“Making a choice for Christ, who is with us, all the time!”

(Based on Deut 30:15-20 and Lk 9:22-25 – Thursday after Ash Wednesday)

A group of youngsters were making fun of the faith of an elderly man: “You show so much piety!

Maybe it’s because you belong to the old – generation!

We youngsters are modern and reasonable!

Faith is not compatible with our modern lifestyle!”

The elderly person, bemused, said, “Honestly, I don’t agree with what you say. All of you are actually people, who practise faith, on a day-to-day basis!”

“Really,” quipped the youngsters, “You like to prove that to us?”

The man of faith, took up the challenge and said: “Just think about this:

You go to a doctor, whose degrees you have never verified…
… and who often diagnoses based merely on external symptoms
He gives you a prescription, you cannot read
You take it to a pharmacist, you have never met
He gives you a chemical compound, whose composition you do not understand.
Then you go home, and take the pill, according to the instructions on the bottle.
… All in trusting, sincere faith!”

And he went on to say, “Remember, young men: faith has nothing to do with any generation!

Faith is all about making a choice.

And my Christian faith is all about me ‘making a choice for Christ, Who I know, is with me, all the time!'”

Do we realise that – knowingly or unknowingly – we are constantly making a number of “choices in life?”

Can we today, very consciously, “make a choice for Christ, who is with us, all the time?”

The Gospel of the Day presents the exhortation of Jesys to make a “choice for Him” – the Crucified Lord!

“If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Lk 9:23)

One of the key aspects, when we analyze the ministry of Jesus is that the Cross was an integral aspect of His life and ministry.

The Cross is a symbol…
… of total self-giving
… of total commitment

The Lord never shied away from the Cross.

And the Lord never shys away from teaching about the Cross.

He never used attractive advertisements to lure more followers…

He never preached an easy life to gather more disciples…

Instead, He preached and proclaimed the Cross!

And the choice before His followers is clear: “Choose Christ, by choosing the Cross!”

Lent is the time of getting back to the basics of our life…
… to re-dedicate our love and consecration to the Lord

The Lord sets before us choices, continually in life… (Cf. Deut 30:15)
… the choice of life and death
… the choice of good and evil
… the choice of blessings and curses

But all these promises of the Lord will be fulfilled, only if we seek to follow His commandments and to walk according to His paths.

The Lord promises much happiness and joy

But these will be delivered…
… only if we are determined and resolved to follow Him closer
… and to live in obedience to His commands!

The Cross was the choice of the Lord…
… a result of deep obedience and total commitment.

The Cross needs to be our choice too!
And this requires…
… deep obedience to the Will of the Lord
… total commitment to our call and consecration as a Christian

Are we ready to embrace this exhortation of the Lord?

Are we ready to get attracted to a life of the Cross – total discipline and deep dedication?

Let us realise that – knowingly or unknowingly – we are constantly making a number of “choices in life!”

Let us today, very consciously, “make a choice for Christ, who is with us, all the time!”

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 third commandment of the Decalogue recalls the holiness of the sabbath:

“The seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD.” (CCC # 2168)

“Returning to the Lord, in humility, and growing in holiness, in this Season of Lent!”

(Based on Joel 2:12-18, 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 and Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 – Ash Wednesday)

A legendary story goes is told of a holy person who lived an extremely virtuous life.

The goodness in him diffused, as a flower would spread its fragrance.

So impressed were the angels, that they came down to enquire on his secrets…
… and even to offer him special gifts of miracles and thus he could gain more popularity and fame.

They offered him the gift of the “touch of his hand” – so that he would be able to heal the sick or raise the dead…
… But he refused, saying that “God alone could heal”

Then, they offered him the “power of conversion” – so that people could turn to God in repentance…
… But he refused, saying that “the Holy Spirit alone could work repentance in souls”

Then they offered the power to be a “model of goodness” so that many more would be drawn to him by the virtue of his life…
… But he refused, again, saying that “if all are drawn to him, people would be away from God”

Puzzled, the angels asked him what gift he desired!

The holy person replied:
“Grant me the gift of humility…
… so that I might do good to all, without me even knowing it!”

And so the angels interceded to God…
… and he was blessed:
Wherever his shadow would fall, where he himself could not see it…
… the shadow would cure sicknesses, heal broken hearts and bring back people to God in repentance!

Humility was the virtue that was sought by the virtuous person…
… and it was this simplicity – to allow the Lord to take complete possession of all his goodness – that exalted him to climb the ladder of sanctity higher!

Yes, Humility is the prime virtue that needs to embellish the life of every Christian.

Today we begin the Season of Lent.

The Gospel of the Day is a teaching by Jesus on the prime importance of doing away with pride and instead, beautifying one’s life with sincere humility.

Jesus, through the Sermon on the Mount continues to target the key areas of one’s Christian living.

Today He speaks on the three core practices that were essential pious practices of His time: almsgiving, prayer and fasting.

Jesus condemns exercises of devotion becoming instruments to show-case one’s pride and exhibit pomp and self-glory.

