“Making our life a Good News of Comfort and Consolation!”

(Based on Jer 17:5-10 and Lk 16:19-31 – Thursday of the 2nd Week in Lent)

We live in a world of contrasts.

Contrasts are encountered at every sphere of our life.

Socially, we find contrasts among the various classes…
… the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, the caste distinctions, the racial and language divides…

Emotionally, we find contrasts in our experiences…
… joyful situations sandwiched between tragic moments, moods varying between situations and people, temperaments changing from person to person…

The Gospel of day presents some of these contrasts in a vivid manner…and could be termed as a “parable of contrasts” – the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

This parable is set out as a play… a two-act play.

The plays takes place on two stages…
… the stage of this world
… and the stage of the other-world.

The contrasts are plenty:

In the First Act….

A rich man – a poor man
The man is rich but unnamed – the man is poor but is named, Lazarus (meaning ‘God Helps’)
The rich man clothed in purple – Lazarus clothed fully with sores
The rich man caressed with fine linen – Lazarus licked by the dogs
The rich man feasted sumptuously – Lazarus desired to be fed by what fell from the table.
The rich man died and was buried – Lazarus died but was carried by the angels.

In the Second Act…

Lazarus is in Abraham’s bosom – the rich man is in Hades.
Lazarus receives good things – the rich man was in torment.
Lazarus was comforted – the rich man was in anguish

This “parable of contrasts” is also …
… a “parable of comfort and consolation”
… a “parable of challenge and confrontation”

It’s a “parable of comfort and consolation” because….
… Lazarus, who had undergone great misery and suffering was blessed with the presence of joy of the Lord.

It gives comfort and consolation to us, who need to be strengthened in our moments of trials and hardships, knowing that the Lord will surely look with mercy on His needy ones.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 3)

It’s a “parable of challenge and confrontation” because…
… the rich man, who had a luxurious life, was condemned to torments, and had to endure the flames of suffering.

It’s a great challenge and a confrontation before us, who need to realise that indifference and an attitude of closing one’s eyes to the pain and misery of the other can be disastrous and punishable

“He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need.” (Prov. 21:13)

The world of contrasts needs a Gospel of Comfort and Consolation, and towards this, we are challenged and confronted…

Challenged to get rid of our attitudes of indifference and lethargy to help the needy ones.
Confronted to overcome our tendencies to remain satisfied in our comforts and close our eyes conveniently to the necessities of the other.

Let us make our life a Good News of Comfort and Consolation.

God bless! Live Jesus!

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THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – Why the liturgy?

The wonderful works of God among the people of the Old Testament were but a prelude to the work of Christ the Lord in redeeming mankind and giving perfect glory to God.
He accomplished this work principally by the Paschal mystery of his blessed Passion, Resurrection from the dead, and glorious Ascension, whereby ‘dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life.’

For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth ‘the wondrous sacrament of the whole Church (CCC # 1067)

“Daring to follow the path of humility and making the right priorities in life!”

(Based on Jer 18:18-20 and Mt 20:17-28 – Wednesday of the 2nd Week in Lent)

A rich businessman had grown greatly in his endeavours.

He became greatly possessed with acquiring more wealth and seeking for greater power.

His sole intention in life was to find ways and means to gain more wealth (by hook or crook; by honest or corrupt ways!) and capture more positions of power.

Though a Christian…
… he cared hardly for his family
… he bothered least about his faith

One day, while sitting in his posh office, pondering on ways to augment his wealth and prestige in the society…
… his eyes went towards the Crucifix that was placed on his table.

Looking from the place where he was sitting, he could see…
… The Crucifix and a Chair that was placed opposite him.

And suddenly a thought came across his mind:
“What is more important for you in life?

Cross or Chair?”

This thought stuck him badly.

Being greatly disturbed… he sought to ward off that idea from his mind.
But it kept disturbing him…. “Cross or Chair… Cross or Chair!”

Well, it’s not known whether that incident changed his life.

But this question is placed before each of us:
“What is more important for you in life?

Cross or Chair?”

The Gospel of the Day is the incident of the mother of the sons of Zebedee aspiring to obtain a place of honour for her children…
… through which, Jesus poses this question of supreme importance to us as well:
“What is more important for you in life?

Cross or Chair?”

This incident is sandwiched between two important instructions by Jesus…

His master plan of establishing the Kingdom: His Passion, Death and Resurrection
His master technique to allow access to the Kingdom: The way of Humility
His master plan of establishing the Kingdom: His Passion, Death and Resurrection
Jesus predicts about His sufferings to His disciples (Mt 20: 17-19)

It was clearly His way of telling His chosen ones, that His Kingdom is not to be one that accords prime importance to power and position…
… instead it was about obedience and self-giving.

His master technique to allow access to the Kingdom: The way of Humility
Jesus further teaches His disciples that the key to enter the Kingdom is the way of humility (Mt 20: 26-28)

It was clearly a reminder as well as a warning, that His Kingdom is not reserved for the powerful or the mighty…
… instead it is to be given to those of meek heart and lowly self.

