“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!

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 still 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…and which will help our own 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 Church so that she may stand strong in the midst of struggles?
Do I 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…

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
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE

Every human community needs an authority to govern it.
The foundation of such authority lies in human nature.
It is necessary for the unity of the state.

Its role is to ensure as far as possible the common good of the society. (CCC # 1898)

“Having a lively attitude to nurture ourselves with the blossoming blessings that the Lord constantly showers on us!”

(Based on Jon 3:1-10 and Lk 11:29-32 – Wednesday of the 1st Week in Lent)

Attitudes determine to a great extent what one experiences in life.

The hummingbird is a beautiful example from nature to teach us a ‘higher attitude ” for life.

Hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals.

Instead, they look for the colourful blossoms…
… looking for nectar from suitable flowers.

They nourish on the beautiful and the fresh!

They live on “what is!”
They live in the present.
They fill themselves with life and freshness.

The Gospel of the day is a call to have an attitude which seeks to nurture oneself on lively higher aspects…
… similar to the humming bird.

A big crowd had gathered around Jesus and He began to speak and teach them.
“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign…” (Lk 11:29)

This verse has its background in a previous verse… Lk 11:16…where it says, “Others to test Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven”

The motive for asking the sign was to “test” Jesus.

There was clear hypocrisy in this demand.

Jesus had already performed a lot of miracles…..
“… the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead raised up” (Mt 11:3-5)

Yet, a sign was demanded!

True, that God gave signs to people in the Old Testament.

For example… to Gideon… to Abraham… to Moses… to the people of Israel etc

But the difference was that…
… those signs were given in request for a confirmation.
… those signs were given to strengthen the faith and belief.

As it is commented, “Signs were granted to those who desired them for the confirmation of their faith, as to Abraham and Gideon…
… but were denied to those who demanded them for the excuse of their unbelief.”

Some in the crowds… some of the Pharisees and the Scribe, demanded a sign from Jesus…
… just to remain obstinate and adamant in their unbelief!

For the Jews, the time of the coming of Messiah was expected to be a time of great warfare upon the Gentiles and great material prosperity.

The pseudographical work – The Apocalypse of Baruch – mentioned that ‘the time of the Messiah would bring in an inexhaustible supply of manna to feed the Jews until the end of time.’

Another pseudographical work – The Psalms of Solomon – says ‘the Messiah will “purge Jerusalem of the heathen . . . break the pride of sinners like so many pots . . . and gather the holy nation and lead it with justice, in peace and equality”‘

Jesus was not showing such “external” signs of being a Messiah

Therefore, the demand for a ‘sign from heaven’’…
… was a result of the hostility for Jesus’ failure to meet their materialistic expectations.

But Jesus exhorts to look at the higher and heavenly signs and symbols that He was providing!

Jesus challenges to adopt a “humming-bird” style attitude…
… of seeking to go beyond in finding the beautiful and higher realities
… of nurturing oneself on symbols that are deeper and much more precious

Is my life reduced to looking only for lowly and materialistic gains and desires?
… or is my life raised up in longing for higher and spiritual treasures and gifts?

The world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations.

Let us have a lively and energetic attitude as that of a humming-bird…
… to nurture ourselves with the blossoming graces and blessings that the Lord constantly showers on us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE

By “authority” one means the quality by virtue of which persons or institutions make laws…

… and give orders to men and expect obedience from them. (CCC # 1897)

“Asking the Grace from ‘Our Father’ to help us make inroads into forgiving others!”

(Based on Is 55:10-11 and Mt 6:7-15 – Tuesday of the 1st Week in Lent)

There was a king who had suffered much from his rebellious subjects.

But one day they surrendered their arms…
… threw themselves at his feet
… and begged for mercy.

The king pardoned them all.

One of the king’s friends said to him: “We are surprised at your act!

Did you not say that every rebel should die?
Did you not give us a command that every enemy should be killed?”

“Yes,” replied the king, calmly…
… and added, “but I see no rebels here!”

True forgiveness flows from the heart…
… and eliminates every bitterness
… so as to render every enemy as null and void!

