“Like St Stephen, being filled a deep passion and courage that comes from the New Born King so as to be a Dynamic and Enthusiastic Soldier for His Kingdom!”

(Based on the Feast of St Stephen, the Martyr)

Stones were flying from different directions…
The atmosphere was very tense and highly apprehensive…
The people had become enraged and were very badly instigated…

St Stephen…. the man filled with the power and spirit of God, however, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God. (Acts 7: 54-56)

And then a surprising thing happened….

He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God!

Usually, we always read or say in our prayers that Jesus is sitting at God’s right hand…

But here, Jesus is seen standing!

Jesus is probably giving a standing ovation..
… to St. Stephen, the one who became his brave witness.

The mighty display of faith by St Stephen was worthy of a standing ovation by the Son of God!

The Majestic King was tremendously proud of His Faithful and Committed Soldier!

We are on the first day after Christmas…
Yesterday, we celebrated child Jesus in the crib…

We sung the “silent night” and “joy to the world”…
We remembered the angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to people of good will”…
We exchanged a lot of smiles and shared much fun…

But suddenly today, there is a shift…

The atmosphere of fun and frolic has turned sombre and serious…
The carols of mirth and joy are substituted by cries for death and vengeance…
The shining gold vestments at Holy Mass are replaced with blood-red vestments…

The peace and joy of Bethlehem is contrasted by the tragedy and heartbreak at Jerusalem…

Yesterday we celebrated the birth of our eternal King.

Today we commemorate the triumphant suffering of His faithful soldier.

Yesterday our King left His place in the Virgin’s womb and was born in the world.

Today His soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.

Yesterday a group of enthused and excited people visited and paid homage to our King.

Today, a group of proud and ferociously evil mob execute His soldier!

Why does the Church celebrate this tradition of commemorating the gruesome stoning to death of St Stephen, soon after the celebration of the tender Babe?

The Church’s long tradition of celebrating the memorial of St. Stephen soon after the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, does not serve to demote Christmas, but to continue & manifest more clearly an important meaning of the Christmas celebration.

Christmas essentially means becoming a true disciple of Christ…

And a true disciple ought to tread the way of the cross – “If any want to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Lk 9: 23)

Christ the Master, Himself walked this path of trials and difficulties.

The signs of suffering and pain were foreshadowed very much already in the Crib of Christ…
The manger where the babe was laid, foreshadowed the Cross on which He was to be laid.
The swaddling clothes of the babe, foreshadowed the shroud which will cover Him in His tomb.
The lack of room in the inn, foreshadowed the lack of room for Him to be buried after His death.

Christmas is the celebration of Life that was pledged to be given up in death, in order to win back life – life in its fullness!

Christmas becomes a true reality when Jesus is born in our hearts…

When Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts, that heart cannot remain without effect.

There is a contagious enthusiasm.
There is a great transformation.
There is a tremendous zeal.

And this birth of Jesus took place in the heart of St Stephen.

He underwent a Real Christmas.

He experienced the joy of having Christ born in His life.

And this fact that Christ was born within, led Him to be a dynamic and bold soldier of His King!

Nothing could stop Him from being a witness…

The experience of Christmas in His life had made St Stephen…
… to be a bold soldier.
… to stand firm for the truth.
… to bear the pain of stoning
… to shed His blood for His Lord

Have we also experienced Christmas in a way that transforms and makes us authentic disciples?

Have we also celebrated Christmas which makes us to pledge every breath and cell of our life to the Lord?

Have we also enjoyed Christmas in order to find immense power and strength in being a true and authentic Christian?

The blood of St Stephen sings the beautiful carols of Jesus who was born in his life!

Are we ready to discover still further, the true and genuine meaning of Christmas in our life?

Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords gave a wonderful standing ovation seeing the spectacular display of faith and courage of His Beloved soldier, St Stephen.

Let us also be filled a deep passion and courage that comes from the New Born King and be His Dynamic and Enthusiastic Soldier for His Kingdom!

Happy Feast of St Stephen, the First Martyr of the New Born King of kings!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Be what you are…

… and be at it’s best!”

“May Jesus be born, not just in the crib in houses or church, but in our Hearts and Lives!”

(Based on the Solemnity of Christmas)

An elderly person was asked what was the meaning of Christmas for him.

