“Excuses are the nails that are used to build the house of failure”

(Based on Rom 12:5-16ab and Lk 14:15-24 – Tuesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

We often, run our lives, basing ourselves on many excuses and justifications…

Politicians sometimes make excuses for failure to undertake developmental works blaming their opposition parties.
Citizens sometimes make excuses for their inability towards nation-building by purely blaming the corruption among politicians.
Motorists or car-drivers sometimes make some excuses and jump signals and violate traffic rules.
Students sometimes make excuses for their poor performance by blaming the education system.
Teachers sometimes make excuses for their loopholes in work by blaming the students and parents for non co-operation.

Are we becoming a Generation of Excuse-givers?

The Gospel of the Day brings our attention to this grave and urgent issue that we need to tackle: The Issue of making Excuses for Escapism.

We have the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast in today’s Gospel.

“A man once gave a great feast and invited many guests” (Lk 14:16)

Here was a big and great feast being organized and invitations were sent out to many guests.

This was no simple feast.
This was no ordinary event.

It’s similar to someone today, being invited to a lavish and a grand party by the President of the Nation or some highly dignified person.

It was kind of a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.

The people waited with eagerness to get such a chance.

In those days, it was the custom to send two invitations.

The first invitation was to tell everyone that the event was being planned.

Those were the days when time was a lavish commodity.

Clocks were scarce and time management techniques were still unheard of.

The actual day and the actual time of the event were left open.

It would depend a lot on the preparation time for the killing of animals, their cleaning and cooking…
… getting all the vegetables and everything needed to get the meal ready.

And so there was a need for a second invitation…

The second invitation was to tell everyone that everything was ready and about to begin.

This second reminder was for to those who had been given the first invitation and had indicated that they would attend.

But the Gospel says, that when the second invitation was sent to the pre-invited guests, they began to make excuses!

Making excuses is nothing new!

It has existed right from the first days…

Adam and Eve made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of disobedience.
Cain made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of killing his brother Abel.
Moses gave excuses before God in trying to escape from the task being entrusted to him.
Jeremiah gave excuses before God that he was only a small boy to take up the responsibility

Those who were able to overcome the excuses, found true meaning and joy.

But those who got stuck with their excuses, lost out on discovering greatness!

The guests who had been invited for the grand feast, gave excuses….

One said, “I have purchased a field and must go and examine it”
Another said, “I have purchased five oxen and am on my way to evaluate them”
Another said, “I have just married a woman, and I cannot come”

Here was an invitation so grand.

Here was a generosity so lavish.
Here was a preparation so extensive.
But unfortunately, it was responded with excuses which were baseless!

We might sometimes laugh at those excuses made by the people.

But perhaps, we are also no different…
… or if not, worse.

We are in a trend of being a Generation of Excuse-givers….

We make excuses of physical tiredness, to avoid saying our personal prayers, our family prayers and being faithful to our spiritual activities.

We make excuses of saying that “it’s impossible to live an honest life” and give into many corrupt malpractices, which go against the Gospel values.

We make excuses of being too busy to find time to participate in the Holy Eucharist with greater devotion and preparedness.

We make excuses to reach out to the needy ones in their necessities by citing our own hardships to get out of our comfort areas.

We have a strong exhortation from the Lord today, to get rid of our “Excuse-giving Tendency”.

It’s easy to escape from responsibilities by giving excuses.

But by doing so, we end up missing out on many graces from God…
… causing much pain to God who expects much from us…
… and also disturb the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

We have a duty to overcome this tendency of making “excuses for escapism,”

The Lord gives us many opportunities to grow in holiness and grace.

Let us not make baseless excuses and throw them away.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. >> It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. (CCC # 1809)

“Celebrating generosity and living the Christian Life joyfully!”

(Based on Rom 11:29-36 and Lk 14:12-14 – Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

“O Master, grant that I may never seek!
So much to be consoled, as to console,
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love with all my soul…”

This chorus from the Hymn of Peace, “Make me a channel” is known to most of us.

However, in our daily life, the chorus we sing is perhaps quite the opposite…

“O Master, help that I may always seek for more…

So much to be comforted, but not to comfort others…
To make sure that I am well understood, even if I misunderstand others…
To receive an abundance of love, even if others are ignored in the process!”

Very much, true isn’t it?

We love to give…
… but expect to be returned back in equal or more terms.

We love to donate…
… but expect to be acknowledged & given due consideration.

We love to offer…
… but expect to get back something more in return.

The Gospel of the Day is a call from Jesus to examine our attitude towards others.

Jesus’ says in Luke 14:12, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours.

For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid”

Our Blessed Lord encourages us to practice authentic, selfless giving.

This calls for a shift in our perspective, enabling us to give without expecting something in return.

