“Becoming an Apostle and Agent and Ambassador of Love!”

(Based on Ex 22:20-26, 1 Thes 1:5c-10 and Mt 22:34-40 – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

There once was a farmer who grew award-winning ‘corn’ (maize).

Each year he entered his corn in the fair-competition conducted at the state-level, where it won a prize.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him.

Among the many great practices that this farmer had adopted, the reporter also learned something highly interesting about how this farmer grew corn…
…and which made him to win a prize every year.

The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn… his best variety seed…
… with his neighbouring farmers!
“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours…
… when they are also entering into competition with you?” enquired the bewildered reporter.

“Why sir,” replied back the farmer, “didn’t you know one of the important realities of life?

The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field.

If my neighbours grow inferior variety of corn, the cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn as well.

If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.

This is the reality of life that I have realized: In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

Yes, the farmer was very much aware of the relatedness of life.

His corn could not improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improved.

Have we realized this reality of our lives?

In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

Those who choose to live well, must help others to live well too.

The value of a life is measured by the lives it touches and the love we display

And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness…
… for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all!

Yes, Love is the starting point, the end and the essence of a Christian Life.

The Gospel of the Day emphasizes and affirms this aspect of Love: Love of God and Love of neighbour.

The Pharisees come together to trap Jesus with a question from the Law: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment of the Law?” (Mt 22: 36).

The Lord of Love is sought to be trapped in a web of malice!

This was a complicated question that was put forward to Jesus.

The Jewish Law of the Torah comprised 613 precepts.

It was certainly a challenge to condense these codes into a single commandment.

Probably Jesus would’ve looked into the eyes of the one who asked this question and thought, “Why do you seek to put me to the test?”

There was malice and a corrupt intention in the one who questioned.

But the greatness of the Lord overwhelms the evil designs of humans.

Jesus answers the question which had an evil bent, with an answer filled with goodness…
… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind….

Love your neighbour as yourself”! (Mt 22: 37)

Bingo..!

Two birds with one shot!

He not just answered His interrogators but He also proclaimed the summary of the Gospel.

The Pharisee came asking which is “the” greatest commandment (Mt 22: 36)

He expected just one commandment.

But Jesus answers with two…
… and showed that those two commandments are nothing but one!

The Love of God and the Love of neighbour…

They were two dimensions of the same Love.

And this One Love, with two facets, formed the basis of all the other commandments of the Law!

The tragedy of our world and our spirituality very often, is the separation of these two dimensions…

One loves God…
… but fails to love one’s neighbour!

Another loves the neighbour…
… but fails to love God!

One loves to read and hear and understand God’s Word…
… but fails to apply it in real life.

Another loves to have a lot of social relations…
… but fails to build a strong spiritual basis.

One loves to preach deeply over virtues of the Gospel…
… but fails to live them in actuality.

Another loves to be in friendship with all…
… but fails in closeness with God, the source of Love.

One loves the Church and her teachings…
… but falls short to serve the society and its peoples.

Another serves people…
… but vehemently hates the Church, the ark of the Sacraments of Love!

Christian love is not just about emotions.
Christian love is not just about feelings.

Christian love, is…
… making a decision to serve, even if one does not feel so.
… being faithful, even if one is rejected or even shown indifference.
… being committed, even if one feels an aversion towards the other.

Easier said, than done….right?

This is where, we need to…
… depend on God, the Source of Love itself!
… draw strength from the Sacraments that the Church offers!
… display a Passionate love of God in order to share it with others!

Unless we are in Communion with the Lord, all this reflection remains merely a theory.

Unless we are joined to God, the Source of Love, all our meditations remain superficial.

We need to pray as the Psalmist says: “I love you, Lord, my strength” (Ps 18: 2).

He is the strength for us to love our neighbour.

He is the source for us to share our lives with our neighbour.
He is the supplier of hope for us to sustain in our difficulties to love.

The world is thirsting for Love…

Each one of us is called to radiate this Love: Love of God and Love of Neighbour.

Yes, let us deepen our realization: “In order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to the other!”

Let us become an Apostle and Agent and Ambassador of Love!

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 – _THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES

Human virtues make possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life.

The virtuous man is he who freely practices the good. (CCC # 1804)

“Being impelled, like St Simon and St Jude, to love God and His people!”

(Based on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles)

A garden of flowers delights most people!

A garden consists of a variety of flowers, with varied colours, sizes, shapes.

Some flowers tend to capture our attention more…some escape the gaze of our eyes.
>> However, this in no way, reduces or increases their relevance and importance.

Each flower has its own specialty.
Each flower has its own attraction.

Jesus in His garden of ministry, chose twelve apostles.
>> Some apostles tend to capture our attention more…some escape the gaze of our eyes.

However, this in no way, reduces or increases their relevance and importance.
>> Each apostle has his own specialty
>> Each apostle has his own attraction.


Today Holy Mother the Church celebrates the feast of two apostles: St Jude and St Simon.

These are apostles, who in most probability escape the gaze of our eyes.
>> These two saints are usually known as the “unknown apostles”.

Yet, they have their own greatness before God and their own importance to inspire us in our lives!


The scarcity of their appearance in the New Testament is so vivid that except in the list of the names of the apostles…
… the name of Simon never appears elsewhere whereas the name of Jude makes only a single appearance in the discourse of Jesus after the last supper (Jn 14: 22).


In the Gospel of Matthew & Mark, the apostle Simon is given the title of a Canaanaean, while Luke mentions him as “Zealot”

This apostle Simon must have belonged to the Zealot Party.
>> The Zealot Party was a first-century political movement among Judean Jews who sought to overthrow the occupying Roman government.