It’s in between these two powerful “Kingdom” teachings, that we have the incident of the mother of the sons of Zebedee seeking for a place of honour for her children (Mt 20: 20-24)

The incident showed that they had quite badly misunderstood Jesus…

They mistook His master plan of establishing the Kingdom as being “through force and power and might!”

They mistook His master technique to allow access to the Kingdom as being “the way of Supremacy!”

But Jesus shatters this misconception by posing a master question: “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” (Mt 20: 22)

“Drinking the Cup” for Jesus meant the Master Plan of His Passion, Death and Resurrection
“Drinking the Cup” for Jesus meant the Master Technique of the way of Humility

This incident is a reminder and warning for each of us as well:

Are we willing to be in accord with the Lord’s master plan of establishing the Kingdom: His Passion, Death and Resurrection?
Are we ready to practise the Lord’s master technique to allow access to the Kingdom: The way of Humility?

Jesus clearly poses this question of supreme importance:
“What is more important for you in life?

Cross or Chair?”

Very often we settle down to sit on the “Chair”…
… the ‘chair’ of comfort and relaxation
… the ‘chair’ of lethargy and indifference
… the ‘chair’ of materialism and individualism

But the Lord challenges us to carry the “Cross”…
… the ‘Cross’ of responsibility and commitment
… the ‘Cross’ of witnessing to the Lord and trusting in Him
… the ‘Cross’ of serving the deprived and being sensitive to the need of the other

The way of the Christian is none but the Way of the Cross.

The path of the Christian can be none but the Path of Humility.

Let us give heed to the words of St Louise de Marillac (the patroness of the parentless and of social workers – whose feast we celebrated on March 15):
“If humility, simplicity and charity which produce support, are well established in you…
… your community will be made up of as many saints as there are persons!”

Yes, let us dare to follow the path of humility…
… and seek to positively answer to the question that Jesus poses to each of us:
“What is more important for you in life?

Cross or Chair?”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY – Why the liturgy?

In the Symbol of the faith the Church confesses the mystery of the Holy Trinity and of the plan of God’s “good pleasure” for all creation: the Father accomplishes the “mystery of his will” by giving his beloved Son and his Holy Spirit for the salvation of the world and for the glory of his name.

Such is the mystery of Christ, revealed and fulfilled in history according to the wisely ordered plan that St. Paul calls the “plan of the mystery” and the patristic tradition will call the “economy of the Word incarnate” or the “economy of salvation.” (CCC # 1066)

“Growing in the virtue of Humility!”

(Based on Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 and Mt 23:1-12 – Tuesday of the 2nd Week in Lent)

There is an incident mentioned in the life of St Francis de Sales.

A short time before his death, St Francis was asked by a nun from the Visitation Convent, to mention what virtue he would specially wish the sisters to cultivate.

The saint, being unable to converse, owing to his extreme sickness, asked for a piece of paper to write.

On this piece of paper, the Gentleman Saint wrote one word: “Humility”!

This saint who lived this virtue – the one who preached and practised love – considered humility as the most essential virtue for a genuine Christian living.

The one who lacks humility begins to proclaim one’s own glory and draw attention to oneself.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus highlighting this lack of humility among the religious leaders of His time…
… and putting forward a warning to be wary of the danger of falling into the dungeon of pride and conceit.

The Lord in all His teachings loves to get to the core of true human living and makes it a point to emphasize on all such inner values.

In the 23rd Chapter of St Matthew, Jesus makes a long condemnation of the “proud” actions and “conceited” devotions of the Pharisees and the Scribes.

Jesus says, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach, but do not practise” (Mt 23: 2-3)

Jesus lashes out strongly at the self-attention seeking attitude of these religious leaders.

They would tie heavy burdens on others… but would themselves not move a finger to move them
They would widen their phylacteries and even lengthen their tassels.
They would love to be seated on places of honour in the synagogues and banquets.
They would seek to be called with great salutations and titles in the public places.
They would perform many works before others… but all to be seen by other people.

What were Phylacteries?

Phylacteries were small cube-shaped “leather cases” that was worn on foreheads and arms. In these cases, were the Scripture verses (Ex 13: 1-10, 11-16 and Dt 6: 4-9; 11: 13-21)

The Exodus verses were about how God brought His people out of slavery in Egypt, and about the celebration of the Passover.

The Deuteronomy verses were about loving God wholly – with one’s heart, mind, and spirit.

The tassels (fringes) on the robes were to be a constant reminder of God’s commandments (Num 15: 38-41).

Each time the one who wore noticed the tassel, he was to ask himself if he were sincerely living God’s law in the world.

However, by making their phylacteries and tassels extra-long, the Pharisees and the Scribes were putting on a show of great religiosity, of being spiritually more superior to others.

The purpose of these external signs were to be great reminders of the wonders of God Yahweh and their own commitment to the Lord.

But this purpose was lost…
… and it was replaced with a self-show!

The one who lacks humility begins to proclaim one’s own glory and draw attention to oneself.

The Pharisees and Scribes were losing the virtue of humility…
… and instead were drowning in the murky waters of pride!

This danger can be reality for anyone of us too, in our lives…

And so the Lord cautions us…

Am I making my practise of Christianity as a mere tool for a higher social status and some cheap material benefits?
Am I losing out on cultivating true and honest devotion and instead settling for a “showy” and “external” facade of pious practices?

