“Living our Christian lives in such a way that is pleasing to Jesus, our Master!”

(Based on Acts 15:1-2, 22-29, Rev 21:10-14, 22-23 and Jn 14:23-29 – 6th Sunday of Easter)

A story is told of a famous violinist who was to perform at a concert hall of world renown.

As he stood before the packed house that night and played his violin, he mesmerized the audience with his prowess and skill…
… and he was given a standing ovation.

He looked at the crowd for a moment and walked off the stage…
… only to return to render another performance.

To the amazement of the crowd, this performance was even more beautiful and flawless than the first.

He looked to the audience and left the stage for the second time, but was beckoned back by the deafening roar of the multitudes…
… and rendered a third performance.

This sequence was repeated several more times until finally the man finished his piece, looked to the audience…
… nodded his head and simply walked off the stage…
… while the cheers could still be heard.

Reporters pressed outside the violinist’s dressing room, waiting to catch a word from the man who had just given the performance of a lifetime.

As he emerged from the small room, one reporter asked the question, “Sir, why did you give so many encore performances?

You could have stopped after the first and everyone would have been amazed.”

The violinist stopped and replied, “For the very first time in my career, my master, the one who taught me to play the violin, was in the audience.

When I finished my performance, everyone stood except for one person.

I played again, and everyone stood to applaud except for him.
I continued to play.

At the conclusion of the last, I looked into the seats and I noticed that everyone, including my master, was standing and applauding!

It was only then that I was satisfied that I had done a good job.”

What about us?

Do we live our Christian lives in such a way that is pleasing to Jesus, our Master?

Do we allow Him to find a place in our hearts…
… so that we can reflect His Divine Touch, by our words and deeds?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus throwing light on this beautiful theme of God wishing to make a home in our hearts:

“Those who love me, will keep my word, and My Father will love them and we will come and make our home with them” (Jn 14: 23)

Our Blessed Lord presents a profound truth: Love for Him is shown not primarily through emotion, but through obedience.

In the Bible, to “keep the Word” is not just to obey outwardly
… but to guard it within
… to treasure it
… and allow it to shape every aspect of life

‘Keeping His Word’ is the hallmark of authentic discipleship.

In a world that often reduces love to emotion and obedience to legalism, Jesus restores the connection:

To love Him is to trust Him; to trust Him is to obey Him.

Do I obey God only when it is convenient, or even when it costs me something?

It is in such “obedient hearts” that the Trinity “will make a home!”

This is a fulfillment of God’s desire to ‘tabernacle among His people.’ (cf. Ex 25:8; Jn 1:14).

This is a movement from the external to the internal, from the temple to the heart.
The Trinity wishes to choose each one of us as His dwelling place.

The Creator of the universe desires not just our obedience…
… but a living relationship, so intimate that He chooses to dwell within us.

This longing of God is seen throughout salvation history:

In the garden, He walked with Adam and Eve.
In the wilderness, He dwelt in the Tabernacle with His people.
In Christ, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14).
Now, through the Spirit, He seeks to make each of us a sanctuary.

This truth is echoed in Revelation 21, where the New Jerusalem has no temple…
… because “its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” (Rev 21:22)

What area of my life is Jesus inviting me to surrender, to make space for His Word to dwell?

Is my inner life – my thoughts, desires, and motivations – a space where God feels at home?

As we journey through Easter, we are reminded that the Resurrection is not just a past event – it is a present reality.

Jesus is alive…
… and He desires to dwell within each of us.

The question is: Have we made room for Him?

Let us seek to live our Christian lives in such a way that is pleasing to Jesus, our Master!

Yes, let us allow Him to find a place in our hearts…
… so that we can reflect His Divine Touch, by our words and deeds!

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons.

Showing themselves obedient to the will of the Father in heaven, they educate their children to fulfill God’s law. (CCC # 2222)

“Having faith that is not just worn on the neck, but that’s clutched in the heart!”

(Based on Acts 16:1-10 and Jn 15:18-21 – Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter)

In a country where religious freedom was restricted, there lived a young teacher named Ivan.

Under his shirt, tied with an old string, he wore a small wooden cross – rough, worn, carved by his grandfather.