How can we practically cultivate this mindset in our interactions with others?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) reminds us that “charity should guide our response to requests for alms.”

This means that when we encounter opportunities to give…
… we should do so with love and compassion. >> How can we ensure our acts of charity are driven by a genuine desire to help, without any hidden expectations or agenda?

Jesus continues in Luke 14:13, urging us to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

St. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, emphasized that our possessions are meant to be shared with the poor.

In our practical lives, how can we extend a helping hand to those in need…
… realising that our resources can make a significant difference in their lives?

This practical application means extending a hand…
… to those who may never have the means to repay us.

By embracing this approach, we not only impact the lives of those we help…
… but also enrich our own lives with a profound sense of purpose and selflessness!

We are called to celebrate generosity…
…by taking these teachings to heart and embracing them as practical guides
… in our daily interactions with others.

It’s about finding joy in giving…
… extending our hands to those in need
… and doing so with a genuine heart full of love and compassion
… without any ulterior motives!

The onus is on us…
Can we truly pray and live…
That we may never seek..
… to be consoled, as to console,
… to be understood, as to understand
… to be loved, as to love with all my soul

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions.
It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. “The Lord is my strength and my song.”

“In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (CCC # 1808)

“Daring to pick up the ‘towels’ of service and kindness and live a life ‘clothed in humility!'”

(Based on Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10, 1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13 and Mt 23:1-12 – 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A)

Maundy Thursday is associated with a customary practice that is followed in many of the Churches all around the world…

It consists of choosing of twelve persons from the Church – based on various parameters or criteria.

These twelve are given the “privilege” to have the feet washed by the Main Celebrant (usually the parish priest) during the Holy Mass.

This is a symbolic remembrance of the “washing of the feet” that Jesus had undertaken on the evening of the Last Supper.

Preaching on this custom, on a Holy Thursday, a priest once spoke the following in his sermon:
“There are twelve of you, who have been chosen, whose feet will be washed this evening.

Perhaps, there were many others also who had a desire that their feet also be washed.

Probably, some of you, children, are dreaming of growing up faster in life, so that one day, you too may be chosen to have your feet washed.

But here is a point to be considered…
Most of us probably are thinking only about ‘having our feet washed’.

But I really do wonder, how many of us – be it those who have got a chance or those who have missed – think also of ‘being the one who washes the feet of others?’

We all probably are desiring and wishing only for the chair, to be seated, and have our feet washed.

But how many of us also wish and desire for the ‘towel?'”

It was his direct way of telling that there were probably very few, who wish to be the last, the least and the lowest in the Church, the Body of Christ.

Am I a person who is willing to lower myself in humility?

Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt 23: 12)

The 23rd Chapter of the Gospel of St Matthew begins with Jesus turning the attention of His disciples and of the crowds, towards the Scribes and the Pharisees.

Focusing on the religious leaders and on their practices, Jesus launches a volley of critically true statements, a string of their hypocritical misconduct and a barrage of their wicked misdeeds!

The chapter ends with the “Painful Lament” by Jesus over Jerusalem – the city of the Lord!

One of the highlights in this highly volatile and strongly-worded Chapter is the number of times Jesus mentions the two groups of people – “Scribes and Pharisees”

There is, in total, 7 occurrences of the phrase, “Scribes and Pharisees” – a biblical number for totality!

This Chapter is a therefore, a full-blown critique and condemnation of the ways of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Why is Jesus so outright in His condemnation, so merciless in His usage of words and so blatant in His attacks on the Scribes and Pharisees?

(Meanwhile, when we go through these critical attacks of our Blessed Lord on this group, one must always remember the words of Jesus Himself: “I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Lk 5:32)

There was deep pain in the heart of the Lord, in seeing the way religion was being manhandled, misused and misinterpreted by the religious leaders of His time

As the Son of His Beloved Father, it was hurting for the Son to see a section of people, trampling upon God’s precious and venerable truths…
… and twisting them for their own self-interests and self-agenda

A strong form of condemnation was reserved only to those who were hardened in heart – as a means for them to repent and turn back their ways to the Lord.

The method of ‘sharp condemnation’ was reserved only to the proud and the arrogant; never to the poor sinners!)

The reason for Jesus making a scathing attack on the religious authorities of His times, could be summarized into one crucial point: Glorification of one’s own self at the expense of the Glory of God and the Mercy deserving for His people!

Therefore, Jesus goes on to point out the many occasions and circumstances when the Self-Interest of the Pharisees and Scribes took extreme priority over God Himself!

It is this self-centred and self-glorifying act that makes Jesus to tell, “For they preach, but they do not practise!” (Mt 23: 3b)

How easily can this be our own state of affairs, in our life…!