The Lord invites us to grow in the virtue of Humility.

Let the words of St Augustine be a challenge as well as a reminder for us:
“It was pride that changed angels into devils;
It is humility that makes men as angels.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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“AMEN”

In the book of the prophet Isaiah, we find the expression “God of truth” (literally “God of the Amen”), that is, the God who is faithful to his promises:
“He who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth [amen].”
Our Lord often used the word “Amen,” sometimes repeated, to emphasize the trustworthiness of His teaching, His authority founded on God’s truth.
Thus the Creed’s final “Amen” repeats and confirms its first words: “I believe.”
To believe is to say “Amen” to God’s words, promises and commandments; to entrust oneself completely to Him who is the “Amen” of infinite love and perfect faithfulness.
The Christian’s everyday life will then be the “Amen” to the “I believe” of our baptismal profession of faith: May your Creed be for you as a mirror. Look at yourself in it, to see if you believe everything you say you believe…
… and rejoice in your faith each day.
Jesus Christ Himself is the “Amen.”
He is the definitive “Amen” of the Father’s love for us.
He takes up and completes our “Amen” to the Father: “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.
That is why we utter the Amen through Him, to the glory of God: “Through Him, with Him, in Him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is Yours, Almighty Father, God, for ever and ever, AMEN!” (CCC # 1063-1065)

“Giving ourselves entirely to the Lord!”

(Based on Dan 9:4-10 and Lk 6:36-38 – Monday of the 2nd Week in Lent)

A little boy started to Sunday-school with two five-rupee coins – one for the Lord, and one for himself.

On the way to church, he lost one of them – as it went inside a drain, on the way
“There goes the Lord’s coin!” he said.

What the boy uttered concerning his loss…
… is a reflection of the mind of many grown-ups

It is always the Lord’s money that is lost.

We tend to be extremely “rigid/scrupulous” when it comes to giving to God or others!

The Gospel of the Day calls for an open mind and generosity in heart, by…

Giving to God and obtaining His graces and favours.
Offering to God and receiving His blessings and mercy.

The Lord, continuing His teachings on a practical Christian life, exhorts, “… give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

Jesus brings a very concrete example from the market scene, to drive home his point of generously giving.

The context of Jesus is the market in Israel, the middle-east part of the world.

As in many places today, this area witnessed markets that had buyers and sellers engaged in bargaining and negotiating over prices, quality and the amount of things and goods.

There would be many open-air markets, where the farmers would bring their grain—wheat, corn, barley – and spread it on a mat on the ground. Potential customers would examine the grain, make an offer, and the bargaining would start…

When a price was finally set, the customer would offer his container—usually a large bowl or pot or an open vessel—and the seller would use a scoop (measuring spoon) to fill the container.

There would be some interesting steps in this process of measuring the grain for a customer and which Jesus quotes in His approach to giving:

First, the seller would fill the container to the top.
Secondly, he would press the grain down and fill some more.
Thirdly, he would shake the container so the grain would settle and then fill in some more.
Finally, he would fill the container until it overflowed!

The contents of this overflowing container would then be transferred to a pouch or a bag so that the buyer could bring home the contents from the market.

Well, this process could sound a bit strange and weird to us in the modern world.

We live in times when contents are sold by the weight, and not the volume.
We live in times when manipulations are done to give as less as possible.

But this is where, Jesus, bringing in the example of the market, invites generosity in giving

Our giving ought to be measured not by weight, but by volume… and that refers to a far greater amount of giving!
Our giving ought to, not be curtailed down by clever manipulations… instead, is to be done very generously and lavishly!

St Paul in 2 Cor 9:6 would say, “he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

Our giving ought not to be a calculated effort… rather should be an overflow from the heart!

When we engage in such a lavish and generous giving, God too will shower His abundance, in a similar and much better fashion!
“For the measure you give, will be the measure you get back” (Lk 6:38)

Of course, that is not to say that we are limiting God’s power of giving
God surely showers His gifts lavishly!

God surely pours His blessings overwhelmingly!

But the Lord invites us to be less “rigid/scrupulous” when it comes to giving to God or others!

Give to God, Who deserves all, so that we may be worthy to receive His blessings.
Give to God, Who is worthy of all, so that we may be blessed to receive His graces.

In the Divine methodology of exchange, the advantage is that we get much more than what we give… we obtain far greater than what we offer!

God’s giving is not to be seen just from material or physical aspects…
In fact, that would be a minimal and low level of understanding.

God’s gifts are to be understood more from a spiritual perspective:
… Gift of His mercy to live a life in union with Him.
… Gift of His grace to be faithful and more committed.
… Gift of His love to be better human beings and be more charitable.
… Gift of His salvation to enjoy eternal bliss and happiness with Him.

All these gifts will be surely lavished and given
… “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into our lap!”

This greatest exchange is seen and experienced in the Holy Eucharist
… at every Holy Mass.

Let us give ourselves entirely to the Lord, especially at Holy Mass…
… and through the Mass, at all times of the day, to all persons in our life.

Then, in the words of Fulton Sheen, we will be graced to hear the words of the Divine Lord.

