“Being inspired by the greatness of St Joseph, in doing the Will of God!”

(Based on Isa 7:10-14, Rom 1:1-7 and Mt 1:18-24 – 4th Sunday in Advent, Cycle A)

A child standing in front of the Christmas Crib was looking for quite sometime at the statue of St Joseph.

The mother, tapped his shoulder and asked: “Why is it that you looking so long at St Joseph?”

The boy with an innocent smile replied:

“Mamma…St Joseph was such a great person, isn’t it!

He had the honour to be so close with the two holiest persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother!

I wish that we would talk and pray to St Joseph more..
… than just think of him, only during Christmas season!”

The boy was recounting the greatness of St Joseph…
… who often remains hidden in the backdrop, amid the great galaxy of Biblical Stars!

The Gospel of the day is a beautiful glimpse to understand the person of St Joseph.

Let’s learn a few of his important virtues.

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)
He listened to the Angel, in moments of danger, and obediently took the Mother and Child to Egypt (Mt 1:13-15)
He listened to the Angel, 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.

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 a tremendous 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.

Can we also imitate St Joseph, in holding Them 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 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.

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)

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

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)

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 invites us to grow in obedience to the Will of God – with promptness and joy

Let us pray that we will be able to nurture a deeper and tender affection for Jesus and Mother Mary and be close to Them, to lead a pure and holy life.

May the greatness of St Joseph inspire us.

And may we talk and pray to St Joseph more..
… than just think of him, only during Christmas season!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Imitating Mother Mary in her dare and courage for the sake of God’s Kingdom to ‘give up’ completely!”

(Based on Isa 7:10-14 and Lk 1:26-38 – Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent)

There goes a simple story of a father trying to explain the importance of the season of Advent to his ten-year-old son.

He stresses on the need to prepare oneself well for Christmas.

The father said, “You ought to ‘give up’ something in Advent; something you will really miss, like for example, chocolates!”

The boy thought for a moment, then asked, “What are you giving up, Daddy?” “I’m giving up liquor,” the father replied.

“But before dinner you were drinking something” the boy protested. “Oh! That was only wine” said the father “I gave up hard liquor”

To which the boy replied, “Well then, I think even I’ll give up hard chocolates!!”

‘Giving up’ completely, in life, becomes a hard challenge and a difficult task.

But only in going through the tough way, can one obtain true success in life.
Only by giving up human interests in favor of God’s choices, can one find heavenly bliss!

The Gospel of the Day – the Annunciation of the Lord – is a witness to this great aspect of “Giving Up”.

“How can this be?” (Lk 1:34)…

This was the question that the innocent and surprised Mary asked the majestic Angel of God.

Mary had been betrothed to Joseph.

This meant she had formally agreed to marry him but the “wedding” had not yet taken place.

Between the “betrothal” and the “wedding feast” was a period usually lasting six months to a year.

During that period the couple was considered to be married and were called husband and wife but (a) they did not live together and (b) did not consummate their marriage physically.

In this context and background,

To be chosen to be visited by the splendour and power of God’s Messenger…
To be told that she was to be conceived and bearing a child…
To be declared that she was to be Mother of God’s Son…
…were highly disturbing, shocking and even fearful prospects!

It was pretty natural for Mary to pose this probing question: “How can this be?”

In her heart, it was slowly dawning that life was going to be highly different hereafter…

If we suppose that her wedding feast is still four or five months away, like teenagers everywhere, we can imagine that all her thoughts centred on things that prospective brides think about…
… the guest list, the decorations, the food, the music
… what she will wear and where they will house the people coming in from out-of-town
… her future life with her beloved husband

Mary had never been happier.

This was to be the most exciting time of her life.

But the plan of God intervened at this joyful, undisturbed, serene phase of her life…

Often when life moves on an even path, we face the unexpected bumps of troubles.

Often when spiritually things seem to be fine, we encounter unforeseen nights of faith crisis.

Gone were the happy dreams of a grand wedding…

Gone were the hopes for “the most beautiful wedding to her most wonderful man”…

Gone were all her girlish hopes of a quiet life in the home she would personally decorate…

Gone, also, were the visions of a houseful of children conceived in love and filled with mirth…

Life was calling Mother Mary to make the choice of “giving up” completely.