We may be people…
… who “appear” to be very fine and kind – but perhaps, we are persons who find it too hard to let go of our pride, in reaching out to the needy, in humble service!

… who speak a lot on helping others and being generous – but perhaps, we go through grilling moments in lowering ourselves and adopting a lowly status to extend a helping hand!

… who desire happiness in communities and peace at homes – but perhaps, we discover ourselves to be persons who are unwilling to let go of my ego and allow a listening ear to the views and opinions of others!

The call, today, therefore is…
… ” to work for a cause – not applause
… to live life to express – and not simply to impress!”

Following the Great example of Jesus, may we dare to pick up the “towels” of service and kindness and live a life “clothed in humility!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.

It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. (CCC # 1808)

“Single-mindedly living for God and reach out in service to His people, without seeking for any appreciation or applauds!”

(Based on Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29 and Lk 14:1, 7-11 – Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Sir Isaac Newton is considered to be one of the greatest scientists of all time.

It was Newton who had discovered the Laws of Gravity which caused great advancements in the field of astronomical studies.

But there was another person, who had greatly helped Newton to climb this ladder of success…
… and of fame and popularity.

But he mostly remains unknown!

His name is Edmund Halley.

It was Halley…
… who corrected some of the mathematical errors committed by Newton.
… who prepared geometrical figures to support his discoveries.
… who edited and supervised the publication of his great work, “Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy”

It was also Halley who financed its printing even though Newton was wealthier and easily could have afforded the printing costs

These acts are considered to be among the most selfless ones in the history of science.

But, Halley hardly received any prominence or recognition.

He is, of course, known for the discovering a comet named the “Halley’s Comet”
… which (ironically) appears briefly once every 76 years!

And even that recognition was accorded only after his death!

Halley is stated to have said that he didn’t care who received credit for discoveries…

His single mission in life was to advance the cause of science…
… and he did it!

To do an act of goodness and charity, without…
Wanting appreciation…
Seeking recognition…
Desiring applauds…
… though, a mighty challenge, is at the same time, a Christian demand!

The Gospel of the Day is a call from Jesus to examine our attitude towards others…
… and grow in this tremendous dimension of the Virtue of Humility!

We are in the 14th Chapter of St Luke.

Jesus has been invited for a dinner to the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath Day.

He has just cured a person with dropsy…
… a disease wherein water gets retained in the body
He also tried to cure persons with hypocrisy…
… a disease wherein duplicity gets retained in the mind!

And now He seeks to cure the attitude of the people who have a false understanding of giving.

Jesus says:
“When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours. For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid” (Lk 14:12)

Much of our giving is based purely on the (hidden) aspect of receiving back…

Much of our sharing is based purely on an (unconscious) agenda of getting back…

We share our time with friends…
… often expecting that they too will accompany us in our times of hardships and difficulties!

We work hard for our families…
… often expecting that they too will be with us in our moments of struggle & not leave us lonely!

We render service to many people who are in need…
… often expecting that they too will render us assistance in our difficulties!

We pray to God & make a lot of sacrifices…
… often expecting that He’ll meet all our expectations, in the way & time, we want!

We love many saints…
… often expecting that they’ll make faster intercession on our behalf and get our works done quickly.

We have, perhaps, become very business oriented:

I give, and expect returns…
I share, and expect a bonus…

But the Lord, in today’s Gospel comes down heavily on such an attitude.
“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

We are exhorted to give to those…
… who may never be able to repay back.

We are challenged to help those…
… who may never have a chance to return back the favour.

The Lord who said these words, shows us an example in the highest manner possible….
In the Holy Eucharist!

The Holy Eucharist is the best example and model…of such kind of a giving..

A giving without expecting back!
A sharing without seeking back!

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the poor…
… we who are poor – in our morals and purity, in our commitment and dedication

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Crippled…
… crippled – with our many sins and faults, with the guilt of many past failures

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Lame…
… lame – in our longing and thirst for the Divine, in our acts of self-giving and self-sacrifice

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Blind…
… blind – to the cries of those around us, to see our habits which needs repentance & improvement

Yes, as Christians, we have to grow in humility…

Our single mission in life ought to be, the advancement of the Kingdom of God…
… and we ought to pray and work for this virtue!

St Paul gloriously tells to join in his chorus: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!” (Phil 1:21)

The onus is on us…

May we seek the grace and make the efforts…
… to do acts of goodness and charity, without…
Wanting appreciation…
Seeking recognition…
Desiring applauds…
… which, though, a mighty challenge, is at the same time, a Christian demand!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – _THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

The just man, often mentioned in the Sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor.
“You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.”

“Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (CCC # 1807)

“Receiving the touch of the Lord, in order to be safe from being drowned, in the troubled waters of life!”