You give Me your humanity, and I will give you my Divinity!
You give Me your time, and I will give you My eternity!
You give Me your broken heart, and I will give you Love!
You give Me your nothingness, and I will give you My all!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
“AMEN”

The Creed, like the last book of the Bible, ends with the Hebrew word amen.
This word frequently concludes prayers in the New Testament.
The Church likewise ends her prayers with “Amen.”
In Hebrew, ‘Amen’ comes from the same root as the word “believe.”
This root expresses solidity, trustworthiness, faithfulness.

And so we can understand why “Amen” may express both God’s faithfulness towards us and our trust in Him. (CCC # 1061-1062)

“Being ready to listen and obey the Voice of the Lord!”

(Based on Gen 15:5-12, 17-18, Phil 3:17-4:1 and Lk 9:28b-36 – 2nd Sunday of Lent, Cycle C)

A story is told of a tribal man, who was visiting a busy town along with a group of tourists.

It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people.

Cars were honking… taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening.

Suddenly, the tribal said, “I hear a cricket.”
(Cricket is an insect, and makes a loud, persistent, chirping sound)

One of the tourists said, “What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!”

“No, I’m sure of it,” the man said. “I heard a cricket.”

“That’s crazy,” said the other tourist.

The tribal man listened carefully for a moment…
… and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing.

He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches…
… and sure enough, he located a small cricket!

The group of tourists were utterly amazed.

“That’s incredible,” said one of them, “You must have super-human ears!”

“No,” said the tribal. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.”

“But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.”

“Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you.”

So saying, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk.

And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears…
… they noticed every head within twenty feet turn
… and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

“See what I mean?” asked the tribal man, “It all depends on what’s important to you!”

As Christians, is the Voice of the Lord important to us?

If yes, then we will surely give heed to His Voice…
… pay attention and be obedient!

The Gospel of the Day is an exhortation by God to hear the voice of the Lord, to listen to Him and to be obedient to Him.

The second Sunday of the Season of Lent presents to us the “Transfiguration Event” from the Gospel of St Luke.

The scene of the Transfiguration is indeed a powerfully visual and authoritatively impactful incident.

Jesus takes three disciples – the core team among the Twelve – Peter, James and John – and led them up a high mountain. (Lk 9: 28)

Why were these three chosen?
…and not others?

Well… we can only make some guess-works… because the bottom-line is:
“They were ‘chosen'”
(Choice is always a gift, and not a merit!)

Peter:
• Probably as the one who is the Leader
• The one to whom the Lord entrusts to be the rock on which He would build His Church (Mt 16:18)

John:
• Probably as the one who had a intimate bond with the Lord
• The one who is referred to as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23)

James:
• Probably as the one who warranted a special privilege, being the first apostle to be martyred.
• The one who would be the first among the apostles to literally lose his life for Jesus (Lk 9:24)

These three also had a privilege of some “firsts”…
• Peter was the “First” Pope…
• James was the “First” Martyr among the apostles…
• John was the “First” witness to the death of Christ…

The choosing of the three also reflects Jesus as the New Moses!
Moses had chosen seventy (two) elders.
But when he went up to the mountain, there were three close men with him: Aaron, Nadab, and Abiu. (Exodus 24:1)

Jesus had chosen twelve apostles.
But when he went up to the mountain, there were three close men with him: Peter, James and John (Lk 9:28)

Jesus is the New Moses…
….through whom the New Covenant will be established!
… through whom the New Law will be written on the tablets of the heart!

Up on the mountain, witnessing the glorious and magnificent Transfiguration, the disciples behold their Master, Jesus in dazzling white… joined by Elijah and Moses. (Lk 9:30)

And then, they hear a voice, from the cloud…
“This is my Beloved Son! Listen to Him!” (Lk 9:35)

“Listen to Him”…is the commandment that is exhorted!
• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son, Jesus and grasp His teachings for life
• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son’s commitment in the path of suffering.
• The Apostles are to listen to the Beloved Son’s trust in God’s Will at every moment

The same words are today echoed boldly and loudly to each one of us: “This is my Beloved Son! Listen to Him!”
• Life will take us through many deserts and desolations of difficulties.
• Life will put us through various storms and hurricanes of hardships.

But in all such moments, are we ready and open to listen to the Voice of the Lord?

Abraham in the Old Testament…the Father of Faith… went through such immensely agonizing and hard moments. (Gen 22: 1-3)

Asked to sacrifice His beloved Isaac… His special one…
… Abraham was torn between listening to his own voice of affection for his child or to the voice of God
… Abraham was shredded between listening to his own reasonable mind or to the incomprehensible plan of God

• But Abraham chose to put his faith in the Lord… and to listen
• He chose to trust absolutely in the providence of God… and to be obedient

Yes, when we are in the dry deserts of life, we better be totally obedient to God.

When we are in the parched phases of life, we ought to fully heed the voice of the Lord.

The Lord will take us through…
… every crisis
… every desert
… every darkness
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8: 31)

Let us grow in our efforts to be completely obedient to our Master!
Let us pray for His grace to be truly listening and following the voice of our Master!

When the Voice of the Lord becomes important to us…
… then we will surely give heed to His Voice, pay attention and be obedient!

