucharist, growing in awareness of His presence in our hearts throughout the day…
… and in turn becoming a Eucharist to the needy in the world?

April 16, 2025
On WEDNESDAY, we reflect on the downfall of Judas (Mt 26: 14-25)

We could contemplate over some aspects…
a. Judas falls into the sin of avarice
One of the greatest dangers in life is that of misuse and attraction to money.
The Lord said, “Where thy treasure is, there thy heart too” (Mt 6:21)

Is my life too much attached to worldly pleasures, riches, powers, my own talents and capabilities that I fail to depend on the Lord and make Him the only and ultimate treasure of my life?

b. An insider is the one capable of being the greatest traitor and betrayer.
Among all the people who knew Jesus, The Twelve were chosen to be the closest.
… they shared the inner-most life and secrets of the Lord.

And therefore, the greatest danger was from one among them; and Judas Iscariot proved this right, by agreeing to betray his Master.

As an insider in the Church, am I betraying the Lord, by leading a lukewarm life, a scandalous life or a disinterested life?

April 17, 2025
On THURSDAY, we celebrate the intimate and passionate Love of Jesus!

The word ‘Maundy’ comes the Latin word “Maundatum” which means Command.

Three commands were expressed by the Lord…
a. The Command of Love
b. The Command of Commemorating the God of Love in the Holy Eucharist
c. The Command of continuity of sharing in the Priesthood of Jesus, the Priest and Victim

Can I grow in this consciousness and conviction to carry out the commands of the Lord?

April 18, 2025
On FRIDAY, we live through the Passion, Agony and Death of the Lord.

He who was sinless made Himself sin, for you and me!
… He who was blameless took upon the whole blame, for you and me!

Shall we make and mould our lives for holiness, abandoning our sinful ways…
… to be in greater communion with the One who died so that we may have life, and life in its abundance?

April 19, 2025
On SATURDAY, we pray at the tomb of the Lord, contemplating…
…. His deep, immense and unconditional for each of us, personally
… His Divine Wisdom to redeem the world back to Himself, scripting the greatest story ever

Yes the days are here…
… with another chance to review our lives, and renew our love-life with the Lord.

St Francis de Sales says, “Calvary is the Mount of lovers”
… and, “The love which is not the fruit of the Passion, is feeble”.

Our Greatest Lover is crucified there…
… as an expression of His love for us!

Come, let us also tread to path towards Him on Calvary, with our Blessed Mamma
… purging our sins, growing in His love
… and thus seek to rise with Him, and sing our eternal song – “Alleluia! He is Risen”

Wish you a Blessed Holy Week!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experiencing His tremendous Love as we enter, with Faith and Hope, into the ‘Holy Week’”

(Based on the Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord)

It was a cold morning on February 5, 1597.

On a windswept hill overlooking Nagasaki, 26 Christians – Franciscan missionaries, Japanese catechists, and even children – stood bound to wooden crosses.

They had marched through the streets in humiliation, mocked, beaten, and bleeding… while crowds watched.

Among them was Louis Ibaraki, just twelve years old.

When soldiers came to nail his hands to the crossbeam, he looked at them with peace and said:
“It is an honour to die for my Lord.”

The crowd grew silent.

As the final nails were driven and the crosses raised, the martyrs began to sing – hymns to Christ the King.

(And in that moment – as tradition tells us – a strange and still silence fell over Nagasaki.

Heaven responded to their offering…
… a cloud, shaped like a Cross, appeared in the sky)

[This event is historically documented and recorded in sources like ‘The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan’ by Fr. Cieslik, S.J., and the Vatican archives following their canonization in 1862.”]

Today, we shout “Hosanna” to the King of kings…
… as we wave our palms.

But we also realise this has ‘the tone of a funeral procession in slow motion…
… leading to the blood-soaked wood of Calvary.

Today we are entering into one of the most important weeks of the Liturgical year – The Holy Week!

And we commemorate the start of this Holy Week, with the Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

On this Sunday, we recollect the entry of the Lord into the town, riding on a donkey (Cf. Mk 11:7)

The donkey has a specific symbolism…

In the olden days, military officers engaged in war and battles would ride on the most efficient animals: the fast and furious warhorses.

But after the victory in the war, the victorious officers would parade into the city riding on… yes, a donkey.

That was the reason why the people shouted out when they saw Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

In the First book of the Kings 1: 38-4, we read of how Prince Solomon used the royal donkey of his father David, for the ceremonial procession on the day of his coronation.

The new Solomon, Jesus, the True Prince of Peace and the King of Kings today enters His city, Jerusalem on a donkey as well!

A new reign of peace was being signalled.
A new kingdom of love was being ushered.

Are we ready to welcome the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace into our lives?

