“Allowing ourselves not to be ‘influenced and altered’ by the ways of the world!”

(Based on Jer 7:23-28 and Lk 11:14-23 – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent)

A group of two brothers were roaming in the forest, when they found a couple of tiny birds of the family of linnets.

When the boys got the birds home, they put the linnets in a cage, opposite the canary bird, which was tied in another cage.
(Canary birds are known to be “Singing Birds”)

They explained to their mother that they hoped the linnets – being so young – would learn to imitate the singing canary…
… Instead of cheeping as normally birds do, they expected them to sing (like the canary)

The next day the boys entered the room, and exclaimed:
“Mother, come here, look what has happened!

Our canary is cheeping like a linnet!”

The mother came in… and found it so!

Instead of the linnets learning to sing, the canary bird forgot its ability to sing!

Thus, the canary had to be separated from the wild birds of the wood and kept under cover for a time before regaining the singing ability.

Such is the case with Christians who allow themselves to “influenced and altered” by the ways of the world!

We may end up losing the “song of our Faith!”

Yes, Christian life requires that we be constantly “on the watch and guard”, because it is…
… a constant struggle between the forces of evil and the power of goodness…
… a relentless warfare between the coercion of sin and the strength of holiness…

The Gospel of the Day presents this struggle between…
… Jesus and the Pharisees
… the Holy One and the evil forces
… the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of Satan

The Lord came to the world to usher in the Kingdom of God.

Bringing to forefront the Kingdom of Power and Holiness, the Lord casts out a demon from a person who is dumb. (Lk 11:14)

This mighty action of healing and deliverance had a tremendous effect…
… the dumb man spoke
… and the people marvelled.

But, this wondrous act of power and authority also triggered a volley of struggles…
… a struggle of words between the Pharisees and Jesus
… a teaching on the struggle between the Kingdom of God and the forces of evil

The Lord lashes out in authority and conviction, on being accused of siding with evil powers to cast out demons: “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste and a divided household falls” (Lk 11: 17)

Jesus makes it clear that one cannot be siding with negative forces in order to perform deeds of goodness and salvation!

This brings us to an important dimension that needs our honest and critical consideration:

Am I a person truly on the side of God when I engage in works and ministries of the Lord…
… but still continuing to be on the side of the Evil One by living a life of sin?

Am I a person imbued with the Spirit of the Holy Lord in professing to be a Christian…
… or am I living a dual-life by failing to give up immoral tendencies and obliging the evil spirit?

Am I a person who may be performing a lot of good works in the name of God…
… but failing to have an intimate relationship and union with the God of all power and glory?

Venerable Fr Peter Marie Mermier, the founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales puts it beautifully:
“The ministry of a priest without prayer, is a barren ministry, without any effect, even harmful; it is a ministry of death!

Instead of enlightening, it blinds; instead of healing, it kills!

But the ministry of the one who prays, is a ministry of life!”

Christian life is not to be just defined by external works of piety and works…
… but is to be a reflection of the inner intimacy and relation with the Lord.

A true inner disposition and authority is a must to be effective and credible in our life.

I may find myself often in the “cage” of faith and unbelief…

But am I clear in taking the side of the Lord and Him alone?

I may find myself often in the “cage” of actions of goodness and temptations of the evil…

But am I convinced of taking the side of the Kingdom of God alone?

Christian Life is a constant struggle
… between the evil and good
… between the Devil and Jesus
… between the Kingdom of God and the powers of wickedness

Which side are we on?

Let us be careful not to allow ourselves to be “influenced and altered” by the ways of the world…
… so that we may not end up losing the “song of our Faith!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

This commandment is expressed in positive terms of duties to be fulfilled.
It introduces the subsequent commandments which are concerned with particular respect for life, marriage, earthly goods, and speech.

It constitutes one of the foundations of the social doctrine of the Church. (CCC # 2198)

(Based on Deut 4:1, 5-9 and Mt 5:17-19 – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent)

In the annals of legislative history…
… a seemingly trivial punctuation mark once wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy.

In 1872, Congress passed a tariff act intended to exempt “fruit-plants, tropical and semi-tropical, for the purpose of propagation or cultivation” from import duties.

However, a printer’s inadvertent insertion of a comma transformed the phrase into “fruit, plants, tropical and semi-tropical”
… (inadvertently adding a comma between the words: fruit and plants)
… And thus, granting all tropical fruits duty-free status!

Importers quickly took advantage…
… flooding the market with duty-free tropical fruits.

By the time the government realized the mistake, millions in revenue were lost.

(Source: Tariff Act of 1872, punctuation mishap; historical records of U.S. customs and tariffs.)

A single misplaced punctuation mark had rewritten the law and cost the nation dearly.

If one small comma could shake an entire economy, imagine how powerful is the smallest letter of God’s Word!

Jesus tells in today’s Gospel:
“Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of the letter will pass from the Law, until all things have taken place.” (Mt 5: 18)

The ‘smallest letter’ refers to Hebrew letter “Yod”

It is the smallest letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.

The ‘smallest part of the letter’ refers to the “thorn of the Yod”

It is just a small curve at the top of the letter, a light decoration on the letter “Yod”

Why was Jesus being so specific and particular in speaking about the Law?

