(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 15: GOD WORKS IN OUR HISTORY!

BIBLE VERSE
(Mt 1:16) “Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, Who is called the Messiah!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
The Gospel of St Mathew begins with the Genealogy of Christ…
… which narrates the Awesome Hand of God scripting a beautiful line of history for the Son of God. … which climaxes by mentioning about Jesus Christ and His Real Historical Presence in our world

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

The fantastic chronicle of the Genealogy is a reminder that God “is always with us” and will work out everything in life – everything – for the good. We need to trust Him, and offer ourselves totally to His Will
Jesus knows everything that we undergo in life – our pains, hurts, anxieties, and uncertainties – because He has lived like us

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Thank the Lord for our families and our ancestors; offer them – just as they are – to the Mercy of God
2. Offer anything that is disturbing you at this moment, and surrender with trust to the Lord

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of my family and all my ancestors; may Your Mercy cleanse all of us, and help me to trust in you, even in my moments of pains and hardships, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, the Word, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Fearlessly holding on to the Lord and His ways and thus living as joyful witnesses!”

(Based on Isa 54:1-10 and Lk 7:24-30 – Thursday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

A preacher was invited for a missions preaching, in a particular kingdom.

The King of this land was known to be an extremely notorious and corrupt ruler.

So, naturally it was a great challenge to preach the Word of God.

As the preacher stood up to break the Word of God, he heard a voice within him:
“O preacher, be wary of what you speak, the King of the Land is here.”
This filled him with fear!

But as his lips trembled to speak, he heard another voice:
“O preacher, do not be wary! The King of kings is with you!”

The assurance that God, the King of kings was with him, made him powerful and bold to preach the Word…
… without any fear or worry.

Do we stand firm in our Christian faith, knowing that the Lord is always with us…
… or do we wilt under pressure, and compromise for the ways of the world?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus exemplifying the character of John the Baptist.

Jesus says, “What did you go out in the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?” (Lk 7:25).

Jesus puts forth before the people a rhetorical question.

This is not a question to elicit a direct answer.

Instead is meant…
… to be reflective
… to be causing to generate greater thinking
… to be tuned to enter into a ruminative mode.

By this clever technique, Jesus draws the attention of the people to a deeper respect of the personality of John the Baptist.

One element that Jesus highlights in John the Baptist is his firmness in proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Donning an ascetic attire, John the Baptist perfectly carried out the task entrusted to Him – of being the forerunner of Christ.

He would…
… Be bold to invite the people to repent of their sinful ways
… Be firm in pointing the corrupt practices of even the authorities
… Be unassuming in lowering himself and leading the people to the Lamb of God
… Be uncompromising in countering the evil King Herod, even to the point of losing his head!

What is our conviction in being a witness of Christ?

The challenges to live as a Christian is undoubtedly difficult in today’s secularized, materialistic and individualistic world.

Many times, we are tempted to dilute our Christian Faith…
… and just go along with the ways of the world – which seem to be much easier and comfortable.

But this is where the Lord presents to us to example of John the Baptist…
… and be “a reed that is not shaken by the wind.”

Sure…
… we will have our fears to stand against the principles of the world
… we will have our apprehensions in holding on to the virtues of the Gospel

But Jesus, the King of kings, whispers in the depths of our beings:
“O Christian, Be not wary! The King of kings is with you!”

Let us fearlessly hold on to the Lord and His ways and thus live as joyful witnesses.

God bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT OF RECONCILLIATION

Forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God, but also with the Church.
Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus rightfully been considered to be the one who principally has the power and ministry of reconciliation: he is the moderator of the penitential discipline.

Priests, his collaborators, exercise it to the extent that they have received the commission either from their bishop (or religious superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the Church. (CCC # 1462)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 14: DEPENDING ON THE DIVINE POWER AND OFFERING EVERY LITTLE ACT TO HIS GRACE!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:52) “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Mother Mary exults in the Holy Spirit and acknowledges the powerful and mighty Power of God…
… Who dethrones human pride and invites all to a life a dependence on Divine Power
… Who raises every simple and little effort in life, and blesses with His Grace and Mercy

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Recognise that everything in life is a Gift of God, and we need to totally depend on the Lord!
Realise the power of little things and allow God’s Grace to strengthen every tiny effort, remembering that “little is much when God is in it!”

