(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)

MAY 3️⃣0️⃣ – Mary, Queen of Peace

💭 To Reflect
Mary, who bore in herself Jesus, the Prince of Peace, experienced peace and serenity, even in the most difficult trials of life, because she fully cooperated with the Grace of God, and was totally focused on what God wanted in her life.

✅ To Practise
Become a messenger of peace!

🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that I may co-operate with the Holy Spirit, and experience peace, even amidst the struggles and sufferings, Amen!

“Allowing the Graces of God in us to not get stagnant or decayed or rusted; instead, to be extended in loving service to God and His people!”

(Based on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

One of the greatest violinists of all time was Niccolo Paganini.

He had his first performance at the age of 11.

It is said that his great technical ability revolutionized violin techniques across Europe.

When he died in 1840, he had willed his violin to Genoa, Italy – the place of his birth.

But he had it done on a condition: that no artist ever plays his instrument again.

Glad to have the violin come into their possession, the people in the city of Genoa agreed to the request, and they put it in a beautiful case for everyone to see.

But, unfortunately, wooden violins have a certain peculiarity:

As long as they are handled, they show no wear…
… But if it remains unused, it begins to decay!

This is what happened to Paganini’s violin.

His once-exquisite instrument became worm-eaten and useless.

Wooden violins of other artists have been handed down from one gifted musician to another…
…. and they continue to bring great music to audiences.

But Paganini’s violin is a crumbling relic of what it once was!

Such will also be the case with a Christian…
… If one does not spend one’s life in service!

A Christian’s “unwillingness to serve” may soon destroy one’s capacity for usefulness!

Today, is the Feast of the Visitation…
… A beautiful incident of how Blessed Mother Mary became a person, who rendered Her life “in service” to God and others – and thus gave full bloom to the graces of God within Her!

This Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother has its origin in the medieval times.

It was observed by the Franciscan Order before 1263, and soon its practice spread throughout the entire Church.

Previously it was celebrated on July 2….
… now it is celebrated on 31st May – between the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord ( Mar 25) and the Birth of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24) , in conformity with the Gospel accounts.

One of the interesting term used by St Luke in his description of this incident (Lk 1: 39-56) is the word “HASTE”.

St Luke says: “In those days, Mary arose and went with HASTE…..” (Lk 1: 39)

Angel Gabriel had appeared to Mary and announced the Good News that She was to be the Mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Lk 1: 31)

Mary was “overshadowed by the Power of the Most High” (Lk 1: 35)
The Angel had also pointed to the mighty work that was done in the life of her cousin Elizabeth (Lk 1: 36)

The Annunciation became the turning point in the life of Mary!

She was no longer the same…
… The simple girl had been exalted and chosen to be the Mother of the Most High God!
… She would no longer be seeking to do her desires; She would seek to God’s Will at all times!
… Her life would no longer be carried by her plans; Her life would be impelled by what God wanted!

The Child in Her, would now make Her to be “always in haste!”
… In haste: to serve others
… In haste: to follow perfectly the Will of God
… In haste: to have Jesus as the centre of Her life

The Holy Spirit completely possessed the Virgin Daughter of Nazareth and impelled her to act.

The beautiful incident of the Visitation of Mother Mary teaches us this beautiful lesson:

When Christ grows inside of us, we will be in HASTE….
… to reach out to others in service
… to spare no efforts to get out of our own comfort zones of pleasure, relaxing and lethargy
… to forget one’s own needs and be totally other-centred and radiate joy and hope to others

Mother Mary becomes the “Woman on the move” – on a continual and constant journey:
… She would embark on an hard trip to Bethlehem, while pregnant (Lk 2:4)
… She would again move – after the birth of the Child – along with Joseph, and flee to Egypt (Mt 2:14)
… She would return back to Nazareth, under the instruction of the Angel of God (Mt 2:23)
… She would further travel to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and there would go in search of Her Beloved Child, when He was lost (Lk 2: 45)
… She would be travelling with Jesus in His ministry – may not be physically, but Her Heart and Soul completely accompanying Her Son
… She would, finally, even accompany physically, with Her Innocent Child on the Way of the Cross (Jn 19: 25)

Mother Mary lived the words of the poem which centuries later would be formulated by another great Saint – St Francis of Assisi:
“It is in giving that we receive…
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life…”

The Feast of the Visitation is a reminder for us examine some of the important aspects of our life…
… Am I a person allowing the Holy Spirit to fill me and take complete possession of me – my words, my thoughts, my actions?
… Am I a person, having Jesus in me, impelled to reach out to the other in service? As St Paul says: “The love of Christ impels me” (2 Cor 5:14)
… Am I a person, who is daring to be a “person on the move” – moving out of my safe comfortable zones, moving out of conditioned and prejudiced mindsets, moving out to make my life of praise and honour to God?

