“Opening our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!”

(Based on Gen 9:1-13 and Mk 8:27-33 – Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

The famous incident of President Abraham Lincoln during the US civil war goes thus…

The President met a group of church leaders for a prayer-cum-breakfast.

At one point during the breakfast, one of the leaders remarked: “Mr President, let us pray, that in this time of the Civil War, God is on our side”

But Abraham Lincoln, replied with a much-greater insight…
… “No gentlemen. Let us pray that we are on God’s side!”

It was a reminder by the President that religion ought not to be a tool to get God to do what we want…
… but a way of life, to open our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!

Are we on the side of God?
… or are we on the other side, and expecting God to bend Himself to our ways and styles of life?

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful reminder of the Lord to examine our lives…
… and check, “if we are on the side of God!”

On reaching the villages of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus put forth the two-question examination to His disciples:
“Who do people say that I am?” (Mk 8: 27)
“Who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8: 29)

After having given various views of what the people felt, Peter, the leader, gives the answer: “You are the Christ” (Mk 8: 29b)

Although, Peter had given the right answer, the following statements by Jesus on His Passion, Death and Resurrection, scandalized Peter!

Peter had a set and standard understanding of a Messiah – as did the Jews of his time…
… a leader who would wield power and Icontrol
… a liberator who would exercise supremacy and command.

So when Jesus spoke of a “Servant-Leader” (Mk 8: 31)…
… One Who would suffer
… One Who would subjected to the mercy of the other

Peter could no longer stand himself!

He began to rebuke Jesus (Mk 8: 32b).

But Jesus had to set things right…
… and so He would rebuke Him back strongly: “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men!” (Mk 8: 33)

Though Peter had made a correct statement about Jesus…
… it was still only a partial sight!

He still needed a “second intervention”, in order to see fully.

This was just as it was in the Healing of the Blind Man in the previous passage (Mk 8: 22-25)

The blind man initially could only see “people walking, like trees” (Mk 8: 24)

But after the “second touch” from Jesus, he was able to see fully.

Jesus was reminding Peter, by the strong rebuke…
… that Christian Life is not about “we wanting our way; it is about we seeking and doing God’s Will in life!”

Yes, Christianity is a Way of Life, that constantly asks us: “Are we on the side of God?

In our everyday life, we come across plenty of opportunities, when we need to make this discernment:

Either to be on the side of God…
… or to go against Him!

We need to examine seriously our prayer life…

“Do we seek God’s Will in prayer…
… or do we seek to impose our will on Him?”

“Do we place our worries and problems before our God (Who knows all!)…
… or do we also command Him, on how and when these problems ought to be solved?”

Sometimes, we do have tendencies, to pull God into our boundary…
… instead of we moving to God’s side!

Today, the Lord clearly reminds us, as He rebuked Peter…
… to constantly be on the “side of God”.

Like Peter…
… we may have our own justifications to think the way we do
… we may have our own fears in encountering a Suffering God

The Lord, is clear and constant in His presentation of Christianity: “Seek to be on the side of God”

Yes, let us allow the Lord to mellow our hearts…

So that we can understand that religion ought not to be a tool to get God to do what we want…
… but a way of life, to open our hearts to listen and do what God wants of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION – SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry.

It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. (CCC #1536)

“Being re-touched by the Lord to have our ‘blurry faith without service’ to be transformed into a ‘clear vision of working for the Glory of God!’”

(Based on Gen 8:6-13, 20-22 and Mk 8:22-26- Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A sailor found himself in harsh and rough waters on the sea.

Survival seemed scanty…
… but he called on the Lord.

His prayers were heard, and he found himself washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

On the island, he again prayed intensely to God, to rescue him.

Every day he would scan the horizon for help…
… but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood (wood from the wreckage of the ship) to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after having wandered all around for food, he arrived home..
… Only to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rising up to the skies.

He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost.

Stuck with disbelief, grief, and anger, he cried out:
“GOD! How could you do this to me?
You saved me from the shipwreck, but only to abandon me on this island!

And now you have taken away my only means of survival.”

Early next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island!

It was a rescue ship…
… they had come to rescue him!

“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied!

The burnt hut – which the man had considered as a tragedy and a cruel act from God…
… turned out to be the signal, by which people could come to rescue him.

Even though he had received a rescuing hand, the first time, from the shipwreck…
… he needed a “repeat” intervention, to realise and deepen the awareness of the Providential Presence of God in his life.

What about us?