“Giving up” her dreams and desires totally, to share in the magnificent plan of God’s Will.
“Giving up” her fears and apprehensions fully, to leap into a dimly-lit world of faith.

She will have a wedding feast, but not the way she planned.

She will be married, but not before rumours spread through the countryside.
She will have a home, but over her family will rest an uneasy cloud of dark suspicion.

It will all happen, but not the way she expected.

She had to “give up” all…
… Her desires… Her will
… Her dreams… Her expectations…

Today, each one of is being invited and challenged to “give up” things in life…

“Give up”…
… our will in favour of God’s Will in our lives.
… our sinful tendencies to allow purity and holiness to overshadow us.
… our selfish desires and interests to make space for the needs of others.

“Give up”…
… our personal time of comfort and luxury to give more time to the Lord.
… our judgmental attitudes and embrace the spirit of gentleness and forgiveness.
… our wrecking feelings of brokenness and let in God’s presence and grace to heal us.

No doubt that this “giving up” is a hard task and even might seem “impossible” to us.

But the Angel Gabriel assures and comforts us, “For with God, nothing is impossible” (Lk 1:37).

Got any rivers you think are unassailable?
Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?

God specializes in things thought impossible.
He does things, others cannot do!

Mother Mary is the greatest human example of impossibilities being converted to realities through God’s Power!

In Her yes, humanity said Yes to God…
In Her “giving up”, humanity has “given up” the sinful nature.

She is our Model disciple to imitate.
She is our Mother beloved to hold fast to.

Let us imitate Mother Mary in her dare and courage for the sake of God’s Kingdom to “give up” completely.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Firmly holding high the banner – ‘Semper Fi – Forever Faithful!’ in our Christian lives and living in loyalty and allegiance to Christ, our Great Commander”

(Based on Judg 13:2-7, 24-25a and Lk 1:5-25 – Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent)

Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton is a former Marine Corps sergeant in the US.

On Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide bomber drove a truck load of explosives into the Marine Camp at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon, killing 241 soldiers.

Nashton, a lance corporal, just 23 at that time, was among those severely injured in the attack.

Nashton had many tubes, running in and out of his body, with grave injuries all over.

A witness would say, that ‘he looked more like a machine than a man’.

Yet, he survived!

It is said, that two days after the bombing, while lying on the hospital bed in Weisbaden, Germany…
… in deep pain and agony, Nashton scribbled two words on a note and gave to his commander, Marine Commandant Paul X. Kelley.

The two words on the note read: “Semper Fi”

“Semper Fi” is the Latin motto of the Marines.

It means: “Forever Faithful!”

The pledge of “Semper Fi”…
… strengthened the injured man, in his moments of agony and struggle!
… became the reason for the wounded person, to remain steadfast in the face of anguish!

Every Christian ought to have this pledge to the Lord – “Semper Fi : Forever Faithful” – firmly adhered to Christ and faithfully lived in love.

The Gospel of the Day is the inspiring story of two exemplary persons- Elizabeth and Zechariah – who displayed the courage “to remain faithful” even while staring at hopelessness and despair.

St Luke begins his Gospel, after a brief introduction, with the amazing story of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

It’s interesting to note the meanings of their names…
“Zechariah” meant “The Lord remembers”
“Elizabeth” meant “the oath of God”

Combined, their names would mean, “The Lord remembers His Oath!”

However, life seemingly handed them something quite opposite…

Their childlessness caused to seem that the Lord had totally forgotten!

How true is this situation in our own lives too?

We bank on God’s promises that “He would provide” everything…
… but when some of our expectations fall short, we feel God is just not with us!

We feel joyful to know that God’s Providence will guide us through…
… yet, when some unforeseen and sudden mishaps happen, we feel God has forgotten us!

We feel assured to realise that God will always shelter us…
… however, when we find ourselves in the thickets of problems and crises, we feel God has left us!

This is where we need to look to Zechariah and Elizabeth and be inspired by their amazing faith.

Though all possibilities of hope and expectation was “lost”, humanly speaking…
… they still kept the faith!
… they still remained true to the Lord!
… they still continued to be devout to God!