What was Jesus meaning, by referring to the “tiniest” elements of the alphabet?

Jesus refers to the prime sanctity of God’s Word to His People.

This Word had now taken flesh (Jn 1: 14)
Jesus, the Word Incarnate, came to bring the Law to its fulfilment…
… not to undermine them.

While the Old Law could only show the mistake of the person…
… Jesus, the New Law would grant forgiveness and grace to the one who atones!

While the Old Law could only make the person to realise one’s faults…
… Jesus, the New Law would confer life and salvation to the one who repents!

When we consider the Gospel of St Matthew, we can consider the shift in emphasis:

Stage 1: In the initial part of the Gospel

Jesus says, “UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of the letter will pass from the LAW, until all things have taken place” (Mt 5: 18)

Stage 2: At the end of the Gospel

Jesus says, ” HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY, but MY WORDS will not pass away” (Mt 24: 35)

There is a progressive shift in emphasis…
… from the LAW to the WORDS OF JESUS.

He is the perfection and the fulfilment of the Law!

This is the Divine Process of the unfolding of the plan of God’s Salvation for the world…
… finding its fulfilment and perfection in Jesus!

But this was not at the expense of the Old Law!

The Old Law is to be read, understood and practised, in the light of the New!
The New Law casts its illumining light on the Old, revealing life-giving messages!

As the classical saying goes:
“The New Testament is in the Old, concealed; the Old Testament is in the New, revealed”

What is the message for us, in this reflection?

The Great Power in the Promises of God in our life!

The Lord assures us, that none of His Promises will go unfulfilled in our life!

He guarantees that, He will bring His Word of Salvation to fulfilment in our life!

What is needed however…
… our openness to trust and believe in His Word!
… our willingness to make necessary changes, in the light of His Word!

The Lord assures us, with much emphasis:
“… Give heed to the statutes and ordinances which I teach you, and do them; that you may live…
… keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding” (Deut 4: 1, 6)

Let us not be afraid to seek perfection in obeying the Law of the Lord and keeping His commandments, remembering…
… that “the smallest details of God’s Word hold Great Power, because even a ‘Yod’ carries the weight of eternity!”

Let us know for sure: In God’s Word, there are no small details – only Divine precision!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

The Lord Jesus himself recalled the force of this “commandment of God.”
The Apostle teaches: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’

… (This is the first commandment with a promise.) ‘that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. (CCC # 2198)

“Allowing our Blessed Lord and Mamma Mary with St Joseph, to enter into the ‘train of our life’ and to have a journey of ‘joy and mirth!'”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord)

This simple and beautiful little story is told about a long, tedious train journey…
… made by some elderly residents of a nursing home who were on their way to a vacation spot.

At one station, a young mother with a small child entered the train.

The child smiled at all the grim faces around him and began moving from one lap to another…
… talking, shouting with joy and chatting with everyone.

Instantly, the grim and silent atmosphere in the train was changed to one of joy and happiness.

Today is the celebration of the day when our Blessed Lord and Mamma Mary entered into the “train of human life” to begin a journey of “joy and mirth!”

On this Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, we remember with joy and gratitude how Mary said: “Yes to the Divine Plan”….
… to pave the way for Her Divine Son Jesus to transform a hopeless, joyless and sinful world into a place of joy and happiness!

This Announcement of the Good News of the beginning of salvation history, with the encounter of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Angel Gabriel…
… is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.

Mother Mary, at the Annunciation, teaches us many things…

1. Mother Mary teaches the supreme goodness of obedience

Heaven had chosen a simple girl, Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, the Saviour.

When Angel Gabriel was sent to seek Her consent, Mary, after the initial moments of fear, bowed Herself in obedience:
“Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to Me, according to Your Word” (Lk 1: 38)

This obedience to God’s Will would turn out to be Her fortress and strength – in moments of uncertainty, loneliness, dread and agony.

2. “Faithfulness, thy true Daughter is Mary!”

One of the most outstanding qualities to be admired and imitated from our Blessed Mother is “to be faithful”

In Mother Mary, we have a person, who remained faithful at all times…
… even when there were dark clouds of unwarranted humiliation looming over her
… even when unforeseen difficulties encountered Her during the birth of Jesus
… even when she encountered many situations which She did not understand
… even when life surrounded her with agonising moments and heartbreaking instances

The “Fiat” at the Annunciation would be lived all through Her life

This act of being “faithful forever” resulted from the constant choices that She made to always listen and obey God’s Will.

3. Mary was ready to be moulded and shaped by God

When Mary was entrusted with the greatness of the task, She gave Herself readily to the power of God

She didn’t hold back anything
She was complete in Her surrender

It is when we offer ourselves wholly and be ready to be moulded and shaped by the Lord, that He can perform wonders through us.

4. Mary held on to Jesus as the Greatest Treasure of Her life

The greatness and the eminence of Mother Mary came as a result of Her single-minded focus and love: Everything for Jesus and in Jesus.

When in the womb…
… Her sole attention was on Jesus
While in the manger…
… Her whole care was for Jesus
While in His ministry…
… Her thoughts were centred on Him
While on the Cross…
… Her entire self rested on Him

It is when Jesus becomes the Treasure of our life, that our lives get enshrined in Grace and Holiness

5. Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant, bearing Jesus.