(Based on Rom 9:1-5 and Lk 14:1-6 – Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

For our reflection today, we shall make a verse-by-verse analysis of the Gospel Passage…

The passage under consideration is the Healing of the man with dropsy on the Sabbath Day.

Let us carefully reflect on this amazingly dramatic incident…

The passage begins with the statement, “On a Sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees…” (Lk 14:1a)

Here was an invitation of a high and elite nature…

A leading Pharisee of the Jewish society had called Jesus to his home.
He was joined by many other scholars of the Law and the Pharisees.

Maybe it was a show of one’s status and pride and dignity as a great Pharisee…
Maybe it was another chance for the critics of Jesus to find something to crib about him…

“…and the people there were observing Him carefully…” (Lk 14:1b)

To be invited for a dinner was something nice and pleasant…

But to be invited to become an object of observation and scanning was bad enough.

“The people were observing Him carefully” suggested a suspicious action…

It was as if, some thieves were waiting eagerly to strike on their target…
It was as if, some fierce lions, were stealthily preparing to pounce upon their prey…

And then comes the bait “In front of him, there was a man suffering from dropsy” (Lk 14:2)

What’s dropsy?

Dropsy was a condition in which there was an unnatural collection of serous (pale yellow and transparent) fluid in any cavity of the body.

Dropsy was water retention in the body.
Dropsy itself was not a disease, but a symptom of a disease.
It could be a number of things – complications of the liver or kidney or the heart or all three!

In the Jewish understanding, someone who had this condition of dropsy, was seen as a great sinner, even related to being a sexual sinner.

This sickness was a pointer to the man’s condition of being highly unclean!

But to bring back our attention to the Gospel…

Was this not the setting of a dinner?
Was not Jesus called for a meal…
… and that too, a dinner with the elite and leading religious people…
… and that too, on a Sabbath day?!

Then what was a man with dropsy, a serious condition of uncleanness, doing there?

The plot of the drama seems to be thickening…

The setup seems to be getting clear…

The Pharisees have invited Jesus for a meal, yes…but probably with a hidden and a mean agenda:
Drop a man with dropsy in front of Jesus… and observe what he does!

They knew Jesus had the power to heal…
… but they also knew that it would lead to violation of the Sabbath!

They knew Jesus would feel compassion on the man…
… but they also knew that it would give them a chance to go up in arms!

They wanted Jesus to violate the Sabbath to give proof that He was not from God!

The Rabbinical rule was that one could only be doctored if one was going to die immediately on the Sabbath.

But if death is not imminent, wait till the Sabbath is over.

But Jesus had time and again proved, that he had no regard for that lack of compassion or for the folly of that legalism.

In Lk 6:6-11, Jesus healed a withered man, on the Sabbath…
In Lk 13: 10-17, Jesus healed a woman, crippled for eighteen years, on the Sabbath…

So, He asks the guests gathered around, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” (Lk 14:3)

Jesus knew their answer.
Jesus knew their perspective of things.

Yet He wanted them to tell.

“… but they kept silent” (Lk 14:4a)…

They knew the answer too.
They knew it was unlawful.

Still they did not tell Him.

Sheer hypocrisy!
Absolute malicious trapping!

And then Jesus does something astonishing…
“… he took the man, and after he had healed him, dismissed him” (Lk 14:4b)

The Greek word used for “took” is a very very strong verb….”Epilombano”
“Epilombano” literally means to lay hold of or to seize upon anything with the hands

It is the same word used in…
… Lk 23:26, when the soldiers seized Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross
… Acts 16:19 to say that Paul and Silas were seized and dragged by their persecutors..)

The cruel silence of the crowd provokes Jesus, to strongly seize the afflicted man!

He doesn’t work the miracle in hiding or quietly or from a distance!

Rather, with much force, He just grabs the man, seizes him, crushes him in His arms…
… as if to squeeze the fluid out and give him a new heart, a new liver, and a new self and creates in the man a whole new set of internal organs.

And finally Jesus justifies His action with another thundering question, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath?” (Lk 14:6)

A beautiful picture indeed…

Jesus asks them, “None of you would have allowed your son or ox to drown in the waters, isn’t it?

Then why don’t you see, that I have also saved from drowning… this man with dropsy, drowning in his own fluid!?

Another total silence by the onlookers!

Am I also silent now?

There is much to learn from this dramatic incident, isn’t it?

May this dramatic Gospel incident, become…
… a wonderful inspiration, for us… who need the touch of the Lord, from being drowned in the troubled waters of life!
… a hard warning, for us… who malign other’s lives by seeking to find ways and means to trap them in the works of goodness!
… a tremendous booster, for us… who often get bogged down by troubles of life & instead to be bold to the hard & gritty challenges of life!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor.
Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion.”

Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. (CCC # 1807)

“Looking on to Jesus, on the Cross, and finding greater meaning and hope in life!”