Are we also in need of a “repeat” intervention from the Lord…
… for a greater commitment and dedication to our life of faith?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful and unique incident of a blind man, experiencing a “repeat” intervention from the Lord…
… and obtaining total healing and cure.

When Jesus arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to Him a blind man.

Jesus takes aside this blind man, and begins the process of healing…
… a process that takes place in two stages.

Jesus first places His Hands on him and enquiring whether he sees anything

The man replied: “I see people looking like trees and walking” (Mk 8: 23-24)

Then Jesus laid His Hands a second time…
… and he saw clearly, with his sight restored. (Mk 8: 25)

This two-step process of healing is a great reminder to us…
… that Jesus was in perfect control of the healing process
… that faith in Jesus is not a one-time event; rather a process that could extend to different stages

Jesus, the great Healer, Who had healed many, with His One Word…
… now also demonstrates that when human beings go through a stage of “not seeing fully, but only men walking as trees”, He is still in perfect charge of the situation.

Jesus, the great evoker of Faith, Who had instilled confidence and hope in many…
… now also demonstrates that growing in faith in Him, is a gradual process.

The blind man, in the context of the Gospel of St Mark is also a figure of the Disciples of Jesus…
… who were with the Lord for quite sometime
… and yet failed to understand Him and His ministry (Cf. Mk 8:14-21)
… and would gradually go through a process of growing in their faith in the Lord

Each of us in life go through such situations and moments in life…
… when we are blind
… when, even with a touch of the Lord, “we see people looking like trees and walking”

Problems and difficulties often clout our vision

Experiences of an encounter with the Lord do keep our faith alive, though feeble
… In all such moments, we need another “touch” from the Lord.

Yes, we are all in need of a “repeat” intervention from the Lord!

As Christians, who have been “in faith” for long time, there are possibilities…
… when our life of faith loses its charm and charisma
… when our resolutions and promises lose touch of its initial fervour and zeal
… when our commitment and dedication fail to have the required enthusiasm and passion

In all such moments of “blind moments” and “blurred vision”…
… we need a “repeat” intervention from the Lord!

Let us therefore, allow the Lord to touch us and experience His Healing Grace…
… to lead us out of blindness and blurredness into clarity of faith and trust.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION

Through these sacraments those already consecrated by Baptism and Confirmation1 for the common priesthood of all the faithful can receive particular consecrations.
Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ’s name “to feed the Church by the word and grace of God.”

On their part, “Christian spouses are fortified and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and dignity of their state by a special sacrament.” (CCC #1535)

“Recognising the nearness of the Lord even in the unfamiliar contexts of life and filling our apparent emptiness with His Presence!”

(Based on Gen 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 and Mk 8:14-21 – Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A little boy – staying in the city – was to go with his family to his native village with his family.

On the night before leaving, he made a prayer to God:
“Good bye, Dear God!

We are going to the village tomorrow.
See you after 5 days! Take care!”

Though this prayer expresses a lovely dimension of prayer…
… and the innocence of a child’s immense love for God

This prayer is also a reflection of many of us “elders” who feel that when we move away from familiar places/situations…
… we are out of the sight of God!

Is my life of faith only dependant on “familiar situations” and “moments of comfort”…
… to feel that God is near me?

Do I feel very uncomfortable and lost spiritually, when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar?

The Gospel of the Day presents an experience of the disciples…
… an experience of not “feeling the closeness of the Power of Jesus”, despite the fact that He was with them
…an experience of “feeling lost and uncomfortable” on facing an unfamiliar situation.

Jesus is off on the boat again, with His disciples, to travel to the other shore (Mk 8:13)

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread along with them, and they had only one loaf with them. (Mk 8:14).

Jesus, meanwhile, began to make use of the time of journey, for rendering a teaching on True Discipleship.

Incidentally, He spoke on the need to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod…
… the leaven of malice and wickedness (1 Cor 5:8)
… the leaven of deception and misleading (Gal 5:8-9)

The disciples, however, got it all wrong.

Their minds were still focussed on the bread.

They were still figuring how out, how they missed to get bread.
They were still trying to see how they could all adjust, with one bread.

And so, when Jesus spoke of leaven – one of the main ingredients in bread – they thought that Jesus was chastising them, for not having taken bread.

But Jesus now shows the disciples what is to be the main focus…

He makes them realise what was more important and needed.

The disciples were more concerned…
… with food and security.
… with material needs and concerns.

But the Lord, now, reminds them to “become aware of the Power of His Presence”

He exhorts them to peel off…
… the layers of only material concerns
… the layers of only worldly needs
… the layers of only earthly apprehensions.

The disciples were concerned that they had only one bread…

But they failed to see that they had the One and Only Bread of Life!