According to the Jewish historian Josephus, four main Jewish groups existed at the time of Christ – the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes and the Zealots.

The Zealots were known for their aggression and violent behaviour.
>> They advocated that no one, but Yahweh alone should rule over Israel and hence, obedience to the Roman government should be refused.


The selection of Simon, the Zealot as an Apostle, is a great insight into the workings of Jesus, in His Kingdom Ministry…

The Lord accepts us with our hard instincts.
>> The Lord takes into account our various mentalities and mindsets.

In His Divine Love, He squashes all such factors and patterns us into people fit for His Kingdom.
>> He doesn’t reject us in our over-zeal.
>> He doesn’t cast us away because of our impulses.

All that He expects is an openness to follow Him fully and allow ourselves to be moulded!

2. The Apostle Jude is given another title by St Matthew and St Mark: Thaddeus.
>> Thaddeus means “the courageous heart”

St Jude is one of the most popular saints in our world today, considering the fact that he is called as “The Miraculous Saint”.
>> St Jude is the one whose aid is often sought when all hope is lost, especially in grave illness & life-&-death situations.


There is a story that since his name is identical with Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus, St Jude would hardly be interceded too, except in the most desperate situations!
>> And hence, perhaps, he got identified as the Patron in Helpless Causes!

St Bridget of Sweden & St Bernard had visions from God asking each to accept St Jude as ‘Patron Saint of the Impossible’.


The Apostle Jude teaches us a few insights for our spiritual growth.
A. Like the name – Jude Thaddeus – we are invited too, to have a “heart full of courage”.
>> The Kingdom of God requires brave soldiers and people of immense valour.

The Lord needs followers who are imbued with the might of His Holy Spirit and who boldly proclaim the Gospel and witness its values by their lives.
>> No situation of discouragement or setbacks will hinder the march of a “Courageous Heart!”


B. St Jude, as the Patron of Desperate Cases, inspires us to have a deeper faith and trust in the Providence and Mercy of God.

The Lord is all-knowing.
> He wills what is best for us.

However, in our human frailty, we often tend to lose our hope and become highly desperate.

But this Saint teaches to grow deeper in our faith & know that “behind every dark cloud is a silver lining of the sun…(Son!)”!


C. St Jude also teaches the powerful role of Intercessory Prayer.

We are all created in the Image and Likeness of God, and each of us have a bounden duty to the other…
… to take care, to love each other and to pray for one another.

When we pray for others and bring others to the presence of God, we help them in their difficulties and join with them in solidarity and compassion.


There are many hidden flowers in a garden.
>> Yet, each one has its own beauty and fragrance and value.

These two apostles – St Simon and St Jude – are fairly hidden in the Gospels, and yet we can learn and be inspired much by them.


May the life and intercession of these two hidden, yet Great Apostles of the Lord…
… impel us further, to love God and His people…
… and spread the Gospel of God to many more!


Happy Feast of the Apostles St Jude and St Simon.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES
>> Human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, habitual perfections of intellect and will…
… that govern our actions, order our passions,
… and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. (CCC # 1804)
—————

“Seeing the signs that God gives us, recognizing His Power and marching ahead joyfully in Him!”

(Based on Rom 7:18-25a and Lk 12:54-59 – Friday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Our world is seeing immense technological advances.

Such developments have greatly helped humanity…
… to avoid many possible natural disasters
… to be forewarned against future calamities
… to minimize the damages caused by nature’s fury

Such amazing technological advances by human beings is an example of how we are learning to explore the deeper aspects of the mysteries in nature and the universe.

Human beings are truly marching miles in reading the signs in nature and the universe.

In the midst of all these great achievements, we are posed with some probing questions…
…are we falling short in reading the signs with respect to humanity’s moral degradation?
…are we failing to read the signs of the times with respect to humanity’s spiritual decline?
…are we missing out reading the signs regarding the reign of God in our lives?

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder and a wake-up call, by Jesus to this dimension of our lives.

Jesus says: “You superficial people! You understand the signs of the earth & sky, but you don’t understand the present times!” (Lk 12:56)

From ages past, human beings have been gaining expertise on interpreting the signs and indications given in nature…

• Spotting of some dark clouds, to predict heavy rains…
• A red sky at dusk, indicating a clearer sky the following day…
• Strange movements of animals and birds, to predict earthquakes or other calamities…

Jesus uses this example in nature to expose the hollowness and duplicity of the people of His time.

Jesus came in the world to usher in the Kingdom of God.

He came to announce to the world that God is not some distant entity but rather is very seriously interested to be close to their lives.

To this end of announcing the Kingdom of God, Jesus performed a number of signs…

• He taught the Scriptures and the Laws with a greater freshness and stronger authority.
• He healed the blind, the deaf and the dumb to make them witness His power.
• He raised up the dead and powerfully demonstrated the saving power of God.
• He restored the crippled and cast out demons to show them God’s might.
• He forgave sinners and accepted the outcast to display God’s deep mercy and compassion.
• He searched for the lost and invited the oppressed to experience the depth of God’s love.
• He performed many miracles in nature to show God’s supremacy over the whole creation.

But many of the people failed to see beyond these signs…

All these miracles & manifestations of the Lord were very often looked upon with much suspicion & sometimes, even contempt!

Jesus pities such an attitude!

The people could interpret so easily the signs in nature…
… but they failed to interpret the signs of the Kingdom of God!

They failed to understand the call of God, in the wonders done by Him.

The people could easily predict certain things by seeing the climate…
… but they refused to hear God’s inviting voice, in the marvels performed by Him.