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS

1. Give thanks to the Lord for 5 things that you did/experienced today
2. Do one act of charity – even if its very small – by invoking the Presence and Power of God

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, as I thank you for all your Graces in my life, inviting me totally depend on You, I offer all the things that I do – small or big – to you, and seek Your Gracious Blessings, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, the Word, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Experiencing life as a beautiful miracle by tuning our hearts to God’s Will, altering our minds to His Thoughts and regulating our lives to His Commands!”

(Based on Isa 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25 and Lk 7:18b-23 – Wednesday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

There is an interesting cartoon that appeared in the newspapers…

This cartoon shows a fourth-class boy, looking intently to his class teacher.

Behind them, stares a blackboard – covered with mathematics problems, which the boy has not finished.
(The teacher is apparently very upset that the boy has not completed solving the problems)

With a rare insight, the boys says: “Well, I’m not an underachiever.

You are an over-expecter!”

The cartoon throws light on an interesting human dimension: many times, we have high levels of expectations but what we achieve in life often falls short of our expectation.

We expect many things from our relationships…
… but when what we actually achieve becomes low, we get disappointed.

We expect life to bless us with many good things…
… but when what we actually achieve is less, we feel sad.

The Gospel of the Day presents this dimension that was experienced by Jesus – being considered an under-achiever, since He did not fulfil the “required and likely expectations”

The Gospel begins with the verse, “And John (the Baptist), calling to him two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord saying, ‘ Are you He Who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Lk 7:19)

John the Baptist had come preaching with much zeal and fervour.

There was fire in him…
There was blaze in his spirit…

His words testify to this aspect:
“Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit, will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3:10)
“You brood of vipers! Who asked you to flee from the coming wrath?” (Lk 3:7)

He had received a mandate to “be the voice of the one crying in the wilderness” (Jn 1: 23)…
… to prepare the way for the Messiah, by making the paths straight
… to prepare the people with the strong message of repentance and warning of the judgment to come

He expected Jesus – the Messiah…
… to set afire the world with the might of judgement
… to come with fury and force and establish the Kingdom of God (Mt 3: 12)

But as the ministry of Jesus progressed…
… John’s expectations were not being fulfilled, in the way he thought.

Jesus epitomized love…
… though judgement was surely warned, with respect to sin

Jesus embodied compassion…
… though fury was seen with respect to obstinacy in sin

The style of the ministry of Jesus was contrary to what John expected!

And so, word was sent to ask Jesus, “Are you the One Who is to come, or should we look for another?” (Lk7: 20)

Many times, in our lives, we too experience such unfulfilled expectations.

This is true not only in our relationships with one another or with the blessings of life, but even with God!

We have sometimes a set pattern of the way God should work…
We have sometimes a rigid understanding of the Providence of God…

A sickness or an illness strikes our family…
A disaster or a calamity hits our life…
A painful tragedy or an unexpected mishap happens…
A prayer remains unanswered for ages or a sin remains stuck for years…
And…
… we begin to lose hope
… we have our minds filled with doubts
… we begin to question the Power of God

As humans, all these things are understandable and even quite natural.

But the call of the Gospel is to “open our eyes and see the wonders that the Lord does, every moment of our lives”
“… the blindness of our sin being restored, with the sight of forgiveness
…. the lame excuses of our laziness being challenged, to walk with enthusiasm
… the leprosy of our indifference being touched, to allow us to extend generosity
… the deafness of our insensitivity being opened, to hear the cries of the needy
… the dead hopes of our lives being given a fresh lease of life to spur us towards eternity
… the poverty of our hearts being filled with the richness of God’s glorious blessings and grace”
(Cf Lk 7:22)

Yes…
When we open our eyes, with the power of the Holy Spirit, we realise the wonders that God keeps doing in our lives…
… Every moment… at every step of our life!