The Gospel says, “they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless” (Lk 1: 6)

Yes, Zechariah and Elizabeth firmly held up the placard of “Semper Fi” – Forever Faithful – to God!

And this is what we too are called to do, in our Christian life of faith – to hold up the banner of “Semper Fi”…

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when our life ahead seems uncertain and the road ahead looks too dark

By firmly trusting Divine Providence and obeying His Will in our lives

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when undeserved sufferings crush our life and unfair behaviour is meted out to us

By strongly pursuing the paths of justice and holding firm to the values of the Gospel

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when sin traps us and we find it miserable to let go off our evil ways

By resolutely making efforts to do away with sinful tendencies and seeking to be holy

The “Forever Faithful” principle of Zechariah and Elizabeth was mercifully looked with favour by God…
… and thus the joyful words were addressed: “…your prayer has been heard! Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” (Lk 1: 13)

Yes, “the Lord remembered His oath” and announced that He is indeed “The God Who is Gracious” by blessing them with John (= God is Gracious)

Our God is the God Who cares much for His people…

This deep care and love, however, deserves our steadfast faithfulness and uncompromising fidelity.

Let our Christian Lives be a life of loyalty and allegiance to Christ, our Great Commander…
… and may we, firmly hold high the banner – “Semper Fi – Forever Faithful!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Trusting in Heavenly protection, and in turn, like St Joseph, being a protector and defender to each other!”

(Based on Jer 23:5-8 and Mt 1:18-25 – Thursday of the 3rd Week of Advent)

The early American Indians had a unique ritual in their training of young boys to be brave and strong in their lives.

The evening of the boy’s thirteenth birthday, would consist of the final test…
… after having learnt hunting, exploration, fishing and other skills.

The boy was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night all alone.

Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe.

But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away.

When the blindfold was taken off, he would find himself in the midst of the thick woods…
… and he would be terrified!

Every time a branch snapped or something fell, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.

His heart would pound with fear…
He would seek for some consolation, but would find none..
He would long to feel safe again, but the wait seemed to be an unending one…

After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest…

Looking around, the boy saw the wild flowers, lush trees, and the outline of the path.

Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow.

Guess who it was ?

It was his father!

He had been there all night long.

The boy had been unaware, but the father was always there, to make an intervention, in case of any eventuality of danger.

The protection of the father encircled the child, irrespective of whether the boy was aware or not.

Such is the tremendous protection and security of God, our Loving Father.

In the fullness of time, when God, the Father decided to send His Beloved Son to the earth, for the redemption of humankind, He had to entrust the care of His Precious Child to the protection and care of a human father…

And it was St Joseph who was chosen to be assigned this task and responsibility of being the caretaker and protector of Jesus, the Son of God!

The Gospel of the Day introduces and portrays the beautiful personality of St Joseph.

It is also an invitation to look to this Great Saint and draw inspiration from his life.

Just as God had entrusted Him to be the protector of the body of Jesus while on earth…
… St Joseph is also the protector and patron of His Body on the earth today, the Holy Church.

St Joseph in fulfilling his task of being the protector of Jesus, teaches us a few lessons…

1. He was ever prompt to the voice of the Lord

His love was attentive to the needs of the Divine Child and the Mother.

In his moments of confusion, he was open to the promptings of the Spirit.
“When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him…” (Mt 1:24)

Am I docile to the inspirations of the Lord, so as to be in greater tune with the Will of God?

2. St Joseph was ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of protecting Jesus and Mary.

He was willing…
… to undergo societal humiliations
… to bear physical hardships of travelling, migration, lack of comforts etc
… to be prudent to the socio-political situations and make decisions in favour of the family

Does love prompt me to be attentive and sensitive to the needs of others, and cause me to make sacrifices towards the good of the other?

3. A willingness to be playing the “backdrop role” in the great drama of salvation.

St Joseph, was privileged 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.

Yet, it also meant that Joseph had to stay away from the limelight of glory and be the “silent yet impactful” figure of the salvation history.