The Scriptures easily point to the fact that Mother Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant

The ark in the OT travelled to the land of Judah and remained for 3 months (2 Sam: 6:1-11)

The Ark in the NT, Mary travels to Judah, to meet Her cousin Elizabeth and remained for 3 months (Lk 1:39, 56)

David danced and leapt, and shouted before the ark in the OT (2 Sam 6:14)

In the NT, John, the babe, leapt and Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry before Mary (Lk 1: 41, 43)

Inside the ark of the Old Covenant was the manna – the miraculous bread from heaven, the staff of Aaron, the Priest and the tablets of the covenant (Heb 9:4)

The NT Ark, Mother Mary had within Her Jesus, the Bread of Life, Jesus, the Eternal Priest and Jesus, the Law-giving Word!

As the New Ark of the Covenant, Mother Mary deserves our highest veneration and honour…
… which will lead us to a greater closeness and intimacy with the One, She derives all Her praise – Jesus, Her Son and our Brother!

(The last book of the Bible testifies to this greatness of the “Ark of the Covenant…
… now present in the temple of God, in heaven – “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple..” [Rev 11:19])

Let us embrace Mary, the beautiful instrument chosen by God…
… and be led to love the Lord more!

The Feast of the Annunciation is an invitation for us:

To grow deeper into embracing the Will of God in our lives.
To give consent to the inspirations of the Lord that come constantly to us.
To be open to march forward in faith and hope, in our life of faith in the Lord.

The Lord is wishing to find a place in a willing heart, even today…

Just as Mary, our Loving Mother, who said Yes to the Will of the Lord, let us also say Yes to God’s Will…
… and allow our Blessed Lord and Mamma Mary with St Joseph, to enter into the “train of our life” and to have a journey of “joy and mirth!”

Happy Feast of the Annunciation.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

Jesus said to his disciples: “Love one another even as I have loved you.”
Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

He was obedient to them. (CCC # 2198)

“Surrendering ourselves to the Truth and falling to our knees and saying, ‘Lord, I believe in You!'”

(Based on 2 Kgs 5:1-15 ab and Lk 4:24-30 – Monday of the 3rd Week of Lent)

He was brilliant.

A scholar.
A man of reason.
He had built his entire life around logic and intellect…
… dismissing faith as nothing more than outdated superstition.

Whenever someone spoke about God, he would scoff…
… armed with arguments to tear their beliefs apart.

He was certain – absolutely certain – that Christianity was a fairy tale for the weak-minded.

But then, something began to happen.

Truth – relentless, unshakable truth – kept pressing in.

He found himself surrounded by great minds – writers, philosophers, professors – many of whom were deeply convinced of God’s existence.

This phenomenon baffled him: ‘How could such intelligent people believe in something he had always dismissed?’

And then, there was the person of Jesus.
The Gospels.

The undeniable weight of His words.
The historical reality of His life, death, and resurrection.

He resisted the naked Truth standing before him!

He fought and argued with himself.

Accepting this truth meant surrender.

It meant admitting he was wrong.
And that terrified him.

But the Truth would not let go.

One night, alone in his room, he felt it closing in, undeniable, inescapable.
And finally, he broke.

He later wrote: “I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed…
… describing himself as “the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England”
… and admitted that he fought against faith until he could no longer deny the truth.

That man was C.S. Lewis.

(C.S. Lewis was one of the greatest minds of the 20th century – a brilliant Oxford professor, a master of logic – and a man whose writings would inspire millions in the defence of the Church)

Lewis would later write:
“The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.”

Yes, Truth doesn’t change to fit our pride…
… our pride must bow to the truth.”

Rejecting God doesn’t make Him less real…
… it just makes it harder for us to see!

A proud mind rejects the plans and workings of God in one’s life, and makes one to say:

“I can manage my life by myself!”
“I know what’s best for me! None need to teach me!”

How often do we do the same?

When God speaks to us and when He calls us beyond our comfort zones, do we resist?

The Gospel of the Day presents the rejection of Jesus, in the Synagogue at Nazareth, by the people, who displayed a proud mentality, a haughty spirit and an arrogant heart.

Jesus, is in His hometown.

He entered the synagogue and began to teach.

Though initially, there was a wave of excitement…
… the words of Jesus caused a major setback to the people.

This caused the people to reject Jesus…
… they even try to kill Him (Lk 4:29-30)

St Luke uses a very strong word to describe the feelings of the people…
“When the people in the synagogue heard, they were all ‘filled with fury'”

Or another translation… “… they were all ‘filled with wrath'”

When one’s pride is hurt…
…. One tends to become angry and hurt

When one is made to get out of one’s comfort zones…
… one tends to become restless and agitated.

This is what happened to the people in the Synagogue.

Their pride was hurt..
… because Jesus spoke to them on the need to be humble, and accept the “all-embracing” love of the Lord!

They were made to get out of the comfortable zones…
… because Jesus spoke to them on the need to change their closed ways of thought-pattern, and to accept the “all-merciful” invitation to the Kingdom of God!