Are we ready to listen and obey the Voice of the Lord?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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THE HOPE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

Every man receives his eternal recompense in his immortal soul from the moment of his death in a particular judgment by Christ, the judge of the living and the dead.
We believe that the souls of all who die in Christ’s grace… are the People of God beyond death.

On the day of resurrection, death will be definitively conquered, when these souls will be reunited with their bodies. (CCC #1051-1052)

“Seeking the Grace of the Lord to be healed of our spiritual “myopia’”

(Based on Deut 26:16-19 and Mt 5:43-48 – Saturday of the 1st Week in Lent)

Myopia is a commonly found eye condition.

Popularly, it is also called as “near-sightedness” or “short-sightedness”.

It is a state of the eye that causes distant objects to appear blurred, while close objects can be seen clearly.

Coming from the Greek word, “muōpia”, which literally means “trying to see like a mole”…
… Myopia is a condition of the eye that causes the image that one sees, when looking at a distant object, to be out of focus, but in focus when looking at a close object.

Well, this short-sightedness or myopia is limited to not just the physical eye…

It can also easily be applicable to our general outlook of life or our spiritual life.

Yes, it is often found that one becomes short-sighted in life – seeing things only as they appear at the moment, and unable to take the long view of matters.

This is “spiritual myopia”
This is “spiritual short-sightedness”

The Gospel of the day presents Jesus inviting us to become aware of the presence of a possible “spiritual myopia” in our lives and to take measures to get rid of this condition.

The passage begins with the statement: “You have heard that it was said… but I say to you” (Mt 5: 43)

It must be borne in mind that the region in and around the ministry of Jesus, was multicultural and multilingual.

Under the Roman Empire, there was an infusion of languages… Latin, Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew…

Many of the common people of Israel usually spoke in Aramaic or Greek and perhaps Latin.

In this multi-linguistic situation, the reading and understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures (which was in Hebrew) was mainly by the religious leaders of the time – the Pharisees and the Scribes.

This therefore gave them the chance to interpret the Scriptures in a manner that reflected their own personal and biased teachings.

As time passed, this style of interpretation finally led to the situation that just observing the Law in an outward allegiance was sufficient in fulfilling God’s demands.

The spirit of the law was sacrificed for the letter of the law!

The inner dimensions and requirements were abandoned.

A “spiritual myopia” had crept in…

A “spiritual short-sightedness” had overpowered them…

They were fixed to doing the stipulations, but failed to live the spirit of the Law

They were limited to a vision of doing only the externals, but got blind to the internals.

And therefore, Jesus warns the people to be aware of this “spiritual myopia” and to see beyond..
…to the real requirements of the law
…to the core of God’s commandments

Jesus attacks the method which interpreted Scripture with a limited vision and perspective…

He contrasts the Pharisees’ interpretation of the law with the law’s real meaning, by using the formula: “You have heard that it was said to those of old. . . . But I say to you . . .”

Six times in the second half of Matthew 5, Jesus uses this formula…speaking about…
… anger (Mt 5: 21-22)
… adultery (Mt 5: 27-28)
… divorce (Mt 5: 31-32)
… oaths (Mt 5: 33-34)
… retaliation (Mt 5: 38-39)
… loving enemies (Mt 5: 43-44)

Each time Jesus described the “limited” interpretation of the law…and each time He “broadened” the vision of the law.
Each time Jesus exposed the “myopic” understanding of the law…and each time, He “enlarged” the understanding of the law.

Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual myopia?”
… limited in my vision of the love of God and failing to extend His charitable love to all
… limited in my vision of the law of God and being stuck to my egoistic interpretations
… limited in my vision of the mercy of God and blocking it from reaching our enemies.

Am I also in a condition of a “spiritual short-sightedness?”
… having eyes fixed only on materialistic aspects and failing to see heavenly realities
… having eyes fixed only on what happens externally and failing to understand inner facts
…having eyes fixed only on being pious outside and failing to have a genuine intimacy within

In the Nazareth Manifesto, at the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus declared that He has been sent, “to proclaim…recovery of sight to the blind…” (Lk 4:18)

Let this season of Lent be a time for us…
… to seek the grace of the Lord
… to have our eyes touched-
… and thus to be healed of our spiritual “myopia”

God Bless ! Live Jesus!

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HOPE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

Far from diminishing our concern to develop this earth, the expectancy of a new earth should spur us on, for it is here that the body of a new human family grows, foreshadowing in some way the age which is to come.
That is why, although we must be careful to distinguish earthly progress clearly from the increase of the kingdom of Christ, such progress is of vital concern to the kingdom of God, insofar as it can contribute to the better ordering of human society.”
“When we have spread on earth the fruits of our nature and our enterprise… according to the command of the Lord and in his Spirit, we will find them once again, cleansed this time from the stain of sin, illuminated and transfigured, when Christ presents to his Father an eternal and universal kingdom.”
God will then be “all in all” in eternal life:

True and subsistent life consists in this: the Father, through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, pouring out his heavenly gifts on all things without exception. Thanks to His mercy, we too, men that we are, have received the inalienable promise of eternal life (CCC # 1049-1050)

“Making genuine, practical and realistic efforts in the fight to sanctify and purify our anger!”