They remained stubborn to the invitation of the Lord towards change of sinful attitudes

The people could easily tell certain events of the future by observing their surroundings…
… but they adamantly declined to turn to Him in repentance, by seeing His deeds.

They purposely chose to be stuck to their “tunneled” minds and failing to accept God’s mercy

This is a danger that any one of us could also have in our own personal lives…

God sustains our daily life with much care… but we fail to give praise for His wonders.

We take for granted all these daily blessings.

God protects us from various calamities… but we fail to admit His providence.

We take for granted His shielding hand.

God infuses our lives with many inspirations… but we fail to give heed to His voice.

We take for granted all His tender invitations.

• Personal sins are God’s ways of calling us to experience His Mercy and Justice.
• Delays in prayers are God’s ways of asking us to Trust in Him more deeply.
• Accidents and calamities are God’s ways of calling us to trust in His Providence.
• Unexpected failures and pains are God’s ways of making us to Share in His Sufferings.
• Happy and a satisfied life is God’s ways of inviting us to Thank and Praise Him more.
• Failure to overcome our bad tendencies is God’s ways of calling to us to a Life of Humility
• Despair in life and hopelessness is God’s way of appealing us to grow much more in Faith.

Signs from God, may sometimes be liked… sometimes be disliked.

St Augustine said, ‘If you believe what you like in the gospels but reject what you don’t like, it’s not the gospel you believe, but yourself’

In trust and faith, let us walk with the Lord, knowing that all things “work for good, for those who love Him” (Rom 8:28)

Human beings have come a long way in technological advancements & seeking to conquer the outer space &powers of nature…

But we still have a long way to understand the mighty works being performed by God in our personal & communitarian lives.

Let us see the signs…
Let us recognize God’s Power…
Let us march ahead joyfully in Him!

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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE VIRTUES

A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good.
It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself.
The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions.

The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God. (CCC # 1803)

“Striving to be sincere followers of Christ who are ‘willing to be counted’ to stand up for the Kingdom values!”

(Based on Rom 6:19-23 and Lk 12:49-53 – Thursday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An interesting incident is narrated of how some years ago, the prime minister of a certain country was speaking before several distinguished leaders as well statesman.

He was severely critical of his predecessor who was known to be a harsh dictator.

While he was speaking someone from the audience sent up a note:
“How about you? What were you doing when the dictator committed all these atrocities?”

At that, the Prime Minister – filled with fury and rage – shouted: “Who sent up that note?”

Not a single person stirred.

“I’ll give him one minute to stand up!”

The seconds ticked off.

Still no one moved.

“All right, I’ll tell you what I was doing.

I was doing exactly what the writer of this note was doing – exactly nothing!
I was afraid to be counted!”

As a Christian, am I afraid to be counted…
… and thus fail to stand up for Christ and His Values?

Every Christian is expected to set the world on fire…
… by being passionate in their love for the Lord
… and being compassionate to the people of God!

Our Blessed Lord was greatly filled with zeal to “set the earth on fire”…
… and desires all His followers to share in this passion for the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel of the Day begins with Jesus exclaiming:
“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing” (Lk 12: 49)

“Fire” in the Bible is an imagery of many aspects…

God’s judgment (Jdt 16:17; Is 66:16; Am 7:4; 2 Pt 3:7)
God’s protective presence (Ex 13: 21, 2 Kgs 6:17)
Purification (Nm 31:23; Ez 22:19-22, Zec 13: 9)
The Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11, Acts 2:3).
God’s Holiness (Dt 4:24)
God’s Glory (Ez 1:4, 13)

Fire also has many characteristics:
It warms… refines… transforms… burns!

The Lord who was greatly zealous to “set the earth on fire” invites us to examine:

Am I filled with zeal, to blaze the world “on fire”…
… the fire of God’s love?
… the fire of God’s purging mercy?
… the fire of God’s judgment with respect to sin and evil?

The following verse of the Gospel passage comes in as a shock…
“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, division!” (Lk 12:51)

The Gospel of St. Mathew’s version of the same verse reads:
“Do not think I have come to bring peace. I have to come not to bring peace, but a sword… (Mt 10: 34)

These verses become more surprising in the context of…

The Sermon of the Mount where in Mt 5:9, it says, “Blessed are the peacemakers”
The description of the Messiah where in Isa 9: 6 it says, “He (Messiah) will be called “Prince of Peace”

Why does St Mathew use the words “peace and sword?”

Why does St Luke use the words “peace and division?”

This could be a technique called “Juxtaposing”.

Juxtaposing simply means to place two things side-by-side or next to each other…
… especially to compare or to emphasize on the contrast.

This technique is used extensively in the Bible…

“Unless a grain of wheat dies, it will not give life” (Jn 12: 24)
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit” (Mt 7:18)
“Light shines in the darkness” ( Jn 1:5)

Thus we see…
… life and death
… good and bad
… light and darkness

This “juxtaposition” we also observe in our daily life.

Any artist or a person with some aesthetic sense will vouch for the fact that, in order a highlight some light-coloured flowers in a bouquet…
… a darker background is preferred.

Even in our style of dressing, we prefer to wear dark-coloured trousers…
… along with light-coloured shirts.

The logic is simple: Juxtaposing two contrasting stuff emphasizes the meaning.

Peace, is generally defined as a situation where there is no violence or war.

Sword, on the other hand, signifies conflict, struggle and death.

Peace, is normally understood as a situation of calm and absence of conflicts

Division, on the other hand, points to disturbances, instability and turmoil.

What is the meaning of this usage of “juxtaposition” in today’s Gospel passage?