Every day, when the classroom emptied for lunch, Ivan would bow his head silently…
… And spend few minutes in silence, clinging to the Cross
… and praying to be faithful.

Ivan would often be called to meetings and gatherings, where he would be ridiculed, mocked and asked to give up his faith.

But in all those moments, quietly, he would reach to his Cross…
… and find strength and courage.

Years later, one of his former students – now grown up – stood near the baptismal font

When asked what brought him to Christ, he said: “I was taught by teacher, who did not publicly speak about God…
… but couldn’t stop hiding God from us, by His life and actions!”

Indeed, ‘some of the loudest sermons are whispered by the lives of the quietly courageous.’

That’s the kind of faith we are called to have:

Not a faith that looks fashionable…
… but that’s faithful.
Not a faith that always roars…
… but that refuses to retreat.
Not a faith that is just worn on the neck…
… but that’s clutched in the heart.

The Gospel of the Day is a mighty invitation by Jesus to remain steadfast and bold even in the face of persecution in defence for our faith in Him.

And this steadfastness is in imitation of Jesus, our Master, who Himself underwent a miserable series of pain, persecution, suffering and humiliation…
… and yet remained totally faithful to His Mission.

Jesus says, “If the world hates you, realise that it hated me first… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jn 15:18, 20b)

The Lord is very clear in His teaching and preaching: Friendship with Jesus would mean hostility from the world.

Our Lord Himself had to undergo this pain of rejection, persecution and opposition throughout His life…

At His birth, King Herod sought to terminate His life
After Baptism, Satan sought to tempt Him out of His mission.
During His ministry, the Pharisees and Scribes would misunderstand and misjudge Him

The Lord alerts His disciples that the same will be true in their lives too, if they choose to remain faithful to their vocation.

As a follower of the Lord, we too need to be aware that sufferings and hardships in being Christian are sure to come our way.

What is our attitude and disposition to these trials that we face because of our faith in Christ?

Are we bold and courageous…
… even when we are to face isolation or seclusion due to standing firm in our values and principles in the Lord?

Do we live our life in joy and calmness…
… even when we have to face misunderstandings and become an object of laughter, or called “old-traditionalists” due to being staunch in following the Gospel values?

The world constantly ensnares us with temptations to abandon the Cross…

Are we going to yield to such temptations and enticements…
… or are we prepared to face any amount of difficulty, to uphold our Faith in the Lord?

Let’s realise: A faith untested is just a theory…
… but a faith, tested and trusted, becomes a testimony!

Seeking the assistance of Mary, Help of Christians, on Her Feast Day…
… let’s be faithful, fearless and fruitful!

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.

The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable. (CCC # 2221)

“Growing in the light of the Images of Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit to deepen our conviction and commitment to the Kingdom!”

(Based on Acts 15:22-31 and Jn 15:12-17 – Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter)

The Gospels are a beautiful account of the many narratives, describing the works, teachings and life of Jesus.

We get a glimpse to various images and facets of the life of Jesus.

These various images of the Lord, help us to relate to Him in a much more intimate and closer manner.

These various images of the Lord, also help us, in turn, to imitate Him and to live more and more like Him, in this world.

The Gospel of the Day… just six verses… Jn 15: 12-17, on closer reading, presents a number of images of the Lord.

These images will help us to…
… form a closer bond with the Lord
… imitate the Lord better in our lives

IMAGE 1: Jesus, the Lover…. inviting us to be His lovers!

The Lord says, “… love one another, as I have loved you” (Jn 15: 12)

Jesus is our Lover!

He is the Love-incarnate, and He expresses His deep love to us at every moment of our life.

Do we experience the Lord as a Lover…?
… intimately and passionately loving us, even in the midst of problems of life
… assuring His faithful support to us at every situation, even if we have been unfaithful

IMAGE 2: Jesus, the friend… inviting us to have Him as our best friend!
The Lord says, “… I have called you friends… ” (Jn 15: 15b)

Jesus is our Friend!

He is the One who shares everything that He has with us and does not keep any secrets in this Divine friendship.