The disciples were concerned that their food may not be sufficient…

But they failed to see that they had the One who multiplied bread for four thousands and five thousands!

They failed to understand!

They failed to look beyond!

In our life journey, we too sometimes fall short of material and earthly needs.

• Do we also get perplexed and anxious like the disciples?
• Do we also fail to see beyond and realise the more important needs of life?
• Do we also fail to understand that the presence of the Lord matters much more than any other earthly aspect?

Let us realise and understand that even when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar…
… God and His Power is close to me!

We might sometimes feel that when we move away from familiar places/situations…
… we are out of the sight of God.

But let us come to realise that even in “unfamiliar situations” and “moments of discomfort”…
… God is near me!

Let us fill…
… the apparent emptiness of our lives with the Love and Spirit of the Lord.
… the seeming vacuum within us, with the Peace and Passion for the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION

Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so.

They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. (CCC #1534)

“Recognising the nearness of the Lord even in the unfamiliar contexts of life and filling our apparent emptiness with His Presence!”

(Based on Gen 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 and Mk 8:14-21 – Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A little boy – staying in the city – was to go with his family to his native village with his family.

On the night before leaving, he made a prayer to God:
“Good bye, Dear God!

We are going to the village tomorrow.
See you after 5 days! Take care!”

Though this prayer expresses a lovely dimension of prayer…
… and the innocence of a child’s immense love for God

This prayer is also a reflection of many of us “elders” who feel that when we move away from familiar places/situations…
… we are out of the sight of God!

Is my life of faith only dependant on “familiar situations” and “moments of comfort”…
… to feel that God is near me?

Do I feel very uncomfortable and lost spiritually, when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar?

The Gospel of the Day presents an experience of the disciples…
… an experience of not “feeling the closeness of the Power of Jesus”, despite the fact that He was with them
…an experience of “feeling lost and uncomfortable” on facing an unfamiliar situation.

Jesus is off on the boat again, with His disciples, to travel to the other shore (Mk 8:13)

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread along with them, and they had only one loaf with them. (Mk 8:14).

Jesus, meanwhile, began to make use of the time of journey, for rendering a teaching on True Discipleship.

Incidentally, He spoke on the need to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod…
… the leaven of malice and wickedness (1 Cor 5:8)
… the leaven of deception and misleading (Gal 5:8-9)

The disciples, however, got it all wrong.

Their minds were still focussed on the bread.

They were still figuring how out, how they missed to get bread.
They were still trying to see how they could all adjust, with one bread.

And so, when Jesus spoke of leaven – one of the main ingredients in bread – they thought that Jesus was chastising them, for not having taken bread.

But Jesus now shows the disciples what is to be the main focus…

He makes them realise what was more important and needed.

The disciples were more concerned…
… with food and security.
… with material needs and concerns.

But the Lord, now, reminds them to “become aware of the Power of His Presence”

He exhorts them to peel off…
… the layers of only material concerns
… the layers of only worldly needs
… the layers of only earthly apprehensions.

The disciples were concerned that they had only one bread…

But they failed to see that they had the One and Only Bread of Life!

The disciples were concerned that their food may not be sufficient…

But they failed to see that they had the One who multiplied bread for four thousands and five thousands!

They failed to understand!

They failed to look beyond!

In our life journey, we too sometimes fall short of material and earthly needs.

• Do we also get perplexed and anxious like the disciples?
• Do we also fail to see beyond and realise the more important needs of life?
• Do we also fail to understand that the presence of the Lord matters much more than any other earthly aspect?

Let us realise and understand that even when things seem too alien or situations seem to be too unfamiliar…
… God and His Power is close to me!

We might sometimes feel that when we move away from familiar places/situations…
… we are out of the sight of God.

But let us come to realise that even in “unfamiliar situations” and “moments of discomfort”…
… God is near me!

Let us fill…
… the apparent emptiness of our lives with the Love and Spirit of the Lord.
… the seeming vacuum within us, with the Peace and Passion for the Lord.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION

Two other sacraments, Holy Orders and Matrimony, are directed towards the salvation of others; if they contribute as well to personal salvation, it is through service to others that they do so.

They confer a particular mission in the Church and serve to build up the People of God. (CCC #1534)

“Being open and docile to the presence of the Lord in our lives!”

(Based on Gn 4:1-15, 25 and Mk 8:11-13 – Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

The Song of Bernadette is a 1943 film which dramatizes the story of Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

St Bernadette, reported eighteen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Lourdes, France, from February to July 1858.