(Based on Ezek 18:21-28 and Mt 5:20-26 – Friday of the 1st Week in Lent)

Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional character.

His tales are mostly voyage stories – fantastic adventure stories through the seas of Africa and South Asia.

One of the tales narrates of how Sinbad and his sailors landed on an island.

On arriving, they saw coconuts, high up on the trees; which could very well quench their thirst and satisfy their hunger.

But these coconuts were far beyond their reach.

However, they noticed a large number of monkeys on the branches of the trees.

Soon enough, Sinbad and his men, began to throw stones and sticks up at the apes.

This enraged the monkeys and they began to seize the coconuts…
… and hurl them down at the men on the ground.

This was exactly what Sinbad and his men wanted!

They got the monkeys so angry…
… that they gave in to satisfy the needs of those who made them angry!

This is what anger does…
… we play ourselves, into the hands of those who cause us to lose our temper!

We end up “reacting”…
… than “responding!”

The Gospel of the day is a teaching by Jesus on this very important concern of Christian Life: Anger.

Killing is considered to be a serious evil in every society and every way of life

Killing in its basic form is usually considered only in the sense of the physical body.

But the Lord today presents a higher perspective in the understanding of killing…
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill’; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment’. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to the judgment….” (Mt 5: 21)

The Lord expands the understanding of killing beyond the physical body…

A person engages in killing… if, by anger…
… the social standing of the other person is upset
… the emotional state of the other person is wounded
… the spiritual balance of the other person is disturbed

We could understand anger from various perspectives…

1. Anger as Quick temper
   Prov 15:18 says, “An ill-tempered man stirs up strife…”
   It is said that speak when one is angry, one makes the best speech that would be regretted much!

Quick temper sometimes…
…. forms part of our temperament
… comes even unknowingly
… is instigated by other’s actions

Yet, in all this, one ought to…
… rise quickly from remaining in the state of anger.
… become conscious of the occasions which can excite anger
… see that the temper is not fed or nurtured or intensified

2. Anger which leads to stubbornness
   Eph 4:26: “…. do not let the sun to set on your anger”

Sometimes, the anger within is allowed to grow so much…
…that we get habituated to getting angry for even tiny and trivial matters
…that we lose our peace of mind, and sometimes even become indifferent
…that we choose not to budge from our position or viewpoint and remain adamant

Yet, we need to make efforts…
… to try to overcome our ego and self mentality and seek to make amends with the person
… to lower oneself in humility (even if we are right) and ease the situation of annoyance

Anger needs to be sanctified…channelled in the proper way!

One may feel a ‘just’ anger at….
… the immense corruption in the world and even in religious circles
… the forces of evil that seem to root away even faint traces of hope
… the indifferent and unchanging attitudes and temperaments of people which is sickening.

Yet… even these ought to get channelled properly
… even these ought to be routed in the right manner

Yes… even our just anger needs to be sanctified and purified in the burning furnace of God’s Love.

Anger is indeed a major tendency that is a cause of distress for many of us.

Anger is indeed a prime inclination that is a root of sin for many of us.

There are moments, when anger captures us and we throw ourselves into people…
… throw words which are not appropriate
… throw emotions that would cause shame and guilt later
… throw actions and deeds that would cause pain and injury

Let us make genuine, practical and realistic efforts in the fight to sanctify and purify our anger.

Undoubtedly…
… it is painstaking
… it requires deeper attempts
… it requires committed determination!

But the Lord assures His Grace to help us and His Love to encourage us!

Let us make efforts to be people, who not simply “react”…
… instead, in patience and gentleness, seek to “respond!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
HOPE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

The visible universe, then, is itself destined to be transformed, “so that the world itself, restored to its original state, facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just,” sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ.
“We know neither the moment of the consummation of the earth and of man, nor the way in which the universe will be transformed.

The form of this world, distorted by sin, is passing away, and we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, in which happiness will fill and surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men (CCC # 1047-1048)

“Trusting and always keeping in mind that God ‘sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!’”

(Based on Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25 and Mt 7:7-12 – Thursday of the 1st Week in Lent)

A story is told of a group of tourists who were visiting a large sheep farm.

The guide of the tourists was explaining how the little lambs are taken care by the mother sheep.

In order to demonstrate this, he took one little lamb from the farm…
… and placed it in a large enclosure with thousands of sheep.

The noise of the bleating sheep was deafening.

The little lamb, who seemed lost in the midst of that crowd…
… after a moment of silence, began crying loudly.

As it bleated, the mother lamb, who was at the end of the enclosure, heard the cry…
… and rushed towards her little lamb.

As the tourists were wonder-struck at this sight, the guide – who was a Christian – made a statement:
“This is how it is with God also!
We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!

He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

The Gospel of the day presents this assurance given by Jesus, of how every cry of prayer is heard and answered by the Lord, in His Holy Will…
… and His teaching on having a proper attitude and disposition in prayer.

The Lord makes a comparison in his teaching on prayer:

The “good” attitude that is displayed by human beings, even though they are imperfect and limited…
… and the “Good” approach that is always exhibited by our God, Who is Perfect and Generous!