We are today called to have a special focus on the aspect of forgiveness…
… as we give heed to the beautiful rendition of the pattern of all prayers – “The Our Father” – as recounted by St Mathew

The Gospel of the Day is part of the Sermons on the Mount in the Gospel of St Matthew.

Jesus presents His teaching on various Christian themes.

In His teaching on prayer, Jesus teaches the beautiful prayer – The Our Father.

The Our Father has seven petitions:

1. Hallowed be Thy Name
2. Thy Kingdom come
3. Thy Will be done
4. Give us today our Daily Bread
5. Forgive us our sins
6. Lead us not into temptation
7. Deliver us from evil.

The fifth petition – for forgiveness – is also accompanied with a clause – “…as we forgive”..
“…and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12)
… forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us!
… forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us!

Well, does this mean God’s forgiveness is conditional?

Certainly NO!

It needs to be understood, that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness, has always the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!

But to receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

God’s Mercy and Forgiveness is unconditional…
… but our reception of the same, is conditional!

It means that…
If we harbour a wrong against other…
If we continue to nurture hatred against other…
If we wilfully fail to extend absolution to the other…
If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…
… then we are telling God to not forgive me either!
… then we are telling God to not shower His blessing on me!
… then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!
… then we are telling God to stop extending His unconditional compassion!

We are called therefore, to “forgive from our heart”…
… and thus to reconcile with everyone in our life.

It is when we truly forgive, that we become recipients of the Great Mercy and Forgiveness of God!

The prayer – “Our Father” is indeed one of the most easily learnt and widely used prayers.

But this clause of the prayer, which is often overlooked, also makes this prayer dangerous!
Let us ask the Grace from ‘Our Father’ to help us make inroads into forgiving others!

Let us realize that true forgiveness flows from the heart…
… eliminates every bitterness
… and thus, renders every enemy as null and void!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL LIFE

“Human society can be neither well-ordered nor prosperous…
… unless it has some people invested with legitimate authority to preserve its institutions

… and to devote themselves as far as is necessary to work and care for the good of all.” (CCC # 1897)

“Making right choices, that will help us to preserve and enhance, the greatness of ‘the film of our life!'”

(Based on Lev 19:1-2, 11-18 and Mt 25:31-46 – Monday of the 1st Week in Lent)

Ward Kimball was an animator for the Walt Disney Studios in the 1930’s.
>> He was on the team for the first full-length animated feature by the Disney studio, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” (Year: 1937)

He spent 240 days…
… working on a single four-and-a-half-minute scene.
>> In that scene, the dwarfs were cooking a meal for Snow White, and he covered every detail.

When the time came, to review the film, Walt Disney personally reviewed the scene…
… and commented: “That scene is hilarious. It’s terrific.”
>> Then, he added, “But, I think it interrupts the flow of the movie…
… so we need to cut it out!”

So off went that scene – 240 days of immense work, scrapped…
… in order to preserve and enhance, the greatness of the film!


A hard choice indeed…
… but a choice that would be proved right, later, when the film was released and became a runaway success!


When “the film of our lives” is shown…
… will it be as great as it ought to be?
>> A lot will depend on the multitude of “choices” that we make!

The choices that we make, make or break our life!


The Gospel of the Day presents the Son of Man seated in His majestic and awesome glory…
… and all the nations awaiting His judgement, based on the choices that they have made in life!


The sheep, placed on the right side, are the chosen ones to enjoy the bliss of the Kingdom.
>> The goats, placed on the left side, are the condemned ones to suffer the fire of punishment.


An important aspect to be observed in this passage of the scene of the Last Judgement is the manner in which the Lord looks at human actions…

The Bible says, “Humans look on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7)


One of the common question that was posed to both the groups – the sheep and the goats – was: “When did we know…”

The sheep were taken by surprise, at the occasions which the Lord found them doing good…
>> They remained unaware of those situations, though they did the good in God’s sight.

The goats are taken by surprise, at the occasions, which the Lord found them missing to do good…
>> They remained unaware of those situations, where they failed to do the good in God’s sight.


We may not realise the occasions of doing good…
>> We may not realise the occasions of having missed doing good…

We may externally engage in many good works…
… but it may fail to find approval in the Lord’s sight.