The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy (Rom 14: 17)

To establish this peace or this Kingdom of God…
… sword is an inevitable reality!
… division is an inescapable consequence!

Disturbances, instability, turmoil, conflict, struggle and even death is a real possibility!

That’s why Jesus would go on to say:
“From now on a household of five will be divided… three against two and two against three…” (Lk 12: 52)

These verses are an import from Mic 7:6 which speaks of “division in the household”.

In the Jewish Society…
… the household was one of the strongest units of loyalty and binding.

However, Jesus shatters all these pre-conceived notions and demands:
“Loyalty of a disciple to Jesus is to be much higher than even to his own household!”

All intimate relations, even that within the family, are to be given subordinate status in our Love for Jesus.

It is also interesting to note the order of people mentioned in Lk 12: 53:
… Father vs Son, Daughter vs Mother, Daughter-in- law vs Mother in Law.

It is always the young vs the old.

What could be the meaning?

The Kingdom of God will cause a sword of division…
… It will be a division of the Young vs Old!

Young and Old are not to be considered in the physical sense…
… but in the spiritual sense!

Young as being people who are “new”… those by giving up a life of sin, choosing to be part of the Kingdom of God.

Old as being those people who are “unrepentant”… those who cling on to sinful ways and oppose the Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God is always characterized by people who are willing to be “new” in the Spirit…
… young at heart and mind, full of dynamism and full of enthusiasm.

What are the implications of all what we have said today?

The establishment of peace in the Kingdom of God is always accompanied by the sword of division

Are we ready to face the struggles and difficulties that surely will come on our way, as we work for the Kingdom?

In this our mission of establishing the Kingdom, we are demanded to have a loyalty to Jesus that is higher than all other relationships.

Are we ready to sacrifice… perhaps our relationships or our way of thinking or even our lifestyle – all for the sake of loyalty to Christ?

The Kingdom of God demands that we always be young – dynamic, enthusiastic, cheerful and energetic.

Are we ready to always remain Young at heart and in mind, for the sake of the Kingdom of God?

Jesus, Who was greatly filled with zeal to “set the earth on fire”…
… desires all His followers to also share in this passion for the Kingdom of God.

Yes, let us become Christians “who set the world on fire!”…
… and strive to be sincere followers of Christ who are ‘willing to be counted’ to stand up for the Kingdom values!

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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – THE VIRTUES

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious…

… if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (CCC # 1803)

“Being faithful to the entrusted the duty of being zealous workers of the Kingdom of God!”

(Based on Rom 6:12-18 and Lk 12:39-48 – Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An incident is reported that took place a few years ago.

A former astronaut took over as head of a major airline company.
He was extremely ambitious to make his company the best airline service provider.

Once, when this new president was making an inspection of a particular department, he came across an employee…
… resting his feet on the desk, while the telephone was ringing continuously.

“Are you not going to pick up the phone?” queried the boss, with a sense of displeasure.

“That’s not my department!” answered the employee indifferently!

He had not recognised his new boss.

“I work in the maintenance section!” he replied.

“Huh!” quipped the president, “Not anymore!”

The casual attitude and the laid-back and easy-going approach of the employee cost him his job.

The new boss would not tolerate any people, who failed to show a sense of responsibility and commitment…
… which are essential and undeniable qualities in the pursuit of perfection and excellence!

What about us?
Is our Christian life characterised by responsibility and commitment?
… or do we have a casual attitude and a laid-back and easy-going approach?

The Gospel of the Day presents to us a strong reminder by the Lord to take our Christian life seriously…
… with its undeniable duties and its unavoidable sense of responsibility.

Jesus speaks of the coming of the Son of Man at an unexpected time…
… just as the coming of a thief is unknown to the master of a house (Lk 12: 39-40)

What are some of the characteristics of the coming of a thief to the house?

1. There is a sense of ‘anonymity’
   It takes place when none of the people in the house are expecting it…
   … thus leaving them completely startled and unprepared

It happens in the quiet of the night….
… so that no one becomes aware and the setting is perfectly safe

2. There is the element of ‘total surprise’
   It happens in areas where there is emptiness or lesser security measures
   … thus creating greater potency to danger and sharper damage
3. There is a factor of ‘missed opportunity to take care’
   It happens because the Master of the house was ill-prepared for such an eventuality

These then are the “loopholes” in our spiritual life, that can cause us to be off-guard…
… when the Lord appears in His Second Coming (just as the coming of the thief in the night)…

A sense of ‘anonymity’
An element of ‘total surprise’
A factor of ‘missed opportunity to take care’

Do we remain “anonymous” to the Lord…
… by remaining ignorant of His teachings and commandments – even though He addresses very often through the Bible and the Church?
… by failing to give heed to the repeated reminders by the Lord through various advices from our caring one, and the guidance we receive through sermons, reflections, messages and life-situations?

Do we get caught with “total surprise” at the Will of God in our lives…
… failing to see the providential hand of God in the struggles and hardships that we undergo?
… entering into a sense of despair and discouragement when things don’t happen the way we plan?

Do we become victims of “missing opportunities to take care”…
… by failing to do the many good works which we can perform, but fail, owing to our slackness?
… by taking the stance of being indifferent in situations of injustice and discriminations?

The Lord clearly warns even in the Book of Revelation…
… “If therefore you shall not watch, I will come to you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you.” (Rev 3:1-3)

Though this passage may cause a sense of fear and insecurity, we also need to consider, the converse…
… that if we are prepared and alert
… that if we are ready and vigilant
then the “coming of the Lord” becomes a joyful waiting and an expectant hope!