He is not the glorious King of might and wealth…

But He is the Spectacular King who will reign on His throne of the Cross.

He is not the proud Emperor who parades much show and pomp…

But He is the Wonderful Lord who displays His compassion and love by His wounds!

Are we ready to welcome this King into…
Our lives?
Our homes?
Our hearts?

The Passion of the Lord is about to begin…

Are we going to be part of the people who crucify Him?
… or are we going to be people who repent of sins and seek to live a life worthy of the King?

Many of us would have read the following, with a picture of Jesus Christ crucified…
“I asked Jesus, how much do you love me?”
And Jesus answered, “This much”
And He extended His arms on the cross…

But there’s probably a sequel to this, which perhaps is not known much, but is worth reflecting on…

Jesus then asked me, “How much do you love me”
I picked up the hammer and the nails….
saying, “This is how much I love You!”
… and began to crucify Him!

The Passion of the Lord is a result of our sins…

The Crucifixion of the Lord is a consequence of our disobedience…

As Isaiah would say, “It was our infirmities that He bore and it was our sufferings that He endured” (Is 53:4)
He died for love of us.
He suffered to save each of us.

Are we going to remain stubborn and adamant and continue to be a people who shout, “Crucify Him”…
… Or shall we repent, fall on our knees, seek a transformation, and, with palm branches in our hands
… truly exclaim and acclaim Jesus as the Lord, shouting, “Hosanna to the King of Kings! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Many of us are just happy to be part of the “city crowd”…
… remain there and once in a way, shout Hosanna, and be happy!

But the Lord says: Leave the city and climb Calvary

“He who wishes to follow me, must deny, take up the cross daily and follow!” (Mt 16:24)

We must realise that Christianity without the Cross is impossible…
No Cross, no crown!
No wounds, No blessings!
No offering, no happiness!

We have the palms with us now – they are fresh and green.

But in a few days, they will turn dry.

Singing and shouting Hosanna is easy, when everything is fresh and green.

But can we keep the same spirit, even when things dry up…
… or will we end up saying, “Crucify Him!”

Let us truly make this week, a “holy week”…
… by making a confession of our sins, and making suitable amendments
… be deciding to read the Bible every day, without fail
… by spending time with Jesus, in personal prayer, every day
… by repairing some ‘toxic’ relationships – asking the “gift of forgiveness and healing of these relationships” from the Lord

The Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord is not just about nostalgia.

It’s about ‘making a decision.’

Holy Week is not to be reduced to a theatre of memories…
… but it is an invitation to intimacy with the Passion.

It is Christ saying:
“Will you walk with Me… all the way to Golgotha?”

So this week…
Don’t just wave palms.

Pick up your cross.

Don’t just sing “Hosanna”.

Whisper “I’m Yours” in the silence.

Don’t just remember what Jesus did.

Allow Him do it in you.

Because Holy Week without surrender is just “history

But when you allow the Lord to work on your life, it begins “HIStory!”

Wish you a Blessed Palm Sunday…
… and a Glorious Holy Week!

Let us be intimate with the Passion of the Lord and experience His tremendous love…
… so that we too may worthily and honestly shout, on Easter Sunday, “Alleluia! He is risen!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

The family is the community in which, from childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honour God, and make good use of freedom.

Family life is an initiation into life in society. (CCC # 2207)

“Seeking the Lord wholeheartedly in all situations, knowing that everything in life happens for good, for those who love God!”

(Based on Ezek 37:21-28 and Jn 11:45-56 – Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent)

In 2004, the movie “The Passion of the Christ” shocked the world – not only because of its raw depiction of Christ’s suffering, but because of what happened behind the scenes.

Jim Caviezel, the actor chosen to portray Jesus, endured unimaginable pain while filming the crucifixion.

During the production:

He was struck by lightning while hanging on the cross.
He dislocated his shoulder while carrying the 150-pound wooden cross.
He suffered hypothermia, pneumonia, and a severe gash from a real scourge that tore his flesh open.
For days, he couldn’t speak clearly because of the cold and pain.

His body was so battered by the end that he said: “I didn’t just play Christ…
… I felt crucified.”

People told him to stop filming.

Doctors warned him it was dangerous.
But he continued – offering his pain for a purpose.

Caviezel would later say:
“We all want resurrection… but most of us don’t want the suffering that leads to it.

But I knew – this wasn’t just a movie…
… this was a mission.”

And indeed, thousands have testified to finding faith, repentance, and healing through that film. His suffering brought souls to Christ.

In this painful process, we are reminded of an important truth: God uses suffering to redeem the world.

And that’s the mystery we enter today, on the eve of Holy Week…

When life seems shattered, when evil appears to triumph, when good is met with hatred, we are to remember:

Everything… yes… everything in life, happens for good…
… for those who love God (Rom 8:28)

We are called to live a life of holiness and conviction…
… even in the midst of any pain or setback or failure!