Do we experience the Lord as our Friend…?
… constantly walking beside us, sharing our every emotion – joy, sorrow, hateful feelings, frustration, silly thoughts, stupid doubts, unseen jealousies etc
… on whom we can rely on, in any situation of life – may not get an answer in every problem, but surely being strengthened in having a shoulder to lean on and hands to hold onto!

IMAGE 3: Jesus, the brother… inviting us to share in His Sonship!
The Lord says, “… I have told you everything I have heard from My Father” (Jn 15: 15)

Jesus, the Son of the Heavenly Father, is our Brother!

We are raised to a status of being “sons in the Son!”

We are given the privilege to address God – not as any impersonal being, or a distant reality.. but as our Father – a loving Daddy, a caring Parent!

Do we experience the Lord as our Brother…?
… the One who reveals the secrets of the Heavenly Family and bids us have a closer union with the Divine Family
… the One who asks us to cast off our fear of God as being some strict rule-keeper and instead to cherish His Fatherly affection and fondness

IMAGE 4: Jesus, the Master… inviting us to give heed to His commandments!
The Lord says, ” This I command: love one another” (Jn 15: 17)

Jesus is our Master!

We are obliged to obey the order of the Lord and carry out His plans and wishes faithfully.

Do we experience the Lord as our Master…?
… giving heed to His commandment of being an instrument of love and harmony in our life situations
… being faithful, in little or big things, to please the Master at all times

IMAGE 5: Jesus, the Intercessor… inviting us to cast our concerns to Him!
The Lord says, “… whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you” (Jn 15:16b)

Jesus is our Intercessor!

By His Holy Sacrifice, He has become the mediator and intercessor for the entire human race, before the Heavenly Father (1 Tim 2:5)

Do we experience the Lord as our Intercessor…?
… bringing before Him our concerns and the needs of the world, knowing that intercession is a very powerful means of alleviating the struggles and problems of the world
… becoming a prayer-warrior and helping the grace and intervention of God to be felt by people who are in distress and trouble

IMAGE 6: Jesus, the Missionary.. inviting us to be co-workers in His Project Kingdom!
The Lord says, “you did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” (Jn 15: 16a)

Jesus is our model Missionary

The mission that was entrusted by the Father is now shared by Jesus to all of us, and we become partners and collaborators with Him

Do we experience Jesus as our model Missionary…?
… knowing that He is the ideal and perfect missionary and that I must seek to imitate Him, in bringing God’s reign in the lives of people
… realising that it is a huge honour and a big responsibility that is placed on me, to be a co-worker and teammate of the Lord.

The Gospel presents these powerful images of the Lord to grow closer to Him and to reflect these images, in our contexts.

The early Church reflected on the various dimensions and guidance of the Lord, working in their lives and made decisions in the light of the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:22-31)

We are also invited to grow in the light of the Images of Christ and the Power of the Holy Spirit to deepen our conviction and commitment to the Kingdom!

Let the words of St Clare inspire us:
“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.
If we love things, we become a thing.
If we love nothing, we become nothing.

Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation.

This means we are to become vessels of God’s compassionate love for others.”

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

The fecundity of conjugal love cannot be reduced solely to the procreation of children…

… but must extend to their moral education and their spiritual formation. (CCC # 2221)

“’Stirring up our lives’ to savour the sweetness of joy, peace and serenity of the Lord!”

(Based on Acts 15:7-21 and Jn 15:9-11 – Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter)

One of the wonderful SMSs that has been read and circulated by many of us, goes thus…

“Life is like having a cup of coffee…
You sit by the window, lift the cup, take a careless sip…
… and find no sugar.

Too lazy to go for the sugar, you somehow manage with that sugarless cup.
>> On finishing, you find undissolved sugar crystals, settled at the bottom!

That is life!

We don’t make any effort to value what is around or within us.
>> So look around…
… Maybe, the sweetness you are looking is much closer than you think!”


How often is our spiritual life also lived similarly…

We go through the rigours of spiritual practices…
… but they sometimes become mere routines

We perform many chores of religious exercises…
… but they sometimes turn out to be ritualistic.

Spiritual life becomes tasteless…
Spiritual life loses its fascination…


But Jesus, in the Gospel of the Day invites us to have a deeper excitement and happiness in life, by abiding in His love.