Do I have the courageous humility to take up any role that the Lord entrusts me, in His plan of salvation…
… be it shorn of fame, littleness in glamour or even subject to awkwardness and uncertainty

4. He was ready to give up his personal decisions and doubts in obedience to the voice of God.

St Joseph was not afraid to shed his own personal concerns, anxieties and even doubts, when asked to be part of the mysterious redemptive plan of God.

There were many things that were not understood by him…
There were a lot of factors that prompted him to question and confront..

Yet, He had the deep daring to keep them all aside – because he was convinced that God’s mighty hand was at work, in them all.

Am I willing to place my faith in God and follow my vocation faithfully…
… even though circumstances around me maybe uncertain, the future looks bleak
… and my own reasonable thinking may see situations and people as being illogical, unscientific and irrational?

As St. Alphonsus Liguori says:
“We should, indeed, honour St. Joseph, since the Son of God Himself was graciously pleased to honour him by calling him father.

If the King of kings was pleased to raise Joseph to so high a dignity…
… it is right and obligatory on our part to endeavour to honour him as much as we can!”

The Lord protects us, no matter how fearful the external situations are…

He is the loving Father, who is always with us – we realise or not!

St Joseph gave heed to the voice of the Lord…
… and positively responded to the task that was entrusted to him by God, despite hardships and trials…

Shall we also not trust in Heavenly protection, and in turn, be a protector and defender to each other?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being moved by the Magnificent Miracles wrought by our Marvellous God!”

(Based on Gen 49:2, 8-10 and Mt 1:1-17 – Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent)

A genealogist is a person who records/tables the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or ancestors.

He/She draws the family tree.

Once a person asked a genealogist:
“Why do you think that your duty is very great?”

The genealogist, with a gentle smile replied:
“Remember that when a family member passes away, they take a library of memories with them.

It’s a genealogist’s duty to record them all, for the good of the future generations!”

True indeed!

A genealogy gives a memorable library of memories…
… and helps us to be moved by the Magnificent Miracles wrought by our Marvellous God!

The Gospel of the Day presents the marvellous work of St Mathew, the genealogist…
… the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

This passage of the Gospel is something that we hear and read very rarely…
… and much less meditated upon.

What are the different aspects that the Genealogy of Christ makes us to reflect on?

1. The Genealogy of Jesus is one of the finest treasures of God’s Grace and Providence

St Matthew (1: 1-17) and St Luke (3: 23-38) present the Genealogy of Jesus Christ.

They could be called as the “forgotten passages of the Christmas Story”.
The names in it sound too obscure, their pronunciation beyond comprehension, their purpose highly hazy.

Perhaps, these are some of the common excuses we find, in avoiding to read or reflect on the accounts of the Genealogy.

But we must realise that in the account of the Genealogy, is buried the marvellous working of God’s Grace and His Amazing Providence…
… the manner in which the “streams of God’s Grace flows
… through the ordinary and the great, the mighty and simple people”

The Genealogy teaches us open our eyes to see the ways of God working in our lives- hidden yet awesome; silent yet splendid

2. The two accounts of Genealogy are not contradictory; rather they are two perspectives to show Jesus as the Son of David

There are two accounts of Genealogy in the Gospels: St Matthew, which starts with Abraham; St Luke, which starts with Adam

Apparently, the two accounts look to be contradicting each other

But on closer look, we find…
… St Matthew traced the family line through Joseph, whereas St Luke traced it through Mary.

This was because Gospel of Matthew, being written to the Jews, had a legal requirement to show Jesus descending from the father,ppppp who belonged to the line of King David.

This account also made sure it kept the prophecy in Jer 22:24-30 (“For none of his sons will succeed in occupying the throne of David or ever succeed in ruling over Judah.?)

St Luke’s version also shows Jesus as the Son of David, coming through his son Nathan.

Thus, both the accounts show that Jesus, as the Son of David, had the right to the throne of Israel

3. The Genealogy mentions some notorious people – yet the Messiah was born in this family!

The Genealogy mentions 5 women

a. Tamar: Disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced her father-in-law Judah (Gen 38)

b. Rahab: A Gentile, prostitute; she helped the Jewish spies to hide and to escape from the enemies ( Josh 2)

c. Ruth: A Gentile, with the background of a family who offered themselves to pagan gods

d. The wife of Uriah: The Gospel doesn’t even mention her name; suffered abuse by David, the great King of Israel.

e. Mary: A simple woman from Nazareth, who was found to be with child, before the marriage.