The Gospel of the day, on this eve of the Holy Week, introduces us to culmination of the sharp antagonism and hatred that was building up against Jesus.

Jesus had raised up the dead Lazarus (Jn 11: 1-43)

This event garnered a lot of attention…

Many people began to believe in the person of Jesus, as the Messiah and Lord.

But many others, also began to have a greater bitterness towards this Man who was working wonders!

Many people grew in their following of Jesus and placed a greater trust and confidence in Him

But many others, had their flames of jealousy intensified and began to have greater plotting to finish off the “law-breaker” and “blasphemer”

The good that the Lord had done, was apparently turning out to be an evil for the Lord!

The “life-giving” action of the Lord would immediately result in a “life-taking” act on Him!

The event of blessing to Lazarus would apparently turned out to result in an occasion of curse on Him (since dying on the cross was considered to be a curse (Deut 21: 23)!

In the ensuing planning and plotting by the chief priests and the Pharisees, the High Priest said, “… it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish” (Jn 11: 50)

Jesus had grown to be a big threat for them
Jesus had gathered up much popularity and had become a menace for the leaders.

Therefore, the High Priest suggested a “quick-solution”… to kill Jesus!

But, everything in life has a purpose…
… Because God is the ultimate ruler, preserver and nurturer of this universe!

They plotted death but God planned life
They were selfish but God made Him the Saviour
They sought for political gain, but God ensured spiritual gain.
They hoped to spare one nation, but God saved the whole world.
They intended the worst evil for Jesus but God turned it into the greatest good.
They wished to scatter all His followers, but God brought them together as one holy nation.

Our life also follows this same pattern…

The events we think are bad, also have a purpose in God’s mind.

The moments that we consider as ‘unlucky,’ also can be turned to a blessing by God.

Sometimes, it’s just too hard to accept this teaching…
… too difficult to understand this concept..

But we have a beautiful answer in this our painful moments: the Cross.

Look to the Cross and find strength from Him…
… who was abused though He was pure
… who suffered immensely, thought He was faultless.
… who underwent tremendous agony, thought He was sinless.

The Cross is the way of God…
… mysterious to us, but life saving for the world.
… baffling for us, but redemptive for the world.

What is most important is not to get discouraged or disheartened, rather…
… to seek the Lord wholeheartedly in all those situations
… to be faithful to the Lord in steadfastness and patience.
.. to be strong and joyful, finding strength in the love of the Lord.

Everything… yes… everything in life, happens for good!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life.

Authority, stability, and a life of relationships within the family constitute the foundations for freedom, security, and fraternity within society. (CCC # 2207)

“Not being stone-hearted; rather having tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

(Based on Jer 20:10-13 and Jn 10:31-42 – Friday of the 5th Week of Lent)

“We are strewn all over the ground.

Some of us are considered useless….
Some of us are just stamped upon…
Some are made use in some hard labour…

Some of us…
… well, some of us, however, are made use for some inhuman practices.

This includes making use of some of us, to hurt others
… to cause pains and wounds to others
… and some even to cause fatal deaths!

Our life is often long…
… but sometimes, such kind of painful moments and incidents, ooze out any bit of feelings we may have (though we are considered not to be having any sentiments!)

Are you wondering who we are?

Well…
… we are the family of stones!

Yep… Stones!

Strewn all over…
Sometimes useless, right?
Sometimes just stamped upon, right?
Sometimes just made use for hard labour, right?

But sometimes, some of us, the stones
… also become objects of injuring and causing pain to others

One such occasion was when, as you read in the Gospel of St John 8
… some of us were picked up by a gang of highly malicious, judgmental and selfish people, to cause death to a woman who was caught in an act of immorality.

We were ready to thrown on that woman.
We were set to become objects of brutality and terror.

However, that day, we encountered the most amazing personality.
He had glorious eyes.
He had a breath-taking voice.
He had a tremendous authority.

His name was JESUS!

And His one sentence, “He who is without sin, let him be the first to stone” dropped the jaws of all those blood-thirsty and cruel people.

We were all released from their hands.

We saw them all turning their backs and going home, in shame.
We also saw, the wonderful triumph of Mercy and Love and Compassion.

However, a few days later, some of us were soon back to find ourselves in the hands of those blood-thirsty men.

This time, the target was none other than that same charismatic person named Jesus.

You read about that in John 10:31, “The Jews took up stones again to stone Jesus”

We were left wondering why this innocent man was being targeted so badly.

He was after all preaching the Kingdom of God.

He was bringing the message of God’s Love and salvation to the world.
By His works, He was also proving Himself to be the Son of God.