(Based on The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Souls Day)

A story is told of a King who had a lovely flower garden.

His gardener, who tended it, took great pains to make the garden an exotic paradise.

One morning the gardener went into the garden to visit his favourite flowers.

To his dismay he discovered that one of his choicest flowers had been cut from its stem.

Soon he saw that the most beautiful flower from each plot of the garden were missing.

Filled with anxiety and anger, he hurried to his fellow workers and demanded: “Who stole my priceless treasures?”

One of his helpers replied, “The King came into his garden this morning, picked those flowers himself, and took them into his house.

I guess he wanted to give the flowers the rightful place of beauty in his palace.”

The gardener, though sad, then realized that he had no reason to be concerned…
… because it was perfectly right for his master to pick some of his own prized blossoms.

Though he missed his lovely flowers…
… he also realized, he was only a caretaker
… he also realized, the flowers had obtained a beautiful place in the sight of the King

The flowers, in the true sense, belonged to the King, and to him alone!

Our lives are such…
In the garden of the world, as gardeners, we feel sad when we lose our loved ones – the prized blossoms of our life.

But when we realize, that it is the King Himself – God – Who has picked these blossoms…
… “to give the flowers the rightful place of beauty in His Palace.”

We are consoled and get a better realization that there is no reason to be concerned.

The flowers in the garden of our lives – our loved ones – in the true sense, belong to the King, and to Him alone!

Today is the All Souls Day – when we commemorate and pray for all the Faithful Departed…
… those flowers, who have gone away from the garden of our lives; yet whom we believe, are safe in the Mercy of God!

In the Apostles Creed, we recite, “I believe… in the Communion of Saints”.

The term “communion of saints” has two closely-linked meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.

The Communion of Saints is the three states of the Church:
The Church Militant (the pilgrim Church on earth), The Church Suffering (the faithful departed), the Church Triumphant (the saints in glory)

“… at the present time, some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as He is'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #954)

On this day, we (the Church Militant), in union with the prayers of the saints in glory (the Church Triumphant)…
… reach out our prayers, intercessions and love in a very special manner for our suffering brothers and sisters (the Church Suffering).

What makes us to pray for the dead… the faithful departed?

It is necessarily in the co-relationship that all human beings share with each other.

We do pray for the people who are in need, when they live on this earth.

We do seek intercessions on their behalf to God, when they are with us.

But when a person dies, his/her existence ceases only in our sight.

They still continue to live in God’s sight.
The dead are not dead for God.

This is what Jesus says in Luke 20:38, “… he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive”

Therefore, it is logical and reasonable that we pray for the faithful departed.
“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Hence, it is a duty on our part that we pray for the purification of these Faithful Departed.

This Commemoration of the All Souls Day, is also a reminder of our own Death and the death of our close ones.

True, that as frail humans, we may have a natural fear and even a sort of phobia of death.
… but our Christian Love, Faith and Hope must gain the upper-hand in us.

Death is a reality.

No amount of reflection or sermons can substitute the pain of this reality.

Sometimes, in such situations, silence is the only answer that we can provide.

But this silence ought to be a silence of hope, a silence of trust and a silence of faith.

When we love God deeper, the fear of death decreases.
When we have an unshakeable hope in God, the anguish of death subsides

Let us also keep in mind, that this day of the “All Souls Day” as well as the Month of November is a time to gain Indulgences, that the Church offers.

The Apostolic Penitentiary decree gives the following guidelines.
(1) A plenary indulgence for the faithful departed in purgatory can be gained, each day between for the whole month of November, by visiting a cemetery, and praying for the departed – even if the prayer is only mental.
(2) A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on All Souls’ Day (or on any day in the month of November) devoutly visits a church and recites an Our Father and the Creed.
(3) A partial indulgence – applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory – can be obtained when the prayer:
“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
…is recited

[For those who are sick, the elderly or those who are unable to visit a cemetery or church for any other serious reason, it is possible to obtain any of these plenary indulgences by doing the following.

Spiritually uniting themselves with the faithful and doing one of the following before an image of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary:
a. Praying devout pious prayers for the deceased (e.g. Rosary, Office of the Dead, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc.)
b. Reading and reflecting on the Gospel passages prescribed for Masses of the Dead
c. Performing a work of mercy by offering to God the sorrow and hardships of their own lives]

(Let’s also keep in mind the conditions to be fulfilled for the reception of the Plenary Indulgence:
a. Do the act of the Indulgence (prayer/act) while in a state of grace
b. Receive Sacramental confession within 20 days
c. Receive Holy Communion
d. Pray for the Pope’s intentions (Our Father and Hail Mary, and/or other appropriate prayer)
e. Have no attachment to sin (even venial) – the person needs to make ‘an act of the will’ to love God and despise sin.