Prophet Isaiah very powerfully reminds us:
“For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is God!)…
… Who formed the earth and made it (He established it; He did not create it a chaos, He formed it to be inhabited!).

I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (Is 45:18)

Perhaps, sometimes we are “over-expecters”

Expecting God to work
… in the way we want
… in the time that we want

But the Lord looks at us and is perhaps telling us:
“I am no under-achiever!

Tune your hearts to My Will…
Alter your minds to My Thoughts…
Regulate your lives to My Commands…
… and you will see…
Life is a beautiful miracle… at all times… at all moments!”

Let us seek the intercession of St John of the Cross, whose feast we celebrate today.

He is the great Saint of Mystical Theology and the author of the classics, “Ascent of Mount Carmel” and “Dark night of the soul”

To his words, let us give heed:
“A soul enkindled with love is a gentle, meek, humble, and patient soul
“We must dig deeply in Christ.

He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures: however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit.
Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT OF RECONCILLIATION

Since Christ entrusted to his apostles the ministry of reconciliation, Bishops who are their successors, and priests, the bishops’ collaborators, continue to exercise this ministry.

Indeed bishops and priests, by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (CCC # 1461)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 13: HUMBLING ONESELF, TO HAVE GOD, AS THE GREATEST STRENGTH OF LIFE!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:51) “He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, Mamma Mary proclaims the Magnificat and reminds every human person…
… to make God as the Sole and Solid Strength of life
… to humble oneself before the Awesome Authority of God

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Rely totally on God as the Strength of life, Who can lift us from any situation of misery, pain and humiliation!
Have the courage to humble oneself totally before the Grace of God, as we are reminded, “the rivers of Grace flow, not on the mountains of pride, but through the valley of humility!”

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Earnestly pray this verse: “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!” (Phil 4:13)
2. Identify an area/situation wherein I need to humble myself; practise it consciously today!

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, give me the Grace to bank on You as the Greatest Strength of my life, and help me to walk in Your Path in humility and dependence, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, the Word, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Amending our lives in a way that we not only preach, but much more, practise in life!”

(Based on Zep 3:1-2, 9-13 and Mt 21:28-32 – Tuesday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

In a certain village, a parishioner – a Catholic for many years – was having a conversation with his parish priest.

He said: “Father, if I had fifty acres of land, I would have gladly donated half of it – twenty-five acres – to the Lord and His church”

The priest replied: “Ah! That’s so nice and generous of you. And what if you had only 20 acres?”

The man replied: “Oh! Yes, I would have given 10 of it!”

“And”, continued the priest, “what if you had only 10 acres?” Will you spare five for the Lord?”

“Sure, I would”, said the man.

Finally, the priest said, “And what if you had only two acres? Would you give one to the Lord?”

“Oh!”, snapped the man, “Now don’t ask me that!

You know, that I have only two acres!”

Well…
… that’s how it is often in our lives as well, isn’t it?

We promise many big things to the Lord…
… but when it comes to “actually doing something for the Lord”, we tend to back out!

Are we just preachers?
… or can we also be people who practise?

Life judges us, on the basis of how well does our preaching and practising co-ordinate & complement each other.

Life presents different moments when there seems to be a dichotomy between one’s words and deeds…
Life challenges us to bridge the gap between the two essentials of life – one’s talking and one’s walking the talk!

The Gospel of the Day presents to us an interesting parable of two Sons who are asked to work by their Father.

One SAYS YES…but DOES NOT! The other SAYS NO…BUT DOES!

One preaches… but does not practise!
The other does not preach… but practises!

One consents initially… but refuses finally!

The other refuses initially… but consents finally!

How often does this situation arise in our own lives and situations too…

We pledge ourselves at trendy events, for the cause of the poor…
… but we fail to help

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but become forerunners for the cause of the poor!

We make a big show and be popular as a helpful person…
… but we fail in some genuine needs

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are present with their full force to render help!

We make many resolutions on new year days or birthdays…
… but fail to materialize them

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but are able to make many amendments and changes!

We make many promises to the Lord during feast days or novena times…
… but fail to live up

Many others remain quite unnoticed…
… but render much love to the Lord through the year!