Nothing fears the one who is prepared, to meet the Lord!

St Paul encourages us through these words: “But you brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief!” (1 Thess 5: 2-4)

When we are in the Light of Christ…
… by a constant life of vigilant prayer
… by a faithful life of sacraments
… by a committed life to the Church

No darkness can overpower us; No fear of thieves can cause panic!

As Christians, each one us are entrusted the duty of being faithful “employees” of the Kingdom of God!

Are we going to “rest our feet on the desk”…
… with a casual attitude and a laid-back and easy-going approach…?

Or shall we be “armed and ever-ready to serve”…
… with a sense of responsibility and commitment…?

Be ready…
Our Boss – The Lord – may come anytime….!

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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT

The more a correct conscience prevails, the more do persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and try to be guided by objective standards of moral conduct. (CCC # 1794)

“Approaching the Throne of God’s Mercy and allowing His Light to shine through our life!”

(Based on Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21 and Lk 12:35-38 – Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Little Jane heard a sermon in church on “Let your light shine!”

She remembered the verse; however, did not understand the text much, until her mother explained: “It means, to be good, obedient and cheerful”

That evening, after coming back from playing with her friends – where she had been a little naughty and mischievous – Jane came back to her mother and said:
“Ma, sorry I have blown myself out!

Can you light me again?”

Every Christian is called to become a beacon of light in the darkness and to be a shining star in the ambience of every night.

Is the Light of Christ shining in me?

The Gospel of the Day too shares this aspect and reminds the aspect of being watchful for the Coming of the Lord, by keeping the Light of Christ alight!

Jesus said to His disciples, “Be ready, dressed for service, AND KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT…” (Lk 12: 35)

To keep our lamps lit – is the reminder and challenge of the Gospel today.

At our Baptism, we all have received the Light of Christ.

This light, is not just to be preserved…
… but is to be nurtured and fostered daily.

But we live in a world when there are many a winds seeking to put off this light in us.
… we live in a world, where there is a strong engulfing of the darkness, trying to devour the light in us.

What are the different winds that are seeking to put off the Light of Christ in us?

A. The wind of “losing the focus from God”
i. King David
King David was a shining light to the people of his kingdom, as long as he followed the teachings and had his focus on God.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.
He allowed himself to focus on the object of his pleasure by sinning with the wife of Uriah.

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

ii. Samson
Samson was a shining light of power and might, as long as he was faithful to God and had his focus on God.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from God, he sinned.
He allowed himself to focus on the object of his delight by revealing the secret to Delilah

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

iii. Peter
Peter was a shining light to his disciples as a person of faith, as long as he followed the instructions of his Master to walk on the waters.

But when he allowed his focus to shift from the Lord, he began to sink.

He allowed himself to focus on the object of his fear and self-panic.

The wind of “losing the focus from God” blew strong to put off the light in him….

B. The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests”
i. Saul
Saul was adorned to be the first king of Israel; however, as his reign continued, his own selfish motives began to creep in his kingship.

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the approval of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him?

ii. The Pharisees and Scribes
The Pharisees and Scribes during the time of Jesus, insisted much on their selfish agenda in the imposition and following of the Laws.

When they “began to be more self-centered”, they began to lose the favour of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in them…

iii. Judas
Judas was chosen to be one of the Twelve in the mission of the Lord; but as time grew, he continued to feed his greed for money and wealth

When he “began to be more self-centered”, he began to lose the esteem of God.

The wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” blew strong to put off the light in him…

C. The wind of “false principles and ideologies”
i. People of Israel
The people of Israel had been blessed with the commandments of God.

They, however, were dismayed at the delay of Moses on Mt Sinai, and instead got enamoured and attracted to false gods and especially to the deity of mammon and wealth.

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they angered God and brought upon themselves the wrath of the Lord.

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

ii. People of Galatians 1:6
St Paul accuses the people of Galatia, that were abandoning the Gospel which they first heard, and instead were being attracted to the pleasurable and false teachings of the false prophets.

When they “began to abandon the True Teaching and attached themselves to false beliefs”, they strayed away from the path of salvation.

The wind of “false principles and ideologies” blew strong to put off the light in them…

Let’s examine our lives…

Am I allowing the wind of “losing the focus from God” to put off the light in us?
Am I allowing the wind of “being focused on one’s own selfish interests” to put off the light in us?
Am I allowing the wind of “false principles and ideologies” to put off the light in us?

As the saying goes, “We can’t prevent birds from flying over our heads, but we can certainly prevent them from laying a nest on our heads!”

We cannot prevent these winds to rage and hit our lives…
… but we can certainly prevent them from blowing off the Light of Christ in us!

This strength comes from our determination, perseverance & commitment…

And above all, being united with Jesus, the Source of Light…
… in daily prayer
… frequent Sacraments
… constant nourishment with the Word
… and faithfulness to our daily duties of our vocation and life!

In our moments of failure and weaknesses, let us also have the courage to approach the Throne of God’s Mercy saying:
“Lord, sorry I have blown myself out!

Can you light me again?”

Today we also seek the intercession of St Antony Mary Claret, the founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CMF – Claretians) and be inspired by his words:
“Love is the most necessary of all virtues.
Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket.

If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity- the fire of love of God and neighbour- it will work wonders!”

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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT

A good and pure conscience is enlightened by true faith, for charity proceeds at the same time “from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.” (CCC # 1794)

“Depending less on material aspects of life, so that we can grow closer to the Lord!”

(Based on Rom 4:20-25 and Lk 12:13-21 – Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Many things in life follow the principle of “Inverse Proportionality”

The Principle of Inverse Proportionality can be explained…
… that when the value of one unit increases, there is a decrease in the value of another unit.