He replied:
“I look around and find so many things changing…

The dialer phone that itself was so rare and making a phone call was such a difficult thing…
… is today eased with the high-pace technology of mobile phones and even video calls!

The cyclostyle machine for printing and the stenography style of taking down notes…
… is shadowed today with 3D Printers and Speech-to-text softwares!

The long tapes of recorder cassettes and the oversized gramophone records that would play my favourite music as well as the news I heard on my old radio…
… are given a fresh face with internet music and satellite radio!

I see things changing all around me.

But one aspect that I can be completely convinced of is this: ‘Christmas – the Birth of Jesus, our Saviour – is an unchanging factor in this changing world’!”

Of course, we do have our arguments to say that the “celebration style” of Christmas has surely undergone drastic, dramatic (and in some cases, even dreadful!) changes.

But the fact remains that Christmas, which is primarily, the celebration of the Birth of Christ…
… is an unchanging factor in this changing world!

In this dramatically changing world, we are set to celebrate the Greatest Revolutions of all time – “Christmas”

This revolution started in the most unlikely places of all…
…In an ordinary stable – outside a forgotten village called Bethlehem.

It involved three simple persons on earth…
… Jesus, the Babe,
… Mary the Virgin Mother
… Joseph the Just Man

Hardly glamorous, significantly unnoticeable and glaringly simple people!

Yet…
… the revolution that began from this Stable has had the greatest effect on humanity.

His birth was to ring in…
… a Political Revolution – Jesus being the King of the World!
… a Social Revolution – Unifying all classes and castes and races!
… an Economic Revolution – Bringing Hope to the poor and the oppressed!
… a Moral Revolution – Emphasizing on intentions of the heart and the mind!
… a Spiritual Revolution – Forgiveness and Salvation for all ready to receive Him!

Let us reflect on some simple, yet significant aspects of this “unchanging factor in our changing world” …

1. The beauty and the greatness of God’s Wisdom is to delight in insignificant things…
   God loves to take simplicity in life, and decorate it with His Divine touch!

He feasts on ordinary situations and transforms them into amazing moments of Divine Experience!
He enjoys to descend into li’l hearts and converts them to glorious dwellings of His Divine Presence!

2. Joseph and Mary, went about place to place, inn to inn, looking for a birth place. (Lk 2:7)
   It’s a Divine Paradox that the Creator of the entire Universe sought for a place to be born!

Am I ready to make my the “stable of my heart” ready to receive the Lord?

3. The Lord was born in a manger.
   Wood was to escort Jesus, all through His Life…

The wooden manger would give Him shelter when He was born…
Wooden tools would accompany Him as He grew up as a carpenter…
Wooden boats will be His pulpit for preaching His Word on the Kingdom…
The wooden cross would be His instrument of Salvation and Redemption of the world…

The wooden manger is be a reminder to us that Christmas is the Season, not just of joy, but also of hardships and responsibilities in life!

4. Christmas is Christ + Mas(s) = the Mass of Christ…. the Sacrifice of Christ!
   When we wish Happy Christmas, let’s also remember that the Crib & Cross are two sides of the great sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth.

In the Crib, Jesus descended from heaven and became weak and vulnerable.

On the Cross, Jesus embraced sinfulness of the earth and became helpless and miserable.

The Caravan from the Crib to the Cross is Celebrated and Commemorated at Christmas!

5. Jesus, the Divine Babe came primarily as the Saviour of the world

“For today in the city of David, a Saviour has been born for you..” (Lk 2:11)
Jesus came to the world with a very specific mission: to save people from sin and grant eternal life to those who believe in Him (Jn 10:10)

He is the only person Who took birth to die! It was by His death, that He was to achieve the mission of granting life to all.
Therefore, the celebration of Christmas has to be primarily a celebration made in “repentance and renewal”

If the heart doesn’t repent, then Christmas can never be celebrated truly!

Christmas is the story of a God passionately in love with us, and deeply desiring that we belong to Him, and Him alone!

6. Jesus, the Divine Babe deserves a wonderful gift on His Birthday
   Birthdays become occasions to gift the one who is celebrating.

Jesus, the Birthday Baby surely deserves the best gift.

But what can we give Him?

All what we have and all what we are, comes from God anyways!

So is there anything, that I can call of my own?

Yes!

Probably the only thing which belongs to me, is my sin!