With respect to almsgiving, Jesus says…
… “sound no trumpet” (Mt 6:2)

With respect to prayer, Jesus says…
… “shut the door and pray to your Father” (Mt 6:6)

With respect to fasting, Jesus says…
…”anoint your head and wash your face” (Mt 6:17)

Prophet Joel expresses the fervent desire of the Lord to return back to Him with sincerity of heart:
“Yet even now,” says the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning…
… and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13)

One of the fundamental aspects in the Spirituality of Jesus is His emphasis on the intention of the heart.

Sin is…
… when the heart rejects the working of the Spirit.

Holiness is…
… when the heart accepts the grace of the Spirit.

When the heart consents to evil, sin occurs

When the heart consents to grace, goodness is affirmed.

An act of almsgiving happens…
… when the heart willingly gives – in generosity and with wholeheartedness
An act of prayer happens…
… when the heart seeks communion with the Lord – in openness and with faithfulness
An act of fasting happens…
… when the heart self-sacrifices and renounces – in sincerity and with willingness

When the intention of the heart is genuine and sincere, then one remains least bothered of external attractions and publicity…
… there is no desire to seek for attention and appreciation for one’s devout actions
… there is no inclination to want acknowledgement and recognition for one’s pious deeds

And this is the ideal to which Jesus invites us:

A religion that spreads not simply on the basis of external shows…
… but on the basis of genuine spirituality
A faith that grows not merely on the strength of pompous deeds…
… but on the foundation of true dependence and trust in the Lord

Is my practice of religion very often a flaunting of my pride and vain glory?

It is also interesting to note that these 3 practices also refers to the 3 dimensions of Love: towards God, towards others, towards oneself

Prayer: Reminding ourselves to grow in the Immensity of God’s Love
Almsgiving: Reviving our basic duty of caring and being responsible to one another
Fasting (Penance): Rediscovering the worthiness of our lives and commit to grow in holiness

Let us give heed to the wisdom from the book “Imitation of Christ” and seek to grow in humility and dependence on the Lord:
“Do not think yourself better than others lest, perhaps, you be accounted worse before God who knows what is in man.

Do not take pride in your good deeds, for God’s judgments differ from those of men and what pleases them often displeases Him”

A few practical tips could help us to make this Season of Lent, more meaningful:

It is said that habits – to make a new one or to break an old one – generally take around 21 days
These 40+ days of Lent are a chance for us to “double” our efforts towards…
… positively growing in a “good virtuous habit”
… negatively rooting out a “not-so-good vicious habit”

(A few examples:
… Reading a portion of the Bible daily
… Learn by heart, some verses of the Bible and make it a personal prayer
… Identify the “root vice” of life, and practice the opposite – “the root virtue”
… Try to frequent Holy Mass / spend time with the Eucharistic Lord, as much as possible
… 40 simple acts of kindness
… Abstain from something that is “dear” and offer it is a sacrifice for someone in need
… Revive personal/family prayer
… Reduce time spent on the internet/social media
… Visit a home of charity or those in our vicinity who needs a help
… Abstain from gossiping/back biting/ irritable words
… Bring a person(s) closer to Christ/Church)

Can we choose, on this day, a habit in our personal life, which we need to “make or break”…
… for these days of Lent?

The Season of Lent covers a period of 7 weeks

Seven – a number of fullness and completeness is a call for us to grow in the Virtue of Charity.

We could identify 7 people – corresponding to the 7 weeks of Lent, who need our help.

This help may be any of the following:
… spiritual help
… social acceptance
… materialistic needs
… emotional assistance

May this Season of Lent – “the acceptable time given by the Lord” (Cf. 2 Cor 6:2) – help us to take concrete and practical decisions to practise the three pillars of Christian Piety – Fasting, Almsgiving and Praying…
… in its truest sense.

As St Paul reminds us: “…we entreat you on behalf of Christ, BE RECONCILED TO GOD…!” (2 Cor 5:20)

And may this be our prayer to enshrine all our activities:
“Grant me the gift of humility…
… so that I might do good to all, without me even knowing it!”

Wish you all a Very Happy and Blessed Season of Lent.

May this season of lent, be a time – to revive and renew – and thus grow in Holiness!
May our Blessed Mother of Compassion intercede for us!

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

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God…

… in it you shall not do any work. (CCC # 2168)

“Growing in the assurance that God is always holding us, and remaining calm and confident in this journey of life!”

(Based on Sir 35:1-12 and Mk 10:28-31 – Tuesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

One day a person who was going through much spiritual and mental perplexity called up his friend.

He knew that his friend was able to remain sturdy and confident, even in the midst of troubles of life.

And so he desired to learn from him this secret to stay calm

“Tell me,” the anxious friend asked over the phone, “how is it that you can trust God so easily? How is it that you always got hold of God?”

For some time, the person was silent.

And then, taking a deep sigh, he replied, “It surely did take me a while to know and learn this.

But let me be honest with you.

Even now I have my moments when I don’t know if I have got hold of God…
… but one thing I have learnt over the years: ‘God always has a hold of me!”

It was the assurance that God was always holding him…
… that allowed this person to remain calm and confident in his journey of life.