This calls for cultivation of an inner disposition to do good
>> From the abundance of goodness within, good actions flow!


It’s this inner disposition to do good, that will prompt us to make the right choices in life…
… choices that will help us to preserve goodness
… choices that will help us to nurture greatness

Let this season of Lent be a time of forming a character of goodness and kindness.


The “film of our life” is continually being recorded!
>> We are called to make it great, as it ought to be

Let’s therefore make right choices (even if they are tough!)…
… that will help us to preserve and enhance, the greatness of “the film of our life!”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————–
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – CONVERSION AND SOCIETY
>> Charity is the greatest social commandment.
>> It respects others and their rights.
>> It requires the practice of justice…
….and it alone makes us capable of it.
>> Charity inspires a life of self-giving: “Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (CCC # 1889)
———–

“Overcoming our ‘pet sins’ that have perhaps, become ‘beasts’ today, by having recourse to the power of the Holy Spirit!”

(Based on Gen 9:8-15, 1 Pet 3:18-22 and Mk 1:12-15 – 1st Sunday of Lent, Cycle B)

A Christian counsellor, who was also a poet, was visiting the home of a family.

He was there to speak to the couple – who had strained their relationships – primarily because they had misplaced their priorities of family life…
… and both of them, were engaging in “trifles that were outside their spousal life”

The child in the family – all of 3 years – was however, quite excited to show the guest his toys.

In doing so, the child started arranging all his toys…
… placing them one beside the other.

As the poet, was amusingly observing, he noticed that the child had placed…
… a cute white teddy bear and a rather-fierce looking black bear next to each other.

Seeing these two (the white teddy and the dark bear) side-by-side, the counsellor, a poet, looked at the couple and said:
“Stop making sin your pet!
Else the pet will, give it a bet
One day turn to be a beast
A beast that will devour you and have a feast!”

(The couple was being reminded to take their spousal life more seriously…
… being told that the “unholy trifles that they both were engaging in” like a pet teddy bear
… would soon resemble a “fierce looking black bear” devouring their family life!)

Have we been playing with sin as a “pet”…
… but perhaps, today, grappling with it as a “beast?”

On this First Sunday of the Season of Lent, we are made aware of the “beastly power” of sin…
… and the need to, remain in the Holy Spirit, so as to overcome sin
… and become a powerful witness to the Kingdom of God

St Mark states in His Gospel recounting the incident of the temptations of Jesus, as:
“He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan…
… and He was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on Him.” (Mk 1:13)

St Mark beautifully in one line… illustrates the reality of the Person of Jesus Christ: Fully Man and Fully God

Jesus “was with the wild beasts”…
… to tell that He was fully Man!
Jesus had, “the angels [who] waited on him”
… to tell that He was fully God!

(To understand better, as to why Jesus had to undergo a temptation, a simple analogy will help:

A newly formed bridge is tested, by having made to bear a load, that is much more than the average/normal load

This is done, not to see if the bridge will break…
… rather, to prove, that the bridge will not break!

Similarly, the temptations of Jesus were not to see if He would sin…
… but to prove, He couldn’t!

He is indeed the Sinless One…
… Who underwent temptations in order to identify Himself with all sinners!)

Yes… in Jesus, we have God…
… Who understands all our struggles and sufferings, because He Himself went through hardships!
… Who empathizes with us in all our temptations and trials, because He Himself was tempted!

And so we are given this great news…
… that even though I am tempted, and struggle to overcome my sinful habits
… that even though I go through much agony, in order to rectify my faults and bad actions
… that even though, I am sometimes, lukewarm and tepid about my spiritual life

I have a God Who is greatly with me – strengthening me, with His Grace to empower me to overcome every sin, and live a life of enthusiastic holiness!

This verse about the temptations of Jesus, also gives us another hopeful message:

When you are surrounded by the “beasts of temptations…”
… have recourse to the angels of holiness to overcome them

When you are pounced upon by the “beasts of enticements and allurements…”
… seek the intercession and help of the angels to conquer and overpower them!

The Season of Lent is given to all of us as a time to seriously consider in overcoming our sins, our faults, our bad actions, our wrong relationships…
… and cooperate with the Grace of God
… in order to grow in holiness!