This movie begins with a prologue-dialogue, which goes thus…
“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary.

For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible”

This statement casts light on an important aspect of the nature of faith and belief:
To those who believe, miracles are an aid…

To those choose not to believe, no miracles can come to aid!

The Gospel of the Day is clear example of this aspect of the nature of faith and belief…
… the constant refusal of the Pharisees to believe in Jesus
… the adamant denial of the Pharisees to accept Jesus

We are in the eighth chapter of the Gospel of St Mark.

Jesus performed an amazing miracle of the multiplication of the loaves…for about four thousand people (Mk 8:1-9)

From there, Jesus proceeds to the region of Dalmanutha (Mk 8:10)

On reaching this place, the religious leaders namely the Pharisees, came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test Him (Mk 8:11).

But the Lord responded with a “sigh, from the depth of His spirit” (Mk 8:12)

What made Jesus to respond so strongly?

Is Jesus against asking signs?

Is Jesus against lack of faith?
Is Jesus against having doubts?

The answer to all the three questions above is…
… not in the affirmative!

Jesus is NOT necessarily against asking signs…

The Bible is a witness to many people asking for signs from God…

Gideon asked for a sign from God (Judg 6:17)
Moses asked God what sign would prove to Pharaoh that he was sent by God ( Ex 4:1)
Elijah promises what Elisha had asked for, on the condition of a sign (2 Kg 2:10)

Jesus is NOT out rightly against lack of belief or unbelief…

The unbelieving Thomas, was chided, but not condemned by Jesus, after His resurrection (Jn 20:27-28)
The lack of faith of the disciples is saddening for Jesus, but He does not reject them (Mk 4:40)
The father, whose boy was possessed with a demon was blessed with a healing, on his acknowledgment of littleness in faith (Mk 9:24)
The emotionally unsettled and wavering Peter is given another chance to prove his loyalty despite his rejection and denial of faith in Jesus (Jn 21:15-17)

Then what is Jesus against?

Jesus is terribly against those people…
… who reject faith, despite many signs and wonders that are plainly presented
… who demand for greater miracles for merely curiosity and excitement
… who make use of the powers of God for personal satisfaction and gratification
… who remain stone-hearted, unmoved and indifferent despite clear indications and signals from God.

The Pharisees represented this class of people, whom the Lord had a terrible dislike and aversion…
… because of their attitude of indifference
… because of their mentality of coldness
… because of their outlook of rejection

Am I also a person who constantly rejects signs and wonders from the Lord, and fail to grow in faith?

Am I also a person who remains obstinate and indifferent to God’s powers, and fail to be open to God’s movements in my life?

The Lord is constantly speaking to us through various miracles.

The Lord is constantly moving our hearts through many blessings.
Let us be open and docile to Him!

Yes, let us realize, that…
“To those who believe, miracles are an aid…

To those choose not to believe, no miracles can come to aid!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE SACRAMENTS AT THE SERVICE OF COMMUNION

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are sacraments of Christian initiation.
They ground the common vocation of all Christ’s disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world.

They confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit during this life as pilgrims on the march towards the homeland. (CCC #1533)

“Living a Spirit filled life by making a firm and faithful choice for the Lord, and being obedient to His commandments!”

(Based on Sir 15:15-20, 1 Cor 2:6-10 and Mt 5:17-37)

It is said that there are two extremely fatal phrases in the English language.

They are

1. “What is the use?”
2. “Why should I?”

“What is the use?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a purely pragmatic perspective

Such a tendency…
… causes people to lose interest in things and people, if they don’t seem useful and beneficial
… causes people to manipulate people, things and situations in a way that suits their self-interests

“Why should I?” is the fatal tendency…
… that causes people to look at the world from a resigned and indifferent perspective

Such a tendency…
… causes people to rot in lethargy and tepidity and lose the spice of life
… causes people to push the responsibility to other, and themselves slacken in comfort and ease

These two phrases were very much reflected in the “Pharisaic and the Scribal lifestyle” which Jesus, in today’s Gospel invites each us to surpass and overcome.

The “What is the use” lifestyle…
… which made them to only flaunt their external piety and lose sight of the unglamorous aspect of devotion.

The “Why should I” lifestyle…
… which made them to reject any offer calling them to repentance or amend their ways and instead made them to be stuck to their own prejudices and adamant patterns of thought.

Jesus always keeps challenging us!

The Lord loathes laziness and lukewarmness…

He loves to keep raising the standard of our holiness and faith!

This challenge is reflected in today’s Gospel Reading.