This “instigation” can happen in our life too…

When we are challenged to move out of our “traditional” style of thinking…
…. and accept instead, the merciful and compassionate ways of God

When we are forced to change our crippling attitudes of rejecting people on the basis of caste, creed, colour, language etc…
… and accept instead, the “all-welcoming” style of the Kingdom of God

Human tendency it is, to sometimes “get used to” comfortable situations…
… even if they are fruitless or unproductive and useless

In 2 Kings 5:1-15, Naaman’s initial pride and resistance to Elisha’s simple solution reflects the human tendency…
… to “resist change and to move out of the comfort zone!”

The Lord today, invites and challenges us in our proud mentality, a haughty spirit and an arrogant heart.

There is a constant invitation by Jesus:
“Learn from Me… for I am gentle and humble in heart”

God’s truth will always challenge us.

The only question is: when it stands before us, will we fight it?
… or can we fall to our knees and say, “Lord, I believe in You!”

Let us learn from the Gentle and Humble ways of the Lord, and become persons, who are open to the workings of the Holy Spirit.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

God has willed that, after him, we should honor our parents…
… to whom we owe life and who have handed on to us the knowledge of God.

We are obliged to honor and respect all those whom God, for our good, has vested with his authority. (CCC # 2197)

Kindly ignore the previous post for Mar 23, 2025. This is the correct one.

“Having the Wellspring of Hope, even when life traps us in ‘the dark mines of difficulties and despair!'”

(Based on Exod 3:1-8a, 13-15, 1 Cor10:1-6, 10-12 and Lk 13:1-9 – 3rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle C)

August 5, 2010.

In the San José Mine of Chile, a sudden collapse trapped 33 miners under 2,300 feet of rock.

The world above had no way of knowing if they were alive.
Days passed.
No food. No water.
Just darkness, heat, and despair.

Seventeen days later, when all hope seemed lost, a drill finally broke through.

As it was pulled back up, a small note was attached: “Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33” – “We are well in the shelter, all 33 of us.”

The world erupted in joy!

The rescue mission intensified.
But there was one problem – getting them out would take time…
… the miners would have to survive 52 more days underground.

But down below, something remarkable was happening

Cut off from the world, these men turned to God.

Many of them had never thought about God before. But now?

Now they realized – no money, no success, no strength could save them.
Only God could.

Buried beneath the earth, they discovered that even in this “unfortunate situation,” God was very powerfully with them.

And later, when they were finally rescued—after 69 days in darkness, one of them testified:
“We were 33… but God made us 34.

He was with us the whole time.”

Life often traps us in ‘the dark mines of difficulties and despair!”

But we are reminded – especially in this Jubilee Year of Hope, that “Hope does not disappoint!” (Cf. Rom 5:5)

God is always with us!

The Gospel of the Day opens our eyes to consider the “Jesus” way of looking and understanding such “uneventful” mishaps and “tragic” calamities.

Humanity is a daily witness to calamities, catastrophes, adversities and disasters.

Tragedies occur in the life of every human being.

Every now and then, we hear of many reports of unpredictable or unimaginable misfortunes occurring in the lives of people – tsunamis, floods, earthquakes – or bomb blasts, mass killings, wars etc.

In our own personal lives too, we experience a lot of painful moments…
…. very often, unexpectedly.

In the face of all these horrors… we are faced with many doubts and questions:

Why do these things happen to the innocent?
Why doesn’t the Good and Loving God do anything about all this?

Sometimes, we even take on a critical and judgmental attitude and say, “Probably, God is punishing all these people for their sins or their misdeeds”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is presented with a couple of human tragedies and made to react on them.

The first tragedy is about the Galileans who suffered at the hands of Pilate (Lk 13: 1-3)
The second is about the people who dies when the tower of Siloam fell on them (Lk 13: 4)

The first one is about a disaster brought about because of the cruel deeds of human beings

The second because of the misfortunes in nature.

In both these cases, however, the people who died, were mere subjects to death…

They had an unfortunate death, without perhaps really being guilty.

And so the natural reaction of the people of the times was that, the people who died would have been greater sins, and they are being punished by God.”

“These people deserved death because of their sins” was the popular slogan of those times.

Perhaps, when faced with calamities, we too often take upon this judgmental attitude,

But here Jesus points out the great reality…
These calamities and disasters are not to be another occasion for us to pass judgments

Rather, they become golden opportunities for us to make a self-reflection on our lives.

Like the tree which is given one more year – to be dug around, to be given manure and to produce… these tragedies and events in life, present us with more time to examine, how do we live our lives.

Do we take our lives for granted?

Perhaps, we have a tendency to often think there is plenty of time in life.

And complacency creeps into our life.

But these tragedies point to us the fact, that after all human life is very short.

And in this short-lived life, we need to make the best use of God’s graces to repent and to lead a Holy life.

In Rev 22.7, Jesus says “Behold, I am coming soon”
As Christians, we believe in the Coming of the Lord.
No one knows the hour
No one knows the day

But, being prepared, being vigilant always, is a must, is a necessity.

St Paul tells us: “we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…” (Eph 4:15)

Human tragedies and personal misfortunes are to be understood as God’s manifestations of Love for us, to have our lives set clearly on our priorities for God and His Kingdom

They are not to evoke fear or elements of judging

Rather, should prompt us to take life more seriously, and to make Real Repentance and live a Holier lives.

Through the call narrative of Moses, God reminds all of us, that He is aware of our struggles, and He seeks to always save us:
“I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry…
… I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them…” (Cf. Exod 3:7-8)

To grow in our love and trust in the Lord, one of the practical tip that we all need to practice is the Daily Examination of Conscience.