But none of these “clear-cut” evidences were able to convince those people.

They still believed that Jesus was a blasphemer.

And so they picked us up – yes, we the stones
… to indulge themselves in a blood-bath of the Blessed Man of claimed Himself to be the Lord and Saviour of the World!

Prophet Jeremiah also had a similar experience of being denounced by the people…
… and centuries ago, recounting his own struggle, had written these prophetic words about the Saviour: “For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side!
‘Denounce him! Let us denounce him!’ say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall.
‘Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him!’” (Jer 20:10)

Our thoughts go out to those people who have such ruthless and stony intentions….

God had blessed them with such beautiful hearts.
God had showered them with so much of wisdom to discern and understand.

Yet, they failed to make use of these divine gifts and instead, had hardened their hearts!

What a pity, that those human beings had become like us
… stones!

Yes, just how could they become stone-hearted?

Stone-hearted
… that they failed to be open to the possibility of God’s hand at work.

Stone hearted
… that they were adamant to be closed to any explanation of the Lord.

Stone-hearted
… that they were stubborn to listen to the voice of God’s Spirit in their lives.

We, the stones, now appeal to you, dear readers, to be wary and examine your lives:
Are you also sometimes acquiring a nature like us, the stones…
… hard to the feelings of other people and failing to understand them?
… rigid to the inspirations of the Spirit of God and not letting Him work in your lives?
… inflexible to have changes and transformations in life, to attune oneself to God’s Will?

There are already many of us in the world

On your streets, on your roads
… we are all, indeed strewn all over the place
… we, the stones.

But we sincerely beg you…
… not to let your hearts to become like us
… not to let your lives to be similar to our nature.

Let the world have more of, not stone-hearts…
… but tender, loving, understanding and compassionate hearts!

Let the world have more of, not hardened souls…
… but docile, open, submissive and humble lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

Authority, stability, and a life of relationships within the family…

… constitute the foundations for freedom, security, and fraternity within society. (CCC # 2207)

“Deepening our Faith and allowing the Bright Star, Jesus, to always shine in our lives!”

(Based on Gen 17:3-9 and Jn 8:51-59 – Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent)

It is said that during the First World War, in American towns any household that had given a son to the war…
… was entitled to place a star on the window pane.

A certain man was walking down a certain avenue in New York, accompanied by his little boy.

The lad became very interested in the lighted windows of the houses…
… and clapped his hands whenever he saw a star at the window pane of the houses.

As they passed house after house, he would say: “Oh, look, daddy, there’s another house that has given a son to the war!

And there’s another! There’s one with two stars!
And look, there’s a house with no star at all!”

After quite some time, they came to a some vacant places where there were no houses.

However, in the vast expanse, the evening star was seen shining brightly in the sky.

The little fellow caught his breath and with an excited exclaim said: “Oh, look, Daddy,” he cried, “God must have given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window.”

“He has indeed!’ said Daddy!

Yes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jn 3:16)

This Gift of God – Jesus, the Son of God – is the Person of controversy in today’s Gospel.

Not all people were able to digest this fact, that Jesus, could be fully divine.

It is such a debating discussion over the Divinity of the Lord that forms the chunk of the Gospel of the Day.

One of the constant companions of the Lord, all through His life was…
… being hated!

It was especially His declaration on having a Divine origin that generated greater sparks of hatred.

The debate continues between Jesus and the Jews.

The Jews had immense pride in calling themselves as the children of their Father, Abraham.

As the debate continues, the Lord puts forward the gem of His defense…the core of His revelation: “Truly truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn 8:58)

Those words of Jesus hit his critics, directly on the face…
“Before Abraham was, I AM!”

“I AM” was the title of God Yawheh!
“I AM” was the sole privilege of the Lord Almighty!

This was the name that was given by God to Moses: “I AM who am. This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you” (Ex 3:14)

It was pure blasphemy for any mortal to use it for oneself.

I AM – the Name…
… demanded fear as to none other
… commanded respect as to no one
… contained awesomeness as in nothing else

In the book of Genesis, we read God Yahweh – the Great “I AM” time and again encounters Abraham.

“Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.

No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations!” (Gen 17:3)

The Jews who were well aware of these incidents, were highly infuriated, when Jesus would call Himself as the “I AM”…
… not only claiming superiority over Abraham
… but equating Himself to be God!

And so, the Lord had to face the consequences of this “blasphemous” act:
“So they picked up stones to throw at Him” (Jn 8:59)

The life of our Blessed Lord expounds an important truth:
Where there is mention of Divinity…
… there are forces of the evil seeking to cast it away.

Where there is presence of the Divine…
… there are powers seeking to destroy the sacredness.

Jesus, the One hated the most, was the Most Divine.