Death is hard.

But, the Lord has conquered this death!

Let us look on to Him, on the Cross, and find greater meaning and hope in life.

In the Lord…
… the faithful departed are “faithful returned!”
In the Lord…
… our loved ones do not leave home, “they go Home!”

May our Blessed Mother Mary who bore the pain of the death of Her Beloved Child be our refuge and strength.

May the prayers and example of the Church Triumphant be our inspiration and courage

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

Prudence is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation.
It is called ‘auriga virtutum’ (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure.

It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. (CCC # 1806)

“Living as Saints – doing God’s Will with self-sacrifice, and laced with the tender Love of God in all our activities!”

(Based on the Solemnity of All Saints)

The second half of the 20th century, saw a number of Christians facing suffering and persecution in Eastern Europe…
… under the influence of the Communist regime.

There was a heroic Bishop, who continued to work in this dreadful atmosphere…
… and continued to preach the Gospel.

He attributed his strength to be bold and zealous for the Lord…
… thanks to a beautiful vocation call he received, through the medium of his grandmother.

This Bishop had been orphaned at a young age and lived with his grandmother.

They stayed in the house of his uncle, who was the parish priest of a particular church.

Soon after the communists had taken power, they captured this parish priest and had him arrested..
… leaving the grandmother and the little son (the Bishop) alone.

After a week of captivating the parish priest, the offenders came to the church as well as the residence, to ransack any religious article, documents or images that could be found.

Finally, when they finished looting everything, as they left…
… the grandmother and the boy, stood at the entrance of the house.

One of the soldiers, with contempt and mockery asked the old lady, “Well, do you have any more religious articles or cross that we can take with us?”

The grandmother, with boldness and courage, looked into the face of the soldier and said:
“Well, I do have one.
But you cannot take that away from me!”

Saying so, she made the Sign of the Cross!

The soldiers were taken aback…
… but left, without saying a word.

The powerful witness by the grandmother, sparked the fire of Divine Vocation in the heart of that young boy…
… who went on to become a heroic Bishop – himself giving witness to the Lord, in the midst of persecutions!

Such are saintly lives, isn’t it?

They inspire…
They motivate…
They spur us on…
… to live Christian lives with boldness and courage!

Today, Holy Mother the Church is geared up to celebrate Her Saints – on this Solemnity of the All-Saints!

It’s a day of immense celebration of these Superheroes of God!

The Church invites us today to lift our gaze to heaven…
… and thank and praise God for the innumerable people who not only persevered in their faith while they lived on earth…
… but actually lived their lives in such a way that they built up Christ’s Kingdom in the world.

The saints are not superheroes in the worldly sense…

What sets them apart…
… is not their miraculous power
… is not their popularity and fame.

Rather, what makes them saints, is their faith and their discipleship and their service to others.

The word…SAINT…sometimes strikes an odd chord in our minds…
Saints are often considered to be people…
… beyond our reach and too holy for our lives
… for whom the path to sanctity was made easy and cozy.
… who are given a special boon from God to live a holy life.

But the truth perhaps, is quite contrary…
Saints are people…
… who are truly very close to us and lived in simple and ordinary life situations like us.
… who had to struggle through many hardships and trials in the path to holiness.
… who co-operated with the grace of God and remained faithful to their commitment and call

Every Christian is called to a life of Holiness and to be a Saint…

How is this possible in our lives…?

The Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus, in today’s Gospel shows us the path… (Mt 5: 1-10)

Being a saint…
… by depending on God in all dimensions of our life and seeking His Kingdom above all
… by mourning over our sins and seeking to live a life in repentance.
… by living a life of firm gentleness and trusting patience in the midst of injustice and pain
… by becoming agents of justice and seekers of establishing truth
… by offering mercy to the needy and even to those who we feel, don’t deserve
… by preserving purity in our thoughts, words and deeds
… by striving for establishing peace and harmony even in conflicting situations
… by accepting suffering and becoming stronger in our struggle to establish God’s Kingdom

This Feast day is a chance for us to sneak into the personal diary of the saints…
… and to “steal” some tips for us to admire and imitate them…
The Saints’ Favourite Food: The Holy Eucharist
The Saints’ Favourite Dress: The Armour of Faith
The Saints’ Favourite Pastime: Doing everything, with immense Love of God
The Saints’ Favourite Symbol: The Holy Cross
The Saints’ Favourite Moments: Every time they discovered more the depth of God’s Love

The Church has a marvellous number of saints who are canonized.

On this special day, we also take our time, to raise our hearts in gratitude, for the many other holy men and women, who sparkle with sanctity, but have not been officially declared so.

A few may be known to us, in our family or friends circle…
Most of them, will remain unknown and unfamiliar and unheard.