When we daily examine our conscience, and make efforts to amend our lives with true repentance, we are able to live the graces that are showered on us.

Also, a meaningful Regular Confession helps us not only to be forgiven of our sins, but also gives grace to lead a more holy and unblemished life.

Live will often trap us in “the dark mines of difficulties and despair!”

Yet, even in the deepest darkness, there is a wellspring of hope.

Let us be vigilant and keep guard over the sanctity of our lives…
… and Be His, forever!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

The fourth commandment opens the second table of the Decalogue.

It shows us the order of charity. (CCC # 2197)

“Staying true and good, in faithfulness and obedience!”

(Based on Mic 7:14-15, 18-20 and Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent)

A group of teenagers were planning for a party…
… and someone suggested that they go to a certain restaurant-cum-bar for a “more enjoyable” time.

“I’d rather go home,” said Jeffrey, to his friends, “My parents don’t approve of that place.”

“Haha! Are you afraid your father will hurt you?” one of the girls said sarcastically to him.

“No,” Jeffrey replied, “I’m afraid I might hurt my Father!”

The young boy understood the true meaning of staying true and good…
… not because of fear of punishment
… rather, for fear of hurting the one who loves you!

When you love someone, you remain true to the person…
… in faithfulness and obedience
… in sincerity and respect

The Gospel of the Day – the Parable of the Prodigal Son – is the beautiful exposition of the “lost son” realising the true meaning of Love…
… as He experienced the Unconditionally True Love of the Heavenly Father!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is surely one of the most popular, the most loved and the most touching parables of Jesus.

This parable has three main characters and we could view any of them as playing the main role in the story:

1. The Prodigal Son
   He went away from the love of his father

Inheritance was given to children only after the death of the father

In asking the inheritance, therefore, alluded to the fact that the Prodigal son considered his father to be dead!

But having spent his life in useless living, he realised the emptiness and vacuum that filled his heart.

And so he decided to turn back…
… and go to his father

2. The Elder Son
   He remained the faithful “servant” of the house

But when he saw, that his brother – who had wasted away the inheritance, was received with so much warmth, his temper rose!

He couldn’t digest the fact that his brother who lived a “wasted life” was honoured….
… whereas he was never given the chance to “enjoy with his friends”

The context of the parable is Jesus speaking to the “Pharisees and scribes” who were “complaining that Jesus always accepted sinners” (Lk 15: 1-2)

In this context, the character of the Elder Son portrayed the attitude of the Pharisees and Scribes.

3. The Beloved Father
   But beyond these two characters towers high the Image of the Father – the Father who loved and accepted his lost son!

He suffered a deep pain when his younger son went away

He underwent immense pain waiting for the son to come back
He went through moments of dilemma when his elder son was opposing the welcome of the younger one

Yet through all this, the Character of the Father towers high!

He is the Father of Mercies…
… Who accepts all, just as they are
He is the Father of Love…
… Who loves everyone, unconditionally
He is the Father of Compassion…
… Who receives all to His loving embrace

In our life, often as children – like the Prodigal Son – we go away.

We try to do something good…
… but our life turns into a mess!

Our student life gets messed up with lack of commitment and failures
Our marriage hits the rocks with misunderstandings and lack of acceptance
Our family life gets into a crisis with lack of unity and peace of mind

We feel our life is all in a mess…
We find ourselves lost, frustrated and upset!

But in all such situations, we need to look up…
… and see how the Loving Father is waiting to embrace us…
… and love us!

Yes, the Merciful Father is waiting for each one of us…
… Whatever be the mess, that my life may be in!

Let us run into His embrace of Love…
… with a sincere repentance and contrition of heart

And pledge to live for Him, and with Him…
… forever!

Let us stay true and good…
… not because of fear of punishment
… rather, for fear of hurting the One Who loves us the most!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments

The apostle St. Paul reminds us of this: “He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this sentence,…
… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (CCC # 2196)

“Reaching out and responding in help, ‘when it is still possible and in the best way that is possible!'”

(Based on Jer 17:5-10 and Luke 16:19-31 – Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent)

A rich man received a letter from an old friend who had fallen on hard times.

The letter pleaded for help – just a small loan to get back on his feet.
But the rich man was too busy with his affairs and set the letter aside, intending to respond later.

Months passed.

One evening, while sorting through his desk, the businessman found the letter.

Guilt struck him.
How could he have forgotten?

He immediately wrote a reply, apologizing for the delay and enclosing a generous cheque.

He mailed it that very night, relieved that he was finally making things right.

A week later, his letter returned – marked “Undeliverable. Recipient Unknown.”

Staring at the envelope, a cold realization settled in…
… he had waited too long!
… and now, no amount of money could fix what had already passed!

How many unopened “letters” – pleas for help…
… do we ignore daily?

Opportunities mostly come with expiry dates

The question is: will you act while you still can?
… or will you be left holding an unopened letter of regret?

The Gospel of the Day is a powerful message to look deeper into these aspects of our life…
… and seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented!

The parable of the rich man “who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day,”…
… and of Lazarus, “full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores” (Cf. Lk 16:19-21)
… is a remarkable story that challenges us to get out of our “zones of comfort and indifference!”