Fulton Sheen picks up this beautiful aspect, to present a secular, rational and a logical reasoning to see the Truth in the Holy Catholic Church.

We quote him here….
“If I were not a Catholic, and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world;
… in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hated.

My reason for doing this would be, that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, He must still be hated as He was when He was on earth in the flesh.

If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world!

Look for the Church…
… that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world!
… that is accused of being behind the times, as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned.
… which men sneer at as socially inferior, as they sneered at Our Lord because He came from Nazareth.
… which is accused of having a devil, as Our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the Prince of Devils.
… which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God.
… which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible, as Pilate rejected Christ because He called Himself the Truth.
… which is rejected by the world as Our Lord was rejected by men.
… which amid the confusions of conflicting opinions, its members love as they love Christ

And respect its Voice as the very voice of its Founder

And the suspicion will grow, that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world, then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other worldly
Since it is other-worldly, it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ Himself.

But only that which is Divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved.

Therefore the Church is Divine.”

Our own lives sometimes becomes an object of hate when we stand for Christ, the Truth

The more we tend towards being Divine…
… the greater is the opposition we face.

Jesus, is the same, yesterday today and forever (Heb 13:8)

As His true followers, we too will have to undergo agony, pain, humiliation and even suffering….

Let us be firm in His grace and stand bold, facing the challenges to our faith
… and grow in our commitment to the Holy Church and share in Her suffering.

Let us deepen our Faith that “God has given His Son, for He has got a Star in His window”…
… and may our Bright Star, Jesus, always shine in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

The family is the original cell of social life.

It is the natural society in which husband and wife are called to give themselves in love and in the gift of life. (CCC # 2207)

“Being faithful to the Lord, even when we know it is God’s Will that we should experience momentary suffering and struggle!”

(Based on Dan 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 and Jn 8:31-42 – Wednesday of the 5th Week of Lent)

Valiant stories of courage and faith are always an inspiration!

One such beautiful incident is narrated in the 3rd Chapter of the Book of Daniel

This chapter describes how the Jews were forced to bow down before a golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar.

Three young men – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – refused to do so, and held on to their faithfulness to God Yahweh.

This act of defiance infuriated the king and he warned them of severe consequences if they failed to do what he commanded.

At this, the three young, displaying immense courage and faith in the Lord responded:
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

But if not, be it known to you, O king…
… that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up!” (Dan 3:16-17)

The three young men were convinced of the mighty delivering Hand of the Lord…

But not only that; they also boldly offered themselves to the Will of God and declared…
… “even if it is the Will of God, that we should momentarily suffer in this fire, we will still be faithful to God!”
That’s Faith!
That’s Trust!

Holding on to the Lord, not only because you wish that God will answer your prayer, in the way you want, and in the time you want…
… but being faithful to the Lord, even when you know it is God’s Will that is permitting you, to experience momentary suffering and struggle!

Being convinced of the Truth and Beauty of God’s Will…
… they were willing to make every sacrifice – and go against every stubborn temptation!

Are we ready to open our eyes to this Truth of knowing and accepting God’s Will in our life?
Or do we remain stubborn and defiant in the ‘temptation to think and do as per our own wishes…
… and fail to experience the Divine Power of the Lord?

The Gospel of the Day is a continuation of the Jews getting into arguments with Jesus on the question of His Divinity.

The Lord invites the people to open their eyes to see and experience the Truth…
… but they closed their minds, and chose to remain stubborn, in their own understanding

The Lord exposed the futility of being ignorant and explained the advantage of knowing the Truth…
… but they wilfully chose to remain stuck in their past knowledge and be unwilling to open their hearts to possibilities of change.

Jesus, the Truth-Incarnate, declares: “You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free” (Jn 8: 31)

But the people retorted and answered: “… we have never been enslaved…” (Jn 8: 33)

They considered slavery from only a physical perspective!

They were, in fact, extremely offended when Jesus considered them to be slaves!

But Jesus brings the focus into right perspective (as he does always!), and speaks of a deadlier form of slavery and a higher form of freedom…

Slavery to Sin…
… that causes one to be away from God and His people
Slavery to ignorance and error…
… that causes one to be closed to God’s Word and prevent His transformation to take place within

He invites to receive Freedom in Him…
… that enjoins with knowing and doing the Father’s Will
… that liberates one from the bondages of death, and leads into peace and joy!

The danger to remain stagnant in sinful or ignorant ways constantly lurks in our life:

The Truth of the Bible is often presented to us in appealing and interesting formats…
… but we often seek to remain ignorant or don’t show any interest to read and understand God’s Word

The beauty of the Sacramental Life and the Teachings of the Church is laid before our eyes…
… but we time and again, tend to be lethargic, casual and sometimes even, hostile to them

Our eyes often come into contact with the suffering lot of people, in and around us…
… but many times, we turn a blind eye to them and remain indifferent in our cosy lifestyle

Each of us needs purification…
… a purification from our stubborn ways to a life of obedience and docility to God’s Word

Yes, Jesus is constantly extending His Nail-Scarred Hands, inviting us to a life of holiness and sanctity.