St Ambrose says: “Delayed efforts are foreign to the grace of the Holy Spirit”

Charity is never idle!

Charity is always on the move …
… Sensitive to the needy
… Seeking to do good

May the Graces of God in us, not get stagnant, or decayed or rusted …
… instead may they be extended in loving service to God and His people…

And thus our life be a beautiful Magnificat: “My Soul magnifies the Lord my God, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!”

As we thank the Lord for the gift of the month of May – especially with a special focus on the Rosary…
… May we, with Mamma Mary, live in holiness!

Happy Feast of our Blessed Mother Mary – the Mother Who moves us, constantly… towards Jesus!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHEN IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? LITURGICAL SEASONS -THE LITURGICAL YEAR
At the Council of Nicaea in 325, all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox.

The reform of the Western calendar, called “Gregorian” after Pope Gregory XIII (1582), caused a discrepancy of several days with the Eastern calendar.
Today, the Western and Eastern Churches are seeking an agreement in order once again to celebrate the day of the Lord’s Resurrection on a common date.
In the liturgical year, the various aspects of the one Paschal mystery unfold.
This is also the case with the cycle of feasts surrounding the mystery of the Incarnation (Annunciation, Christmas, Epiphany).

They commemorate the beginning of our salvation and communicate to us the first fruits of the Paschal mystery. (CCC #1170-1171)

“Responding joyfully and optimistically to ‘the advertisement of adversity’ offered by Jesus!”

(Based on Acts 19:1-8 and Jn 16:29-33 – Monday of the 7th Week of Easter)

Early in the 20th century, a London newspaper carried an advertisement that read:
“Men wanted for hazardous darkness, and constant danger.

Safe return doubtful.
Honour and recognition in case of success!”

This AD was from Sir Ernest Shackleton – the world famous Arctic explorer.

Commenting on this, Warren W. Wiersbe in his book, “Be Faithful” commented –
“If JESUS CHRIST had advertised for workers, the announcement might have read something like this:

Men and women wanted for difficult task of helping to build My church.
You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you.
You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy.
You may not see the results of your labour…
… and your full reward will not come till after all your work is completed.
It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life!”

Are you ready to accept this Advertisement of Jesus to work for His Kingdom?

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus encouraging and motivating His disciples to be firm and strong, even in the midst of any sort of persecution or problems.

Jesus tells, “In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16: 33)

The Lord in His final discourses to the Disciples constantly gives the message of Hope and Encouragement.

Jesus is a not a leader who shies away from presenting the truth.
Jesus is not a Master who hides the real facts of following Him.
He plainly tells them that His going away from the world will result in a number of persecutions.

He predicts that His chosen ones would desert Him in His time of agony and suffering: “Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to His own home and you will leave me alone.” (Jn 16: 32)

Yet, He assures His followers, that He will still remain with them and strengthen them.

He is bold to tell them, “… Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16: 33b)

Our life is also beset with many problems, afflictions and difficulties.

Sometimes, we do ask ourselves, “Why do I face so many problems?”
Sometimes, we do feel, “Why such immense pains in our life?”
Sometimes, we do question, “Why is life so unfair to me?”

But the Lord tells us, that we ought not to get discouraged or disheartened.

We need to realize, that such hardships and problems, keep us oriented towards seeking the help of God.

When difficulties creep in life, our face is set more towards the Lord.
… But when life goes on too smoothly, there are chances that tend to relax our relation with Him

When problems surface and surmount, our minds are attuned more towards seeking the Lord
… But when life is too cozy and comfortable, there are possibilities of being too casual in prayer life

When hardships bite us hard, our hearts long deeper for the presence and providence of God
… But when life goes on a smooth sailing, there are prospects that we tend to forget the important role of the Lord in life

Along with this, hardships and sufferings also have a Salvific Value!

