“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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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)

“Facing the challenges of life with a strong and sturdy faith!”

(Based on Sir 1:1-10 and Mk 9:14-29 – Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Raphael is the famous Italian painter – the architect of the High Renaissance.

Together with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, he forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period.

There is a famous painting of the Transfiguration of our Blessed Lord by Raphael.

This painting was done in Rome in 1520.
Raphael had his health deteriorating at this time, as soon he was to die at the age of 37.
With the life-energy draining out of him, he chose to apply his mastery strokes on the painting of the Transfiguration.

In the upper centre part of the painting is seen a flat, rock mountain top.

The three disciples – Peter, James and John – are shielding their eyes from the glory.
Just above them, in the air, are Elijah and Moses and Jesus.
Jesus is glisteningly white, as scripture says, “no fuller on earth could bleach”

At the bottom of the mountain, is the crowd of the other disciples.

They are being unable to heal a boy, who is possessed by a demon.
The boy, an epileptic is seen in a fit of seizure, and flanked by his helpless father

These two contrasting images in the same picture are drawn from the 9th Chapter of the Gospel of St Mark

The Transfiguration of the Lord (Mk 9:2-8)
The inability of the disciples to heal the epileptic boy (Mk 9:14-29)

The Gospel of the day is the second incident: of how the disciples fail to heal the boy and how Jesus intervenes to cure and teaches the importance of possessing strong faith.

These two incidents that are depicted in the painting of the Transfiguration by Raphael, shows contrasting dimensions…

On one side, immense glory being revealed and the Divine splendour being manifested
On the other, lack of faith being exposed and the failure in the Kingdom ministry

On one side, the three disciples basking in the light of heightened faith and devotion

On the other, the other disciples being lost in the darkness of inability to put the faith to effectiveness

And how often is this the painting of our own lives too…

There are some moments when we experience the loftiness of God’s glory and power
There are other moments when we fail miserably to evoke His presence and are unable to feel His

There are some times when faith makes us to feel that everything is so glorious and wonderful

There are other times when our faith hits rock-bottom and our spiritual life loses its sheen and all seems so miserable
This is the reality of our lives – contrasting experiences of glorious faith at some instants and miserable lack of trust at other

But the Gospel of the day gives an encouraging exhortation by Jesus to have a strong and sturdy faith…
… “All things are possible to him who believes!” (Mk 9:23)

When the disciples were unable to bring about a healing to the epileptic boy, the Lord sure did rebuke them for their “lack of faith”

But after having healed the child, He does not linger with the reproaching or admonishing attitude … Instead, as a loving friend and a caring master…
… gently but firmly encourages them to be stronger in their faith: “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” (Mk 9:29)

This is the approach that He has towards us too…
He knows that we have our weak moments and situations of disbelief and doubts

He knows that there are times when our faith is merely on the lips and not really from the depths of our hearts
He knows that there are occasions when annoying circumstances encroach our faith-life and all our efforts in devotion meet with bitter conclusions
Yet, with firmness and fondness, Jesus invites us to keep seeking to grow in our trust in Him!

The Book of Sirach (Sir 1:1-10) reminds us that:

1. God is the Source of All Wisdom and Strength
   “All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with him forever.” (Sir 1:1)

When we feel weak, uncertain, or lacking faith – like the disciples who could not heal the boy – we must turn to God, Who alone is the Source of every strength and wisdom.

2. Faith and Wisdom Go Hand in Hand
   “The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?” (Sir 1:6)

In moment’s of life’s contrasts, we are reminded that true wisdom is revealed to those who sincerely seek Go

3. Trust in God Leads to Strength and Victory
   “To fear the Lord is the fullness of wisdom.” (Sir 1:16)

Those who revere and trust in God will be filled with wisdom, leading to perseverance in challenges. No matter the struggles we face, faith makes all things possible (Mk 9:23)

The painting of our lives often carry contrasting experiences…
… of glorious faith at some instants
… and miserable lack of trust at other

Let us not get discouraged!

Instead, with trust in the Lord, let us face the challenges of our life with a strong and sturdy faith…
… knowing that, “All things are possible to him who believes!”

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

Following St. Paul, the tradition of the Church has understood Jesus’ words as not excluding oaths made for grave and right reasons (for example, in court).

“An oath, that is the invocation of the divine name as a witness to truth, cannot be taken unless in truth, in judgment, and in justice.” (CCC # 2154)

“Freeing ourselves from the ‘imprisonment of the past’ and, with God’s Grace, to live in love and holiness!”

(Based on 1 Sam 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23, 1 Cor 15:45-49 and Lk 6:27-38 – 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

A nine year old girl was walking through the fields, a little away from her home…
… when two persons, appearing to befriend her, asked her to help collect fruits from the forest.

Brought up with the good habit of showing courtesy to elders, the girl hurried to obey.

