“Combining our sweet faith with a tough trust and our pious devotion with a faithful dedication!”

(Based on Jer 31:1-7 and Mt 15:21-28 – Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

There lived a good woman, who was well-known among her circle for her simple faith and her great calm and composed attitude, in the midst of many trials.

Another woman, who came as her new neighbour, hearing of her, remarked:
“I must go and see that woman, and learn the secret of her calm, happy life.”

She went, and, enquired of the woman: “Are you the woman with the great faith?”

“I don’t know,” was the answer, “I don’t know if I am the woman with the great faith…
… but I do know that I am the woman with a little faith in the Great God!”

The Gospel of the Day in a similar way, presents before us a beautiful incident of faith…
… of a woman, with amazing faith in the Great God!

“You are beautiful… pleasant… delightful…

Your love is like honey… Your presence is charming!
You are wonderful in your splendour and spectacular in your majesty and glory!”

These are some of the endearing and appealing and fascinating words that are addressed to Jesus.

This is the Jesus who is sweet, cuddly, lovable, adorable, amiable, agreeable and friendly!
We yearn for this Jesus.
We are happy with this Jesus.

In life, often, we get settled with sentimental faith.

We get fixated, often, with a faith based on emotions and sweet words.

Perhaps, that’s how we also want our world to be – kind, caring, accommodating, considerate and gentle!

But we know… the reality is different.

The world that we wish is very often not the world that we experience.

We like a peaceful world…
… but we often encounter a world with missiles and innocent lives snatched away!

We like a respectful civilization…
… but we bump into a civilization which is debasing and merciless!

The world of our actual experience is very different from the world that we hope and desire for…

In this context, we need a Faith that can carry us through this tough life.

A faith based on mere sweet words, pious rituals and peripheral feelings doesn’t suffice…

A mere sentimental faith leaves us paralyzed and crippled with the hard-hitting realities of life!

We need a Faith that’s strong….
… a Faith that’s valiant
… a Faith that can battle life’s odds..

The Canaanite Woman in today’s Gospel Reading is a person who possessed this Challenging and Brave Faith!

She is a “big misfit” in approaching Jesus and to be a bearer of Faith…
a. She is a Canaanite: An unaccepted pagan, a denied heathen!
b. She is a Woman: A degraded status, a humiliated class!
c. She has a possessed child: A helpless situation, a miserable condition!

Yet she dares…
… to approach the Lord of the Universe: ” Lord, Son of David, have pity on me!!”

1) The First Reply from the Lord…?

Shhhh….
(the Word Perfect responds with a total hush…)

No answer from the Master…. the wait for the Woman increases…
It’s trying time!
It’s a testing moment!

The probably irritated-disciples seek to chase her away, disturbed by the shoutings and the wailings…

2) The Second Reply from the Lord…?
Hmmm…
… I am sent not for her category…I am sent only for the Chosen Race…

Agony from the Master… the hopes of the woman diminishes…
It’s a grilling time!
It’s a gruelling moment!

Yet she dares… to approach once more..kneeling before the Throne of Mercy…” Sir, help me!!”

3) The Third Reply from the Lord…?
Grrr…
Children’s bread is not thrown to the dogs…

More anguish from the Master.. the expectations of the woman is crushed…
It’s a hard time!
It’s a harsh moment!

To hear being called a DOG… was humiliating and insulting and offensive…

Was this the height of rudeness??

But, the woman of Faith noticed that Jesus had used the word “kunariois” – the word for household pets…

She noticed that He had not used the word “kuon” – the word for other ordinary dogs…
Ah… there was the opening… there was the possibility…there was the occasion…

A person of Deep Faith is able to wait patiently for a sparkle of sunshine even in the midst of the darkest clouds!

The Woman of Faith sneaked a chance in that seemingly degrading word…

She was a “kunariois” – a household pet….

She immediately matches her wit,
with the wit of Jesus..

Pets are not outsiders – they are insiders;
Pets are not out of the family… they are part of the family…
Pets are not to have a seat at the Master’s table…
… but they enjoy an intimacy at the Master’s feet!

So she replies: “Yes Lord! But even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the Master’s table”

It was a moment of Truth!

4) The Fourth Reply from the Master…?
“Woman, how great is your faith!!”

The Woman of Faith had triumphed!

The Lord of the Universe marvelled at her faith!
The God of Healings blessed the Woman of Faith with heart’s desire!

Life is definitely hard.

We are challenged however to have a harder and a stronger faith!

The Canaanite Woman, who is proclaimed, through all the churches today, is a shining model!