The ways of the world constantly allure us…

A. To be “clothed in purple and fine linen” (Lk 16:19) and to be self-centred: An attitude of just going about with our business and not considering other’s needs

B. To be “feasting sumptuously” (Lk 16:19) and to look to only one’s own comforts: An attitude of not caring about others, when I have my own cares to be attended to!

C. To be neglecting “a poor man, lying at the gate” (Lk 16:20) and to avoid the cry of the needy: An attitude of wilfully rejecting the ones who extend their hands for help and assistance!

But the Christian way of life is a challenge to this “rich man’s style of living”

There can be no excuse given to us…
… if we miss out on doing the good we can!
… if we fail to reach out to the needy, even though we are able!
… if self-centeredness has become a way of life for us!

Let’s realise…
…. time is short, and our life is limited!

Prophet Amos very powerfully warns and reminds all those who are complacent and lethargic: “Woe to the complacent in Zion!

Lying upon beds of ivory…
… stretched comfortably on their couches
… they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall!” (Amos 6:1a)

St Paul exhorts:
“But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

Compete well for the faith.
Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called…
… when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim 6:11-12)

Let us begin today, with no further delay…
To do the good we can…
… in the best way we can!
… to all the people we are able!
… in every situation that is possible!
Yes… let us seek to be more other-centred and heaven-oriented!

Let us seek to reach out and respond to “all letters of help”…
… and act ‘when it is still possible and in the best way that is possible!’

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Third Commandment

Sunday worship fulfills the moral command of the Old Covenant…

… taking up its rhythm and spirit in the weekly celebration of the Creator and Redeemer of his people. (CCC # 2176)

“Being inspired by the silent faithfulness of St Joseph!”

(Based on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

A young boy once wandered into a carpenter’s shop. He watched as the old man worked – cutting, shaping, smoothing the wood.

Silent.
Focused.

After a while, the boy couldn’t hold back his curiosity. “Sir, why don’t you talk while you work?”

The carpenter smiled. “Because the best work isn’t in what people hear…
… but in what they see, when it’s finished.”

Years later, that boy became a great builder, known for his patience and skill.

He often remembered the quiet carpenter who taught him that the most important work is done, not with noise…
… but with faithfulness.

Doesn’t this story beautifully reflect the life of St. Joseph?

A man who built – not just furniture – but a Home…
… a Safe Place for the Son of God.
… a Space where Holiness could dwell

And today, St. Joseph asks us: Are we willing to do God’s work, even when no one notices…?
… to be faithful even without receiving a public applause?

On this joyful Feast of the Great Model of Faithfulness – St Joseph, the Patron of the Universal Church – let us pick up some lessons that he teaches us.

1. St Joseph was ever attentive and obedient to the voice of God

One of the standout qualities that we observe in St Joseph is his prompt obedience to the voice of God

He listened to the Angel…
… in moments of dilemma, and obediently took Mary as his wife (Mt 1:20-24)
… in moments of danger, and obediently took the Mother and Child to Egypt (Mt 1:13-15)
… in moments of doubt, and obediently settled the Holy Family in Nazareth (Mt 1: 20, 22b)

St Joseph was able to let go of his personal choices and his desired comforts and give top priority to do what God wanted him to do.

St Joseph teaches us that “holiness consists in doing what God wants – when and where He wants.”

2. St Joseph teaches us the love for Jesus and Mary

Ever since he recognised the plan of God in his life, St Joseph displayed unflinching commitment and love to Jesus and Mary

He had many occasions of choices to let go of them…
… to leave Mary when she was found with Child, even before the marriage
… to leave his pregnant Wife when they found no place in the inn
… to abandon the Child and Mother when a life-danger against them was sensed

But, nothing could deter St Joseph from leaving or abandoning them. He knew that in God’s plan, They belonged to him, and he would safeguard them – treasuring Them close to his heart.

Our faith has blessed us with love for Jesus and Mother Mary.

St Joseph invites us to also have “Jesus and Mary close to our hearts.”

3. Humility is a virtue radiated by St Joseph

St Joseph had to face many moments of humiliation, disappointment and uncertainty.

But in his humility, he remained true to God in all those moments

Life sometimes drags us into situations of sadness and even shame.

Many times we let go of God’s Hands, saying that “He is not fair” or “He doesn’t understand me!”

St Joseph teaches us that “there is much value in humbling oneself, before the mighty power of the Almighty.”

4. St Joseph was content to be the “silent worker” in the awesome work of Salvation

St Joseph, was honoured to be sharing the most intimate physical presence with the two holiest persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother.

And yet, he contented himself to be the “silent hard-worker”.

He is a mighty challenge to our world, where seeking for honour, position, fame and reputation become cheap motives, in doing works of charity or even, sadly to say, in ministries of the Church.

St Joseph exhorts us to become “a yeast, that works silent wonders, in the history of salvation.”

5. St Joseph is the model of chastity

Mary is the New Ark of Covenant, bearing Divinity in Her.

St Jerome, says that St Joseph, the son of David, shared his royal ancestor’s fear of coming into overly close contact with the Tabernacle of the Lord:

“Who am I,” asked King David, “that the Ark of the Lord should come to me?” (2 Sam. 6:9)

That is why, St Joseph is often depicted with a White Lily in his hand, to depict purity and holiness

Chastity is the virtue that moderates the desire for sexual pleasure according to the principles of faith and right reason.