Let us make a self-examination of our state of life…
… realize the need to have a purification and a movement…
… and embrace and live with Jesus, the Truth, “Who sets us free!”

Today, let us make a firm commitment – like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three young men in the Book of Daniel – whose life was a valiant story of courage and faith

And hold on to the Lord, not only because we wish that God will answer our prayer, in the way we want and in the time we want…
… but being faithful to the Lord, even when we know it is God’s Will that is permitting us to experience momentary suffering and struggle!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

The relationships within the family bring an affinity of feelings, affections and interests, arising above all from the members’ respect for one another.
The family is a privileged community called to achieve a “sharing of thought and common deliberation by the spouses…

… as well as their eager cooperation as parents in the children’s upbringing. (CCC # 2206)

“Being wary of the menaces to be adamantly self-righteous and being proud with our own knowledge!”

(Based on Num 21:4-9 and Jn 8:21-30 – Tuesday of the 5th Week of Lent)

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death.

Though it has many and wide range of reasons and factors, the cause is frequently attributed to mental disorders…
… such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, alcoholism, or drug abuse.

Stress factors such as financial difficulties or troubles with interpersonal relationships also often play a key role.

In this fast-paced world, where indifference has grown in a humongous manner, suicide is certainly one great tendency and trend.

This suicide is, mainly, of the physical order.

How many of us have, however, thought of the threat of suicide occurring, even with respect to our spiritual life?

How many of us, have considered, that there is a danger of suicide happening, even with respect to our life of faith?

The Gospel of the Day is a warning to be aware of the danger of “suicide” from a spiritual angle that can occur in the soul of each person.

Jesus continues His revelation to the people, of He, being the ambassador of God, His Father.

He tells the people that “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die in your sin” (Jn 8: 21)

The Lord refers to “dying in one’s sin”

This aspect of “dying in one’s sin”, which would be equivalent to a person committing suicide in the spiritual sense, could consist of various ways:

1. A person dangers oneself to “suicide” in the spiritual sense, when one is too self-righteous – an attitude of “I know everything – even more than God!”

When Jesus told that He is going away, the Jews said, “He is not going to kill Himself, is He, because He said, “Where I am going, you cannot come?” (Jn 8:22)

The Jews failed to understand the words of the Lord, because they were filled with pride of their knowledge, and considered themselves to know everything.

They were filled with a certain obstinacy in being open to the words of the Lord…
… and failed to see that there could be also other possibilities of looking at the words of Jesus.

2. A person risks the danger of “suicide” with respect to one’s faith, when one fails to set one’s eyes heavenward, and instead gets fixated with earthly things.

Jesus said to the Jews, ”You belong to what is below. I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world” (Jn 8: 23)

The Jews had their thoughts and deeds centred only on the things of this world and failed to transcend their minds heavenward.

They were filled with a certain worldliness that made their concerns to be limited.
They were unable to understand the heavenly realities that the Lord presented before them, and even shut their eyes to make an attempt to understand them

3. A person exposes oneself to the perils of “suicide” from the spiritual point of view, when one is wilfully ignorant of the Truth.

Though Jesus had spoken much, performed much, the Jews still ask Him,” Who are you?” Jesus then said to them, “What I told you from the beginning” (Jn 8: 25)

The Jews had great many opportunities to discover faith in the Lord, as He had exposed them to many great wonders, taught several teachings and performed many deeds to show His divinity.

Though, they were learned in their scripture and laws, they failed to recognise the Source of the Scripture and the Giver of the Law.

Their minds were adamantly closed to the Reality.
Their hearts were purposely shut to the Truth.

The Lord moaned that these Jews were risking the danger of “committing suicide” spiritually…
… of “dying in one’s sins”.

This warning is addressed to us also….

Am I exposing myself to the risk of “losing my life, in sin?”
Am I endangering myself to the peril of “forfeiting my soul, in sin?”

Let us be wary of these menaces…
… to be adamantly self-righteous and being proud with our own knowledge and failing to trust in the mighty wisdom and power of the Lord.
… to be engrossed only in the affairs of this world and failing to raise our hearts to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

Daily prayer and the reading of the Word of God strengthen it in charity.

The Christian family has an evangelizing and missionary task. (CCC # 2205)

“’Making a choice’ to allow the Lord to reveal ‘the light of His love and grace’ in our hearts!”