Every pain and difficulty we undergo, is to be united with the Suffering of Christ…
… and Christ redeems all of them!
In turn, we are blessed to be partakers with Christ’s Mission…
… and strength and hope, to realise, that God in His Providence, always does the best for us, when we remain faithful to Him!

Yes, strength of any kind grows only by exertion!

St Paul is a beautiful example of a person who never got discouraged by the troubles of life.

After having prayed for the gift of the Holy Spirit on the believers at Ephesus, who had never even heard about the Holy Spirit… (Acts 19:1-7)
… St Paul went on to preach and boldly proclaim about the Kingdom, in the synagogues: “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8)

Let us not get discouraged by the problems of life…
… instead, consider them as golden opportunities and graces to grow much deeper and stronger in the Love of the Lord!

JESUS invites workers for His Kingdom, with

We will have struggles.
We will face misunderstandings
But when we remain faithful, Jesus Himself, is our reward!

Are you ready to respond joyfully and optimistically to this “the advertisement of adversity?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism*
HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? – THE LITURGICAL YEAR

Beginning with the Easter Triduum as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance.
Gradually, on either side of this source, the year is transfigured by the liturgy.
It really is a “year of the Lord’s favor.”
The economy of salvation is at work within the framework of time, but since its fulfilment in the Passover of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit…
… the culmination of history is anticipated “as a foretaste,” and the kingdom of God enters into our time.
Therefore Easter is not simply_ one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts,” the “Solemnity of solemnities,” just as the Eucharist is the “Sacrament of sacraments” (the Great Sacrament).
St. Athanasius calls Easter “the Great Sunday” and the Eastern Churches call Holy Week “the Great Week.”

The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to Him. (CCC # 1168-1169)

(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)

MAY 2️⃣8️⃣ – Mary, Queen of Families

💭 To Reflect
Mary, as Mother of the Holy Family of Nazareth, went through many hardships; but remained faithful to the Providence of the Lord.

✅ To Practise
Fostering peace and joy in our families

🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that in my family, I may be always faithful to the Providence of the Lord, and realise the goodness of the Lord at all moments, Amen!

“On this Ascension Sunday, being invigorated with the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation, and becoming ‘doctors of healing and love’ in our world of suffering and pain!”

(Based on the Ascension of the Lord, Cycle C)

A very poor family by the name of Carpenter, lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

The oldest boy was given education in the city, with the help of some family friends, who generously financed his studies when they realized he wanted to become a doctor.

The boy Carpenter, graduated with honours…
… but declined all job offers to practice medicine in the city.

He decided to go back to the mountains, where there were many sick people and few doctors.

For many years he ministered to the sick. Some paid, most couldn’t.
He gave his very best and helped everyone he could.

In his old age, he was in broken health himself and almost penniless.

Two small rooms above the town grocery store were his home and office.

At the foot of the creaky stairs leading up to his office was a sign with these words: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”

One morning someone climbed those stairs to find their devoted doctor dead. The entire community was plunged into grief. They wanted to erect some kind of monument to him.

But they decided to simply write these words on a large tombstone: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”

Today, on this Ascension Day, the Church proudly displays the placard of hope and salvation: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

But unlike the doctor boy who died, Jesus – the Divine Doctor of our souls – is alive…
… and continues to heal people and bring salvation to all people!

Yes, “Jesus, the Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

The Solemnity of the Ascension proclaims the day when which Jesus ascended to the heavens, as a culmination of the glory of the Resurrection: “While Jesus blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (Lk 24:51)

We are also reminded today of the Mission mandate of preaching His Good News to everyone: “and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Lk 24: 47-48)

The Ascension of Jesus completes the resurrection.

The Resurrection is victory over death.
The Ascension lifts humanity to heaven.

Acts 1:10-11 says, “And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?’”

While it is quite natural for us to seek Jesus, who apparently “has gone far away from us,” the reality is that Jesus is now closer to us – closer than we can ever imagine!

It is as if they are saying to us, “Don’t misunderstand this moment. Don’t deny yourselves the gift that is being given you.”

The Ascension of the Lord is not about His absence but about His Presence.

It is not about His leaving but about His Presence that is assured and promised to all of us
It is not about a location but about a relationship.