We all experience this “I will do”…
… but “I did not do” experiences in life.

On the personal Faith Level, this trend is seen more distinctly and vividly…

People claim themselves to be Catholics…
… but appear in church only on grand feast days!

People appreciate the Catholic teaching…
… but support moral laws and practise morality which go directly against!

People assert having dedicated their lives to God…
… but fail to find time for God and prayer!

People declare loving God above all…
… but fail to reject pleasures which hurts and pains Him!

People profess and make vows to God…
… but neglect to even try to keep up those promises!

Like the second son, who said Yes…
… very often, we too become people who nod our heads in consent for anything and everything…
… but fail to live up to that YES!

The Lord says in Mt 7:21, “Not all who say Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he does the Will of My Father”

Therefore, the proposition is clear:

It is not pompous words that will grant life, but carrying out the Will of the Father!
It is not fancy talk that will confer true happiness, but practising the Will of the Father!
It is not flowery language that will accord blessings, but fulfilling the Will of the Father!

It is not only good news “proclaimed” but good news “practised“…
… that will win others to the glorious freedom of forgiveness of sins!

Yes, let us examine…
… and if needed, amend our lives:

Are we the one who only preaches?
…or can we also be the one who practises?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT – Satisfaction

The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ.
We who can do nothing ourselves, as if just by ourselves, can do all things with the cooperation of “him who strengthens” us. >> Thus man has nothing of which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ . . . in whom we make satisfaction by bringing forth “fruits that befit repentance.”

These fruits have their efficacy from him, by him they are offered to the Father, and through him they are accepted by the Father. (CCC #1460)

“Rooting out all pessimistic mind-sets, and focussing instead on growth in holiness and humility!”

(Based on Num 24:2-7, 15-17 and Mt 21:23-27 – Monday of the 3rd Week in Advent)

Once, a preacher was speaking the Word of God to a great crowd.

As was his practice, he was concentrating more on the content of his message and of its effect upon the hearts of people, for transformation…
… rather than the precise literary form of it.

Among his audience, was seated a certain fussy gentleman.

He had been known for making extremely critical remarks and comments.

At the end of the prayer service, this person went up to the preacher and said:
“By the way, I noticed that you made eleven mistakes of grammar in your sermon.”

“Very likely,” replied the preacher, very coolly, “I don’t doubt it for a minute.
My early education was faulty. I often wished that I had received more schooling.

But I am using all the grammar I know in the service of Christ.

How is it with you?”

Well, we don’t know how the fussy gentleman reacted to this bold and true reply of the preacher.
(Hopefully, he went home and read a chapter of the Bible and prayed for a humbler heart…
… rather than just revising his skills of grammar!)

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

The Gospel of the Day presents such a critically harsh and uncharitably closed attitude of the chief priests and scribes and elders towards the person and ministry of Jesus.

This is expressed in their volatile question to Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things and who gave you this authority?” (Mt 21: 23)

The context of today’s Gospel is the presence of Jesus in the city of Jerusalem.

Chapter 21 of St Mathew’s Gospel has a progressive sequence…

The entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21: 1-11)
The ‘re-storation’ in the Temple at Jerusalem and indignant behaviour of authorities(Mt 21:12-16)
The entry to Bethany and cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21: 17-22)
The ‘re-entry’ to the Temple at Jerusalem and questioning of Jesus by the authorities (Mt 21: 23-27)

The popularity of Jesus was on the rise…
… He had a rousing welcome to the city of Jerusalem

The impact of Jesus was also on the rise…
… He had performed a daring cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple

These factors had greatly disturbed the religious leaders.

In Jesus, they perceived a threat.
… a threat to their attitude of subjugating people to their yoke than to service of God

In Jesus, they sensed a danger.
… a danger to their personal wishes and agenda of having a monopoly over religion

In Jesus, they identified a menace.
… a menace to their comfort-rendering style of spirituality and way of life.

And so, they – the chief priests and scribes and the elders – sought to put Jesus to the task and questioned His authority on doing such deeds and performing such actions.