All these five women were considered dis”graced” – some gentiles, some involved in sexual immorality, some finding themselves in situations of family disgrace.

Yet the Messiah is born in this family – to show that God’s “Grace” can wash away every dis”grace!”

It shows that God can write straight, with crooked lines!

4. The Genealogy is also a lesson to the self-righteous people

Besides the mention of the apparently “not-pleasant women’, the list also mentions of kings, many of whom were unfaithful, of idolaters, of people without morals etc.

The Family Tree of Jesus is really not a pretty picture; it looks to be “very unclean”

Yet, St Matthew’s Gospel, written to the Jews, gives a message that it is not self-righteousness that wins salvation (as thought by many Pharisees, Scribes and Jewish leaders)…
… it is God’s grace and mercy, along with our co-operation to His Will.

5. The Genealogy gives us the great message of hope

We may have…
… a past that is hurting us – either due to our biological family or due to our own experiences of life
… a past that is sinful and we wish to forget
… a past that is painful or abused
… a past that has experienced humiliations and rejection

Yet, the Genealogy teaches us the big lesson that all our past can be cleansed and healed, by the mighty presence of Jesus.

Cardinal Van Thuan says in his book ‘The Testimony of Hope’:
“The river of history, full of sinners and criminals, becomes a source of pure water, as we approach the fullness of time.

With Mary, the Mother and Jesus, the Messiah, all generations will be renewed again”

The Genealogy of our Blessed Lord teaches that Jesus was very much historical…
… and shared our world.

In Jesus, we have God, who is not distant or away from us – but Someone, Who is deeply intimate with us, involved in our lives and sharing our joys and pains of life.

May a deeper meditation on the Genealogy of Jesus enable us to explore the memorable library of memories…
… and helps us to be moved by the Magnificent Miracles wrought by our Marvellous God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Amending our lives in a way that we not only preach, but much more, practise in life!”

(Based on Zeph 3:1-2, 9-13 and Mt 21:28-32 – Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

In a certain village, a parishioner – a Catholic for many years – was having a conversation with his parish priest.

He said: “Father, if I had fifty acres of land, I would have gladly donated half of it – twenty-five acres – to the Lord and His church”

The priest replied: “Ah! That’s so nice and generous of you. And what if you had only 20 acres?”

The man replied: “Oh! Yes, I would have given 10 of it!”

“And”, continued the priest, “what if you had only 10 acres?” Will you spare five for the Lord?”

“Sure, I would”, said the man.

Finally, the priest said, “And what if you had only two acres? Would you give one to the Lord?”

“Oh!”, snapped the man, “Now don’t ask me that!

You know, that I have only two acres!”

Well…
… that’s how it is often in our lives as well, isn’t it?

We promise many big things to the Lord…
… but when it comes to “actually doing something for the Lord”, we tend to back out!

Are we just preachers?
… or can we also be people who practise?

Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practising co-ordinate & complement each other.

Life challenges us to bridge the gap between the two essentials of life – one’s talking and one’s walking the talk!

The Gospel of the Day presents to us an interesting parable of two Sons who are asked to work by their Father.
One SAYS YES…but DOES NOT!

The other SAYS NO…BUT DOES!

One consents initially… but refuses finally!

The other refuses initially… but consents finally!

How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…

We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…
… but we fail to help

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!

We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…
… but we fail in some genuine needs

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are present with their full force to render help!

We make many resolutions on new year days or birthdays…
… but fail to materialize them

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are able to make many amendments and changes!

We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…
… but fail to live up

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but render much love to the Lord through the year!

We all experience this “I will do”…
… but “I did not do” experiences in life.

On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…

People claim themselves to be Catholics…
… but appear in church only on grand feast days!

People appreciate the Catholic teaching…
… but support moral laws and practise morality which go directly against!

People assert having dedicated their lives to God…
… but fail to find time for God and prayer!

People declare loving God above all…
… but fail to reject pleasures which hurts and pains Him!