The book of Genesis reminds us of the everlasting protection of the Lord for us…
… as symbolised in the covenant established by the Lord, in the form of the bow (Cf. Gen 9:8-15)

By our Baptism, we therefore give this amazing appeal to God – to help us live always, with a “clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…!” (1 Pet 3:21)

The presence of sin in our life, is serious…
… and our Blessed Lord is strongly exhorting all of us to say…
… a “FIRM NO TO SIN”
… and a “FAITHFUL YES TO JESUS!”

For those of us, who are living lukewarm and tepid lives…
… it’s high time that we take our spiritual life seriously

For those of us, who are struggling to overcome some of our habitual sins and wrong actions…
… it’s a good news given to us, that the Lord is encouraging us to take one step at a time, to rectify our faults!

For those of us, who are wanting much to grow in our spiritual life…
… it’s a reminder to choose virtues that are suiting and best needed for our way of life, and to daily cultivate and practise them!

Yes, very often it can be that unholy trifles find amusement in our life with the innocent resemblance of a “cute teddy bear”

But if we continue to play with it as a pet…
… we could be in for a torrid time with the fierce reality of sin!

Let us gravely give heed to the words:
“Stop making sin your pet!
Else the pet will, give it a bet
One day turn to be a beast
A beast that will devour you and have a feast!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – CONVERSION AND SOCIETY

Without the help of grace, men would not know how “to discern the often narrow path between the cowardice which gives in to evil…
… and the violence which under the illusion of fighting evil only makes it worse.”

This is the path of charity, that is, of the love of God and of neighbor. (CCC # 1889)

“Encountering Jesus so that the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!”

(Based on Is 58:9b-14 and Lk 5:27-32 – Saturday after Ash Wednesday)

One of the fruits that is growing in popularity is the “miracle fruit!”

Native to Africa’s Gold Coast, this miracle berry (scientific name: Synsepalum dulcificum) has been an integral part of the daily menu of the tribes in Ghana and Nigeria
This fruit is now available in many parts of the world.

What is the speciality of this fruit?

Why is it called as Miracle Fruit?

When this fruit is eaten…
… it causes sour foods that are consumed consequently to taste sweet
(The fruit consists of a taste modifier called miraculin, which binds to the taste buds, causing sour foods to taste sweet)

So…
… a juicy, tangy lime will taste sweet!
… a succulent, sour gooseberry will be felt as sweetened!

Interesting, isn’t it?

Well…

When we encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!

The Gospel of the Day presents an encounter…

Of Levi… who was willing to have an experience of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit” and thus experience sweetness in life
Of Pharisees and Scribes… who refused to partake of Jesus, the “Miracle Fruit and thus remain sour in their attitudes

As Jesus went out, He met a person named Levi, who was sitting at the tax booth.

Levi, a tax collector – collected taxes for customs or tolls on imports, exports, and merchants who came to buy or sell in Israel.

These Jewish tax collectors were disdained by the Jews.
They were considered traitors because they worked for the despised Roman rulers.
It is this “despised” person that Jesus calls: “Follow me.” (Lk 5:27)

The name “Levi” means “joined”

True to his name, Levi “joined” the ministry of Jesus… and became His disciple
True to his name, Levi “joined” Himself to following Christ… leaving his former ways!

Subsequently, in the great banquet hosted at his house, Jesus was joined by a “large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table” (Lk 5:29)

The sight of Jesus – supposedly a Teacher and Prophet – irked the Pharisees and their Scribes, making them to ask: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” (Lk 5:30)

The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to accept the “welcoming and merciful” embrace of the Lord

They chose to close themselves to the “saving and redeeming” works of the Lord

As a result, they failed to experience the “Sweetness of the Lord!”

Levi, was willing to have a taste of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, his life was filled with sweetness and pleasantness!

The Pharisees and their Scribes refused to experience “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit”
… and thus, they continued to remain sour and tangy – as expressed in their words and actions!

There are many times…
… when we remain sour in our words – hurting people by our unjust criticism and judgmental comments

We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives give forth the sweetness of acceptance and appreciation!