This Christmas, beyond all other gifts and preparations, we could gift our “sinful life” to Him.

It might feel bad for us to give all that ugly part of our life.

But our Blessed Lord invites us to give of our self to Him entirely – broken, weak, dirty, impure, lost- as we are, to Him, so that He can renew us and make us a new person (Rev 21:5 – “Behold, I make all things new”)

As Bishop Fulton J Sheen says: “You give me your humanity, I will give you my divinity.

You give me your time, I will give you my eternity.
You give me your slavery, I will give you my freedom.
You give me your death, I will give you my life.
You give me your nothingness, I will give you my all.”

7. Carols will be sung in great festivity on this special day.
   There were two types of Carols sung on Christmas Day when Jesus was born.

The Carols of Joy when the Angels sang in deep acclamation and mirth – “Glory to God”!
The Carols of Pain when the mothers cried in deep pain for their li’l babes who were executed!

There are two types of Carols song even today in our world…

The Carols of Joy – people uniting for social justice; hearts turning to the Lord in true contrition; people expressing care & love etc

The Carols of Pain – the number of terrorizing acts around the world; families, societies and even churches divided because of money, language, race, caste; increased sense of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life…etc.

Carols ought to remind us of these two aspects… Joy and Pain in life!

When carols of Joy and Pain in life, are sung with Confidence in the Lord, we will be blessed to sing the Carol of Celebration on the Day of Salvation!

8. Christmas is a great time of celebration – but let us never forget Christ
   The celebration of the Birth of Baby Jesus demands space in our hearts!

Let us take utmost care that during this Christmas, Jesus, the Tiny and Tender Babe does not get…
… drowned in the avalanche of cakes and sweets
… buried in the frenzy of shopping and decorations
… drunk in the dirt of revelry and partying
… lost in the celebrations with Santa Claus and exchanging of gifts

Rather, let us make sure that Jesus, the precious and beautiful infant…
… is held close to the heart and given a pledge of our life and love
… is lavished with kisses of our true promises and renewed consecration
… is showered with true smiles of our Love for Him, His Word, His Eucharist & His Church

Yes, Jesus is…and He alone is…and ought to be… the Reason for this Season!

May He be born, not just in the crib in houses or church, but in our Hearts and Lives!

Happy Birthday to our Dearest and Beloved Baby Jesus!

Congratulations to our Blessed Mamma for Her “Yes” and to Blessed Joseph for his care!

A Blessed and a Holy Christmas to all of us!

God Bless! Live Jesus….always!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Bloom where you are planted!”

“Preparing our hearts – in holiness and sanctity – to have a beautiful crib for our Blessed Lord!”

(Based on 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8-12,14,16 and Lk 1:66-79 – Thursday of the 4th Week in Advent, Year B)

Music has been a popular part of the celebration of our Lord’s birth for a long time!

The Bible records that many characters in the Christmas story almost instantly responded to the events surrounding the birth of our Saviour with songs.

In our own days, we take immense delight to sing Christmas carols.

We also get a special feeling in lifting our voices in joy and thrill…

Today we have on the stage of the Gospel a beautiful Hymn being sung.

The title of the hymn is “Benedictus” and it is sung by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist!

The setting of this song is during a very gloomy period in the life of the nation of Israel.

Israel had been chosen by God from among all nations to be a priestly nation to the rest of the world.

But this nation that was to lead all other nations to God, was being led by a pagan empire.

Israel was under the domination of the Roman Empire.

The Roman Kingdom was the last in a long line of pagan nations that had ruled Israel.

The ruler in Zechariah’s day was King Herod.

Herod was not a man of God.

In fact he was just the opposite – a very degenerate man.
He had introduced Roman temples into the land and had built idols to the Roman gods.

Under his leadership Israel became a land filled with immorality.

The spiritual life of the Jews lost its vitality.

In the midst of these dark and cloudy moments, Zechariah sings the “Benedictus” – a Song of Blessing!

A child had been born…
… signaling the Coming of the Messiah.

John the Baptist ushered in a period of singing praises and glory to the Lord.
Like a drop of fresh water in the deserted land…
Like a gleam of light in the midst of thick darkness…
Like a faint melodious tune in the thick of deep silence…

The life of Zechariah and Elizabeth was favoured with reasons to sing blessings to God!