She, who was called a DOG….(!!)…is today praised and glorified by GOD…(!!)!

Sentimental faith and sugary words are needed

But it’s not enough!

We need to combine our Sweet Faith with a Tough Trust…
… our Pious Devotion with a Faithful Dedication!

Let us be a person of faith with the heart like that of a dove and the skin of a rhinoceros!

Today we also celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Mary Major Basilica.

St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centers of the Church.

(The other three being St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran Basilica, and St. Paul’s Basilica, outside the Walls.)

St. Mary Major Basilica (the Basilica where Pope Francis is buried) is also the First Marian Shrine for pilgrims…
… which set a pattern for countless shrines
… where pilgrims gather to honor our Blessed Mother throughout the world.

Let us today specially seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother…
… to remain ever-faithful to the Lord, even in the face of difficulties and struggles of life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Firmly securing and being safe with JESUS, the ROCK!”

(Based on Jer 28:1-17 and Mt 14:22-36 – Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Creation around us – created by our Good God – has many lessons to teach us.

One such lesson is mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, where it speaks about a small animal named badger

Prov 30:26: “The badgers are a people without power, yet they make their homes in the rocks!”

The badger is a weak, timid little animal – like a rabbit or hare.

It has no means of defense in itself
Though it like a rabbit, it can’t run like one.
Though it resembles a mole, it can’t dig deep like one.
So when it’s foes – the vulture or the eagle comes in sight…
… it realises it cannot fight back in defense or run away fast!

So what does the badger do to find safety and protection?

Knowing that it is a “feeble fold,” it rushes straight to the rocks!
The badger repositions itself among the rocks, to remain safe and secure!

The badger lets the rocks to defend it…
… and the foes fight a miserable fight against the rocks
… and leave the badger in peace!

How beautiful a lesson is this to all of us, who often get attacked by the “foes of troubles, distractions, temptations and despairs of life!”

Weak as we are…
… we can find our refuge, protection and strength if we go straight to our Rock – JESUS!

Have we learnt this method of facing the challenges of life, by taking refuge in Jesus…
… especially in the “trying” moments of life?

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder and a lesson on this beautiful aspect of trusting and depending on the Lord – in every situation of life.

After the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus dismissed the crowds.

He made the disciples to get into the boat, while He went up to the mountains to pray (Mt 14: 22-23)

Here is a great lesson that Jesus teaches us…

There will be many success stories that would be woven in life.

Yet, all those occasions ought to lead us closer to God – the source of every success.
Every success in life ought to, not make us proud – instead, in humility, lead us to grow closer to God – in gratitude and for greater strength.

There will also be times when the sun shines bright and there are many admirers thronging our life.

Yet, all those occasions ought to make us realise that in God alone ought to be my true joy and satisfaction.
Every joy of life ought to, not make us lose ourselves in the thickets of achievements – instead, in meekness, help us to depend more on God – in trust and for greater faith.

As the disciples were lost on the sea, with the winds and waves turning against them, they saw Jesus walking on the sea (Mt 14: 25)

However, Jesus sought to drive away every ‘ghostly fears’ and assured them of His presence.

Peter, however, the leader of the gang took the initiative of going towards Jesus and walking on the water.

He even made his first steps on the waters.

However, when he saw the mighty winds, he got frightened and cried out, “Lord, save me” (Mt 14: 30)

Immediately, the Gospel says, “Jesus stretched out His Hand and caught him and said to him ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'” (Mt 14: 31)

Here was life throwing a mighty challenge to Peter:
Whether he could trust in God or not…
Whether to continue ahead in life or not…
Whether he could have his focus on God or not…

As long as he had his focus on the Lord, things were fine

But the moment, he wavered in this “focus”, Peter began to sink

The boats of our Christian lives often pass through the stormy waters of problems and difficulties.

There will be many moments when our faith makes attempts “to walk on the waters” with the Lord.

As long as we keep our focus on Him, things would be fine.

As long as we don’t look at the waters and instead look on to Jesus, things would be good.
But the moment there is a “deviation” in this focus – there will be the “sinking” experience!

Can we grow in our trust… in being always focused on the Lord?

In the face of many challenges of life, we often are rendered to be a “feeble fold”

But let’s never lose heart!

As Prov 30:26 reminds us: “The badgers are a people without power, yet they make their homes in the rocks!”

Let us take refuge in Jesus, the Rock of our life!

When attacked by the “foes of troubles, distractions, temptations and despairs of life”…
… let us find refuge, protection and strength, by going go straight to our Rock – JESUS!