The time taken for a journey is inversely proportional to the speed of travel…
… Higher the speed of travel, lesser is the time taken for the journey

The brightness of light that is seen is inversely proportional to the distance from the source of light
… The more the distance between the source, the lesser will be the brightness of the light that is seen

This principle of Inverse Proportionality can be also applied to spiritual entities…..

The greatness of a person is inversely proportional to one’s level of pride
… The greater the person, lesser is the pride of that person

The sanctity of a person is inversely proportional to the occasions of sins one indulges.
… The holier the person, the lesser will be the occasion of sins one falls into

This principle is also seen strongly in today’s Gospel Reading…

The closeness of a person to God is inversely proportional to one’s dependence on material things
… The closer the person is to God, the further one will be from material things and pleasures

The distance from the Kingdom is inversely proportional to the amount of worldly riches one possesses
… The closer one is to the worldly riches, the farther one will be from the Kingdom of God

In the Gospel of the day, we see the clear illustration of this fact through the story of the Rich Fool.

Jesus says: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Lk 12: 15)

“Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself, but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Lk 12: 21)

What makes this Principle of Inverse Proportionality to work in terms of Richness and the Kingdom?

Worldly possessions takes one’s heart away from possessing God as the Greatest Treasure…

Money and Richness causes one’s mind to not depend on God and on His Providence and Intervention…

Prosperity and Affluence makes one’s soul to stray away from the Hand of God and His Love and Care…

It is a reality and happening in our world today that….

On one side, the money in one’s hand is more…
… but the amount of happiness and peace is less

On one side, the wealth of the world is increasing…
… but the poor in the world are in no way decreasing

On one side, the capacity of buying is much high…
… but the actual acquiring of real satisfaction is too low

Are things all too negative?

Is the situation too grim and bad?
Is there not a way out of this crazy maze?

“For humans it is impossible…but for God, all things are possible!” (Mt 19: 26)

There is a BIG lesson in that verse for our world today…

All too often, human beings…
… have asserted supremacy and power in conquering the world…
… have claimed superiority and dominance over all realms of living…
… have boasted proud statements and haughty actions in claiming to be all powerful…

The power and capacity of human beings, certainly is much, but it is still with a limit.

Today, we are called to understand, accept and acknowledge this limit…
… this constraint!
… this boundary!

When we make an effort to share our riches with others…
… God is able to bolster our spiritual blessings!

When we learn to be detached from our attachments to money…
… God is able to attach Himself to our lives!

When we seek to grow less dependent on our wealth…
… God is able to be the One on whom we can rely totally!

When we try to give up our materialistic thinking…
… God is able to fill our inner desires and longings of the soul!

It may be hard for us to let go of our dependence on material wealth

But God will strengthen us!

Let’s follow the words of Holy Father Pope Francis:
“So often we today can find our faith challenged by the world & in countless ways, we are asked to compromise our faith, to water down the radical demands of the Gospel & to conform to the spirit of this age…
… LET’S PUT CHRIST FIRST!”

The Principle of Inverse Proportionality is a reality in our spiritual lives…

Let’s depend less on the power of money…
… so we can grow closer to the Lord!

Let’s give minimal control to the power of richness…
… so that we can give maximum control to the Lord!

Yes…
Less and less of me…
… and More and More of You, O 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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT

It remains no less an evil, a privation, a disorder.

One must therefore work to correct the errors of moral conscience. (CCC # 1793)

“Rekindling the fire and zeal of being a Missionary of Jesus, our King and Leader!”

(Based on Is 45:1, 4-6, 1 Thes 1:1-5b and Mt 22:15-21 – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

A familiar incident is told of a particular dog.

One fine afternoon, as the whole locality was silent, the dog began barking….Bow wow….bow wow…

Hearing this dog bark, on went the dogs in the neighbouring house…bow wow….

The resonant barking of these two dogs, was enough to excite the other dogs in the other houses…
… and even on the streets…

The whole neighbourhood became a pandemonium of barking and woofing.

But in a while… the dogs on the street waned down… probably getting tired…

So did the dogs in the neighbouring houses…

But the first dog, who began it all, was still strong and vocal in its barking…bow wow…

All other dogs, had more or less quietened…but this dog continued…

Why?

This dog had seen a dangerous and poisonous snake, lurking close to the house…

And so it barked….and never stopped…because it had a reason!

The other dogs also had barked, not with a reason, but simply because they heard one barking.

But the first dog? Had a reason!

It had a reason, which made it to raise its voice and be excited.

When one has a clear purpose and a goal in life, one remains excited and enthusiastic about it…
… and pursues the aims with a great determination and enthusiasm.

Have I discovered the true sense of purpose and aim in my life as a Christian and do I pursue in that path, with much enthusiasm and excitement?

Today, Holy Mother, the Church celebrates Mission Sunday.

Every Mission Sunday is an occasion to re-discover & re-kindle the purpose in one’s life as a Follower of Christ.

The Gospel of the Day helps us to rejuvenate our spirit of following Christ, who Himself was convinced of His Mission in life.

We have today the incident of a group of people, seeking to trap the Lord with a query on whether or not to pay taxes to Caesar. (Mt 22: 15-21)

The query on “should taxes be paid to Caesar or not” was asked by two groups: the Pharisees and the Herodians.

It is interesting to note that forces with evil and crooked intentions often work in tandem.
These two groups, normally opposed to each other, join hands, to oppose Christ.

The Pharisees resented and opposed the payment of tax to Caesar…
… because they considered Israel as a sovereign state under God’s rule and therefore should not pay taxes to another king.