This Feast is the beautiful invitation to every Christian on the way to live – to look upward

To transcend the needs of this world, and to have our highest priorities on God
To go beyond the pilgrim journey of this earth, and prepare meaningfully for eternity.

St Paul reminds us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God!” (Col 3:1)

Every moment, every hour and every day – Jesus tugs at our hearts, and invites us to “look upward” and to have our focus on Him, Who was Crucified, but now is Risen and seated at God’s Right Hand!

The Psalmist states, “Blessed [are those]… in whose heart are the highways to Zion! (Ps 84:5)

We need to make an examination of our lives and make suitable changes for the good…

Is sin enslaving us?
Let us rise with His Mercy – in holiness and purity of life!

Is regret and remorse discouraging us?
Let us rise with His Healing – in joy and hope!
Is anger and jealousy pulling us down?
Let us rise with His Grace – in gentleness and gratitude!

May this Feast of the Ascension invigorate the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation, and spur us to be “doctors of healing and love” in our world of suffering and pain!

Yes, “Dr Carpenter is Upstairs!”

Happy Feast of the Ascension!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHEN IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? LITURGICAL SEASONS -THE LORD’S DAY

“By a tradition handed down from the apostles which took its origin from the very day of Christ’s Resurrection, the Church celebrates the Paschal mystery every seventh day, which day is appropriately called the Lord’s Day or Sunday.”
The day of Christ’s Resurrection is both the first day of the week, the memorial of the first day of creation, and the “eighth day,” on which Christ after his “rest” on the great sabbath inaugurates the “day that the Lord has made,” the “day that knows no evening.”
The Lord’s Supper is its centre, for there the whole community of the faithful encounters the risen Lord who invites them to his banquet: The Lord’s day, the day of Resurrection, the day of Christians, is our day. It is called the Lord’s day because on it the Lord rose victorious to the Father. If pagans call it the “day of the sun,” we willingly agree, for today the light of the world is raised, today is revealed the sun of justice with healing in his rays.
Sunday is the pre-eminent day for the liturgical assembly, when the faithful gather “to listen to the word of God and take part in the Eucharist, thus calling to mind the Passion, Resurrection, and glory of the Lord Jesus…
… and giving thanks to God who ‘has begotten them again, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead’ unto a living hope”
When we ponder, O Christ, the marvels accomplished on this day, the Sunday of your holy resurrection, we say: “Blessed is Sunday, for on it began creation… the world’s salvation… the renewal of the human race.

On Sunday, heaven and earth rejoiced and the whole universe was filled with light. Blessed is Sunday, for on it were opened the gates of paradise so that Adam and all the exiles might enter it without fear. (CCC #1166-1167)

“Deepening our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father!”

(Based on Acts 18:23-28 and Jn 16:23-28 – Saturday of the 6th Week in Easter)

A young man was to be sentenced to the prison for a serious offence.
>> The judge had known him from childhood, for he was well acquainted with his late father.

His father was a famous legal scholar and the author of an exhaustive study entitled, “The Law of Trusts.”

“Do you remember your father?” asked the magistrate.
“I remember him well, your honour,” came the reply.


Seeking to probe further, the judge said, “As you are about to be sentenced and as you think of your wonderful dad, what do you remember most clearly about him?”
>> There was a groaning pause.


Then the judge received an answer he had not expected.
“I remember when I went to him for advice.
>> He looked up at me from the book he was writing and said, ‘Run along, boy; I’m busy!’

When I went to him for companionship, he turned me away, saying “Run along, son; the writing of this book must be finished!’

Your honour, you remember him as a great lawyer.
>> But I remember him, only as a lost friend!”


The magistrate muttered to himself, “Alas! He finished the book, but lost the boy!”


The busyness of the father resulted in the boy failing to receive love, and thus ended up into bad ways of living.
• Every person longs for love…
• Every person longs to be cared for…


The father in this story, achieved great success in his worldly life, but failed miserably to love and care for his son.
>> However, in contrast, we have our Heavenly Father, who is deeply in love with us, His children, and who never ceases to express His caring affection to us, at every moment.

Our Heavenly Father is also busy… but busy in loving His children, and expressing His constant care.