In married people, chastity moderates the desire in conformity with their state of life
In unmarried people who wish to marry, the desire is moderated by abstention or unless they get married
In those who resolve not to marry, the desire is sacrificed entirely.

St Joseph teaches us to “preserve the purity of life, and thus be a witness of the Kingdom of God.”

6. St Joseph was prefigured in Joseph of the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, we read Joseph, the son of Jacob, had stored up, in Egypt, grain to provide bread for the preservation of the People of Israel (Gen 42)

In the New Testament, St Joseph, safeguarded, in Egypt, the Bread of Life, for the salvation of the People of God. (Mt 1: 14)

St Joseph shows us the way “to be a protector and safeguard to the needy and the distressed.”

7. St Joseph is a model leader

True to being a Father, St Joseph displayed many leadership qualities, which needs to be imitated by us, in our practical life

Defender of the community/team members: St Joseph preserved Mother Mary from idle talks of gossip and malicious speculation
Protection of those in care: St Joseph did not give up in the face of hostile situations, when it was time for the Birth of the Child
Needful and prompt action: St Joseph acted quickly and promptly, in response to situations of danger and of need.

St Joseph teaches us “to shoulder up responsibilities, depending solely on the Power and Grace of God”

The solemnity of St Joseph comes us a reminder to us to learn many things from the life of this Great Saint.

Let us constantly seek the help of St Joseph, and recognize his loving and fatherly protection in our lives.

The famous saying goes: “Behind every great man, there’s a great woman.”

Today is a day when we consider that behind one of the greatest women – Mary, the Mother of God – stood a quiet, faithful man!

Let us be inspired by the silent faithfulness of St Joseph…
… and be willing to do God’s work, even when no one notices!

Because the best work isn’t in what people hear…
… but in what they see when it’s finished.”

Happy Feast of St Joseph!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Third Commandment

The celebration of Sunday observes the moral commandment inscribed by nature in the human heart…
… to render to God an outward, visible, public, and regular worship

… “as a sign of his universal beneficence to all.” (CCC # 2176)

“Doing away with ‘calculative and hypocritical’ tendencies and adopting the ‘way of humility and truth!””

(Based on Isa 1:10, 16-20 and Mt 23:1-12 – Tuesday of 2nd Week of Lent)

Here is an interesting letter from a boy to a girl:

“Dearest Marie,

No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt…
… since breaking our engagement.

Please say you’ll take me back.
No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me.
I love you, I love you, I love you!

Yours forever, Jimmy

P.S., And yeah… congratulations on winning the state bumper lottery!”

That’s how very often, our attitudes and approaches in life are!

We tend to get very manipulative
And thus, often, we end up being…
… calculative and hypocritical in our relations

The call of the Gospel is to do away with this “hypocritical and tactical” tendency…
… and to adopt the “way of humility and truth!”

Am I a person who is willing to lower myself in humility?

Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23: 12)

The 23rd Chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew begins with Jesus turning the attention of His disciples and of the crowds…
… towards the Scribes and the Pharisees.

Focusing on the religious leaders and on their practices, Jesus launches a volley of critically true statements about their wicked misdeeds!

The chapter ends with the “Painful Lament” by Jesus over Jerusalem – the city of the Lord!

One of the highlights in this highly volatile and strongly-worded chapter is the number of times Jesus mentions the two groups of people – “Scribes and Pharisees”

There is, in total, 7 occurrences of the phrase, “Scribes and Pharisees” – a biblical number for totality!

This chapter is a therefore, a full-blown critique and condemnation of the ways of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Why is Jesus so outright in His condemnation, so merciless in His usage of words and so blatant in His attacks on the Scribes and Pharisees?

[Meanwhile, when we go through these critical attacks of our Blessed Lord on this group, one must always remember the words of Jesus Himself: “I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Lk 5:32)

There was deep pain in the heart of the Lord, in seeing the way religion was being manhandled, misused and misinterpreted by the religious leaders of His time

As the Son of His Beloved Father, it was hurting for the Son to see a section of people, trampling upon God’s precious and venerable truths…
… and twisting them for their own self-interests and self-agenda
A strong form of condemnation was reserved only to those who were hardened in heart – as a means for them to repent and turn back their ways to the Lord.

The method of ‘sharp condemnation’ was reserved only to the proud and the arrogant; never to the poor sinners!]

The reason for Jesus making a scathing attack on the religious authorities of His times…
… could be summarized into one crucial point: Glorification of one’s own self at the expense of the Glory of God and the Mercy deserving for His people!

Therefore, Jesus goes on to point out the many occasions and circumstances when the Self-Interest of the Pharisees and Scribes took extreme priority over God Himself!

It is this self-centred and self-glorifying act that makes Jesus to tell, “For they preach, but they do not practise!” (Mt 23: 3b)

How easily can this be our own state of affairs, in our life…!

We may be people…
… who “appear” to be very fine and kind – but perhaps, we are persons who find it too hard to let go of our pride, in reaching out to the needy, in humble service!
… who speak a lot on helping others and being generous – but perhaps, we go through grilling moments in lowering ourselves and adopting a lowly status to extend a helping hand!
… who desire happiness in communities and peace at homes – but perhaps, we discover
ourselves to be persons who are unwilling to let go of our ego, and allow a listening ear to the opinions of others!