Jesus says, ” Unless your righteousness exceeds that of Scribes and Pharisees, you can’t enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 20).

The righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees would consist…
… in a lifestyle which insisted only on the exact following of the ‘letter’ of the Law neglecting its spirit
… in a tendency to neglect the fundamental aspects of the Law and focus only on the peripheries

What could be some of the negative aspects of the Righteousness of Scribes and Pharisees, which Jesus condemns…
… and which perhaps, we need to overcome?

1. They liked to preach…but not practise

We live in a world where there are many people who are good in preaching, writing reflections and advising on spiritual matters.

But very often, a massive chasm appears between their preaching and their way of life.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

2. They liked to do things to “show-off”

A tragedy of religious practices can be, when things are done not to please God, but to win the approval and endorsement of people.

Religious piety and devotions very often become means to have self-gratification of one’s senses, and sadly, even platforms to boast and brag about one’s capacities and capabilities.

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

3. They liked to make the Word of God, user-friendly, at the cost of God’s Will:

One of the trends in the modern world, is to have all products and gadgets “user-friendly”.

Sadly, this trend is also often applied to the Word of God.

The Word of God, its commandments and laws are twisted and condensed and expanded and interpreted and quoted and explained and elucidated – all to suit one’s own comfortable and pleasurable way of life!

The Scribes and Pharisees seemed to be in this category of people.

Am I in any of these category of peoples?

The Lord challenges us today.. to exceed this sort of a righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

We need to be people…
… “who walk the talk!”
… “who practice our Faith to Please God and Him alone
… “who live a Gospel-oriented life”

The Gospel ought to mould and shape us – and not we changing the Word of God to suit and justify our secured and comfortable lives!

Gal 1:10, says,” If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.”

Our modern world strongly advocates the two fatal phrases of…
… “What is the use?” and “Why should I?”

As followers of Christ, it is our duty and task to go beyond such a “Pharisaic and Scribal Lifestyle”…
… and live as Jesus would want us to!

We need to counter these two fatal phrases, with inspirational mottos…

“What is the use?” is to be countered by “All to Thy Glory!”
“Why should I?” is to be countered by “To let Thy Will be done!

Let all our actions and thoughts be directed only to God.

The words of the Book of Sirach are powerfully directed to each one of us: “If you choose, you can keep the commandments…
… and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
He has placed before you, fire and water; stretch out your hand for whatever you choose.

Before each person are life and death and whichever one chooses will be given!” (Sir 15:15-17).

We are invited to share the depths of God’s Wisdom as St Paul says, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, not the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him…
… these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit!” (1 Cor 2:9-10)

Let us make a choice for the Lord and delve into the depths of His Wisdom by living a Spirit filled life….
… and going beyond the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Let our Lives truly be a Good News!

As St Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel always…
… use words, if necessary!“

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK – VIATICUM, THE LAST SACRAMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN

Thus, just as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist form a unity called “the sacraments of Christian initiation,”…

… so too it can be said that Penance, the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life “the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland” or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage. (CCC #1525)

“Daring to move out of the ‘zone of limitation’ and trust in the Lord!”

(Based on Gen 3:9-24 and Mk 8:1-10 – Saturday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Two Christian friends were talking about their life experiences.

One of them said: “It is so very hard to trust God and to realize that His Hand is still leading us in the dark phases of our life!”

“Well”, said the other, “if you cannot trust a person out of sight, then he/she is not worth much!

And if you cannot trust God in the dark, it simply shows…
… you don’t trust Him at all!”

That’s quite a point, isn’t it?

We find our Christian Faith often on an easy course, when things go on well.

But when difficulties come our way, our “trust” level is questioned.

It is in these “questionable moments of trust” that we tend to enter into a “zone of limitation”

The Gospel presents to us the very familiar passage of the multiplication of loaves…
… the multiplication of seven loaves and a few small fish for about four thousand people, as recounted by St Mark.

A great crowd was with the Lord…
… and seeing the massive crowd, the Lord had compassion on them, and asked the disciples to give them something to eat…

“I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way – and some of them have come from a great distance.” (Mk 8:2-3)

These words reveal the tender and compassionate Heart of our Blessed Lord…
… His great care and concern for everyone
… His sensitivity to the needs and hunger of all

It’s this compassionate Heart of the Lord that also challenged the disciples to, in turn, become compassionate to the crowds.

But as is the case often in life… “Challenges are usually met with opposition, resistance… and even grumbling!”