He tells us, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy maybe in you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn 15: 11)

The Lord wishes each of His followers to live a life of immense joy and happiness.

Jesus, Himself lived a very joyful life.


What was the recipe for His happiness?

A life that was lived in perfect communion with His Heavenly Father…
… seeking union with the Father through moments of solitude in prayer
… raising His Heart to the Father in gratitude and thanksgiving at every situation of life.

A life that was lived in absolute obedience to the Will of His Father…
… willing to shed any personal comforts or desires to be faithful to the mission entrusted
… readiness to undergo any amount of pain and suffering, even death, to be totally committed


Jesus hands over this same recipe to us, to discover true joy and happiness in life.

When we live in Communion with the Heavenly Father…
… in intense moments of prayer
… with a heart of thanksgiving
>> And we obey God’s Will…
… even at the cost of some personal comforts
… ready to bear sufferings to be faithful to Him

It is then…
… that we will experience real joy and happiness
… that we will treasure heavenly experiences in our hearts


Life grinds us through many tasteless moments and situations…

We get upset easily…
We tend to get defensive…
We get into a mode of being lethargic…
>> But the Lord says: “Stir up your lives!”

“Stir up your lives” to savour the sweetness of joy, peace and serenity…
… to taste the joy that is guaranteed by obeying God’s commandments
… to taste the peace that is assured by letting our lives be a symphony of service to others
… to taste the serenity that is promised by always abiding in the loving presence of the Lord.


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society
>> For Christians a special gratitude is due to those from whom they have received the gift of faith…
… the grace of Baptism, and life in the Church. (CCC # 2220)
——————-

“Nourishing our relationship with the Lord and reflecting the fruits of this affiliation in our daily lives!”

(Based on Acts 15:1-6 and Jn 15:1-8 – Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter)

A young man once checked into a serene hilltop retreat center…
… lush trees, birdsong in the morning

He was told it was a place to reconnect… spiritually.

But just a few hours in, he grew restless.

His phone showed zero network range.
No signal. No data.
No Wi-Fi. No messages.

And then came the meltdown.

In frustration, he muttered, “Ugh! I feel totally disconnected from the world!”

An elderly priest nearby, seated quietly with his Rosary, gently smiled and said:

“Son, if only we felt this disturbed when we’re disconnected from God.”

The young man was stunned.

He had been more distressed by the lack of Wi-Fi than the lack of prayer in his life.

So often true in our lives too, isn’t it?

We refresh apps..
… but do we refresh our hearts?
We seek network towers…
… but do we seek the True Tower of Strength?

The Gospel of the Day invites us to continually nurture and nourish our relationship with the Lord…
… and to reflect the fruits of this affiliation in our daily lives.

Jesus says that, “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, because without me, you can do nothing” (Jn 15: 5)

These are highly powerful words of the Divine Lord…”WITHOUT ME, YOU CAN DO NOTHING!”

There are a few implications of these powerful words….

1. Its a great message of hope
   The statement of the Lord is a deep assurance that in every moment of our lives, we can bank on Him.

St Paul realized the deep understanding of this message of hope and could cry out, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13)

We can place our hope in the Lord…
… even when all seems lost and crashed in life
… even when things hit rock bottom in our life

2. It’s a great message of warning
   The statement of the Lord is also a grave warning that in every moment of our lie, we can crack without Him!

The Prodigal Son realized the depth of such a break of relationship, when he had gone away from his father, and found himself in dire needs.

He would therefore say, “I shall get up and go to my Father and I shall say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you…’ (Lk 15: 18)

We are warned by the Lord…
… in every moment, we need to be dependent on the Lord
… in every situation of life, we cannot achieve true success by our own merits and talents

Sometimes in life, when things go on well and when everything seems fine, we tend to forget that it is the Lord, who is ultimately leading and guiding us.

We get into a feeling that it is my achievements and hard work alone, that is the cause of every success and smile that I enjoy.

But once in a way, when emptiness engulfs our lives, maybe by way of…
… a sickness or a death…
… a financial difficulty or uncertainty of the future…
… crisis in relationships or breakage of human bonding
… or any other problem or difficulty…

We realize that there is a loss in our relationship with the Lord, the Strength of our life!

Unless we stay connected to this Mighty Network, our lives will stay in gloom and shadow!