But in the Lord’s presence, they dazzle and shine, in holiness and purity.
This galaxy of Saints beckon and encourage each one of us today to tread this path of holiness.

St Augustine teachus us:
“Do you aspire to do great things?

Begin with the little ones”
… Doing our simple works with much love of God.
… Living our Christian life with much faithfulness
… Seeing the deep presence of God in all areas of our life.

Let us live a life…
… of self-sacrifice, renunciation and trust in God
… seeking to do God’s Will at all times
… laced with the tender Love of God in all our activities.

Today, all the saints in heaven, with a loud chorus invite each one of us:
“Come, dear Child… Be a Saint!
Do not be afraid! We are with you!”

What is our response?

Happy Feast to all the Saints in Heaven – the Church Triumphant!

Happy Feast to all the faithful departed, being purged to be saints – the Church Suffering!
Happy Feast to all of us, striving to be saints, here on earth – the Church Militant!
Yes, we are indeed… the Communion of Saints!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance…
… and to choose the right means of achieving it
“The prudent man looks where he is going.”
“Keep sane and sober for your prayers.”

Prudence is “right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle. (CCC # 1806)

“Allowing the Hand of God to work even in the small things that we do!”

(Based on Rom 8:18-25 and Lk 13:18-21 – Tuesday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A young Christian businessman who had established himself well in his area of work, was once interviewed by a journalist…
… and asked for the secret of his quick success.

“Well”, said the young businessman, “I attribute all my success to my Lord!
From my college days, I have sought to give God the first place in my life.

And He has always led me!

There is a simple formula that I always hold on to…

The formula goes thus:
‘Where God’s in charge,
Little things grow large!
And in God’s Hand,
Small gifts expand!”

So true, isn’t it?

If we allow the Hand of God to work even in the small things that we do…
… we will surely experience the bountifulness of His Grace working miraculously!

The Gospel of the Day is a recounting of this Great Truth of our life, when Jesus expounds the “Miracle of God’s Hand in the littleness of our life” with the help of two examples:

1. The Mustard Seed
   “… a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden…
   … and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches!” (Lk 13: 19)
2. Leaven
   “… like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened!” (Lk 13:21)

One of the beautiful lessons that the Lord teaches from these two metaphors of daily life is that: Our little works done for God, should never cause us to feel discouraged in life!

The little mustard seed and the little leaven…
… were not really expected to do great things
… were not quite symbols of greatness or majesty

Yet, the Lord – in His Divine Wisdom – uses these “little aspects of life” to project His Mighty Story of the Kingdom!

As St Paul says: “God chose the foolish of the world, to shame the wise…
… and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong..” (1 Cor 1: 27)

This is the truth we come across in the Mighty Story of the Kingdom, as we scan through the pages of the Bible…
… even in the Life of Jesus!

Jesus was born into a small Family from Nazareth in the smallest of villages (Bethlehem).

His Ministry started in one of the smallest places – Galilee.

Galilee was an insignificant portion of an obscure part of the Roman world.
He went no further than Jerusalem with His message

In the time of the Roman Empire, Jerusalem was not considered a cultural centre.
… Rome, Athens and Alexandria featured more prominently on the political and cultural radar.

In fact, for the Romans, Jerusalem was a city of fanatic Jews – to be best controlled by an army of troops and easily-swaying kings like Herod and his family!

Yet, Jesus has become the greatest influencer in Human History!

“Where God’s in charge,
Little things grow large!
And in God’s Hand,
Small gifts expand!”

Life doesn’t always give us great opportunities to perform big acts of charity and kindness.

But our life is filled with immense chances…
… to “sow tiny mustard seeds”
… and to “mix little leaven”…

Do we make the best use of such chances:
To sow the “tiny mustard seeds”…

Of Gentleness… in the rough terrains of pride and haughty lives
Of Love… in the field of broken relationships and strained associations
Of Mercy… in the territories of hateful feelings and unforgiving hearts

To “mix the little leaven”…

Of undiluted Christian convictions… in the dough of easy-going-life and relativistic mentality
Of contagious passion… with the flour of lethargic and lazy attitudes to life
Of credible life witness… in the mixture of scandalous trends and discouraging religiosity

Servant of God, Fr Peter Mermier (the Founder of the MSFS – Missionaries of St Francis de Sales) says:
“We do a lot in doing a little, if we do it for God, when and as He wishes!”

God doesn’t mind much the size of our works…
… but at the amount of love we add to it!

God doesn’t look at the fanfare in our acts of service…
… but at the volume of selflessness we add to it!

Of course, the world may not appreciate such “simple and little works!”

But let the “tiny mustard seed” and the “little leaven” remind us:

Our little works done for God, should never cause us to feel discouraged in life!