Are we ready to grow deeper in this fact: that God is always having a hold of me…
… and this assurance that translates to a life of trust and confidence!

Our lives in the Lord, is a spiritual journey…

The greater assurance we have in the promises of the Lord, the more pleasant will be our journey
The stronger our assurances in the Word of the Lord, the swifter will be our progress in this journey towards the Lord

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring His assured promises to those who follow Him, sincerely and wholeheartedly.

Jesus tells to Peter and the other disciples:
“Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and the sake of the Gospel, who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age…
… and eternal life in the age to come” (Mk 10: 29)

This incident takes place right after the encounter of the rich young man with Jesus (Mk 10 17-22)

This man was proposed by Jesus to sell all his possessions and then follow Him.

The man, however, found it hard, to let go off his attachments, and instead let go of the Lord.

He went away sad!

Peter, as the leader of the disciples, however, contrasts this “possessive and worldly” tendency of the rich young man…
… by telling Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you” (Mk 10: 28)

Perhaps, there was a growing concern among the disciples, as to whether their radical decision to commit themselves to the Master would go in vain!

Perhaps, there was an apparent fear within the disciples, as to whether their decisions to leave their professions, their families and their aspirations to follow the Lord would go fruitless!

How often do we sink in hopelessness, thinking whether our expressions of faith would end up in meaninglessness…?

Sometimes even fearful thoughts and anxious emotions may cross our mind…
… will the various sacrifices and pains that I take up for the Lord, go in vain?
… will my unshed tears, my unspoken prayers and painful sighs, end up in futility?
… will the efforts I make to grow in love and nourish others in faith, lead to fruitlessness?

But the Lord assures us, that none of these efforts – small or great, noticed or unnoticed, seen or unseen – will escape the penetrating eyes of the Lord and go unrewarded.

All our actions, done in love has an assured reward!

What is however, most essential, is our total focus on the Lord and unflinched commitment to Him.

The Lord most certainly assures us of rewards and gifts.

But, in this pursuit, may we not stray or lose focus of Him!

Our lives ought to be impelled by the love for the God of rewards…
… than merely the rewards of God!

Our lives must be lived in faithfulness to the God of gifts…
… than being fascinated only to the gifts of God!

May the Lord Himself be our greatest reward…
… our finest gift!

When we grow in the assurance that God is always holding us…
… we can remain calm and confident in this journey of life.

Yes… GOD IS ALWAYS HAVING A HOLD OF ME!

Are we ready to grow deeper in this awareness?

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 Second Commandment

The name one receives is a name for eternity.
In the kingdom, the mysterious and unique character of each person marked with God’s name will shine forth in splendor.
“To him who conquers … I will give a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it.

Then I looked, and Lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. (CCC # 2159)

“Being possessed by the Lord, so that we may have a wonderful life of eternity with the Lord of all treasures!”

(Based on Sir 17:20-24 and Mk 10:17-27 – Monday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A story is told about Phythius, an ancient King of Lydia ( Lydia – a place in the present day Turkey).

Phythius was very wealthy, but also very greedy, and he would spend as little as possible.

His wife – the Queen – was however, greatly determined to cure him of this “wealth mania!”

One day when he came home hungry from a long hunt, she told the slaves to place before him dishes that were filled with gold…
… gold that was fresh from the royal gold mines.

The King stared down at his gold-filled plates, admiring them for some time, and then he asked for some food.

“Food?” his wife asked, feigning surprise, “But surely they have brought you what you love best in the world, haven’t they?”

“What are you talking about?” the King replied, as he lost his temper, “Gold can’t satisfy my hunger.”

“No?” the Queen answered, “Is it not foolish then to have such love for something that cannot be useful so long as you hang on to it?

Believe me; gold is truly of service only to people…
… who exchange it for the good and useful things of life.”

The rich young man in the Gospel of the Day also faced a similar “wealth mania”…
… and was reminded that “riches come to have true value, only when given in service, to the needy”

Are we also facing a “wealth mania” in our lives?

The young man in the Gospel approaches Jesus to ask, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10: 17)

When Jesus gave him a list of commandments, that needed to be followed to help ensure a passage into eternal life, the man replied, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth” (Mk 10: 20)

We underline a few aspects of this young man…
… he did desire for a life of eternity and followed the commandments
… he did nurture a sense of being pious and devout, to please the Lord

However…
… he probably failed to live up to the intentions of the commandments
… he possibly got lost into only keeping the letters of the commandments; not the spirit!

He got attached to doing God’s commandment…
… but failed to break his attachments with the riches of the world.
He possessed the good will to follow God’s teachings…
… but failed to let go of the possessions of his life.

The Lord realized this “pitiable” condition of the young man.

He was wealthy in the world…
… but was unable to be rich before God
He was obedient to the laws…
… but was unable to be obedient to give up his attachments.

Therefore, the Lord, knowing this state of the young man – devout yet not properly focused – “looked at him, loved him, and said, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come, follow me'” (Mk 10: 21)

This young man could represent any one of us…

We seek to be pious but find it hard to let go of our possessions
We seek for holiness in life but go through a struggle to give up our attachments
We seek to follow the Lord wholly but stumble to give ourselves entirely to the Lord

Yet, the Lord does not give up on us…
He looks on us…
He loves us…

And He invites us, to have the proper focus in life!