When we are connected with the Lord, even in the midst of any crisis, the supply of inner joy and peace will always remain constant!

As St John of the Cross says, “Oh, how happy is this soul that is ever conscious of God resting and reposing within its breast!”

The early Christian community gives us a beautiful example of coming together in the name of the Lord in order to resolve a crisis (Acts 15:1ff)

They realised that every human problem has its solution and consolation in the Lord!

Let us always seek to be united with the Lord…
… realising that ‘the fruits of our life don’t come from our talents – they come from our being tethered with the Vine!”

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Respect toward parents fills the home with light and warmth. “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged.”

“With all humility and meekness, with patience, [support] one another in charity. (CCC # 2219)

“Inviting Christ to calm the storm within and to experience His Divine Peace!”

(Based on Acts 14:19-28 and Jn 14:27-31a – Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter)

It was a cloudy afternoon, and the flight had just begun to descend.

But suddenly there were a few bumps and a strong turbulence.

People started glancing nervously out the windows. The usual cabin chatter faded, replaced by disturbed tension.

One lady clutched her rosary.
Another gripped the armrest.
A man muttered, “I don’t like this.”

But in the middle of it all, a little girl sat peacefully in her seat, colouring her book.

She was calm. Focused.
Not the slightest trace of worry on her face.

A woman sitting beside her leaned over and said gently, “Sweetheart, are you okay? Aren’t you scared?”

The child looked up, smiled, and said simply:
“No. My daddy’s the pilot…
… and he told me before we took off that he’d get me home safely.”

Boom!

That’s trust.
That’s peace.
Not because the skies were smooth…
… but because the heart knew Who’s in control.

That’s the peace the Lord – the Pilot of our life – offers!

Not necessarily a change in the weather, but a change in the heart.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus warning us of the dangers of increased anxiety levels and troubled moments…
… and instead invites to lead a life of peace.

Jesus says in Jn 14: 27, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”

The context of this statement of Jesus is the discourse at the Last Supper.

Jesus informs of his imminent going away from the disciples, which made them sad and anxious.

They had placed their hopes in Him.
They had offered their lives to Him.

But His announcement of departure caused worry and anxiety to the disciples.

But Jesus, who knows their hearts and gauges their emotions assures them, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give it to you” (Jn 14:27)

The disciples entered into an anxiety-mode as their hearts got wearied with what was to come immediately.

But Jesus invites them to go beyond such peripheral worries, and be assured of a peace that comes as a result of trusting in Him, the Lord of all future!

When one is imprisoned in the immediate worries of life, one fails to enjoy the true freedom of peace and joy
When one is landlocked amidst the borders of impending fears and troubles of life, one is unable to move out to experience real inner tranquillity and serenity

Are we finding ourselves often in situations, when our “hearts are troubled?”

Then Jesus, the Master Doctor of hearts, needs to be immediately consulted…

He gives us the tablet of His peace which would subside our fears
He gives us the tonic of His soothing Word which would calm our troubles

Troubles will, without any doubt, always haunt us…
… but we need to grow in our understanding that in all this, Jesus, is in perfect control of our lives.

Indeed, we can’t stop the storm from raging around us…
… but we can invite Christ to calm the storm within!

Let Jesus, the Doctor of hearts and the Pilot of our lives, take complete charge of our lives

In Him, we shall experience fervent joy.

In Him, we shall live with true peace.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Filial respect promotes harmony in all of family life

… it also concerns relationships between brothers and sisters. (CCC # 2219)

“Living in a way that will make the Lord ‘feel at home!'”

(Based on Acts 14:5-18 and Jn 14:21-26 – Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter)

One evening, a little boy was helping his mother prepare the guest room.

They were expecting a relative to visit, and the boy was full of excitement.

As they fluffed the pillows and folded the blankets, he paused, then looked up and asked innocently:
“Mamma… if Jesus came to our house, where would He sleep?”

The mother smiled warmly and said, “Well, my dear boy, we’d give Him the best room, of course!”

But the boy wasn’t done. With eyes wide and voice soft, he asked: “But what if He didn’t want to leave?”

The mother was surprised at the question.

His doubt echoed in the stillness.