The disciples began to question and put forth their difficulty to the Lord: “How can one feed these people with bread here in the desert?” (Mk 8:4)

“How can we”… is a question that we often ask…
… in times of struggles and strains
… in moments of troubles and toils

It’s here that the Lord teaches us the beautiful and powerful lesson for every Christian: “If you cannot trust a person out of sight, then he/she is not worth much!”

With immense faith and authority… the Lord “ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; and He took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks, He broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute; and they distributed them to the crowd.

They had also a few small fish; and after blessing them, he ordered that these too should be distributed” (Mk 8:6-7)

Jesus is a picture of perfect calm and in total control of the situation!

And this IS Faith!
This IS Trust!

All of us are invited to have this faith and trust… in the Lord!

All of us are invited to have this dependence and reliance… on the Lord!

Jesus – our Compassionate Lord and the Epitome of Faith exhorts and challenges all of us:

Be a compassionate and merciful person, being sensitive to the needs of the other and translating your good thoughts into noble actions
Depend and Trust on the Lord at all times – even when the “bread and the fish” of life seem to be too minimal before the “crowd” of difficulties and challenges!

Yes, we will have moments in our life which makes us to complain:
“It is so very hard to trust God and to realize that His Hand is still leading us in the dark phases of our life!”

But we are reminded by the Gospel of the Day:
“If you cannot trust a person out of sight, then he/she is not worth much!

And if you cannot trust God in the dark, it simply shows…
… you don’t trust Him at all!”

Let us dare to move out of the “zone of limitation” and trust the Lord…
… knowing He is always with us – caring, loving and providing…
… and thus sing with the Psalmist: “O Lord, You have been our refuge, from one generation to the next” (Ps 90:1)

Let us today specially seek the special intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes, who on this day – Feb 11 – 1858, began to appear to St Bernadette, a 14 year old girl.

Let us seek to imitate the Immaculate Life of our Blessed Mother in Her undivided focus in doing the Will of the Lord…
… and reaching out, in total trust, in the service of God’s people.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK – VIATICUM, THE LAST SACRAMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN

In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of “passing over” to the Father, has a particular significance and importance.
It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The sacrament of Christ, once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father. (CCC #1524)

“Building our lives into a beautiful edifice of His Love and Mercy!”

(Based on Gen 3:1-8 and Mk 7:31-37 – Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A group of people were standing outside a very large and ornate Cathedral…
… admiring and marvelling at the fine craftsmanship
…the detail work
… the care and the love that seemed evident in building such a fine place to worship a loving God.

One of the men turned to the other in the group and asked:
“Why can’t we build so today? Why can’t we build with such pride, such craftsmanship today?

After all, we now have better technology than back then!”

The other man gazing at the glorious edifice, replied: “Well…

They had convictions; we, mostly, only opinions!
They had passion; we, mostly, only fashion!”

How is our life of faith?
Enthusiastic… with convictions and passions?
… or monotonous… with only opinions and fashions?

The Gospel of the day presents the fruits of a convinced and passionate follower of Christ…
… with an invitation, to allow the Lord to open our hearts and lives to His Saving Love!

Jesus is back to the district of the Decapolis.

It was in this region that Jesus had healed the man who was possessed by a legion of demons (Mk 5: 1-20)

When Jesus had performed the miracle then, the people had requested Him to leave the place.
“Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their district” (Mk 5:17)

But today’s Gospel gives a contrasting picture of this people who had opposed Jesus.

The Gospel says that the people of this area, were begging Jesus to lay His hands on the deaf and dumb person! (Mk 7:32)

What had caused this dramatic change?

The people who were begging Jesus to leave their place…
… were now begging Jesus to perform a miracle!

Probably, the great witness of the man who was delivered from the legion of demons had caused about this transformation!

We hear at the end of that incident…
… “And as he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged Jesus that he might be with Him.
But He refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.’

And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marvelled!” (Mk 5:18-20)

This man went around to proclaim the Good News that he had experienced and that had healed him!

Yes, when the Good News becomes a personal experience and a transformative healing encounter…
.. one is filled with a “passionate zeal” to reach it to others!

As it is said, “a spark can become a flame; a flame a fire”
… the spark of the experience of the Lord’s Power became a fire in his heart, to bring God’s Healing to many!”

A real experience of the Lord can indeed be a source for many to believe in the Lord!
A true encounter with the Lord can indeed turn one to be a tremendous missionary!

And this missionary endeavor of the man…
… led the people of the area to reach out to Jesus
… resulting in the healing of another man – a deaf and dumb person

Jesus in healing this deaf and dumb person, has a very peculiar style of going about.