The Gospel of the Day is a testimony to Jesus affirming the assuring and loving presence of God, our Heavenly Father.

Jesus declares these beautiful words, which ought to be inscribed in golden shades, on the canvas of our hearts, “… the Father Himself loves you…” (Jn 16: 27a)


This is indeed one of the mightiest and loftiest truth that we all need to know, experience, be convinced of, and live constantly in its assurance…
… the truth that “The Father Himself loves us!”


Every person longs for love and longs to be cared for…

Human love, however, sometimes fails to answer to this basic and essential need.
• Sometimes people around us get too busy, to even care for us…
• Sometimes, people from whom we expect love, fail to understand our need…
• Sometimes, people who ought to care for us, fall short of their responsibility….

All this could leave a feeling a hurt within us.
All this could imprint a wound of sadness inside of us.
>> But in such moments of feeling lonely and desperation, especially, Jesus assures and promises us that we are not abandoned or left lonely…

Instead Jesus emphatically proclaims that just as He was loved by His Father, we too are loved by our Heavenly Father!
• It is confidence in this tremendous love of the Father…
… that will make us to seek whatever we wish in life, knowing that our prayers will be answered, in the way and the time, that He, My Father wishes! (Jn 16: 26)
>> His Love will make me delight in His Will, letting go of my personal desires!

• It is conviction in this unconditional love of the Father…
… that will make us to enjoy a deep sense of joy and bliss, knowing that in any situation of gloom or sadness or tension or worry, He, My Father, is taking me through! (Jn 16: 24)
>> His Love will make me want to do only His Will, setting aside my individual wantings!


Our Heavenly Father, our Abba is in deep love of each one of us…
>> The Crucifix is the proof of this “mad love” of the Father.


Let us, with His grace, deepen our love and conviction in the Amazing Love of the Father.
• He is busy… but busy expressing His tender love to us.
• He is busy writing… writing His letters of His precious love to us.

May we be privileged to hear:
“Wow!! He finished his/her life, and gained eternal life!”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

—————————————————-
Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
WHEN IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? LITURGICAL SEASONS
>> Holy Mother Church believes that she should celebrate the saving work of her divine Spouse in a sacred commemoration on certain days throughout the course of the year.
>> Once each week, on the day which she has called the Lord’s Day, she keeps the memory of the Lord’s resurrection.
>> She also celebrates it once every year, together with his blessed Passion, at Easter, that most solemn of all feasts.
>> In the course of the year, moreover, she unfolds the whole mystery of Christ …
… thus recalling the mysteries of the redemption, she opens up to the faithful the riches of her Lord’s powers and merits, so that these are in some way made present in every age; the faithful lay hold of them and are filled with saving grace.
>> From the time of the Mosaic law, the People of God have observed fixed feasts, beginning with Passover, to commemorate the astonishing actions of the Saviour God, to give Him thanks for them, to perpetuate their remembrance…
… and to teach new generations to conform their conduct to them.
>> In the age of the Church, between the Passover of Christ already accomplished once for all, and its consummation in the kingdom of God, the liturgy celebrated on fixed days bears the imprint of the newness of the mystery of Christ.
>> When the Church celebrates the mystery of Christ, there is a word that marks her prayer: “Today!” – a word echoing the prayer her Lord taught her and the call of the Holy Spirit.
>> This “today” of the living God which man is called to enter is “the hour” of Jesus’ Passover, which reaches across and underlies all history: “Life extends over all beings and fills them with unlimited light; the Orient of orients pervades the universe, and He who was ‘before the daystar’ and before the heavenly bodies, immortal and vast, the great Christ, shines over all beings more brightly than the sun…
… therefore a day of long, eternal light is ushered in for us who believe in Him, a day which is never blotted out: the mystical Passover.” (CCC #1163-1165)
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(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)


MAY 2️⃣7️⃣ – Mary, Queen concieved without original sin

💭 To Reflect
Mary, immaculately concieved by the singular Grace of God and prepared to bear the God of Holiness in her womb, is the perfect model of sanctity.

✅ To Practise
Make conscious choices to live in holiness!

🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that I may co-operate with the Grace of God, and make choices to live in sanctity, Amen!

(MAY we WITH MAMMA MARY live in holiness)

MAY 2️⃣6️⃣ – Mary, Queen of all saints

💭 To Reflect
Mary, by her intimacy with the Lord and faithfulness to His Will, is an inspiration to everyone to live in holiness.