She sat beside him, pulled him close, and whispered: “Then, my child…
We’d change everything.

We will keep the room always ready…
We will clean the house every day…
And most of all, we’d live in a way that will make Him feel at home!”
And she added, “Because if Jesus wants to stay, then this house must become a home for God.”

The little boy smiled.

And that night, they left the guest room light on…
… just in case He came.

That child asked the question that every soul must ask: “If Jesus came, would He find a home – or just a room?”

Too often we welcome Him as a guest for Sunday…
… but forget Him by Monday.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus throwing light on this beautiful theme of God wishing to make a home in our hearts:
“Those who love me, will keep my word, and My Father will love them and we will come and make our home with them” (Jn 14:23)

The story of the Bible is of God who longs to dwell with His people.

In the Old Testament, we see the Garden of Eden was a beautiful communion of the first parents with God.

The atmosphere was so much homely…
… so much loving.

Sin caused a rupture in this homely bonding between God and human beings.

But the Lord, still longed to dwell with His people…

He accompanied the Israelites in their journey through the desert…
… being with them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
He also established His glory among the people of Israel by dwelling in the ark of the covenant.

Every now and then, the people sinned and lost this presence of the Lord

Through the prophets, the Lord would invite the people to come back to His homely presence.

Finally, in the fullness of time, God decided to dwell with humans, when the Eternal Word became flesh…

Jn 1: 14, “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us”

To perpetuate His continual presence, Jesus also gave us His Body and Blood, in Real Presence…
… when He instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper with the culmination of His Sacrifice on the Cross, and His rising from the dead.

This then, is the story of the longing of a God who yearns to dwell with His people.

Jesus re-iterates this constant longing of the Lord, by promising:
“Those who love me, will keep my word, and My Father will love them and we will come and make our home with them” (Jn 14: 23)

The Lord wishes to dwell more close to us..
He longs to have a home in our hearts…

Do we make the space for Him?

The Lord promises to come and make His home in our hearts, if we love Him and keep His Word.

Loving Him requires giving Him the highest priority and precedence in our lives

Keeping His Word requires following His teachings and commandments at all times.

Loving Him means to constantly long for Him and to have our thoughts centered on Him

Keeping His Word means to make decisions and choices based on His Gospel virtues

Loving Him means to free our hearts from undue and inordinate attachments

Keeping His Word means to go against our personal choices to preserve His Will and plans

The Acts of the Apostles gives us the account of Paul and Barnabas giving a powerful witness in Lystra…
… and demonstrating the Power of the Lord, Who was given the highest priority in their life! (Acts 14:5-18)

The Lord wants a space in our hearts, to dwell in us…

Maybe, some rooms of our heart has been rented to many unwanted habits…
Maybe, some areas of our lives are occupied by unfit tenants of sin and evil…
Maybe, some quarters of our mind are accommodated with unholy and bad thoughts…

God is knocking at our doors, seeking a home for His Son…

Let’s realise: “Holiness begins when hospitality is extended to the Holy One.”

Let us live in a way that will make the Lord ‘feel at home!’

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

O son, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives
… even if he is lacking in understanding, show forbearance
… in all your strength do not despise him.

Whoever forsakes his father is like a blasphemer, and whoever angers his mother is cursed by the Lord. (CCC # 2218)

“Loving like Christ – in obedience, with sacrifice and in fruitfulness – and helping ‘to resurrect lives!'”

(Based on Acts 14:21-27, Rev 21:1-5a and Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35- Fifth Sunday of Easter)

An incident is told of a 7 year old boy.

He was just a quiet boy…
… slightly built, often overlooked
… and painfully shy.

But what made him suffer most was his stutter.

Every time he tried to read aloud in class, the snickering began.

Mockery… whispers… even eye-rolls from some of the teachers.

And over time, his silence became louder than his words.

He began to dread mornings, hoping to blend into the corners of the classroom,
… wishing he could disappear from every roll call.

One day, after he stumbled badly while reading, someone shouted, “Just stop trying!”
The class laughed.

But one classmate didn’t.

Later that day, the boy returned to his locker – head down, spirit crushed.

He opened the door, and something fluttered to the floor.