It is not material possessions that ought to occupy our hearts; rather,.

It is not worldly treasures that should be our prime motto in life; rather…
… our hearts need to be possessed with the Love for the Lord
… and our life dedicated to the Kingdom of God and helping the needy with the resources we have.

Our life is totally in the control of the Lord.

Our material possessions will be of no avail, when we leave this world.

Let us instead be possessed by the Lord, gather the precious stones of His grace and love by works of charity and hold on to Him…
… so that we may have a wonderful life of eternity with the Lord of all treasures!

Let us give heed to some of the wise and noble sayings of holy people…
… who have described the necessity to be detached from the riches of the world…

St Bede the Venerable: “He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.”
St Alphonsus Liguori: “Those who desire nothing from this world are masters of the whole world.”
St Gregory the Great: “Be not anxious about what you have, but about what you are… Make use of temporal things, but set your heart on eternal things.”

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 Second Commandment

God calls each one by name.
Everyone’s name is sacred.
The name is the icon of the person.

It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it. (CCC # 2158)

“Improving the quality of our lives, and our credibility in being a leader, with the Grace of God and our sincere cooperation with the Lord!”

(Based on Sir 27:4-7, 1 Cor 15:54-58 and Lk 6:39-45 – 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

In a particular town, there lived a cobbler, who was unable to make a living by his trade.

Driven to despair by his poverty, he accommodated himself in another far-away town and began to practise medicine.

He sold a drug which he claimed to be an antidote for all sorts of poisons.

Towards this end, he also created a great popularity campaign through advertisements and boastful proclamations.

Unfortunately, in a short period, the cobbler himself happened to fall sick to a serious illness.

The ruler of the town sought this as a nice chance to test his medicine’s capability and the man’s genuineness.

For this, the ruler called for a cup, and filling it with water, pretended to mix poison with the cobbler’s antidote…
… commanding him to drink, with a promise of a handsome reward.

The sick cobbler, overcome with much fear and trembling, confessed that he had no knowledge of medicine!

The ruler then called the people of the town and addressed them:

“Oh, how foolish are you! You have not hesitated to entrust your heads to a man…
… whom no one could employ even to make shoes for their feet!”

Often, perhaps, it so happens that we too…
… get fooled in life
… get led by incapable people
… get ourselves to be a slave to unbecoming things

We become blind and perhaps, we also lead others to stumble!

Our Blessed Lord in today’s Gospel invites us to a deep examination of the quality of our lives and our credibility in being a leader

Jesus says, “Can a blind man lead a blind person? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (Lk 6: 39)

This verse is a reference to two sets of people:

One, the guide
Second, the one who is led.

We could find ourselves in either of these categories or sometimes even both.

We could be a guide or one who is guided or both – a guide as well as one who is guided.

In any of the cases, one needs to examine one’s quality of life.

Am I shrouded in the darkness of being in ignorance and apathy…
… disinterested to learn and unwilling to know more…?
… causing others to be misled and creating confusions and misunderstandings…?

Am I a person who is sunk into the dark abyss of being prejudiced and unforgiving….
… unwilling to be open to the truth and adamant in considering even to review or re-examine my viewpoints…?
… blinded to accept differences and failing to cherish diversity and thus constantly being at loggerheads with others…?

Am I veiled continuously under the dark shades of being unjustly critical and judgmental…
… full of pride and being unable to let go of my selfish interests and self-centred wants…?
… enamoured by pleasure in looking for opportunities and means to put down others or find faults with others…?

Our Blessed Lord invites us to make an honest review of our lives and to be always willing to ring in positive transformations.

The book of Sirach reminds us: “When a sieve is shaken, the husks appear; so do one’s faults when one speaks.

As the test of what the potter moulds is in the furnace, so in tribulation is the test of the just.” (Sir 27:4-5)

The level of honesty of our heart is reflected by our words and life

We need to nurture purity and holiness in our heart!

This Sunday is an invitation to all of us, to put into the practise the beautiful saying:

If you use the head with which you reprove others to reprove yourself…
… there will be fewer faults
If you use the heart with which you forgive yourself to forgive others…
… we will build better and beautiful relationships

Let us improve the quality of our lives, and our credibility in being a leader…
… with the Grace of God and our sincere cooperation with the Lord!

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 Second Commandment

The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God…

… and calls on the Saviour’s grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. >> The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties. (CCC # 2157)

“Joining the Lord in painting the ‘Great Mural of Salvation’ and in turn, offering the ‘brush of goodness’ to people around us!”

(Based on Sir 17:1-15 and Mk 10:13-16 – Saturday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

In a grand cathedral, an acclaimed artist stood before his massive mural (= painting or other work of art executed directly on a wall/ceiling)…
… his brush gliding across the wall with effortless grace.

The townspeople watched in admiration, speaking about how this masterpiece would be remembered for generations.

A young boy, barefoot and covered in dust, watched from the shadows, mesmerized.

His small fingers mimicked the strokes in the air…
… as if painting along with the artist.