Jesus tells: “Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake?” (Mt 7:9-10)

The Lord contrasts something that is good, with something that is quite hard to imagine or even dangerous…

Asking for bread… can a stone be given?
Asking for fish… can a snake be given?

Using this practical approach, the Lord drives home a very important point:

A human father – with all limitations, weaknesses and struggles – will always strive to give the best for his child
A human father – with all the shortcomings, hardships and labours – will always ensure to provide the finest for his child
… Then how much more is it not understood, that God, Who is all-good and caring, will DO THE BEST ALWAYS for all of us, His Beloved Children!

Therefore, we are asked to cultivate this very vital virtue: Trusting in the Lord!

When we trust in God…
… our prayers become meaningful!
… our struggles become salvific!
… our lives become joyful!

The beautiful prayer of Queen Esther is a wonderful inspiration for all of us, to totally trust in the Lord…
… especially in times of struggles, difficulties and problems of life:
“O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who am alone and have no helper but You…
Save us by Your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but You, O Lord” (Esth C:3, 14)

In life, we will have moments when we feel lost out… and we keep crying to God in prayer.

But let us always know, that our Loving God, hearing our cry…
… will always rush towards us!

Let us grow in our trust and always keep in mind:
“We should never imagine that we are beyond the reach of God!

He sees us as if we are the only child in the whole world!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
HOPE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

For man, this consummation will be the final realization of the unity of the human race, which God willed from creation and of which the pilgrim Church has been “in the nature of sacrament.”
Those who are united with Christ will form the community of the redeemed, “the holy city” of God, “the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
She will not be wounded any longer by sin, stains, self-love, that destroy or wound the earthly community.
The beatific vision, in which God opens himself in an inexhaustible way to the elect, will be the ever-flowing well-spring of happiness, peace, and mutual communion.
For the cosmos, Revelation affirms the profound common destiny of the material world and man:

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God . . . in hope because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay…. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies! (CCC # 1045-1046)

“Having a retrospective into our lives and see the many wonders and miracles that the Lord has worked in our lives!”

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

Remember the school-going days, when there was the (usually considered as) “terrorizing” subject called as Mathematics?

One of the questions that would frequent in a Mathematics question paper, would be questions of the type… “Prove that…”

So some examples of these theorems or statements to be proven would be…

“Prove that” the sum of two even integers is even.
“Prove that” the square root of two, is an irrational number.

Such examples of proof require a precision in the logic and methodology, so as to arrive at the proper conclusion of the facts.

The Gospel of the Day presents a similar question of “prove that” nature.

The Examiners posing the question: The people in the crowd
The student facing the question: Jesus
The statement to be proved: Prove that You, Jesus, are the Messiah, the Son of God.
The nature of proof required: Through signs and miracles.

This student, Jesus has faced such similar tests many times before.

He is an experienced student.

On the Mount of the Temptations… (Lk 4: 1-13)

Satan demanded Jesus to “prove that” He was the Son of God…
… by working a miracle
… by bowing to Him
… by jumping down

While at ministry…
… the Pharisees and teachers of the Law asked Jesus to “prove that” He had the authority to forgive sins. (Lk 5:21)

… the disciples of John asked Jesus to “prove that” He was indeed the One who was to come or whether they should look for another (Lk 7:19)

… some in the crowd asked Jesus “to prove that” He worked wonders and even drove out demons by His own power, by asking for a sign from heaven (Lk 11:16)

The Student, Jesus… has already faced many such “to prove that” situations!

Today’s Gospel once again puts the Student, Jesus to the test “to prove that” He is the Messiah by a demand for signs!

Am I also a person who is guilty of making Jesus a student, by putting Him “to the test” by asking Him “to prove” many things in life…?

In times of sicknesses and pains… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Healing God.
In times of financial difficulties… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Provider God.
In times of mental tensions and worries… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Caring God.
In times of spiritual aridity and emptiness… maybe I demand signs from the Lord to “prove that” He is indeed a Living God.

Of course, from a human perspective…owing to our limitations and weakness, we do sometimes ask some signs or miracles or some wonders.

But these demands for sign and miracles should not become THE criteria for proving God’s Existence or even His Presence…
These demands for some external manifestations and wonders should not become THE yardstick for proving the might and power of God…

We should not be holding God at ransom, by demanding signs

We should not be hijacking God and demand miracles.

We rather need to look back into our lives, and see the various moments and the times when…
… He has caressed us with His affection
… He has nurtured us with His love
… He has filled us with His presence

The Lord gives to the people in the crowd, the signs and examples of the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba.

The people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba…
… were gentiles
… were not the chosen people
… were not people who had a first-hand experience of God.

Yet, when they heard the preaching of Jonah and saw the glory of Solomon… they believed!

They did not demand miracles… they did not demand signs… they just believed!

The Lord through today’s Gospel makes us to realize the worth and the value of the many wonders and the signs He has already worked in our lives.

We sometimes might tend to take God’s blessings “for granted”
We sometimes might tend to not consider God’s graces as “something big”
We sometimes might tend to not able to even see something “special” in God’s favours

Today is a chance for us to have a retrospective into our lives and see the many, maybe tiny and small, wonders and miracles the Lord has worked in our lives…

None can say, ‘I have no miracles in my life’!