People profess and make vows to God…
… but neglect to even try to keep up those promises!

Like the second son, who said Yes…
… very often, we too become people who nod our heads in consent for anything and everything…
… but fail to live up to that YES!

The Lord says in Mt 7:21, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he does the Will of My Father”

Therefore, the proposition is clear:

It is not pompous words that will grant life, but carrying out the Will of the Father!
It is not fancy talk that will confer true happiness, but practising the Will of the Father!

It is not only good news “proclaimed” but good news “practised“…
… that will win others to the glorious freedom of forgiveness of sins!

Yes, let us examine…
… and if needed, amend our lives:

Are we the one who only preaches?
…or can we also be the one who practises?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Rooting out all pessimistic mind-sets, and focussing instead on growth in holiness and humility!”

(Based on Num 24:2-7, 15-17a and Mt 21:23-27 – Monday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation…
… rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.

He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said:
“By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.

My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.

But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.

How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how the fussy gentleman reacted to this bold and true reply of the preacher.
(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart…
… rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders…
… towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?” (Mt 21: 23)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 21 of St Mathew’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…

The entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21: 1-11)
The ‘re-storation’ in the Temple at Jerusalem and indignant behaviour of authorities(Mt 21:12-16)
The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21: 17-22)
The ‘re-entry’ to the Temple at Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus by the authorities (Mt 21: 23-27)

The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…
… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…
… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

In Jesus, they perceived a threat.
… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke than to service of God
… a threat to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task…
… and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord…
… and their hearts had become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience

Instead…
… they only found fault with the Lord
… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also?

A mentality of harshly criticising…
A tendency to inhumanly condemn…
… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

Let us root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead on growth in holiness and humility!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Tapping the ‘river of graces’ in this Season of Advent, and preparing our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the ‘major blessings’ of Christmas!”

(Based on Isa 35:1-6a, 10, Jam 5:7-10 and Mt 11:2-11 – 3rd Sunday of Advent – The Gaudete Sunday)

In a particular village, a river was going to be used to generate electricity and to supply water for the people and their crops.

But near the source of the river, was a place called “valley of the blind.”
People who lived around this valley had trouble with their eyes – most of them were either blind or had some eye defect.

This trouble was caused by a particular species of flies, which lived in the shrubs along the river source.
… When a fly bit someone, it would inject a certain parasite into the blood, which would render the eyesight of the person to be severely affected.

On hearing that the people of the village had decided to tap the river for several uses, including electricity and supply of water, an elderly village man – who had lived his entire life in this village…
… called together the concerned authorities and developers.

He told them: “I am happy to hear that you are wanting to make progress, by using the river effectively.

But my children, remember…
… before you undertake any works of development, please make sure that you do something to get rid of the fly in the ‘valley of the blind!’

If not, your minor oversight may cause a major disaster!”

The wisdom of the old man reminded the people: Minor oversights can cause major disasters!

The Gospel of the Day is a bold reminder to make a thorough examination of our conscience…
… and check, if I am allowing “minor oversights” to cause “major disasters” in my lives!

We are on the second Sunday of the Season of Advent.

The Gospel reading begins with John the Baptist – who is in prison –
… sending his disciples to Jesus and asking: “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Mt 11:3)

In the initial phase of the Gospel, we see John the Baptist, “in a preaching mode” – in the wilderness (Cf. Mt 3:1-12)

Today, he is in the “prison zone” – in captivity!

Here is an important lesson that John the Baptist teaches us:
… There will be times when you are in the limelight – preaching powerfully and being acknowledged with great power and might
… But there would also come times when you are banished to isolation – with only the four walls of loneliness for company!

In all such moments – in the ‘glory of the wilderness’ and the ‘isolation of the prison’…
… Can we still remain faithful and loyal to God’s Will?
… Can we still realise that God is pleased with my fidelity more than my performances?
… Can we still be zealous for the ways of God, knowing that He will turn everything for our good?

At the same time, the Gospel reading (Mt 11:2-11) powerfully reminds us: Do we have an “oversight – missing the point” of the ways of God, and do we thus remain stuck in our own attitudes and thought patterns?