✅ To Practise
Seek to be a saint!

🙏🏻To Pray
Mamma Mary, intercede for me, that I may remain in close union with the Lord, follow His Will, and thus, climb the ladder of sanctity, Amen

“Remembering that pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”

(Based on Acts 18:9-18 and Jn 16:20-23 – Friday of the 6th Week in Easter)

An elderly man was sharing his experiences to a group of youngsters.

Among the many things that he spoke, he also touched upon the topic of “pain and suffering”…
… and said:
“My dear young people, I have gone through much pain in life

And these painful experiences – though hard initially – became sources of great blessing and grace, when I realised their value, and signs of God’s wonderful Presence”

And he went on to add, “Remember always…
God whispers to us in our pleasures
… speaks in our consciences
… but shouts in our pains.

Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world!”

Yes, pain is to be understood as vital for the promotion, perseverance and progress of anyone wanting to lead a life…
… in deeper and closer union with the Lord!

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring the reality of the presence of pain, suffering and sorrows in spiritual life, and yet those factors being pathways and passages to experience deep joy and bliss!

Not negating the actuality of the darker side of life, Jesus also mightily displays the large canvas of life which is enveloped in the light of happiness…
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16: 20)

Jesus was making His Apostles aware of the realities of His passion and death.

He had came into the world to die!

Death was the goal and fulfilment of His life.

To the delicate and fragile minds of the Apostles, the Lord gives a very practical analogy: the pains and the bliss of motherhood…
“When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish, because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16: 21)

This analogy of the Lord sheds light and hope for our sufferings and pains in life too.
Mothers know the pain of giving birth to a child.

To others, this pain, though not experienced, can be vaguely understood as being a very painful experience.

The pain is too excruciating…
The pain causes to think that everything within is being pulled out, with a piercing pain…
The pain sometimes makes the person to even cry out ‘I wish this never happened to me’ ….

Jesus says that the hardships, sufferings and trials that we undergo in life are such.

But the moment, the child is delivered and the mother sees the innocent face of her tender babe, the whole scenario of emotions changes…

The excruciating pain is replaced by a thrilling excitement and exhilaration!
The severe-anguishing sore is replaced by a delightful bliss and ecstasy!
The nerve-wracking ache is replaced by a heavenly joy and happiness!

And Jesus says that, such will be our joy too, if we are also faithful and loyal to the Lord, in pains and sufferings!

This is indeed a higher spirituality… a higher level of holiness…

To cherish joy, even in the midst of pain
To radiate happiness, even in the thick of sorrows.
It is to this elevated floor of sanctity that the Lord invites us.

He is with us to hold our hands to climb up to this floor.
He is wanting to embrace us in love, as He beckons us to come nearer to Him.

When life stings us with pain…

When problems beset us into agony…
… With hope, trust, faith and strength,

Let us remember: “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? – HOLY IMAGES

All the signs in the liturgical celebrations are related to Christ: as are sacred images of the holy Mother of God and of the saints as well.
They truly signify Christ, who is glorified in them.
They make manifest the “cloud of witnesses” who continue to participate in the salvation of the world and to whom we are united, above all in sacramental celebrations.
Through their icons, it is man “in the image of God,” finally transfigured “into his likeness,” who is revealed to our faith.
So too are the angels, who also are recapitulated in Christ:
Following the divinely inspired teaching of our holy Fathers and the tradition of the Catholic Church (for we know that this tradition comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells in her) we rightly define with full certainty and correctness that, like the figure of the precious and life-giving cross, venerable and holy images of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, our inviolate Lady, the holy Mother of God…
… and the venerated angels, all the saints and the just, whether painted or made of mosaic or another suitable material, are to be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on sacred vessels and vestments, walls and panels, in houses and on streets.
“The beauty of the images moves me to contemplation, as a meadow delights the eyes and subtly infuses the soul with the glory of God.”
Similarly, the contemplation of sacred icons, united with meditation on the Word of God and the singing of liturgical hymns, enters into the harmony of the signs of celebration…

… so that the mystery celebrated is imprinted in the heart’s memory and is then expressed in the new life of the faithful. (CCC # 1161-1162)

• Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
  📧 reflectioncapsules@gmail.com
  Bengaluru, India

“Remembering that pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”

(Based on Acts 18:9-18 and Jn 16:20-23 – Friday of the 6th Week in Easter)

An elderly man was sharing his experiences to a group of youngsters.