But soon she realised that it was a trick to kidnap her!

“I saw two persons behind me,” she would recall later…
… “One of them briskly grabbed me with one hand, while the other one pulled out a knife and held it to my side.

He told me, ‘If you cry, you’ll die!
Follow us!’”

After a forced march, the girl was sold as a slave.

The captors gave her a name, in Arabic, which meant (ironically) “The Lucky One!”

Though this title was intended to be a sarcastic one…
… it came about to express the girl’s approach towards life.

In the coming years, she gladly accepted the name.

After her release, she amazingly, even thanked God for the good that had come, from her suffering.
“If I were to meet those who kidnapped me, and even those who tortured me,” she wrote, “I would kneel and kiss their hands.

For if these things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today!”

The name of the girl is St Bakhita – a Saint for those who are “prisoners of the past!”

(We celebrated her Feast Day on February 08)

She was able to heroically display the Christian virtue of forgiveness…
… especially to enemies – those who had persecuted her and had cause irreparable damages to her life!

In life, so often we get “imprisoned by our past!”

This is true especially from the perspective of relationships…

There are many who cause hurts and pains to us
There are many with whom we find it difficult to relate and extremely hard to forgive

The past clings to us in a mighty way…

“Enemies” are, undoubtedly, a reality in most of our lives!

What is our attitude and approach to these “enemies” in our life?

The Gospel of the Day is a bold challenge by Jesus to “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you!” (Lk 6:27)

One of the sayings goes thus, “Divinity cannot be confined to one’s pockets or be contained in one’s purse!”

So vivid is this saying in the life of Jesus, the Fullness of Divinity.

Jesus does not permit to be limited to the finite purses of our expectations
He goes much beyond….
His teachings reach a new level…

This is what we come across when we challenge ourselves with the words of the Lord: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you!” (Lk 6: 27)

There are four explicit commands that are given:

Love
Do Good
Bless
Pray

All these four exhortations are very often in direct contrast to what we expect or what we wish

1. Love your enemies
   Our natural tendency towards our “enemies” is that of animosity or grudge or at the best, indifference

But Jesus says to go beyond… Love them!

Love them…
… in a way, that they are able to experience the Mighty Love that God has for each one of us!
Love them…
… in a way, that no hateful feelings get sown or nurtured in our hearts and we be free in our minds!

2. Do good to those who hate
   Our common inclination to those who hate is to say, “Why should I have anything to do with someone who is least interested in me and only keeps hurting me?”

But Jesus says to go beyond – Do good to them!

Do good to them…
… in a way, that our good actions – little or big, seen or unseen – become actions that evoke repentance and contrition!
Do good to them…
… in a way, that gestures of charity is a way to crush our own ego and pride feelings and makes us to be humbler, in imitation of Christ who totally humbled Himself!

3. Bless those who curse you
   Our first instinct to those who curse us to “give back still strongly” in return and wish the worst for the concerned person.

But Jesus says to go beyond – Bless them!

Bless them…
… in a way, that our holy wishes may move the heart of the one who offends us and we become a channel and active instrument to allow God’s forgiveness to flow
Bless them…
… in a way, that our words of grace may heal the vibrations of negativity and hatred and evokes the mighty power of God against the dark forces of Satan

4. Pray for those who abuse you
   Our immediate reaction to those who abuse is to abuse in return or to let out a volley of unfit phrases or violent actions and gestures

But Jesus says to go beyond – Pray for them!

Pray for them…
… in a way, that the grace of God’s mercy and compassion may descend into the relationship
Pray for them…
… in a way, that the words of abuse may fizzle out in the blazing power of prayer and holiness

David, in the Old Testament, goes beyond the lures of the people around, and refuses to take revenge on Saul – even though he had the possibility to terminate his life

He chose to “not get imprisoned by the past”…
… and instead, gave priority to the Lord and His Will, by recognising the ‘Grace of Anointing bestowed on Saul’ (Cf. 1 Sam 26:8-9)

As St Paul reminds us, “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Cor 15:49)…
… let us imitiate our Blessed Lord Who “is kind and merciful!” (Ps 103:8a)

Life constantly seeks to “imprison us in our past”

But God’s Grace coupled with our willingness to co-operate with His grace…
… will allow us to “live in love and holiness”

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

Jesus teaches that every oath involves a reference to God…
… and that God’s presence and His truth must be honoured in all speech.
Discretion in calling upon God is allied with a respectful awareness of His presence…

… which all our assertions either witness to or mock. (CCC # 2153)

“Drawing closer to Jesus, the Great Rock Who will help us to stand firm and become passionate in service of the Church!”

(Based on Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle)

A soldier working in the army – who was known for his bravery and never-give-up attitude – was asked by a journalist:
“What is the motivation for you to be so valiant and strong in your service?”