Speaking of Himself, Jesus says: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk… “(Cf. Mt 11:4-5)

Speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus says: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? “(Cf. Mt 11:7-10)

Here were two cases of “oversights – missing the point”

John the Baptist had the understanding…
… that Jesus would be coming with fiery judgements and would be the Messiah Who would deal with the people, with blazing power and scorching verdicts.

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as Jesus showed Himself as the Messiah Who would heal, teach and bring the Mercy of God!

The people had the understanding…
… that John the Baptist would be finely dressed and a people- friendly prophet – one who would be willing to “adjust” the norms of God to their lifestyle.

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as John the Baptist turned out to be a prophet “who disturbed the comfortable and comforted the disturbed.”

In both cases, there was an “oversight – missing the point”…
Jesus was unwilling to let John the Baptist and the people remain under the cloud of these “oversights”…

And so He presents the facts before them…
… to avoid any future “major disasters!”

The same examination is put forth before us, by the Lord: to check minor oversights. Do we allow…
… “minor sins” – in the form of evil tendencies – to grow in us?
… “minor negligence” to develop into habitual practices?
… “minor indifferences” to take root in our relationships?

Prophet Isaiah reminds us to allow to God to work on our fear, discouragement, and weakness; which, if ignored as ‘minor issues,’ slowly paralyse the heart.

“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!” (Isa 35:3-4)

Similarly, St James warns us that impatience, when tolerated as something minor, slowly erodes trust in God’s timing.

“Be patient… strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (Jas 5:7–8)

This Sunday of Advent – the Gaudete Sunday – is an invitation to help us experience the joy of the Lord, by making us realise…
If “minor oversights” are not corrected…
… then they would soon turn into “major disasters!”

And we would get afflicted by the “valley of the blind!”

Let us give heed to the strong reminder given by the Gospel, and amend our “minor oversights”…
… so that we can tap the “river of graces” in this Season of Advent, and prepare our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the “major blessings” of Christmas!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Recognizing and responding to the Lord, always active in our midst!”

(Based on Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 and Mt 17:9a,10-13 – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent)

Have you ever had one of those frantic moments when you’re searching for your keys?

You look under the cushions…
You check your pockets twice…
You dig through your bag like you’re in an archaeological expedition…

And frustration starts building, because you need to leave… now!

And then suddenly…
You freeze.

Because the keys…
were just on the table…
… underneath a sheet of paper, the whole time.
Not lost.
Not missing.
Just unnoticed… “somehow!”

You “had what you needed” …
… but because your mind was elsewhere, you somehow didn’t recognize it.

Well , this ‘regular phenomenon’ is not just about keys…
… It’s about life.

And more specifically, about God.

That little “lost keys” moment happens spiritually far more often than we admit.
God is present. God is speaking.
God is offering grace, guidance, comfort, and direction.

But our minds are often elsewhere…
… so we miss Him.

Today’s readings reveal this painful truth in the story of Israel.
God promised a Messiah.
God promised Elijah would return.
God prepared the people for centuries.

But when the promise was fulfilled, the people didn’t recognize it.

As Jesus says: “Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.” (Mt 17:12)

John the Baptist stood right before them…
… dressed like Elijah
… preaching like Elijah
… calling hearts to repentance just like Elijah…

But expectations, preoccupations, and spiritual distraction made them ‘blind.’

How often does this become our story?

God speaks through His Word…
… but we skim through it, and the promise slips past our distracted hearts.

God invites us in the Sacraments…
… but we exit the confessional unchanged, or receive the Eucharist without the awe of encountering Him.

God sends us little many such “Elijah moments” each day…
… a prompting of repentance and mercy
… a nudge of reminder of His Presence
… a whisper of His tender love

But we’re often, too hurried to notice.

Advent is the time when the Church gently asks us: “Are you on the right track?

Or don’t you think you have gone far away…
… and you need to come back to the Lord and His Church?”

Let us not miss the Lord…
… not because He is hidden, but because our hearts are distracted.

As we move through this “season of waiting,” let us prepare our hearts not only to welcome Christ…
… but to notice Him
… to recognize Him,
… and to respond to Him, always active in our midst.

God Bless! Live Jesus!