It’s interesting to analyse the names of this simple yet wonderful family – Zechariah, Elizabeth and John.

Zechariah means ” God (Yahweh) remembers”
Elizabeth means “the promise of God”

John means ” God (Yahweh) is gracious”

The union of Zechariah (“God remembers”) and Elizabeth (“the promise of God”) gave birth to John (“God is gracious”)

Zechariah + Elizabeth = John

God remembers + the promise = God is gracious!

Yes, God remembers His promise, and thus shows that He is gracious!

Our lives may often be in darkness or undergoing a night of dryness…

Our lives may seem to be devoid of true peace and happiness…
Our lives may be rendered meaningless or hopeless…

Yet, Zechariah, Elizabeth and John invite us today, to sing a song of Blessing to God!

When we live in God’s love, we can sing the chorus of service!
When we trust in God’s providence, we can sing the chorus of joy!
When we hope in God’s mercies, we can sing the chorus of faithfulness!

With the armour of faith, the shield of hope and the sword of love, let us join Zechariah and Family to sing our Hymn of Blessing to God Yahweh!

Blessed be the Lord, for He is challenging in His gentle inspirations!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is merciful in His Divine Compassion!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is generous in the Blessed Eucharist!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is majestic in His Holy Sacraments!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is faithful in His gracious promises!
Blessed be the Lord, for He is vibrant in His Holy Church!

On this eve of Christmas, let us fervently prepare our hearts – in holiness and sanctity – to prepare a beautiful crib for our Blessed Lord, Who comes as a Babe…
… in our hearts
… in our lives
… and in our homes!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight.

It enables us to see God in all things…

… as well as all things in God!”

Music has been a popular part of the celebration of our Lord’s birth for a long time!

The Bible records that many characters in the Christmas story almost instantly responded to the events surrounding the birth of our Saviour with songs.

In our own days, we take immense delight to sing Christmas carols.
>> We also get a special feeling in lifting our voices in joy and thrill…

Today we have on the stage of the Gospel a beautiful Hymn being sung.

The title of the hymn is “Benedictus” and it is sung by Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist!

The setting of this song is during a very gloomy period in the life of the nation of Israel.

Israel had been chosen by God from among all nations to be a priestly nation to the rest of the world.
>> But this nation that was to lead all other nations to God, was being led by a pagan empire.

Israel was under the domination of the Roman Empire.
>> The Roman Kingdom was the last in a long line of pagan nations that had ruled Israel.

The ruler in Zechariah’s day was King Herod.

Herod was not a man of God.
>> In fact he was just the opposite – a very degenerate man.
>> He had introduced Roman temples into the land and had built idols to the Roman gods.

Under his leadership Israel became a land filled with immorality.
>> The spiritual life of the Jews lost its vitality.

In the midst of these dark and cloudy moments, Zechariah sings the “Benedictus” – a Song of Blessing!

A child had been born…
… signaling the Coming of the Messiah.
>> John the Baptist ushered in a period of singing praises and glory to the Lord.
> Like a drop of fresh water in the deserted land…
> Like a gleam of light in the midst of thick darkness…
> Like a faint melodious tune in the thick of deep silence…

The life of Zechariah and Elizabeth was favoured with reasons to sing blessings to God!

It’s interesting to analyse the names of this simple yet wonderful family – Zechariah, Elizabeth and John.
>> Zechariah means ” God (Yahweh) remembers”
>> Elizabeth means “the promise of God”
>>>> John means ” God (Yahweh) is gracious”

The union of Zechariah (“God remembers”) and Elizabeth (“the promise of God”) gave birth to John (“God is gracious”)

Zechariah + Elizabeth = John
>> God remembers + the promise = God is gracious!

Yes, God remembers His promise, and thus shows that He is gracious!

Our lives may often be in darkness or undergoing a night of dryness…
> Our lives may seem to be devoid of true peace and happiness…
> Our lives may be rendered meaningless or hopeless…

Yet, Zechariah, Elizabeth and John invite us today, to sing a song of Blessing to God!
>> When we live in God’s love, we can sing the chorus of service!
>> When we trust in God’s providence, we can sing the chorus of joy!
>> When we hope in God’s mercies, we can sing the chorus of faithfulness!