The Herodians, on the other hand, accepted and supported the payment of tax to Caesar…
…because they belonged to the political party of Herod, the king of Galilee, who owed his power to the Romans.

Saying a NO would bring Christ before the Roman government for treason.

Saying a YES would bring Christ before the Jewish authorities for blasphemy.

The forces of evil had posed a severe danger to the Mission of Christ.

The answer by Christ would be very vital and important to the continuity of His Mission.

But the Missionary Jesus… Who was convinced of His purpose and aim in life, had the best answer…
“Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God!” (Mt 22:21)

He did not deny paying to Caesar.

But He neither advocated it.

He rather, raised the level to one’s relationship with God, who is the sole authority of life & the giver of all things and goods.

The answer baffled and amazed the ones who had come to interrogate Him.

The Mission had not only been saved…

The Mission received a greater boost!

The Lord was convinced of His Mission in life.

He was convinced that He belonged to His Father and that all authority comes from Him.
He was totally sure that His purpose and aim in life was not earthly, but of the divine realm.
He was fully certain of His mission in life, to live a life dedicated to His Heavenly Father.

We too, in our Christian lives, will often face such situations of dilemma and trouble…

In a world getting addicted to consumerism, materialism, relativism and sensationalism, the challenges to live our Mission, as an Authentic Christian is especially great indeed.

Situations may force us to give in to abandon faith, and follow only what reason teaches…
Situations may cause us to dilute the Church teachings to accommodate our wants and pleasures…

The challenges to our Mission as a Christian and as a Catholic are much.

But like our Lord Jesus, the First Missionary and our Leader in Missions…
… we ought to stay convinced and remain enthusiastic to spread the Mission of the Lord.

The Prophetic words through Isaiah are an inspirational reminder to us all:
“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I gird you, though you do not know me, that men may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other!”

St Paul reminds us through his letter to the Church at Thesselonica, that we are His beloved and called and chosen by Him… “beloved by God, that he has chosen you..” (1 Thess 1:4)

Each of us – in any way of life – is a Missionary…

We have a Mission to belong to the Lord and to Him completely.
We have a Mission to spread the Love of the Lord to the whole humanity.
We have a Mission to orient our lives to the values of the Gospel and to travel heavenward.

Let’s rekindle the fire and zeal of being a Missionary of Jesus, our King and Leader!

Happy Mission Sunday!

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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT

If, on the contrary – the ignorance is invincible, or the moral subject is not responsible for his erroneous judgment…

… the evil committed by the person cannot be imputed to him. (CCC # 1793)

“Joyfully and courageously proclaiming the Lord to others, and bringing many more to experience the Love of Christ!”

(Based on Rom 4:13, 16-18 and Lk 12:8-12 – Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

One day as a woman was crossing a street in a busy city railway station, an old man stopped her and said, “Excuse me, Ma’am, but I want to thank you.”

“Thank me?” she exclaimed.

“Yes Ma’m. I used to be a ticket collector, and whenever you went by, you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good morning.

I knew that smile must have come from inside somewhere.”

He continued: “Then one morning I saw a little Bible in your hand.
I realised the source of your joy!

And so I bought one too…
… and I found Jesus!”

The joyful witness of the woman, brought about a conversion in the life of that ticket collector.

What about us?

Are we also joyful and courageous, in giving witness to Christ and His Gospel Values in our modern society?

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by our Blessed Lord with a challenging tone, to be powerful and bold, in acknowledging His Presence.

Jesus says: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God;

But he who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God” (Lk 12: 8-9)

Christian Life is a life seeking to profess and proclaim the Lord…
… by word and deed
… with lips and actions
… through happy moments and struggles of life!

Do we do that?

Or are we sometimes…
… shy?
… afraid?
… reluctant?
… uncertain?
… or even negated?

We could reflect on some aspects of our life, whereby we examine, how much we acknowledge the Lord in our life

1. The Blessings of the Lord
   God has gifted each one of us with immense Graces and Blessings.

Do we acknowledge ‘the Blessings of the Lord’ in our Life?
… with a word of thanks and gratitude, everyday?
… by seeking to be, in turn, a blessing to others, by a life of service?

2. The Providence of the Lord
   Providence refers to the Protective care of the Lord, at all times, in every situation.

When we look back into our life, we see how beautifully, God constantly leads us.
True, there are times when we have felt the “absence” of God or the Lord being “at a distance” from us, especially in situations of struggles and suffering

But, when look back later… we do find… “God had been joining all those ‘dots of loneliness’ and making a beautiful picture!”

Do we acknowledge ‘the Providence of the Lord’ in our life…
… by being more optimistic, knowing that our God will surely have His way, and make “rivers to flow, even in the deserts?”
… by not falling into anxiety or extreme worry; instead allowing ourselves to rest on His Caring Heart, knowing, that He is holding us tenderly in His Arms, as a Shepherd holds the tender lamb?

3. The Love and Mercy of the Lord
   Each of our life is a beautiful saga of God’s Love and Mercy

We have been created in love… we have been initiated to Salvation in His Mercy

We have been constantly encouraged by His Love… we have been continually lifted by, by His Mercy

Do we acknowledge ‘the Love and Mercy of the Lord’ in our life…
… by seeking to always do His Will in our Life and letting go of our own ego and selfish desires?
… by turning to Him in repentance, when we go away from His Love?
… by infusing more love into every action that we do, and thus witnessing His Face of Mercy to all around us?

4. The Authority of the Lord
   The Lord is the Supreme Authority of this entire universe.

It is His Power and Wisdom that sustains everything.