Jesus takes the person away from the crowd, put His fingers into the man’s ears, spitting, touched his tongue, lifted up His eyes to heaven, groaned and said “Ephphatha, Be Opened!” (Mk 7:33-34)

There is a very personal and intimate touch in this healing process!

It is interesting to note that in the book of Genesis, when God formed human beings, there was a very personal involvement from the part of God to create humans – the crown of creation.
“God formed man, out of the clay and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being.” (Gen 2:7)

Jesus also does something similar in the healing of the deaf and dumb person….

He very personally involves Himself.
He uses His own touch to heal and recreate the person!

Jesus is the Lord of the New Creation!

God created the world good.

Human beings spoiled it through sin.
But Jesus restores and renews the goodness!

Our ears maybe closed very often to the voice of the Spirit of the Lord
Our mouth maybe often mute to speak the power of the Lord to others.
Our ears maybe closed very often to the cries of the poor and the needy,
Our mouth maybe often mute to speak for justice for the cause of others.

But the Lord is ready to touch us… and renew and recreate us.

Are we ready to receive this renewing and recreating touch from the Lord?
“Ephphatha… Be Opened!”

This “Ephphatha experience” ought to help us to also reach out His care, mercy and love to many people!

The Lord wishes that we build our lives into a beautiful edifice of His Love and Mercy

But this requires us to move from opinions to convictions in faith!
It requires us to journey from mere fashions to passions in life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK – A preparation for the final journey.

If the sacrament of anointing of the sick is given to all who suffer from serious illness and infirmity, even more rightly is it given to those at the point of departing this life; so it is also called sacramentum exeuntium (the sacrament of those departing).
The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it.
It completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life…
… that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us
… and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for the combat of this life.

This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father’s house. (CCC #1523)

“Overlooking all setbacks and defying the odds with deep convictions and trust!”

(Based on Gn 2:18-25 and Mk 7:24-30 – Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Many of us have grown up with an extra kid in the house!
We didn’t know it…
… but he was there at certain times!

His name was “Not Me.”

He always appeared when something wrong or bad happened.

Like when your mom asked:
“Who has messed up the front room and made this floor dirty?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has applied mud on the walls of the house?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has kept the tap water on and caused the water-tank to be almost emptied?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

“Who has broken the glass windows of our neighbours?”
(This unseen kid would answer, “NOT ME!”)

This “unseen kid” often continues to accompany us…
… and shouts loud, when things don’t go well in life!

Our problems, often, find a scapegoat in this excuse called: “blaming”
Our defeats, often, find a cause in this contagion named: “blaming”

But the Gospel of the day presents an amazing personality who silences this “unseen kid of blaming” and wins for herself the favour of the Lord.

The Gospel passage is the incident of Jesus’ encounter with a Gentile woman who comes seeking for a cure for her daughter, from a demon.
“…a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about Jesus. She came and fell at His feet” (Mk 7:25)

This person who came to Jesus went through a string of ignominies and exploitations…

1. She had to face humiliations because she was a woman…
   The Jewish society accorded a lowly and highly subjugated status to women
2. She had to face disgraces because she was a Greek…
   The Greeks, who were considered pagans by the Jews, were treated with inferiority.
3. She had to face dishonour because she was a Syrophoenician…
   A Syrophoenician denoted a mixed race – half Syrians and half Phoenician; thus denoting also a crisis in cultural and linguistic identity.
4. She had to face scandal because she had to approach Jesus who was a pure Jew…
   Greeks and especially Greek woman had no interaction at all with Jewish men
5. She had to face crisis because her child was possessed with an unclean spirit…
   A demon-possession in her beloved daughter would have chased away all her peace of mind.
6. She had to face challenge to her faith when the Lord addressed to her in an apparently disrespectful manner…
   Being called as a “dog” would have put off the mind of a weak and frail person

Well… this Syrophoenician Greek woman, had many things to complain in life…

She had a number of reasons to “blame” and get defeated in life…

She could have just “blamed” the society for their inhuman attitudes…
She could have just “blamed” the citizens for their class divisions…
She could have just “blamed” the civilization for their cruel outlooks…
She could have just “blamed” her stars and fate for what happened to her daughter…
She could have just “blamed” Jesus for His challenging and apparently resistant answer…
She could have just kept “blaming” anybody and anything….and get bogged down totally!

But this woman decides to silence this “unseen kid of blaming”

She decides to close her eyes to all humiliations and yet stand strong with a bold face!
She decides to overlook all setbacks and defy the odds with her deep convictions and trust!
As a result, the Lord rewards her immensely and her daughter was delivered of the demon!