Are we ready to REPOSITION ourselves…
… and firmly secure and be safe amidst JESUS, the ROCK?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“In our moments of failure and discouragement, let us place our hope in the Lord Who remained ever faithful to the Will of the Father and suffered on the Cross by virtue of His obedience and fidelity!”

(Based on Isaiah 55:1-3, Rom 8:35, 37-39 and Mt 14:13-21 – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A brave missionary – known to have pioneered many missions – was sharing his experiences with a group of novices (group of brothers, before taking the evangelical vows, in a religious order/congregation)

In his interaction with the young and aspiring novices, he recounted the many moments of struggles and “apparent failures” that he had to face in the missions.

Yet with much joy in his heart and a special sparkle in the eyes, he exhorted: “My dear novices… the words of one of the beautiful hymns that we often sing, as part of our Night Prayer (Compline – Divine Office) gave me a lot of strength, at the end of every day.

‘Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!

The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.’”

The great missionary did encounter moments of failures in life…
… but what kept him going, was the Hope and Conviction to see the Hand of the Lord, leading and Guiding Him!

Yes, failure is something which we surely encounter very often in our lives!

We fail to stand up to ours and others’ expectations in our personal lives…
We fail to answer to the needs and demands of our family or community lives…
We fail to respond to the challenges and duties of our responsibilities in our societal lives…

Failure creates clouds of hopelessness.
Failure develops into pangs of anxieties!

But every failure, can also be the gateway to venture into a fresh framework of opportunities…

The background of today’s Gospel is a very disturbing one: the beheading of John the Baptist!

The Voice which heralded the Coming of the Saviour…
The Voice which had provided hope…
… had been brutally silenced!

Jesus, on hearing this news, withdrew to a lonely place.

The inhuman murder…
Of His Cousin
Of His companion in the Works of the Kingdom…
… was a Moment of Great Pain to the Lord
… perhaps, even a Great Setback to Him!

Disappointment was apparently looming large…

The Mission hereafter was not going to be easy…
Failure was knocking at the doors…

But every failure, can also be the gateway to venture into a fresh framework of opportunities…

Though filled with pain and sorrow and grief…
… Jesus continues His ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God.

And thus we see our Blessed Lord multiplying the loaves and feeding the crowds (Mt 14: 15-21)

The Evil King Herod, had feasted on the vices of self-pleasure and debauchery

The Good King Jesus, would make a feast on the virtues of compassion and self-giving!

The Evil King Herod spread a party of lewdness, trudging on the death of an innocent man

The Good King Jesus would host a party of God’s Mercy and Tenderness, inviting to eternal life!

Jesus failed to get bogged down by failures…

He failed to be immersed in a sea of let-downs and disappointments.
He instead, made His Compassionate and Merciful Heart to shine through the clouds of darkness!

Jesus also taught His Disciples to not get disappointed or disheartened by “apparent” signs of failures or lack or success.

When Jesus asked His disciples to provide food for the hungry crowd, the disciples said:
“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here” (Mt 14:17)

The disciples were expressing their possibility of ‘facing a failure’…
… “We have no resources, Lord!”
… “All what we have is just not good enough to be successful!”

But the Lord – Who had refused to be bogged down by failure – now teaches the Disciples to also imitate Him…

Not being disappointed with possibilities of failures…
… instead, entrusting whatever we are and however we are, to the Bountiful Care of the Father
Not getting discouraged by situations of lack of success…
… instead, giving praise to the Lord at all times, knowing that He works wonders and miracles – in His Time, In His Way!

The same resources which signified nothingness – five loaves and two fish:
… were now transformed by the Lord as food for thousands!
… were now symbols of God’s power and providence!

You and I…
… Are we facing failures at this moment?
… Is our spiritual life going downhill?
… Are we lost in the society- facing rejections and encountering disappointments in all areas of our life?

Do we feel that FAILURE become part and parcel of our existence?

Fear not…!

Give up not hope…!

Let us hold on to the Lord…
… the same Lord who was “face-to-face with failure” after the brutal murder of His Cousin
… the same Lord who worked a miracle for his disciples who were “face-to-face with failure” in ministry

Through Prophet Isaiah, the Lord reminds us: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy?

Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.” (Is 55:2-3)

Our modern world, makes it easy, for us, to “feel” that we are a failure!

But Jesus shows that there can be a HIGHER way of understanding “Success”

Success is…
… being faithful, to do God’s works: however little they be – in the time & place, God wishes!

Success is…
… persevering, to hold on to God’s Will: however painful they be – in the manner, God wishes!