Finally, gathering his courage, he stepped forward and whispered, “Sir… can I help you paint?”

The artist barely turned, too immersed in his work.

His first instinct was to dismiss the boy.

This is no child’s game.
This is art.
This is history in the making.
But something in the boy’s eager eyes made him pause.

He sighed, dipped a small brush into the paint…
… and handed it to the child.

“Just a small corner. Don’t ruin it!”

The boy’s heart pounded.

With shaky hands, he made a single, careful stroke…
… then another.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
The colors blended under his touch.
He felt something stir within him—something powerful, something alive.

Years passed.
The grand mural became famous!

But another name rose to prominence…
… the boy, now a master artist himself, whose paintings graced the greatest halls.

When asked about his journey to greatness, this boy would always smile and say: “I became an artist…
… the moment someone let me hold the brush!”

Do we sometimes hold back the brush from someone who longs to create?

Do we sometimes turn away the small, the weak, the unnoticed…
… assuming that they don’t matter?

The Gospel of the Day presents little children who are brought to Jesus

“Little children are brought to Jesus to be prayed over and to be blessed.” (Mk 10:13)

But sadly, the disciples prevented the little ones from being brought to Jesus!

The disciples of Jesus perhaps felt…
… these little children were a disturbance in the hectic and occupied schedule of Jesus!
… these little children were an unnecessary burden to an already overburdened Jesus!

But Jesus, the Care-provider, reprimands and reproofs this attitude and approach.

He reminds everyone that…
… He is the Home to the homeless
… He is the Shelter to the shelterless
… He is the Hope to the hopeless

He invites the little children to be brought to Him and to help them feel His Homely Presence!
… to be touched by His Healing Presence!

How often this sad trend happens in our ‘frantic and frenzied’ world: Little things in life often not being given the due importance…
… and are discarded or pushed away.
A kind word withheld.
A talent ignored.
A chance denied.

We may never know what greatness we are preventing.

At the same time, let us also realise that we ourselves may have such ‘rejected’ experiences: People might prevent us and situations might discourage us.

But, let’s realise that the Lord has a Home for each one of us!

The Gospels are a testimony to this fact…

Sinners found their solace in the Sanctifying Presence of the Lord!

Sick people found their remedying cure in the Healing Presence of the Lord!

Broken souls found their a regrouping catalyst in the Restoring Presence of the Lord!

Outcasts groups found their accepting embrace in the Welcoming Presence of the Lord!

But the question is very often also: Do we go to the Lord….?

We often ignore the ‘small’ things – prayer, gratitude, acts of kindness…
… only to realize later that they were the biggest things all along.

In my work-dominated life…
… Do I fail to spend, a little time in the Homely Presence of the Lord?

In my high-styled life…
… Do I miss to realize & enjoy, the little joys in the Providence of the Lord?

In my passive life…
Do I take for granted, the favours that I obtain in the Mercy of the Lord?

In my tension-filled life…
Do I neglect the blessings, that I receive through the bounty of the Lord?

Let’s have this in mind: Even if the world pushes us aside, Jesus always has space for us.

The Lord never gets tired of us

Let us go to Him…
… to seek comfort and solace!

As we “march” into a new month, the Lord invites us to join Him in painting the “Great Mural of Salvation”…
… and in turn, let us offer the “brush of goodness” to people around us!

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 Second Commandment

The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!” (CCC # 2157)

“Being faithful and committed in our relations by mirroring the magnanimous, unshaken love of God!”

(Based on Sir 6:5-17 and Mk 10:1-12 – Friday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

In a small town in France, Louis and Zélie Martin began their married life with love and hope.

But life soon tested them.

Financial struggles.
The pain of burying four of their nine children.
The slow agony of Zélie’s battle with cancer.

Any of these could have broken them.

But they held on.
Not because it was easy…
… but because they chose to!

They believed love wasn’t just about emotions.

It was a promise.
A sacred bond.
They didn’t let suffering weaken their commitment.

They stood together…
… through every storm
… through every tear
… through every silent prayer whispered in the night.

Years later, their love bore a lasting fruit: One of their children would be known to the world as St. Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower)

Before she was a saint…
… she was a little girl who watched her parents love with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering faithfulness.

And then, the world learned something even more powerful.

The parents who raised a saint…
… became saints themselves.

Louis and Zélie Martin were canonized together – the first married couple in history to be declared saints.

Their love was not just beautiful.
It was holy.
It was heroic.
It is eternal!

Marriage is a sacred institution – a precious covenant – that demands a lifelong commitment and a faithful dedication, despite the ups and downs of life.

The life-love-story Sts Louis and Zélie Martin, beloved parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us…
… true love does not give up.

It fights.
It stays.

It finds strength in faith

The greatest love stories are not written in words, but in sacrifice.

And this is the love Jesus calls us to – a love that mirrors the magnanimous, unshaken love of God…
… when He expounds His teaching on the sacredness of the Covenant of Marriage.