There are often occasions …
… when we remain tangy in our actions and deeds – refusing to reach out in help and being stagnant in our selfishness

We need to taste “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” so that our lives give forth the pleasantness of charity and care!

The effect of the miracle fruit – in general – lasts only for an hour

The effect of “Jesus, the Miracle Fruit” however is much lasting
… and in fact, can be everlasting, if we remain faithful and sincere in following the Lord!

Let us encounter Jesus and consume His Presence…
… so that, like the “effect caused by the miracle fruit,” the sour and tangy areas of our life, will turn to sweetness and pleasantness!

Like Levi, let us “join” ourselves to the Will of the Lord, by following Him, faithfully!

Ready to taste the “Miracle Fruit?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – CONVERSION AND SOCIETY

It is necessary, then, to appeal to the spiritual and moral capacities of the human person and to the permanent need for his inner conversion…
… so as to obtain social changes that will really serve him.
The acknowledged priority of the conversion of heart in no way eliminates…
… but on the contrary, imposes the obligation of bringing the appropriate remedies to institutions and living conditions when they are an inducement to sin

… so that they conform to the norms of justice and advance the good rather than hinder it. (CCC # 1888)

“Realizing that ‘Jesus is knocking at the door of my heart!'”

(Based on Is 58:1-9a and Mt 9:14-15 – Friday after Ash Wednesday)

A nurse in a pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones’ chests…
… would plug the stethoscope into their ears
… and let them listen to their own heart.

Their eyes would always light up with amazement…
… but she never got a response equal to four-year-old David’s comment.

Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears…
… and placed the disk over his heart.

“Listen,” she said, “What do you suppose that is?”

He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line…
… and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap
… tap, tapping deep in his chest.

Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked: “Is that Jesus knocking?”

Lent is the beautiful season when we are called to turn inward and realise: “Is Jesus knocking at the door of my heart?”

The readings of the day are strong reminders – heavy knockings on the door of our hearts…
… Jesus, our Blessed Lord and Prophet Isaiah exhorting us to realise the true meaning of fasting!

The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus with an important query: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?” (Lk 9:14)

The Mosaic Law commanded only one day of fasting – the day of Atonement.

The Book of Leviticus prescribes this fast: “On the tenth day of the seventh month…you are to enter into a solemn fast and refrain from all work, because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you.
In the presence of God, you will be made clean of all your sins. It is a Sabbath of all Sabbaths.
You must fast. It is a perpetual ordinance” (Lev 16:29-31)

But it is to be noted that the Pharisees and apparently, the disciples of John, had also adopted another tradition: that of fasting two days a week.

This was considered to be a very pious act among this group.

In Luke 18:12, we find the Pharisee who boasts of fasting twice a week, as he makes his prayer, in contempt of the tax collector.

It is to this fasting, that the disciples of John refer to when they counter Jesus with the question: “Why don’t your disciples fast?”

But Jesus opens their eyes to see the stagnancy in their thought and practice.

The practice of fasting was for the atonement of one’s sins.
The practice of fasting was a time of mourning in seeking the restoration of Israel.
The practice of fasting was a time of waiting for the Messiah who would redeem their nation.

But somehow all these basic aspects of fasting were forgotten and apparently, lost.

Their practice of fasting had grown stagnant.
They failed to realise the reason and meaning of their fasting.

When one loses sight of the original purpose, actions become mere lifeless customs.

A custom, devoid of its purpose and real intention is dead and decayed!
A tradition, performed without knowing its’ true meaning is an obsolete ritual!

The Season of Lent calls for us to make extra sacrifices, especially through the form of fasting.

What is my attitude to fasting and penance?

Am I ready to undertake the powerful style of fasting as presented in Isaiah 58: 6-7: A fasting…
… to lose the bonds of wickedness and to undo the thongs of the yoke
… to let the oppressed go free and to share the bread with the hungry
… to bring the homeless poor into the house and to cover the naked

The Lord declares Himself as the Bridegroom, Who has come to restore the glory of Israel. (Mt 9:15)
The time of mourning is over.
The period of fasting is no longer.

It’s time to rejoice with Him, Who is the Bridegroom and Saviour – Jesus!

Our fasting, penances and sacrifices are to be joyful…
… because we have Jesus, the bridegroom with us.