Success is…
… resolute to being truthful to God’s Ways: however hard they be – in the way, God wishes!

Am I today being surrounded by a hazy atmosphere of failures and disappointments?

Look up to the Lord for inspiration…
… The Lord Who remained ever faithful to the Will of God and the Lord Who had to suffer on the Cross by virtue of His obedience and fidelity!
He shows what is true success
He shows what is real achievement

Yes, Faithfulness is more vital than success.

Authenticity is more needed than victory

Let us be convinced, just as St Paul tells us: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
… For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:35, 38-39)

Let’s pray: “Lead kindly light…”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Having our conscience always pure and always giving heed to the voice of the Lord!”

(Based on Jer 26:11-16, 24 and Mt 14:1-12 – Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

An incident is narrated of a man who brought a package of supplies from a trading shop.

On reaching home, to his surprise, he found a silver coin inside the package.

Something troubled him.
He came back the next morning to the trader and handed him back the silver coin.

The trader was amused and surprised and asked him: “That’s interesting to see that you have returned back the silver coin!”

The customer replied: “Well, I got a good man and a bad man in my heart!

The good man said, It is not yours’; the bad man said, ‘Nobody will know’. The good man said, ‘Take it back’; the bad man said, Never mind’.”
And so thinking, I went to bed…
… but the good man and the bad man talked the whole night and troubled me.”

The conscience of the man caused him disturbance because of the fault that he was supposedly in…
… and made him to yield to its goodness!

Each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

Do we listen and give heed?
Or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?

The Gospel of the Day presents the intense ordeal faced by King Herod who failed to give consideration to the voice of conscience…

And instead had his mind rottened and his actions dirtied…
… by falling into the trap of guilt and shame.

King Herod had exercised his authority and sinfulness by beheading John the Baptist. (Mt 14:1-12).

The demon of guilt and shame of that inhuman murder kept bothering him.

In this scattered state of mind, King Herod hears about the deeds and wonders of another man, Jesus.

His guilt-filled and confused mind is unable to grasp the identity of this new man who works marvels and so he told:
“This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him!” (Mt 14:2).

The king harassed by sin and shame failed to grapple the mystery of the Son of God, the King of kings!

The persona of Jesus surpasses great minds and cannot be arrested by hardened hearts!

The character of Jesus baffles proud mentalities and cannot be captured by cynical spirits!

King Herod was greatly disturbed with a guilty conscience and a sinful heart.

He felt greatly challenged and threatened by Jesus, Who was being considered as a King.

The sinful and corrupt Kingdom of Herod was faced with an opposition from…
… the pure and holy Kingdom of God!

The increasing popularity of Jesus caused Herod the Tetrarch, the ruler of the land, to come face-to-face with his guilty conscience.

Truth is always very powerful!

It can, silently, yet very authoritatively…
… challenge faulty lives
… prick guilty consciences
… confront culpable actions

Herod bore the guilt of having killed John the Baptist, who was the voice of the Truth.

He knew that he had done something extremely wicked and merciless
He knew that he had acted in opposition to truth, to honesty and to sincerity.

Therefore, the rising fame of the Lord – whom he misunderstood as John the Baptist – drove him to despair over that brutal act of the killing of the Baptist.

Constant exposition to wicked thoughts and evil inclinations had caused his life to become a pillar of guilt-filled feelings!

Think wicked, and our character will decay into being evil…!

On the other hand, was the righteous life of John the Baptist.

He was born with a sense of purpose – of being a voice to the Truth.
He maintained this goal by always living in sincerity – fearless and courageous.
To this end, he even valiantly shed his blood!

Constant nurturing of holy purposes and sacred acts had caused his life to become a pillar of a purpose-filled existence!

Think nobler, and our character will mould into being noble…!

We need to examine our lives and conscience and check…

Am I, like King Herod, filled with fear and doubts because of my sinful conscience and guilty mind?
OR…
Can I be like John the Baptist, filled with a sense of purpose and clarity in life?

Is my life a chest-box of guilt-filled feelings – formed by deposits of wickedness, evil and sin?
OR…
Can my life be a treasure of a purpose-filled existence – formed by deposits of holy determination and sanctified lives?

Yes, each of us, at every moment, have our conscience speaking to us…

Do we listen and give heed?
… or do we silence the voice of the conscience and allow our guilt to rotten up our minds and dirty our actions?

Purified by the Sacraments…
Strengthened by God’s Word…
Empowered in prayer…
… let us become persons who have our conscience always pure and always give heed to the voice of the Lord, “Be Holy, as I am Holy!”