From our birth, to our upbringing, our education, our formation, our works, our surroundings, our people…etc….. at every step, we have many miracles and signs of God!

The hand of the Lord is very much at large in our lives.

We don’t need to become a people which poses God with “prove that” type questions!

Let us see… let us realize… and let us thank!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
HOPE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

In this new universe, the heavenly Jerusalem, God will have his dwelling among men.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…

… neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away!” (CCC # 1044)

“Throwing ourselves into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father!”

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

A devoted and affectionate father came into the room of the hospital, where his eight-year-old son was at the dying phase of his life.

The child was affected by an incurable disease.

The child, sensing that he was not going to get well asked his father: “Daddy, am I going to die?”

“Why, son…” asked the father “… are you afraid to die?”

The child looked up into the eyes of his father and replied: “Not…. if God is like you, Daddy!”

The child had a tremendous confidence and trust in his father…
… and was being initiated to experience God also as a Loving and Caring Father.

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful initiation by Jesus to help us to know, grow and deepen our understanding of God as being a Loving and Caring Father.

Today’s Gospel passage begins with Jesus issuing a warning on the danger of making prayer a mere “lip-service”

“In praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do….” (Mt 6:7)

What was Jesus meaning by the clause “heaping up empty phrases as the Gentiles…?”

One of the notable Gentile groups at the time of Jesus, were the Romans, under whose occupation the Jews were living.

It’s noteworthy to see some of the aspects of the ancient pagan Roman prayer:

1. All sacrifices and offerings required an accompanying prayer to be effective.

It was declared that “a sacrifice without prayer was thought to be useless and not a proper consultation of the gods.”

2. Prayer – the spoken word was considered the single most potent religious action.

And knowledge of the correct verbal formulas were the key to efficacy.

3. An accurate naming was vital for tapping into the desired powers of the deity invoked.

Hence public religious ritual had to be enacted by specialists and professionals faultlessly…
… even a small a mistake would require that the action, or even the entire festival, be repeated all over!

(A historian named Livy reports of an occasion when the presiding magistrate at the Latin festival forgot to include the “Roman people” among the list of beneficiaries in his prayer…
… the festival had to be started all over!)

The Greek word used for “empty phrases” is “battalagesete”.

It means to stammer, babble, talk gibberish, or to repeat the same things over and over mindlessly!

With this in background, Jesus emphatically declares that prayer is not about “heaping empty phrases”.

In this context, it also good to provide the Catholic understanding and logic of some of the prayers, which are perhaps considered as repetitive (eg: The Rosary, Novenas, Litanies.. etc)

Are all these standard prayers mere “heaping up of empty phrases…?”

No!

The Bible teaches us many examples of repetitive prayers…

The angels continually – day and night – sing “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Rev 4:8)
Psalm 136 repeats the words “for his steadfast love endures forever” nearly 26 times in 26 verses!
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed in the “same words” three times (Mk 14: 32-39)
Jesus, in fact, also commends the fact of continually praying, through the example of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18: 1-14)

Thus, it is seen that the Bible has many examples of repetitive prayer.

Therefore, the repetitive Catholic Prayers like the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Novenas, Litanies etc… are scripturally well-supported

When prayed with honesty and devotion, they become means to allow the heart…
… to praise God and understand His mighty works
… to grow in His love and come to a deeper awareness of His Providence
… and pray with Mother Mary and the Saints and intercede to them for our intentions

Prayer is not rattling off a few external words and feel satisfied in having done that…
… It is opening up, in dependence, the interiority of our hearts, to the One Who knows all!

Prayer is not going through a series of stipulated and organised system of words…
… It is allowing the heart to “mean what is said”, and to cause the lips express what the heart feels!

It is to this effect that Jesus says “Your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him” (Mt 6:8)…
… and teaches us the beautiful prayer – “The Our Father”!

Jesus presents the beautiful understanding of God being a Loving and Caring Father…
… The Father, in heaven, Whose Name we acknowledge to be most Holy and Worthy
… The Father, Whose Kingdom becomes the target to Which we ought to aspire
… The Father, Whose Will is to become the compass and blueprint of our life
… The Father, Whose providence nourishes us with daily bread for our sustenance and well-being
… The Father, Who extends His Immense Mercy to us, which we receive only if we forgive in turn
… The Father, Who strengthens us in our moments of trials and temptations
… The Father, Who rescues us from all evil by tenderly holding us in the palm of His Hand

Yes, Jesus wants us to understand and experience God as a Loving and Tender Father.

Let us cast away every fear and every anxiety!

Let us throw ourselves into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father

May all our thoughts and deeds, be aimed to do His Will and give glory to His name!

God Bless! Live Jesus

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
HOPE OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness.
After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign for ever with Christ, glorified in body and soul.
The universe itself will be renewed: The Church will receive her perfection only in the glory of heaven, when will come the time of the renewal of all things. At that time, together with the human race, the universe itself, which is so closely related to man and which attains its destiny through him, will be perfectly re-established in Christ.
Sacred Scripture calls this mysterious renewal, which will transform humanity and the world, “new heavens and a new earth.”

It will be the definitive realization of God’s plan to bring under a single head “all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth.” (CCC # 1042-1043)