The presence of evil and sufferings around us, may sometimes, make us question His Power and Glory.

Sometimes, the presence of pains and miseries in our life, may also make us doubt His Power and Authority

But can we recognize, that God, in His infinite Goodness and Wisdom, works out everything for our good (Rom 8:28)

Do we acknowledge ‘the Authority of the Lord’ in our life…
… by offering our lives to His Supreme Wisdom, and marching forward with Hope, knowing that “the One Who has begun His Good Work in us, will bring it to completion” (Phil 1:6)
… by seeking His Permission in all the activities that we engage in, so that His Grace will inform us, in the best and right path?

5. The Presence of the Lord
   The Presence of the Lord surrounds and encompasses us at every moment… at every step of our life.

This Presence is especially cherished and celebrated in the Sacraments, that the Church offers.

Do we acknowledge ‘the Presence of the Lord” in our life…
… by turning our hearts, in conscious awareness, to the Presence of the Lord, in the midst of our work and activities?
… by longing for and meaningfully celebrating the Sacraments that the Church offers?

As a Christian, surely, it is not easy to profess and proclaim.

But the Lord invites each one of us, gently and tenderly, to acknowledge Him in our lives.

It is when we grow in these “areas of acknowledgement” that we can joyfully and courageously proclaim the Lord to others…
… and thus bring many more to experience the Love of 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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT

Ignorance of Christ and his Gospel, bad example given by others, enslavement to one’s passions, assertion of a mistaken notion of autonomy of conscience, rejection of the Church’s authority and her teaching, lack of conversion and of charity…

…. these can be at the source of errors of judgment in moral conduct. (CCC # 1792)

“Peeling away our mask of hypocrisy by casting away our fears and throwing ourselves into the care of our Loving God!”

(Based on Rom 4:1-8 and Lk 12:1-7 – Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A group of people visiting a magnificent church, came across a large clock in the sacristy.

What attracted the visitors, more than the clock, was the caption written beneath the large clock!

It seems that the clock was habitually too fast or too slow.

And so, a good old-sacristan realising that it was beyond repair, decided to write a caption on the placard.

The caption read: “Neither believe nor blame what my hands show!

The trouble lies deeper!
Therefore, even in life, ensure that you set your interior right, so that your externals display the truth!”

The hands of the clock displayed wrong timings…
… because the interior parts had some trouble!

So often are our external actions such in life!

We seem to be putting on a show outside…
… but the truth of the action can be known, only if the interior intention is true!
We seem to be good at displaying a clean image…
… but the sincerity of our deeds will be known, if we truly ensure purity from within!

We are into a reflection of this aspect of Hypocrisy yet again with Jesus’ insists on this evil tendency with a greater force & urgency.

Hypocrisy is a vice which is much hated by Jesus.

Hypocrisy is a vice which Jesus constantly asks to weed out.

Hypocrisy is duplicity.
Hypocrisy is pretence.

It is trying to be someone, that one is not.
It is masking one’s real identity to show one to be someone else.

The word “hypocrisy” is a composite word in the Greek. It comes from the joining of two words:

Hupo is the Greek word for “under.” … Krino, is the Greek “to separate or judge.”
So Hupo + Krino = Hypocrisy means to “be under or stay under and separate or judge!”

This word was mainly used in Greek theatres and plays to describe those “actors who would speak their parts, behind a mask!”

Hypocrites in real life, extend this “acting” to their everyday life…

People who try to impress others, in order to hide their real lives!
People who behave to be too good before others, but a sham within!

Do I have any of such aspects of “hypocritical… acting” in my life?

Our Lord calls this vice of hypocrisy as a Yeast…

Jesus speaks to His disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy” (Lk 12: 1b)

Why Yeast?
Yeast or Leaven is something that is used in baking.

Yeast has the great property of Influence…

A little amount of yeast is enough to raise the dough or to leaven the batter.
It has a great characteristic of exercising a great amount of influence, though little in quantity!

Hypocrisy is such… though a little amount, it is highly influential, like the yeast…

Hypocritical people are able…
… to boast much about themselves and exert harmful controls!
… to make other people highly pessimistic and negative!
… to drain out the spirit and the enthusiasm in others!

Yeast starts slow, but grows very quickly…

It has the great characteristic of exercising its great influence in a timid manner, but rises very fast and swiftly.

Hypocrisy is such… though it starts slow, it spreads its influence speedily, like the yeast…

How does Hypocrisy usually originate?

Usually from a Fear…

Fear of people makes one to adopt a totally different disposition and character.
Fear of situations makes one to adjust with a duplicate personality and behaviour.
Fear of one’s weaknesses makes one to alter the style of life and tamper with one’s nature.

That’s why the Lord, in today’s Gospel would strongly exhort, “Fear Not!”

When we banish the fear of many factors, we are able to be our real self.

When we cast away the fear of our material worries, we are able to live our true identity.

God is our Loving Father… a Caring Person… He wants us to grow in Holiness and Sanctity.

But He also knows that our double standards in life and our pretence in many areas of our life…
… is a block to His Grace in us.

We all wear masks, and the time sometimes comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin.

The Lord today invites us to peel away our mask of hypocrisy by casting away our fears…
… by throwing ourselves into the care of our Loving God, our Beloved Father in Heaven!

Let us “ensure that we set our interior right…
… so that our externals display the truth!”

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 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT

This ignorance can often be imputed to personal responsibility.
This is the case when a man “takes little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when conscience is by degrees almost blinded through the habit of committing sin.”

In such cases, the person is culpable for the evil he commits. (CCC # 1791)