(Based on Dan 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 and Jn 8:12-20 – Monday of the 5th Week of Lent)

During the height of apartheid in South Africa…
… Archbishop Desmond Tutu emerged as a voice of reason and justice in a time of intense division.

In the midst of a society where hatred and fear divided people by race, Archbishop Tutu – making a conscious choice for goodness – became a beacon of reconciliation.

His unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance and truth-seeking helped bring the nation toward healing and reconciliation.

In one of his famous quotes, the courageous Archbishop said:
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.

Do your little bit of good where you are
… it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

To behold the Divine and be an ambassador of goodness…
… one must first choose to open the eyes of the heart
… for only then can we truly see the light that guides us.”

However, if one decides to remain closed to the light of Divinity…
… then one continues to remain in the darkness of life!

The Gospel of the Day is the account of Jesus presenting Himself as the Light of the World…
… and his debate with the Pharisees, who chose to remain in the darkness of error and ignorance.

Jesus is at the Feast of the Tabernacles (Jn 7: 10)

It’s a festival of going up to Jerusalem and join in the festivities with many of the other farmers and vineyard-keepers…
… being grateful and expressing one’s thankfulness to God Yahweh, Who has blessed with a good harvest.

In the evening of the Feast day, everyone gets together in the Court of the Women at the Temple to dance and praise God for His goodness.

There is an elaborate ceremony involving the pouring out of the water from great pitchers, and then the lamps are lit.

Four huge oil lamps are positioned around the courtyard, and the priests’ assistants pour enormous quantities of oil into the bases of them.

Massive wicks are created from the worn-out clothing of the priests and stuffed into the necks.
Darkness falls quickly with very little twilight between the intense sunlight and the rising of the moon, which follows very rapidly at this time of year.

Suddenly the lamps are lit, and the whole courtyard is bathed in their light.

A cheer goes up from the revellers and from around the city, as the light can be seen from every part of Jerusalem.

Using the contrast between…
… the glowing exuberance of the brightly lit courtyard
… and the growing darkness in the atmosphere

Jesus makes a loud and bold proclamation: “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12)

But the Pharisees objected and spoke in retort: “You are bearing witness to yourself; your testimony is not true.” (Jn 8:13)

There was a contrast-play, on here

The Temple was lit brightly… Jesus declared Himself as the Light of the World
The evening had set, and the surroundings were growing darker
… The Pharisees, by rejecting the person of Jesus, chose to remain in darkness!

Jesus was continually giving witness to the fact that He was the “light of the world.”

He brought the light…
… of healing – to those sick and in distress
… of salvation – to those in sin and guilt
… of power and grace – by His words and teachings

But the Pharisees and many of the “creamy class” of the Jewish society, chose to dwell in “darkness.”

They remained in the darkness…
… of ignorance – by not being open to the teachings and works of Jesus
… of death – by continuing a life of sin and error and refusing the offer of grace from Jesus.

Susanna in the Old Testament allowed the “light of God’s Grace and Mercy” to shine forth in her life, through Daniel. (Dan 13:41-62)

When we remain open, truthful and faithful, God shines in our life!

Jesus wishes to be the “light of our life!”

Do we open our hearts to allow His light to shine through us?
… or do we get stagnant in darkness, and choose to reject His teaching in our life…?

Do we seek the Lord in honesty, to cause His light to shine in our minds?
… or do we remain indifferent in darkness and get stuck to our proud mentality and
lifestyle…?

One of the most tragic statements in the Bible reads thus:
“He came to His own, and His own people received Him not” (Jn 1:11)

The Lord comes to us today…
… proclaiming Himself as the “light of the world.”

Let us open our hearts, in repentance and contrition…
… and ‘make a choice’ to allow Him to reveal “the light” of His love and grace in our hearts!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

In the procreation and education of children it reflects the Father’s work of creation.

It is called to partake of the prayer and sacrifice of Christ. (CCC # 2205)

“Picking up the broken pieces of our life, filling the spaces in our emptiness and starting, all over again!”

(Based on Isa 43:16-21, Phil 3:8-14 and Jn 8:1-11 – 5th Sunday of Lent)

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when a young boy – seven years of age – was playing in the backyard, pretending to be a knight.

In his hand, he held his mother’s old hand mirror…
… imagining it to be a shining sword.

But as he dashed across the garden path, his foot caught on a root.

He tripped.
The mirror slipped.
And shattered – face-first into the mud.

The boy stared at the broken pieces, horrified.

This wasn’t just any mirror – it was a cherished heirloom, passed down through generations.
One of the favourites of his mother.
Now it was cracked… dirt-stained… ruined!

Tears began to fall.

Slowly, he picked up the fragments and walked into the house, bracing for punishment.

His mother looked up… saw the mud, the cracked mirror, the guilt in his eyes.
She didn’t shout.
She didn’t scold.