The passage begins with a testing interrogation by the Pharisees, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” (Mk 10: 2a)

St Mark clearly points the intention of the Pharisees in asking this question to Jesus: “To test Him” (Mk 10:2b)

Jesus was in the district of Judea, across the Jordan (Mk 10:1)

Is there something specific in this particular detail being mentioned – “across the Jordan?”

“Across the Jordan” was the place where John the Baptist had been working (Jn 1: 28)

By mentioning the place, St Mark alludes to the outcome that had befallen on John the Baptist.

John the Baptist had got into great persecution because of his open-condemnation…
… of the adulterous relationship of King Herod with Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. (Mk 6:17)

By putting forward the “same question of divorce” before Jesus, the Pharisees were laying a much greater trap…
… If Jesus condemned divorce, it could amount to an act of treason against King Herod, the ruler of the land!

John the Baptist had lost his head due to the strong stance on the issue of divorce

Now Jesus, is also being snared into such a life-threatening trap!

But Jesus remains the Person that He is – uncompromising, unflinching, convinced, bold and daring!

A big lesson for us too, to learn from Jesus…

There will be situations in life when people get into our skin, trying to put us into confusion and even states of danger…
… Can we still remain undaunted and courageous to stand firm on our convictions and principles?

Jesus came to the world to demonstrate the magnanimity of God’s Love.

This magnanimity includes…
… His unconditional manner of loving us, irrespective of our worthiness
… His unreserved faithfulness to us, despite our many acts of betrayal and disloyalty

It is this model of God’s love that becomes the blueprint for us in loving others, and especially in a marriage relationship.

Partners, pledged in love to each other in marriage, ought to imitate the love that God has for us…

We have cheated and strayed away from what God wants of us…
… He still loves us and is faithful to us

We have, on innumerable occasions, spat at His face by our shameful deeds and defamed His name by our sinful acts…
… He still holds us close to Him and remains loyal to us

We have, despite many warnings, purposely hurt Him in thoughts, words and deeds and even rejected His graces by not co-operating with His Will for us…
… He still waits patiently for our return and constantly seeks to draw us to Him

We have failed Him many times, but He has always made efforts to try to win us
We have hurt and pained Him much, but He has still longs for us, with His soothing balm of acceptance

It is this “magnanimity of God’s Love” that becomes the basis, the inspiration and the ideal in every marriage relationship.

Therefore Jesus says, “What therefore God has joined, let not man put asunder” (Mk 10:9)

We live in a world where the quickest solution to many problems is found in “throwing it away!”

And the same mentality affects human relationships too… especially to those in marriage.

The challenge therefore is to dare to swim against these worldly currents and bring in the “Jesus Culture of Faithful Commitment” in human relationships, especially of marriage.

Theoretically speaking, this sounds quite good and wonderful.

But when it comes down to the actual practice.. in married lives… it is undoubtedly a very hard effort.

“But what is impossible for humans is possible for God” (Mk 10:27b), is the assurance of Jesus.

When the going gets really hard and we want to call it ‘quits’ in our relationships…
… let us look to Jesus who said “Yes to the Will of God” in the painful agony at Gethsemane

There may seem no hope ahead…
There may appear only meaninglessness ahead…
Still, can we say Yes to God’s Will – to be faithful and committed?

When none of our efforts of restoration work out and we get ‘fed’ up and feel to have reached the ‘limit’ in relationships…
… let us look to Jesus Crucified, who was never ‘fed’ up with our misdeeds and our constant misunderstanding and misuse of His love

It may look like the end of the road…
It may seem that all the past was mere fantasy and the future appears to be non-existent…
Still, can we hold on to Hope in God – to be true to our promise and be loyal?

The promises made…

to our Faith in Baptism
to the spouse in Marriage
to the Lord in Consecrated and Priestly Life
… all demand an undissolved commitment, an undiluted faithfulness and an unmixed dedication.

Let us grow in the understanding of “being faithful and committed” in our relations…
… and mirror the magnanimous, unshaken love of God!

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 Second Commandment

This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord.
The patron saint provides a model of charity; we are assured of his intercession.
The “baptismal name” can also express a Christian mystery or Christian virtue.

“Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment. (CCC # 2156)

“Letting go of the ‘peripheral and sinful branches of life;’ instead, pursuing the paths of holiness and sanctity!”

(Based on Sir 5:1-8 and Mk 9:41-50 – Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A man was climbing a steep mountain when suddenly – he slipped!

He tumbled down, rocks crumbling beneath him.

At the last moment, his hand grasped a thick branch.
His heart pounded!

Below him, a sheer drop.
Above, safety – just out of reach.

He held on tightly.

But as minutes passed, his grip weakened. His fingers ached.
His strength faded.

Then, he saw it – a thick, sturdy vine swaying nearby.
That was his way out.
That was his chance to survive.

But to grab it, he had to make a terrifying choice – he had to let go of the thick branch!

Doubt filled his mind.

What if I fall?
What if I miss?
Fear whispered, “Hold on to what you have. Don’t take the risk.”

But the truth was clear: if he kept clinging to the branch, he wouldn’t last much longer.

With a deep breath…
… he made his choice.

He let go.
His fingers released the branch.

For a moment, he felt himself falling.