With the armour of faith, the shield of hope and the sword of love, let us join Zechariah and Family to sing our Hymn of Blessing to God Yahweh!
>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is challenging in His gentle inspirations!
>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is merciful in His Divine Compassion!
>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is generous in the Blessed Eucharist!
>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is majestic in His Holy Sacraments!
>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is faithful in His gracious promises!
>> Blessed be the Lord, for He is vibrant in His Holy Church!

On this eve of Christmas, let us fervently prepare our hearts – in holiness and sanctity – to prepare a beautiful crib for our Blessed Lord, Who comes as a Babe…
… in our hearts
… in our lives
… and in our homes!


God Bless! Live Jesus!

——————————–
Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Faith is like a bright ray of sunlight.
>> It enables us to see God in all things…
… as well as all things in God!”
——————————–

“Being patient in faith, hope and love in our MUTE moments, so that we may experience the gracious & gifted “HIS NAME IS JOHN” moments in our lives!

(Based on Mal 3:1-4, 4:5-6 and Lk 1:57-66 – Wednesday of the 4th Week in Advent, Year B)

We all are familiar with the ‘remote control’ of a television.

In the remote control, there is the button named “MUTE”.

It is used to put off the sound, momentarily.

Sometimes, in our spiritual lives, too, we undergo the experience of being in the “MUTE” mode with God.

There is a total silence, that pervades our relation with God.

Have we undergone this experience of the “silence” of God?

Do we sometimes feel why is God “absent” in my life?

The Couple of Day – Zechariah and Elizabeth – underwent, this “mute” experience with God.

Though advanced in age, living a life of prayer, service and faithfulness, they were not blessed with the Gift of a Child.

Barrenness, in the Jewish Society was one of the greatest misfortunes for a family.

Being barren was thus a harsh experience for this Devout Couple!

But then came the precious and joyous moment…

The “His Name is John” Moment!
…..when, new life and fresh joy radiated their lives!

The names of John, and his parents – Elizabeth and Zechariah are very significant.

Their names are very significant; it tells  that God’s delays are not His denials
… The name Zechariah means “The Lord remembers”
… The name Elizabeth means, “the oath of God”

Thus, the name of the couple stands for: The Lord remembers His oath!

However, the long years of barrenness would have seemed as a contradiction to them – it seemed God had totally forgotten about them.

But this is where we learn, that God’s delays are certainly not His denials!
He has a better plan (Jer 29:11) – always, without fail!

And they were indeed blessed with a Son – named “John” whose name means “God is Gracious!”

True to this name, after a prolonged period of silence and hush…
… Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced the “Graciousness of God”.

  The long agony had been finally rewarded….with the Graciousness of God – John

The “muteness” that this Couple experienced, also reflected the Silence that the people of Israel experienced…
… in their waiting of the Messiah!

But the Birth of John, was the breaking of this silence.

The World, which waited eagerly for the Messiah, had now heard a Voice!

It was time to put off the “Mute”…
… the Voice had been Born!

John 1:23, ” I am the Voice of one, crying out in the desert!”

John the Baptist, the Voice, had  been born, to announce the coming of Jesus, the Word!

We all undergo “Mute” moments in our lives!

They are painful and agonizing moments…
… when all seems dry, answerless, silent
… when there is only dreadful calm, a total brokenness, painful agonies and miseries
… when there is sometimes even no hope ahead!

Sometimes, in unbelief, we may begin to even question or interrogate God…
… like Zechariah questioned the Angel
… and may even get affected with some physical muteness of health or wealth or prestige or disbelief or  misunderstanding or persecution etc…!

But nothing of our Unbelief will spoil God’s plan for us…

God says in Jer 29:11, “I know well the plans I have in mind for you….plans for your welfare, not for woe; plans to give you a future, full of hope!”

Our “mute” moments will be transformed, into, “His name is John” moments…!
Our “unspoken miseries” will be transfigured into ” gracious and gifted” moments…!

Let’s strengthen our lives with the oft-heard truth about three ways of God answering our prayers…

YES…. I will fulfill your desire in the way you want
WAIT…. in my own time, I will grant your wishes
NO…I have something much better for you!!

Let us be patient in faith, hope and love in our MUTE moments…
… so that we may experience the gracious & gifted “HIS NAME IS JOHN” moments in our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Have patience with all things..

… But, first of all with yourself!”