His presence with us, is a matter of joy
… yet we fast and do penance, to share joyfully in His suffering and pain.
His presence with us, is an occasion of rejoicing
… yet we make sacrifices and discipline ourselves, to find deeper meaning in His Cross.

This is the season to “slow down and turn inward!”

Do we realise that “Jesus is knocking at the door of my heart?”

Let us, be willing, to “listen to the Lord’s knocking”…
… and open our eyes to the real purpose of our fasting and acts of penance.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – CONVERSION AND SOCIETY

The inversion of means and ends, which results in giving the value of the ultimate end to what is only a means for attaining it,…
… or in viewing persons as mere means to that end, engenders unjust structures…

… which “make Christian conduct in keeping with the commandments of the divine Law-giver difficult and almost impossible. (CCC # 1887)

“Making a choice for Christ, who is with us, all the time!”

(Based on Deut 30:15-20 and Lk 9:22-25 – Thursday after Ash Wednesday)

A group of youngsters were making fun of the faith of an elderly man: “You show so much piety! Maybe it’s because you belong to the old – generation!

We youngsters are modern and reasonable!
Faith is not compatible with our modern lifestyle!”

The elderly person, bemused, said, “Honestly, I don’t agree with what you say. All of you are actually people, who practise faith, on a day-to-day basis!”

“Really,” quipped the youngsters, “You like to prove that to us?”

The man of faith, took up the challenge and said: “Just think about this:

You go to a doctor whose name you cannot pronounce…
… and whose degrees you have never verified.
He gives you a prescription, you cannot read
You take it to a pharmacist, you have never met
He gives you a chemical compound, you do not understand.
Then you go home, and take the pill, according to the instructions on the bottle.
All in trusting, sincere faith!”

And he went on to say, “Remember, young men: faith has nothing to do with any generation!

Faith is all about making a choice.
And my Christian faith is all about me ‘making a choice for Christ, Who I know, is with me, all the time!'”

Do we realise that – knowingly or unknowingly – we are constantly making a number of “choices in life?”

Can we today, very consciously, “make a choice for Christ, who is with us, all the time?”

The Gospel of the Day presents the exhortation of Jesys to make a “choice for Him” – the Crucified Lord!

“If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Lk 9:23)

One of the key aspects, when we analyze the ministry of Jesus is that the Cross was an integral aspect of His life and ministry.

The Cross is a symbol…
… of total self-giving
… of total commitment

The Lord never shied away from the Cross.

And the Lord never shied away from teaching about the Cross.

He never used attractive advertisements to lure more followers…
He never preached an easy life to gather more disciples…

Instead, He preached and proclaimed the Cross!
And the choice before His followers is clear: “Choose Christ, by choosing the Cross!”

Lent is the time of getting back to the basics of our life…
… to re-dedicate our love and consecration to the Lord

The Lord sets before us choices, continually in life… (Cf. Deut 30:15)
… the choice of life and death
… the choice of good and evil
… the choice of blessings and curses

But all these promises of the Lord will be fulfilled, only if we seek to follow His commandments and to walk according to His paths.

The Lord promises much happiness and joy

But these will be delivered only if we are determined and resolved to follow Him closer, and to live in obedience to His commands!

The Cross was the choice of the Lord…
… a result of deep obedience and total commitment.

The Cross needs to be our choice too!
And this requires…
… deep obedience to the Will of the Lord
… total commitment to our call and consecration as a Christian

Are we ready to embrace this exhortation of the Lord?

Are we ready to get attracted to a life of the Cross – total discipline and deep dedication?

Let us realise that – knowingly or unknowingly – we are constantly making a number of “choices in life!”

Let us today, very consciously, “make a choice for Christ, who is with us, all the time!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
LIFE IN CHRIST – CONVERSION AND SOCIETY

Through human society, people should
… always be readily disposed to pass on to others the best of their own cultural heritage
… and eagerly strive to make their own the spiritual achievements of others. >> These benefits not only influence, but at the same time, give aim and scope to all that has bearing…
… on cultural expressions, economic, and social institutions
… on political movements and forms, laws

… and all other structures by which society is outwardly established and constantly developed. (CCC # 1886)