A small folded piece of paper.
He unfolded it slowly, hands shaking.

It read: “I think your voice is strong and kind. Don’t be afraid to speak.

That was it.
No signature. No clue.

But in that one sentence… something broke.

A wound began to heal.

What no lecture could do… what no sympathy could fix…
… that one, small, obedient act of love –
done quietly, without recognition, sacrificing comfort, risking ridicule,
… bore fruit that no one could have imagined.

Years later, in a hall filled with hundreds, that ‘quiet, shy’ boy stood with confidence…
… his voice echoing with passion and strength
… now a renowned speaker, helping others find their voice.

When asked what turned it all around, he said: “It was a note. Just one line. It didn’t just encourage me…
… it resurrected me!”

That’s what love does!

Love listens when others ignore.
Love gives when others retreat.
Love resurrects when others ridicule.

Love, indeed, is the best medicine for any sickness which cripples human life!

And the reason for this amazing power of love is simple:

True Love flows from the heart of the One who is Love… God!
Genuine Love gushes forth from the fount of the One who is Love Incarnate… Jesus!

The Gospel of the Day is the wonderful exhortation of Jesus to His followers with the “Great Commandment of Love”

Jesus says in today’s Gospel:
“A new commandment I give you, that You love one another, even as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34)

It is interesting to note that what Jesus gives is a COMMANDMENT…
… it was not a suggestion
… it was not a piece of advice
… it was not an ordinary recommendation

It was a Commandment!

TO LOVE, is a COMMAND!

Every follower of Christ…
… is expected
… is bound
… and is under obligation
… TO LOVE… as JESUS LOVED!

Indeed, “Love isn’t proven in emotion…
… it’s proven in obedience!”

There are three important dimensions of the Love of Jesus that we can outline and highlight:

1. A Love that is obedient
   Jesus says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (Jn 15: 10)

Jesus remained in the love of the Father, by doing His commandments.

And he enjoins the same principle of Obedient Love to His disciples too.

The one who loves, also obeys and follows the commands…

Do I have a love that is obedient…?
… happy to undertake the various duties and responsibilities entrusted to me and fulfilling them to the best of my capabilities.

2. A Love that is sacrificial
   Jesus says, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15: 13)

Jesus showed the depth of His love by undertaking the highest sacrifice of His own life.

And he enjoins the same principle of Sacrificial Love to His disciples too.

The one who loves, also offers and foregoes some luxuries and securities…

Do I have a love that is sacrificial?
… willing to lay down one’s bias and prejudices, dying to one’s evil inclinations, putting to sword one’s bad habits that takes away from God and making adjustments of one’s self-desires to make way for God’s plans in life.

3. A Love that is fruitful
   Jesus says, “… I chose and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain… ” (Jn 15: 16)

Jesus showed the quality of His love by displaying the fruits of compassion, tender mercy, an accommodating heart, gentleness and generosity.

And he enjoins the same principle of fruitful love to His disciples too.

The one who loves, also bears fruits of patience, kindness, self-control and faithfulness…
… and radiates the fruits of joy, generosity and peace…

Do I have a love that is fruitful?
… bearing fruits that witness God’s love by promoting unity and harmony and attracting many to the tender mercy of the Lord by a live of passion and zeal.

The Lord has loved us tremendously… with a love that is obedient, sacrificial and fruitful.

Each of us is to possess this same treasure of love.

Love binds every brokenness…
Love joins every divorced situation…
Love unites every ruptured circumstance…

May the Lord enable us to be filled from His fountain of love and share His joy and peace to a world that is broken and seeks for consolation, comfort and calm…
… and thus help us to share in His Dwelling place “where every tear will be wiped away and there will be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain…” (Rev 21: 4)

When we love like Christ, we don’t just touch hearts…
… we help ‘to resurrect lives!’

Let’s always remember: It only takes one small seed of love, sown in obedience and sacrifice…
… to change a lifetime!

Yes…the quietest act of love is sometimes the loudest voice in someone’s life.

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 Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society

Whoever honours his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure.
Whoever honors his father will be gladdened by his own children, and when he prays he will be heard.

Whoever glorifies his father will have long life, and whoever obeys the Lord will refresh his mother. (CCC # 2218)