“With Mother Mary, joyfully proclaiming the BIG GOD through the Magnificat – “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”

(Based on 1 Sam 1:24-28 and Lk 1:45-56 – Tuesday of the 4th Week in Advent, Year B)

One of the things that, some of us did as children, as we grew up, was to measure our height against a wall.

We know how this method works…

We stand next to a wall and make a pencil mark of our height.

A few weeks or months later, we come back to this place and measure how much we have grown.

Why did we do this?

In order to see how much we have grown…

In order to check how much more we would wish to grow…

In order to know, “How big have we become!”

Today, we need to make a similar “height check” with respect to our God.

“How big is God in my life?”

The way we answer this question will determine how we live as a Christian.

The Gospel of the Day is a great expression of how Mother Mary considered the “height” of God in Her life.

She realized the mighty presence of the Lord in Her lowly life.
She understood the huge favour of the Lord bestowed in Her humble nature.

And so, with much acclaim and exclamation, Mary cries out, “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1: 46-47)

The Angel Gabriel had announced to Mary that she been chosen to be the Mother of the Son of God.

The angel also declared that her cousin, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age.

In Her deep concern, humility and spirit of service, Mary makes a visit to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth called Mary as Blessed ‘for believing what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled’ (Lk 1: 45)

It’s in this context, that Mary exclaims the Magnificat.

The image of Mother Mary in this hymn of the Magnificat is that of a powerful and courageous lady.

And these are evident in Her words of the Magnificat…

He has shown the strength of His arm, He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for He has remembered His promise of mercy (Lk 1: 48-54)

These are not words of mere pious sentimentality or tender words of affection…

These are words which express immense bravery and courage!

The mighty works and wonders of the Lord had made Mother Mary to declare…
… Courage in a God who overpowers the proud and the haughty
… Faith in a God who takes decisive action on behalf of God’s people.
… Hope in a God who vindicates the righteous and condemns the wicked.
… Love in a God who liberates the oppressed, the powerless, the poor and hungry.
… Trust in a God who casts away the self-asserting rich and accept the dependable poor.

Mother Mary declared Her strong assertion and powerful claim in a MIGHTY God!

How Big and Mighty and Strong is God in our life?

Do we believe in the mighty strength of God even in seemingly impossible situations of life?
Do we trust in the awesome majesty of God even when the boat of our lives hits rock bottom?
Do we rely in the colossal power of God even when earthquakes of life wreck havoc in life?

The way we live is a direct consequence of the size of God in our lives!

If we have a view of a Shrunken God…
… then we will live in constant anxiety of the world.

If we have a view of an Insignificant God…
… then we will live in immorality and casualness

If we have a view of a Tiny God…
…then we will live in lethargy, disinterest and indifference.

When we make God small in our lives…
… we offer prayers without faith, worship without awe, service without joy and undergo suffering without hope.

When we make God big in our lives…
… we live a life of daring faith, fearless obedience, zealous worship and passionate evangelization.

Let us measure the height and check the mark… “How Big is our God?”

With Mother Mary, let us also seek to joyfully proclaim the BIG GOD through the Magnificat – “My soul proclaims the glory of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Devotion is a certain intensity of charity which not only makes us prompt, active and diligent in observing God’s Commandments…

… but moves us beyond that to perform as many good deeds as possible, even those which are only counselled or inspired!”

“Deepening our resolve to live a ‘life of sharing’ so that all our actions may become an expression of the Divine Experience for the other!”

(Based on Song 2:8-14 and Lk 1:39-45– Monday of the 4th Week in Advent, Year B)

There was a little boy, who wanted to meet God.

He guessed that the trip would be very long, so he packed his bag with a lot of chocolates, cookies and his favourite mango juice as well.

He started his journey, and walked for a long time – even in the hot, blazing sun.

Finally, he got tired, and found a park to rest.

In the park, he met an old woman…
… sitting all by herself..
… just staring at some pigeons.

The boy, tired and famished, sat down next to her and opened his bag.

He was about to open his favourite drink, when he noticed that the old woman looked hungry.

So he offered her a cookie.

She gratefully accepted it, and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty, that the boy wanted to see it again.

So he offered her the mango juice as well.

Once again, she gratefully accepted it, and smiled at him.

The boy was delighted!

They sat there, the whole afternoon – eating and smiling – without saying a word.

Finally, as it grew dark, the boy realized he was too late, and had to rush back home.