To that, the soldier replied: “Well, we have a saying in our army…
… and I try to follow that.
The saying is this: ‘If someone says, he is not afraid of death…
… then he is either lying
… or he is in the army!’

I have lived in this way of life…
… living this truth!”

As Christians, we are all soldiers of Christ!

Are we ready to have the courage to face any situation of difficulty, including death…
… and seek to be ever faithful to the Lord and His Church?

Today, we are invited to renew our love and commitment to the Church as we celebrate the Feast of the “See of St Peter” (Chair of St Peter).

This Feast celebrates Christ choosing St Peter to “sit” in authority as the visible leader of the Church on earth.

The “See of St Peter” or the “Chair of St Peter” in the words of Pope Benedict XVI is “a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors…
… to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity!”

This feast brings to mind the mission conferred by Christ on St Peter, the First Pope…
… and continued in an unbroken line down to the present Pope.

We celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle…
… and renew our assent to the Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff!

We also pray very specially, on this day for our Holy Father Pope Francis…
… for His good health
… and to lead the Church in holiness – in total accordance with the Will of God.

The Gospel of the Day presents to us the Faith Statement of Peter, the leader of the band of the Apostles and Jesus declaring to him that:
“…on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!” (Mt 16:18)

The Great Rock entrusts to Peter, the rock and assures Him that the Church will always stay rock-grounded!

The Lord had and still has.. great Faith and Trust in His Church…..

But, personally, we need to ask: Am I sometimes shaky regarding the Church?

Today, let’s get to some of the basics of the Church.

The word “Church”….in Greek…is Ekklesia.

Ekklesia can be split to two words… “ek” = out of + “kaleo” = to call

This gives us an important meaning of EKKLESIA – THE CHURCH…. TO BE CALLED OUT OF….

The Church is a body, called out of the world…
… into being a Family and Fellowship in God!

The Church is a body, called out of materialistic and worldly gains…
… and be a sign of hope and salvation!

This gives us a clue to many aspects of the Church, which will help our understanding

The Church is not a mere building…
… the Church is the People of God.

We reduce the Church in our everyday vocabulary to a mere building made of stones and cement..

But, the Church is made of living stones (1 Pet 2:5)

And all of us need to contribute our mite in keeping alive this Church of God.

Do I give my share of talents and gifts to the Church…
… and do my best to promote the Church as being relevant for our modern times?

Do I make sacrifices and offer prayers for the Churc…
… so that she may stand strong amid many challenges?

Do I study, promote and encourage the teachings of the Church..
… and find beauty and wisdom in them?

Perhaps one reason we find ourselves in a cribbing position with respect to the Church…
… is because of our failure to understand its nature and also have our own misunderstandings and prejudices…

When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who am I” (Mt 16: 13) he got varied answers…
… some surprising
… some unexpected

The Mystery of Jesus was so great…
… people failed to grasp who actually He was (He Is!)!

The Mystery of the Church is also great…
… that people fail to understand her and even form opposing opinions!

We may feel that the Church is too traditional and too conservative and too authoritarian…

But we fail to see that she has preserved much morals…kept safe human values and promoted holiness

We may feel that the Church is all too mistaken in many areas and has committed many blunders…

But we ought to know that the Church has a human dimension and despite it, the Spirit of the Lord leads

We may feel that the Church is just too bad with scandals and hypocrites and has lost all credibility…

But we need to realize that the evil one attacks those who strive for sanctity and tries to disrupt God’s plans

The Church undergoes the pain of many a misunderstandings…
… Christ too underwent the same.
The Church suffers the bad name of being called by many names….
… Christ too underwent the same.

From a negative aspect, what is a hospital?

Diseases, Blood, Pus, Screaming, Pains, Twisted bodies, Suffering..

But from a positive Aspect, what is a hospital?

Care, Healing, Love, Solace, Relief, Aid, Selfless Service….

Our Church can be understood in similar tones…

Weaknesses are plenty…
… yet, when seen from a Divine perspective, she is Holy!

All of us are concerned about the growing rejection of Church and Christian values in our society…

But we who are Baptized, and who seek the good of the Church…
… ought to join our hands and seek to revive the relevance and importance of the Church.

The Church has its weaknesses…
… but the Church needs committed preachers of the Word… in You and Me!
The Church has its moments of negativity…
… but the Church needs passionate lovers of God… in You and Me!

The Body of Christ while hanging on the Cross was weak…
… but “No bone of His was broken” (Jn 19:36)

The Church of Christ while living in the world maybe weak….but No bone shall be broken!
“… on this rock, I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it!”

Let the Great Rock help us to stand firm and become passionate in service of the Church!

And being ready to face any challenge or problem, let it be said of us:
“If someone says, he is not afraid of death or problems in life…
… then he is either lying…
… or he is a Christian!’

Happy Feast Day!

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

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the second commandment: “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’

But I say to you, Do not swear at all. … Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. (CCC # 2153)