Among the many things that he spoke, he also touched upon the topic of “pain and suffering”…
… and said:
“My dear young people, I have gone through much pain in life
>> And these painful experiences – though hard initially – became sources of great blessing and grace, when I realised their value, and signs of God’s wonderful Presence”

And he went on to add, “Remember always…
God whispers to us in our pleasures
… speaks in our consciences
… but shouts in our pains.
>> Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world!”


Yes, pain is to be understood as vital for the promotion, perseverance and progress of anyone wanting to lead a life…
… in deeper and closer union with the Lord!


The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus declaring the reality of the presence of pain, suffering and sorrows in spiritual life, and yet those factors being pathways and passages to experience deep joy and bliss!


Not negating the actuality of the darker side of life, Jesus also mightily displays the large canvas of life which is enveloped in the light of happiness…
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16: 20)


Jesus was making His Apostles aware of the realities of His passion and death.
> He had came into the world to die!
>> Death was the goal and fulfilment of His life.


To the delicate and fragile minds of the Apostles, the Lord gives a very practical analogy: the pains and the bliss of motherhood…
“When a woman is in labour, she is in anguish, because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world” (Jn 16: 21)


This analogy of the Lord sheds light and hope for our sufferings and pains in life too.
Mothers know the pain of giving birth to a child.
>>To others, this pain, though not experienced, can be vaguely understood as being a very painful experience.

>> The pain is too excruciating…
>> The pain causes to think that everything within is being pulled out, with a piercing pain…
>> The pain sometimes makes the person to even cry out ‘I wish this never happened to me’ ….

Jesus says that the hardships, sufferings and trials that we undergo in life are such.

But the moment, the child is delivered and the mother sees the innocent face of her tender babe, the whole scenario of emotions changes…
>> The excruciating pain is replaced by a thrilling excitement and exhilaration!
>> The severe-anguishing sore is replaced by a delightful bliss and ecstasy!
>> The nerve-wracking ache is replaced by a heavenly joy and happiness!

And Jesus says that, such will be our joy too, if we are also faithful and loyal to the Lord, in pains and sufferings!


This is indeed a higher spirituality… a higher level of holiness…
>> To cherish joy, even in the midst of pain
>> To radiate happiness, even in the thick of sorrows.
It is to this elevated floor of sanctity that the Lord invites us.

>> He is with us to hold our hands to climb up to this floor.
>> He is wanting to embrace us in love, as He beckons us to come nearer to Him.


When life stings us with pain…
> When problems beset us into agony…
… With hope, trust, faith and strength,
>> Let us remember: “Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world”


God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
HOW IS THE LITURGY CELEBRATED? – HOLY IMAGES
>> All the signs in the liturgical celebrations are related to Christ: as are sacred images of the holy Mother of God and of the saints as well.
>> They truly signify Christ, who is glorified in them.
>> They make manifest the “cloud of witnesses” who continue to participate in the salvation of the world and to whom we are united, above all in sacramental celebrations.
>> Through their icons, it is man “in the image of God,” finally transfigured “into his likeness,” who is revealed to our faith.
>> So too are the angels, who also are recapitulated in Christ:
Following the divinely inspired teaching of our holy Fathers and the tradition of the Catholic Church (for we know that this tradition comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells in her) we rightly define with full certainty and correctness that, like the figure of the precious and life-giving cross, venerable and holy images of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, our inviolate Lady, the holy Mother of God…
… and the venerated angels, all the saints and the just, whether painted or made of mosaic or another suitable material, are to be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on sacred vessels and vestments, walls and panels, in houses and on streets.
>> “The beauty of the images moves me to contemplation, as a meadow delights the eyes and subtly infuses the soul with the glory of God.”
>> Similarly, the contemplation of sacred icons, united with meditation on the Word of God and the singing of liturgical hymns, enters into the harmony of the signs of celebration…
… so that the mystery celebrated is imprinted in the heart’s memory and is then expressed in the new life of the faithful. (CCC # 1161-1162)
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