Today we celebrate the Feast of a Great Saintly Doctor of the Church – St Alphonsus Liguori, the Patron Saint of Theologians – the Founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists)

Let us give heed to his words:
“The more a person loves God, the more reason he has to hope in Him.

This hope produces in the Saints an unutterable peace, which they preserve even in adversity, because as they love God…
… and know how beautiful He is to those who love Him, they place all their confidence and find all their repose in Him alone”

May the intercession of this great Moral Theologian Saint inspire and impel us to also live holy lives – and thus our lives may become a “marvel edifice” and an “enormous pillar” of God’s graces…
… as we offer and consecrate the new month of August to the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed Mother!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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

“Not being depressed and discouraged by the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life; instead, like St Ignatius of Loyola, being hopeful, and knowing that ‘every rejection is one more step closer to true success!’”

(Based on Jer 26:1-9 and Mt 13:54-58 – Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A young salesman became discouraged because he had been rejected by many of the customers that he approached.

He asked a more experienced salesman for some advice.

“Why is it that every time I make a call on someone I get rejected?”

“I just don’t understand that,” answered the older salesman…
… “I’ve been hit on the head, called dirty names, and thrown out the door, but I’ve never been rejected!
Remember, my son… Rejection isn’t what happens to us…
… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

How do we interpret the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life?

Do we get depressed and discouraged…
… or can we still be hopeful and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!?”

Rejection and dejection, are sure companions in the life of a Christian, who is uncompromising and unwavering in one’s faith.

Despite these aspects, are we ready to hold on to doing the Will of God, and be His Faithful Followers?

Our Blessed Lord Himself underwent rejection and dejection in life.

Yet He would cling on to doing the Will of God!

The Gospel of the Day narrates this painful incident of “rejection and dejection” that our Blessed Lord encountered in His life, at the hands of His own country people (Mt 13: 54-58)

It is interesting to note, how the people of the hometown seek to justify their rejection of Jesus, by rationalizing their attitude…

Using 6 questions ( 6= A Biblical symbolic number which often stands for imperfection!)…
… the people of the hometown, reveal their blocked minds and closed hearts.

When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…
… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!

And so the Lord would declare: “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country or his own house!” (Mt 13: 57)

Thus, Jesus becomes the “Sign of Contradiction!”
… the Prince of Peace, begins to be seen as a cause of division and despise
… the Healer of Souls, begins to be seen as a cause of disagreement and discord!
… the Comforter of Hearts, begins to be seen as a cause of disturbance and distress

Anyone who seeks to follow Jesus – the “Sign of Contradiction” – the Epitome of Truth and Honesty…
… is sure to face the same experience!

Every true Christian, because of one’s convictions in the Eternal Values of Uncompromising Truth and Desire to do the Will of God, is sure to face…
… rejection from the people, because one’s ways challenge the lethargic lifestyle of others!
… dejection from the society, because one’s way of living poses a threat the corruption around!

But despite this “rejection and dejection,” can we still continue to hold on the Lord, the “Sign of Contradiction!”?

Life often hurls the “bricks of rejection” at us…

We can either be hurt by them…
… or be strengthened and buckle ourselves up with greater courage

We can either blame all those situations and curse life…
… or we can be thankful for those moments, which provides us a chance for “more blessings!”

Yes, we need to remember always:

Rejection isn’t what happens to us…
… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

Let us not get depressed and discouraged by the various situations of disappointments that we come across in life…
… instead let us be hopeful, and know that “every rejection is one more step closer to true success!”

Let us today seek the intercession of St Ignatius of Loyola, the Founder of the “Society of Jesus” (Jesuits), on his Feast Day.

He was a man with a lot of worldly ambitions and gripped with seeking vain glory.

But an incident, wherein, he was bed-ridden, as a result of a leg injury, brought a transformation in his life.

Not finding any other books to read, he was handed over the “Life of Saints”, which made him to prompt himself to ask a question: “Why am I using my life just for myself? These people did so much good during their time on earth. Why can’t I?”

St Ignatius was probably at a “dejected and disappointed” phase of his life…
… yet the Lord would use “that” situation, to bring a transformation in his life.

His motto: Ad maiorem Dei gloriam (“for the greater glory of God”) – is a great challenge and an inspiration for all of us.

May the prayer of this great Saint, echo in our hearts as well:
“O my God, teach me to be generous, teach me to serve you as I should…
… to give without counting the cost,
… to fight without fear of being wounded,
… to work without seeking rest,
… to labour without expecting any reward,
but the knowledge that I am doing your most holy will.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!