Yes…
“Where God’s in charge,
Little things grow large!
And in God’s Hand,
Small gifts expand!”

(P.S: Psst… Did you add an “extra bit of God’s Love” while reading this reflection…?)

On this last day of the month of Rosary, we seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary…
… to be faithful to the Lord in everything – small or big!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – _THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES – The cardinal virtues

Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called “cardinal”; all the others are grouped around them.
They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. “If anyone loves righteousness, [Wisdom’s] labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice, and courage.”

These virtues are praised under other names in many passages of Scripture. (CCC # 1804)

“Experiencing Healing Touch from the Lord of all Liberation and Wholeness!”

(Based on Rom 8:12-17 and Lk 13:10-17 – Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

There is a simple little poem, which goes thus:
“A horse can’t pull, while kicking,
This fact we merely mention.
And he can’t kick, while pulling,
Which is our chief contention!

Let’s therefore, imitate the good horse
And lead a life that’s fitting;
Just pull an honest load, and then
There’ll be no time for kicking!”

These few lines of the poem explain in clear terms…
… on how the aspect of criticism and bad-mouthing is a result of a lack of focus and proper attitude!

Are we sometimes people who fail to have such “horse-sense?”

This lack of a “horse-sense” can lead to the…
… habit of spitting out unpleasant words at others, without the least concern.
… practise of spitting out harsh and judgmental words, with minimal mercy.
… tendency to spitting out critical words to put down people in humiliation.

The Gospel of the Day brings a classical example of a person who failed to have this “horse-sense”.

The context of the Gospel passage is that of Jesus healing a woman who had been crippled for eighteen on a Sabbath Day.

However, after the healing, the leader of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had cured on a Sabbath.

He told, “There are six days when work should be done.

Come on those days to be cured, not on the Sabbath day” (Lk 13:14)

This leader of the synagogue, was displaying the lack of a “horse-sense”.

Here was something noble and good being done…

But he fails to see the goodness and instead shouts at the people for not keeping the laws.

Here was something miraculous and godly being performed…

But he closes himself to the Kingdom of God and focuses on the need to obey human rules.

His lack of “horse-sense” seemed badly exposed!

Jesus, the Lord of healing and restoration, encountered the woman who had been crippled for many years…
She was bent.
She was in pain probably.
She was also very much dispirited too.

Jesus saw her need…
… but the leader of the synagogue saw her as a nuisance.

Jesus understood her pain…
… but the leader of the synagogue chose to inflict shame on the people.

This is the trouble very often: One concentrates only on the negative aspects of persons and situations!

Jesus lashes out at such an attitude!

He calls the leader of the synagogue a hypocrite, and draws his attention to the greater and important dimensions of life!

“This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years, ought she not have been set free on this Sabbath day from this bondage?” (Lk 13:16)

The man focused on the rule of Sabbath…
… Jesus focused on the Law of Love and Liberation.

The man saw the commandment violated…
… Jesus saw a life that had been violated and was in need of renewal.

The man burst out in anger and pride…
… Jesus blossomed out in Compassion and Humanness.

Do I display any such characteristics?

Failing to see the goodness in people…
… and instead speak only of their faults and mistakes

Failing to trust in God in hard situations…
… and instead only criticize and blame God

Getting wild with people for tiny faults…
… without considering their context and circumstances

Spreading calumny and rumours…
…. about the unpleasant aspects of others

The Lord of all Liberation and Wholeness today invites us to experience His Healing Touch.

Many of us are crippled and infirmed…

We need a healing.
We need a touch of the Lord.

A negative attitude in life can cause much damage to the people around us.

It can make our life unclean and miserable and cause people to avoid us.
It can make our families, our communities and our societies to be unlivable and unpleasant.

A strong decision needs to be made: to stop the usage of…
… bad words
… defamatory news
… harmful statements
… uncharitable remarks
… and to stop spitting cruel and heartless comments!

Let us be aware:
“A horse can’t pull, while kicking,
And he can’t kick, while pulling,
Let’s therefore, imitate the good horse
And lead a life that’s fitting;

Just pull an honest load, and then
There’ll be no time for kicking!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES

The moral virtues are acquired by human effort.

They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts; they dispose all the powers of the human being for communion with divine love. (CCC # 1804)

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

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

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

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

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have we realized this reality of our lives?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Jewish Law of the Torah comprised 613 precepts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bingo..!

Two birds with one shot!

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

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

He expected just one commandment.

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

The Love of God and the Love of neighbour…

They were two dimensions of the same Love.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Easier said, than done….right?

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

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

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

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

He is the strength for us to love our neighbour.

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

The world is thirsting for Love…

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

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

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

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – _THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON – HUMAN VIRTUES

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

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