The call, today, therefore is…
… to “work for a cause – not applause!”
… to “live life to express – and not simply to impress!”

We are called to avoid being calculative and manipulative!

Yes, let’s adopt the way of humility and truth, remembering that…
… Faith is ‘not about looking holy, but living holy!’

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Third Commandment

For worship under the Law prepared for the mystery of Christ, and what was done there prefigured some aspects of Christ:
Those who lived according to the old order of things have come to a new hope
… no longer keeping the sabbath

… but the Lord’s Day, in which our life is blessed by Him and by His death. (CCC # 2175)

“Cultivating a harvest of goodness and generosity!”

(Based on Dan 9:4b-10 and Lk 6:36-38 – Monday of 2nd Week of Lent)

This story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms…
… from Alexander the Great, as he passed by.

The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler…
… no right even to lift a solicitous hand.

Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins.

A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented:
“Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar’s need.

Why give him gold?”

Alexander responded in royal fashion:
“Copper coins would suit the beggar’s need…
… but gold coins suit Alexander’s giving.”

Generosity is not just about fulfilling needs…
… it’s a reflection of our character and our inner goodness!

Our behaviours towards others should not be a mere reaction to their actions…
… instead, they should mirror the essence of our own character.

The Gospel of the Day calls for ‘cultivating a harvest of goodness and generosity.’

The Lord, continuing His teachings on a practical Christian life, exhorts, “…give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give, is the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

In illustrating the importance of generosity, Jesus draws upon a vivid scene from the bustling markets of Israel…
… reflecting the common marketplace dynamics prevalent in the Middle East.

Picture the vibrant open-air markets…
… where farmers display their grains—wheat, corn, barley
… on mats laid out on the ground.

In a familiar ritual, potential buyers engage in negotiations…
… bargaining over prices, quality, and quantity of the goods.

Amid this lively exchange, a customer would eventually settle on a price.

The buyer then presents their container…
… whether a sizable bowl, pot, or an open vessel.

The seller, with a measuring scoop, proceeds to fill the container, completing the exchange.

There would be some interesting steps in this process of measuring the grain for a customer and which Jesus quotes in His approach to giving:

First, the seller would fill the container to the top.
Secondly, he would press the grain down and fill some more.
Thirdly, he would shake the container so the grain would settle and then fill in some more.
Finally, he would fill the container until it overflowed!

The contents of this overflowing container would then be transferred to a pouch or a bag so that the buyer could bring home the contents from the market.

Well, this process could sound a bit strange and weird to us in the modern world.

We live in times…
… when contents are sold by the weight, and not the volume
… when manipulations are done to give as less as possible

But this is where, Jesus, bringing in the example of the market, invites generosity in giving
… He encourages us to embrace a spirit of open-handed generosity!

Our giving ought to be measured not by weight, but by volume…
… and that refers to a far-greater amount of giving – generous and lavish!

Our giving ought not to be a calculated effort…
… rather should be a overflow from the heart!

St Paul in 2 Cor 9:6 says, “Whoever sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly; whoever reaps bountifully will also reap bountifully”

When we engage is such a lavish and generous giving, we have a greater experience of God showering His abundance – in fact, in a much better fashion!
“For the measure you give, will be the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

Of course, that is not to say that we are limiting God’s power of giving or determining His giving to our actions

But the Lord invites us to be involved in a Divine Barter System…

Give to God, Who deserves all, so that we may be blessed to receive His blessings.

In the Divine barter system, the advantage is that, we get much more than what we give…
… we obtain far greater than what we offer!

God’s giving is not to be seen just from material or physical aspects…

In fact, that would just be a very limited and low level of understanding.

God’s gifts are to be understood more from a spiritual perspective:
… Gift of His mercy to live a life in union with Him.
… Gift of His grace to be faithful and more committed.
… Gift of His love to be better human beings and be more charitable.
… Gift of His salvation to enjoy eternal bliss and happiness with Him .

All these gifts will be surely lavished and given… “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured out into our laps!”

The greatest exchange – the Divine barter system – is seen and experienced in the Holy Eucharist…
… at every Holy Mass.

Let us give ourselves entirely to the Lord – especially at Holy Mass…

And through the Mass
… at all times of the day
… to all people in our life

Then, in the words of Fulton Sheen, we will be graced to hear the words of the Divine Lord telling us…

You give me your humanity, and I will give you my Divinity!
You give me your time, and I will give you My eternity!
You give me your broken heart, and I will give you Love!
You give me your nothingness, and I will give you My all!

Let’s realize that “generosity is not just about fulfilling needs…
… it’s a reflection of our character and our inner goodness!”

Offer to others “not just the copper coins of unwilling obligations…”
… rather, generously give “the gold coins of joyful service and care!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Third Commandment

Sunday is expressly distinguished from the sabbath which it follows chronologically every week…
… for Christians its ceremonial observance replaces that of the sabbath.

In Christ’s Passover, Sunday fulfills the spiritual truth of the Jewish sabbath and announces man’s eternal rest in God. (CCC # 2175)