Then – he caught the vine!
He pulled himself up, climbed higher…
… and found solid ground again!

Are we not also often the same?
… hanging onto things that are pulling us down…
… Bad habits.
… Sinful comforts.
.. Attachments we refuse to release.

The climber had to let go to live.

Because in the end, ‘the breaking branch’ what we refuse to release…
… may be the very thing that makes us fall.

Yes, we need to remember: “What we refuse to cut off today…
… might be the very thing that cuts us off from God tomorrow!”

How true is the saying: “The finest attractions of this world become deadly when one becomes overly attached to them.”

The Gospel of the Day is the powerful exhortation of Jesus on the need to “cut-off and pluck-off” ANYTHING which causes us to sin…
… thus according the prime duty of every follower of Christ to meticulously and diligently pursue the paths of holiness!

Jesus uses an extreme language to convey this message across:

“If your hand causes you to sin… cut it off!
“If your foot causes you to sin… cut it off!”
“If your eye causes you to sin… pluck it off!” (Mk 9:43,45,47)

The hand… the foot… and the eye… are three faculties which are extremely vital for a person’s activities:

The hand: points to the things “that we do”
The foot: points to the places “that we go”
The eye: points to the things “that we see or desire”

Jesus, thus refers to ANYTHING, which causes sin, to be totally be dismembered.

We need to make an honest examination of our lives…

What are the areas of my life, which cause me to sin…
… and keeps me away, from pursuing holiness?

Who are the people in my life, who lead me to sin…
… or keep me away from becoming closer to the Lord?

Which are the activities, which instigates me to sin…
… and renders me a slave to the wiles of the devil?

As human beings, there could be a naturally tendency….
… to easily get attached to things which attract and allure us
… to find it hard to let go of situations which gives us momentary pleasure and vain gratification
… to be impelled to remain holding onto certain people, even though we know they cause us to sin

But the Lord calls for an honest examination of our life…
… and dares us to “let go” of anything that would cause us to be unworthy of His Love.

A false grip on the world will make us fall…
… but a firm grip on Christ will lift us up!

Let us not “keep holding on” to the peripheral “branches” of life…
… instead pursue the paths of holiness and sanctity!

The Book of Sirach powerfully warns us: “Do not rely on your wealth, or say, ‘I have enough.’ Do not follow your own desires or strength in pursuing the passions of your heart.” (Sir 5:1-2)

Holding on to sin may feel secure…
… but it leads to ruin.

The time to let go is…
… today – not tomorrow!
… now – not later!
Because the longer we hold on…
… the harder it is to be free!

“Do not delay turning back to the Lord, do not put it off day after day” (Sir 5:7).

Let our lives be a saintly one – attracting many towards Christ…
… and not a scandalous one – repelling many away from Christ!

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 Second Commandment

The sacrament of Baptism is conferred “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

In Baptism, the Lord’s name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. (CCC # 2156)

“Living with faith and love, conviction and commitment – and becoming worthy to be truly called as the “children of our Heavenly Father!”

(Based on Sir 4:11-19 and Mk 9:38-40 – Wednesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The year was 1952.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra was holding auditions.

The judges sat at a long table, their scoresheets ready.

One by one, musicians walked in – violinists, cellists, flutists – each trying to earn a place in one of the world’s most prestigious orchestras.

But there was an unspoken rule: Women almost never got selected!

Not because they lacked talent…
… but because the judges believed that only men could truly master orchestral music.

And then, something changed.

The orchestra introduced a radical experiment.

They placed a large curtain between the judges and the ‘auditioning’ musicians.

Now, the panel could only hear the music – they didn’t know if it was a man or a woman playing the musical instrument

And this transformed the entire scenario!

Suddenly women started getting selected.

For the first time, the judges realized their mistake.

They weren’t choosing the best musicians before…
… they were selecting based on their own bias!

How often do we do the same in our own lives?

How often do we think that God’s power is limited to our way of doing things?

Let’s understand that in God’s eyes, it’s not about who holds the title – it’s about who plays the music.

Not the name… but the mission.
Not the group… but the grace.

Are we listening to the music of God’s work – even when it comes from unexpected people and situations?
… or are we too busy checking ‘who’s playing the instrument?’

The incident in today’s Gospel focuses on how Jesus opens the minds of His disciples to “not get limited” by peripherals and externalities…
… instead to realise that God is not bound by our labels; rather, He is limitless in His love!

One of the disciples – John – told Jesus: “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him, because he was not following Us” (Mk 9:38)

An act of demoniac-healing was being conducted by one who was “not in Jesus’ group”

The disciples were alarmed by it…
… they felt it their duty to forbid it, since that man was outside their “boundary”
… they would have felt within themselves, “How can he who is not with us, do such things?”
… there might perhaps even been a tinge of jealousy, since sometime back, they themselves couldn’t heal a possessed-boy (Mk 9:18)

This incident of the Gospel has a marked parallel in the Book of Numbers 11:25-29

The Lord had spoken to Moses and bestowed the spirit on seventy chosen elders

Among them, two named Eldad and Medad were not in the gathering, but left in the camp
Joshua, came rushing to Moses and complained, “Stop them… they are prophesying in the camp”
To that, Moses replied sternly, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!” (Num 11:29)

Many times, among the “chosen people”, there could be such a tendency to “monopolize” Divine gifts

There could be occasions when “selected persons” feel themselves to be having a special right and privilege…
… to which no others can lay claim!