Instead, she knelt beside him, gently took the pieces from his hands, wiped away the dirt…
… and with a soft smile said: “It’s still a mirror. Cracked, yes – but it still reflects light.”

“And so do you!”

Then she added, as she held him close,
“Sometimes, the best things in life are born through what’s been broken.”

Isn’t that what our faith is all about?

Our God, Who doesn’t discard the broken…
… but redeems it.

Yes… Grace doesn’t fear the cracks – it fills them!

Even when life shatters us into pieces, God doesn’t throw us away.

He stoops down…
… lifts us up
… and says: ‘Let’s begin again!’

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful testimony of a person who…
… found herself at the lowest ebbs of her life
… when everything seemed all over
… in total tatters and brokenness

Yet…
… was able to pick up the broken pieces of her life
… fill the spaces in her emptiness
… and start it all over again

All by the Mercy of the Lord, Who intervened, and instilled a new hope in her.

The incident in focus is the ‘infamous’ occurrence of the woman who was “caught” in adultery.

There are many things to be pondered and reflected on, through this incident…

Think of the “mean” and “disgraceful” attitude of the people who “caught” this woman “in the act” (Jn 8:3)
… Were they fitted with “special probing and lusty” eyes, that devilishly gazed into “intimate exchanges,” that too on an early morning?

Think of the “self-appointed” role of these “moralists” who sought to restore the innocence of the land, without realising that, perhaps, their own eyes were filled with lust, their hearts drenched in obscenity and their lives soaked in vulgarity.
… How was it that their “clean” consciences and “true” intentions caught hold of only the woman, “caught in the act”, whereas, the man involved, was left, scot-free?

Think of the “deadly” trap that they were laying before the Lord, in seeking to find his opinion on the accused woman
… How neatly they had trapped the Lord in a “most vicious” dilemma:

If the Lord permitted death, it would be going against the Law of the land – of the Romans – since only the Romans were permitted to take the life of a person

If the Lord did not allow to stone, He would be going against the Law of the Lord, which had ordered the stoning of the convicted adulterer to death.

If the Lord permitted killing, He would be going against His own teaching of mercy, and His fundamental mission of “coming to seek and save the lost”

If the Lord forgave her, He would be going against the principle of Justice, and that would be infringing the rights and duties of a Just God.

It was a near-perfect scene, for the religious leaders to dreadfully trap the Lord.

The woman had been caught “in the act” of adultery…

Jesus was now to be trapped “in the act” of breaking the Law…

The woman had been shamefully paraded and stripped of all her dignity…

Jesus was now to be gloriously humiliated and disrobed of His glory and majesty…

But all these were “mere” human thinking and wile wishes…

The wisdom of God is much greater than all human craftiness and cunningness

In their wickedness, they failed to see, that they were testing the law with the Law-Giver Himself!

And so, the Benevolent Law-giver, bent down, and wrote with His finger… (Jn 8:6)
… just as He had, centuries back, written the Law on the tablet and given to Moses: “… tablets that were made by God, having inscriptions on them that were engraved by God Himself” (Ex 32:16)

He wrote, not a new law, but He wrote to make the law perfectly understood..
“Let the one who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:7)

This statement shattered all those accusers who heard it!

The accusers came armed with stones of certainty, hiding behind a cloak of righteousness.

But now, one by one, the stones fell…
… not in violence, but in shame!

In fact, those who came to cast the stone had themselves been stoned brutally…
… by the guilt of their sin!
Justice had triumphed!
Mercy had excelled!
Love had won!

All had left, save the one accused and the One who was Love and Compassion!

In fact, the Only One Who could actually throw a stone…
… as the Sinless and Guiltness One!

The one accused, stood in fear and trembling before the One Who recreates and renews!

And so she was given another chance…
…. to pick up the broken pieces of her life
… and to start anew!

In the book of Daniel, an innocent lady, Susanna would undergo a similar experience…
… of being condemned and doomed to death!

But the Wisdom of the Lord would shine through the young boy Daniel…
… and innocent life was saved!

Susanna trusted in the mighty Providence of God…
… and her hopes would not be disappointed; she would not be left in desolation.

Yes, in life, we may find ourselves crushed… broken… accused… abandoned… shamed!

But the Lord, still gives us a chance!

He is closest when we are most vulnerable.

Let’s always remember… God doesn’t discard the broken mirror of our lives

He restores it – because He knows it can still reflect His light!

In the stillness of life – beside the rivers of Mercy – God whispers to us:
“You are not your past.

You are not your shame.
You are mine.
Let’s begin again!”

Shall we….?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment – The Family in God’s Plan

The Christian family is a communion of persons…

… a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. (CCC # 2205)