Their eyes were closed to see the goodness of the Lord

Their hearts had become clogged to examine their own maligned conscience
Their lives were rendered blocked to be willing to make necessary changes for the good.

Instead…
… they only found fault with the Lord
… they only become critical of the ways of the Lord

When the heart is closed to God’s spirit, the focus dwells only external and peripheral factors…

The heart gets closed to spiritual appreciation…
The mind remains curious only for rhetorical arguments!

Is such an attitude prevalent among us also?

A mentality of harshly criticising…
A tendency to inhumanly condemn…
… without any consideration to humanness or acceptance or self-examination etc.

Let us root out all such pessimistic mind-sets and focus instead on growth in holiness and humility!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT – Satisfaction

The penance the confessor imposes must take into account the penitent’s personal situation and must seek his spiritual good.
It must correspond as far as possible with the gravity and nature of the sins committed.

It can consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear. Such penances help configure us to Christ, who alone expiated our sins once for all. They allow us to become co-heirs with the risen Christ, “provided we suffer with him.” (CCC #1459)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 11: GIVING GOD’S PRESENCE TO OTHERS!

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:41) “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth [was] filled with the Holy Spirit…”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Carrying the Fullness of Grace in Her Womb, Mother Mary reaches out in humble service to Elizabeth, who, on hearing the voice of her Blessed Cousin…
… is filled with the Joyful Presence of the Holy Spirit
… and experiences her child – John, who is to be the Baptist – leaping for delight, just as the Ark of the Covenant made King David to leap for joy (Cf. 2 Sam 6:14-22)

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Be an instrument of the Holy Spirit, so that your presence brings joy and hope to the people around you
Mother Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant – having Jesus the Word, Jesus the Manna (Bread) and Jesus, the Priest in her womb

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Pray daily to the Holy Spirit, and say: “Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your love and joy!”
2. Learn by heart, any 3 verses of the Bible

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, fill my heart with the joy of Your Holy Spirit, and may I radiate joy and hope to everyone in my life, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, the Word, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Tapping the ‘river of graces’ in this Season of Advent, and preparing our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the ‘major blessings’ of Christmas!”

(Based on Is 35:1-6a, 10, Jas 5:7-10 and Mt 11:2-11 – 3rd Sunday in Advent, Cycle A)

In a particular village, a river was going to be used to generate electricity and to supply water for the people and their crops.

But near the source of the river, was a place called “Valley of the Blind.”
People who lived around this valley had trouble with their eyes – most of them were either blind or had some eye defect.

This trouble was caused by a particular species of flies, which lived in the shrubs along the river source.
… When a fly bit someone, it would inject a certain parasite into the blood, which would render the eyesight of the person to be severely affected.

On hearing that the people of the village had decided to tap the river for several uses, including electricity and supply of water, an elderly village man – who had lived his entire life in this village…
… called together the concerned authorities and developers.

He told them: “I am happy to hear that you are wanting to make progress, by using the river effectively.

But my children, remember…
… before you undertake any works of development, please make sure that you do something to get rid of the fly in the ‘Valley of the Blind!’

If not, your minor oversight may cause a major disaster!”

The wisdom of the old man reminded the people: Minor oversights can cause major disasters!

The Gospel of the Day is a bold reminder to make a thorough examination of our conscience…
… and check, if I am allowing “minor oversights” to cause “major disasters” in my lives!

We are on the third Sunday of the Season of Advent.

This is called the “Gaudete Sunday” – the Sunday of Joy
(‘Gaudete’ in Latin is joy!)

We are nearly halfway through the season in preparation for Christ. Sometimes, like runners, in a marathon…
… we may feel fatigued and drained
… or we may think, when are we going to reach the destination

And so we may get lethargic… listless… or feel exhausted.

But the Church – our caring Mother – knows Her children, and tells: “Just a few more days… and it will be Christmas!

Do not give up hope.
Instead, continue to prepare – with joy and expectancy”

Thus, on this Third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday.