But the Lord seeks to break such fake boundaries and false borders, by telling: “Whoever is not against us, is for us” (Mk 9:40)

The quality of our Christian Life will be not assessed, simply by the vocation to which we are called…
… but by our life of faithfulness and fidelity

The vocation of being a Christian is not merely a “title” to be hung around in pride or a “plaque” to be carried around for gratification…
… it is a responsible duty that is to be carried out with sincerity and earnestness

Yes…
We need to let go of our “restricted, narrow and prejudiced” mindsets…
… and be open to the working of God’s Spirit, in any people and in any situation of life!

The Book of Sirach (Sir 4:11-19) highlights that Wisdom is not found in worldly status or grandeurs

It’s found in humility, perseverance and trust…
… often overlooked, but powerful!

Like a symphony, its beauty is revealed when we listen with discerning hearts!

Yes, greatness is often hidden in unexpected places and situations

Let’s pray for God’s Holy Wisdom to discern and understand!

Indeed… the Spirit moves where it wills…

Are we open to hearing its music?

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 Second Commandment

When an oath is required by illegitimate civil authorities, it may be refused.

It must be refused when it is required for purposes contrary to the dignity of persons or to ecclesial communion. (CCC # 2155)

“Humbling ourselves before the Immense Presence of God – like a Child – and entrusting our cares to the Lord!”

(Based on Sir 2:1-11 and Mk 9:30-37 – Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A young American student, on a visit to the Beethoven museum in Bonn…
… became fascinated by the piano on which Beethoven had composed some of his greatest works.

(Beethoven is one of the most famous and influential music composers of all-time)

She asked the museum guard if she could play a few musical pieces on it.

She accompanied the request with a lavish tip (a gift/money)…
… and the guard agreed!

The girl, excitedly went to the piano and tinkled out the opening of the Moonlight Sonata (a famous musical composition of Beethoven).

She was greatly thrilled that she could play on the same piano as that of the music legend.

As she was leaving she said to the guard, with a great sense of exhilaration: “I suppose all the great pianists who come here, want to play on that piano.”

The guard shook his head.

Then he gave a reply which shocked the girl: “Padarewski [the famed Polish pianist] was here a few years ago and he said he wasn’t worthy to touch it.”

The great Polish pianist felt himself unworthy to play on the piano, which was played the Legendary Beethoven…
… whereas the girl (a novice in piano), took false pride and gratified her vanity!

Great people realise the significance and prominence of others…
… and in humility, lower themselves in rightful acknowledgement!

How many of us dare to humble ourselves, especially before the immensity of God?

How many of us choose to walk the path of humility, and be willing to follow the Ways of God?

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortatory teaching of Jesus on the importance of His Followers to be immersed into a life of humility.

Jesus was walking with His disciples, teaching them on the way….

He began to speak to them of how, He – the Son of Man “would be delivered into the hands of men, and they would kill Him…” (Mk 9:31)

Jesus was the epitome of self-emptiness and total self-giving

He expected His disciples to also learn from Him (Mt 11:29) and follow His lifestyle

St Paul in his letter to the Philippians speaks of this self-emptying (“kenosis”) of the Lord:
“He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave….He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2: 7-8)

And so Jesus tells His disciples of how He would be handed over to human hands and suffer death

He was teaching them…
… how He had to enter into the waters of Humility – in being handed over to human hands
.. how He had to pass through the valleys of Humbleness – in suffering death on the Cross

But, sadly, the disciples were able to give little heed to these “Acts of Humility” of the Lord
… They were busy discussing who would be the greatest among them
… They were occupied in arguing who would be the first among them (Mk 9:34)

And so the Lord gives them the thumb rule to be His Follower: Humility of Heart

• “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mk 9:35)

Humility…
… was to be the sole stepping-stone to greatness in the Kingdom of God
… was to be the lone way to be considered worthy in the Divine Way of Life

We need to examine our lives: Am I living a life of humility?

Do I try to always have it “my way” and insist solely on feeding my ego and my pride?
Am I willing to let go of my crave for position and fame, and embrace a life of service?

Ralph Emerson, an essayist and poet once said, “A great man is always willing to be little”

Every Christian is expected to Follow the Way of Humility – which was the Way of Christ!

He humbled Himself – and expects each of us to live in humilty
He came to serve, and not to be served – and challenges us too, to be so
He let go of His personal glory and self desires – and dares us to “let go” and “allow God!”

Let us humble ourselves before the Immense Presence of God… like a Child…
… and entrusting our cares to the Lord, truly experience the words of the Psalmist, “Commit your life to the Lord, and He will help you!” (Psa 37:5)

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 Second Commandment

The holiness of the Divine Name demands that we neither use it for trivial matters…
… nor take an oath which on the basis of the circumstances could be interpreted as approval of an authority unjustly requiring it.

(CCC # 2155)