Are we people who get easily afflicted by the contagion of “blaming?”
Are we people who are easily paralysed by the virus of “blaming?”

The Syrophoenician woman…
… by her tremendous faith and bold trust is a challenge to us.
… by her amazing determination and resolve is an inspiration for us.

Our society, our families, our own individual selves are often under the grip and possession of this contagion of “blaming”.

Let us approach the Lord for a deliverance…
Let us approach the Lord for a liberation…

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK – THE EFFECTS OF THE CELEBRATION OF THIS SACRAMENT

The sick who receive this sacrament, “by freely uniting themselves to the passion and death of Christ,” “contribute to the good of the People of God.”
By celebrating this sacrament the Church, in the communion of saints, intercedes for the benefit of the sick person, and he, for his part, though the grace of this sacrament…

… contributes to the sanctification of the Church and to the good of all men for whom the Church suffers and offers herself through Christ to God the Father. (CCC #1522)

“Having joyful countenances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!”

(Based on Gn 1:20—2:4a and Mk 7:1-13 – Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

An elderly lady was known to always have a very pleasant countenance.

Anyone, who came in contact with her, would experience a sense of positivity.
They had never heard her criticizing or finding faults with people.

She was once asked by some of her neighbouring children on the secret of her joy.
She replied:
“I have always believed in avoiding to talk negative about people.
We need to be always good with the good.

But let us never be bad with the bad…
Because…
… we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

As human beings, we are constantly in the mode of “judging”

Judging in the sense of “choosing” or “making a selection” or “taking a decision”

But the Lord clearly warns us to be wary and careful in this act of “judging and criticising”

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus “focussing” His view on this very critical and crucial topic: of judging others and of pinpointing mistakes of others, without considering one’s own negative dimensions.

The Gospel reading describes a group of Pharisees who criticize the disciples of Jesus for not following the “external traditions” and rituals.

They pinpointed the mistakes of the disciples…
… and exalted themselves

Jesus however reminds the Pharisees on an important aspect: Before judging and criticizing others…
… one ought to first examine one’s own behaviour and actions

Jesus reminded them that “true devotion consists not of mere external purity and rituals…
… rather is a way of life, with consistent and committed focus on the Spirit of laws, rules and regulations.

With this fundamental principle in mind, Jesus teaches us to avoid the tendency to “rashly judge and criticize others”

The Lord reminds us that our judging…
… should not be rash
… should not a final opinion on a person or situation
… should not be a means to putting down other persons
… should not be an unfair ruling on someone’s external behaviours

Maybe a simple list could help us check our areas of “judging”

Do I…
… enlarge the negatives of others – their faults, mistakes and petty ways?
… come to hasty and negative conclusions of situations or persons?
… get involved unnecessarily in situations where I should not?
… gossip critical stories and uncharitable tales regarding others?
… have a strong prejudice to find others guilty?
… be overly harsh and even ruthless, even when speaking the truth?
… add “spicy” remarks and “sensational” jingles when telling a real-story or event?
… do away with an unkind comment by simply saying, “I was just kidding!”
… speak something critical and then try to cover it up?
… be unkind and hurtful and then quickly change the subject, to impress the hurtful feeling?
… have pleasure in condemning others?
… recount the truth in order to hurt and not to help?
… put down others with an intention to let ourselves be seen better?

The Lord strongly warns to keep away from all these and many more acts of such “judgement”.

It is also good to consider judging from another perspective:

When somebody does an act, which we consider that it can be “judged”, there are two areas which we may not really know…

1. How hard the person has tried “not to do” that particular action – whether it is a sin, or a mistake or a failure or a blunder etc…

2. How strong were the external forces or the circumstances that “made the person to do” that particular action…

The Lord is serious on making us walk the “path of perfection”

Making efforts to become “less judgmental” is an essential part of this process.

Many of us may have perhaps have a tendency to find the faults and failures of others.

Let us make a conscious and consistent effort to avoid negative talk about people.

Let us realise that “we need to be always good with the good.
But let us never be bad with the bad…
Because, we can shape a diamond with diamond

But we can’t wash mud with mud…!”

Concentrating more on the “positives”, the “brighter” and the “affirmative” areas of people and situations…
… let us, always have joyful countenances, radiating the Love and Mercy of Christ!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK – HOW IS THIS SACRAMENT CELEBRATED?

Word and Sacrament form an indivisible whole.
The Liturgy of the Word, preceded by an act of repentance, opens the celebration.

The words of Christ, the witness of the apostles, awaken the faith of the sick person and of the community to ask the Lord for the strength of his Spirit. (CCC #1518)