The Gospel reading on this Gaudete Sunday begins with John the Baptist – who is in prison –
… sending his disciples to Jesus and asking: “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Mt 11:3)

Last Sunday, we saw John the Baptist, “in a preaching mode” – in the wilderness (Cf. Mt 3:1-12)

Today, he is in the “prison zone” – in captivity!

Here is an important lesson that John the Baptist teaches us:
… There will be times when you are in the limelight – preaching powerfully and being acknowledged with great power and might
… But there would also come times when you are banished to isolation – with only the four walls of loneliness for company!

In all such moments – in the ‘glory of the wilderness’ and the ‘isolation of the prison’…
… Can we still remain faithful and loyal to God’s Will?
… Can we still realise that God is pleased with my fidelity more than my performances?
… Can we still be zealous for the ways of God, knowing that He will turn everything for our good?

At the same time, the Gospel reading (Mt 11:2-11) powerfully reminds us: Do we have an “oversight – missing the point” of the ways of God, and do we thus remain stuck in our own attitudes and thought patterns?

Speaking of Himself, Jesus says: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their
sight, and the lame walk… “(Cf. Mt 11:4-5)
Speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus says: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed
shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? “(Cf. Mt 11:7-10)

Here were two cases of “oversights – missing the point”

1. John the Baptist had the understanding…
   … that Jesus would be coming with fiery judgements and would be the Messiah Who would deal with the people, with blazing power and scorching verdicts

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as Jesus showed Himself as the Messiah Who would heal, teach and bring the Mercy of God!

2. The people had the understanding…
   … that John the Baptist would be finely dressed and a people- friendly prophet – one who would be willing to “adjust” the norms of God to their lifestyle

But this turned out to be an “oversight – missing the point” as John the Baptist turned out to be a prophet “who disturbed the comfortable and comforted the disturbed.”

In both cases, there was an “oversight – missing the point”…
Jesus was unwilling to let John the Baptist and the people remain under the cloud of these “oversights”…

And so He presents the facts before them…
… to avoid any future “major disasters!”

The same examination is put forth before us, by the Lord: to check minor oversights. Do we allow…
… “minor sins” – in the form of evil tendencies – to grow in us?
… “minor negligence” to develop into habitual practices?
… “minor indifferences” to take root in our relationships?

This Gaudete Sunday is an invitation to help us experience the joy of the Lord, by making us realise…

If these “minor oversights” are not corrected…
… then they would soon turn into “major disasters!”
And we would get afflicted by the “Valley of the Blind!”

Let us give heed to the strong reminder given by the Gospel, and amend our “minor oversights”…
… so that we can tap the “river of graces” in this Season of Advent, and prepare our hearts – meaningfully – to celebrate the “major blessings” of Christmas!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE ACTS OF THE PENITENT – Satisfaction

Many sins wrong our neighbour.
One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries).
Simple justice requires as much.
But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbour.
Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused.
Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must “make satisfaction for” or “expiate” his sins.

This satisfaction is also called “penance.” (CCC #1459)

(A journey through Verses from the Bible – with practical applications – to Love Jesus & Live Jesus!)

DAY 10: SEEKING GOD’S WILL ALWAYS & LIVING IN HUMILITY

BIBLE VERSE
(Lk 1:38) “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to Your Word!”

CONTEXT OF THE BIBLE VERSE
Receiving the Word of God, Mamma Mary bows Her head in humble submission to the Will of God, as She teaches all humanity…
… to give highest priority in doing the Will of God
… to clothe oneself with the virtue of humility to allow God to work wonders in life

WHAT IS CHRIST SPEAKING TO ME, THROUGH THIS BIBLE VERSE?

Seek the Will of God in everything that you do in life
Be daring to practise the virtue of humility, as St Augustine reminds us: “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE CHRIST, THIS CHRISTMAS?

1. Before entering into any venture/work, make it a habit to ask: “What is God’s Will for me?”
2. Practise 3 simple acts of humility today

LET’S PRAY
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of Mamma Mary, who is an example to always seek Your Will in our lives, and is an inspiration to live in humility, Amen!

Let us celebrate Christ, this Christmas, and live like Him!

God Bless! Live Jesus!