As he got up to leave, and had taken a few steps, he turned…
…ran back and gave the woman a loving hug.

When the boy reached the house, his mother was surprised at the deep joy that the child radiated, and asked the reason for it.

The boy answered, “I had lunch with God!”

Before the mother could say anything, the boy added: “You know what?
She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”

Meanwhile, the old woman also filled with happiness, reached her house, and was asked by her son, on the reason for it.
The old woman answered, “I had lunch with God”

Before the son could say anything, the woman added: “You know what?
He’s much younger that I expected!”

“Sharing” became the wonderful platform, for the two of them, to experience joy, with the essence of Divinity.

Yes, “sharing” is a quality, which is a reflection of the Divine – Who, in Jesus, empties Himself, in “self-giving” and “self-emptying”

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful recounting of the “joy in sharing” – through the encounter of Mary and Elizabeth.

Mary, after having received the surprising and confounding message from Angel Gabriel, to be the Mother of the Son of God, doesn’t remain captivated or captured in heavenly bliss.
… Instead She sets out, “in haste” to the town of Judah? to the house of Her cousin, Elizabeth (Lk 1:39)

Heaven had revealed to Her the good news of Divine Favour…
… but, Mary doesn’t swell up in pride

Instead, She sets out, in service and humility

Divine Joy and Grace makes Mary to imitate the quality of the Child within Her: To share!
And this act of sharing by Mary, caused Elizabeth, Her cousin, to rejoice and the child, John, to “leap for joy”!

Elizabeth testifies to this fact when she exclaimed in a loud voice, “For at the moment the sound of
Your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy” (Lk 1: 44)

This is an essential dimension of Christian Life: Sharing.

Just as Christ shared…
… by emptying of His glory, and becoming one like us, in all things, except sin
… by being part of human experiences and being a model to live a perfect life
… by taking up pain and suffering to redeem humanity from the clutches of sin
… by giving Himself entirely, with love and deep affection, in the Holy Eucharist

Just as Mother Mary shared…
… by offering Herself in service to her cousin, Elizabeth in her need
… by becoming a model to us, by living a life in total obedience to God’s Will
… by offering Herself to God’s Providence and letting Herself be the Mother of all humanity

We too are invited, exhorted and challenged to live a “Life of Sharing”!

Our Christian lives must…
… cause us to share our resources and abilities in the service of the family and community we are in
… make us to share our time with those in need – especially of encouragement and consolation
… cause us to share our knowledge and experience to bring more people to faith in Christ
… make us to share our little acts of charity and sharing in the redeeming act of Christ

When we share our life with the ones in need…
… we experience joy and satisfaction

When we share of our self – time, love, material things or anything – to those in want…
… we experience happiness and contentment.

The world today is much thirsty to receive love and extremely hungry to receive care.

Each Christian is expected and invited to imitate Christ and help others to experience Divine Love.

Mother Mary is our model towards this.

She made choices to grow in imitation of Her Son and helped others to experience Divine Joy

As the words of St Teresa of Avila…
“Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world”

May we deepen our resolve to live a “life of sharing”…
… especially as we approach the Nativity of Christ

So that each of our action may become an expression of Divine Experience for the other!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “We shall never experience total joy so long as we are in this mortal life.
… this grace is reserved to the blessed Spirits in heaven

Nevertheless, try to attain it in the greatest possible degree!”

“Imitating Mother Mary in Her dare and courage for the sake of God’s Kingdom to ‘give up’ completely.”

(Based on 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16, Rom 16:25-27 and Lk 1:26-38 – 4th Sunday of Advent, Year B)

There goes a simple story of a father trying to explain the importance of the season of Advent to his ten-year-old son. He stresses on the need to prepare oneself well for Christmas.

The father said, “You ought to ‘give up’ something in Advent; something you will really miss, like for example, chocolates!”

The boy thought for a moment, then asked, “What are you giving up, Daddy?” “I’m giving up liquor,” the father replied.

“But before dinner you were drinking something” the boy protested. “Oh! That was only wine” said the father “I gave up hard liquor”

To which the boy replied, “Well then, I think even I’ll give up hard chocolates!!”

‘Giving up’ completely, in life, becomes a hard challenge and a difficult task.

But only in going through the tough way, can one obtain true success in life.

Only by giving up human interests in favor of God’s choices, can one find heavenly bliss!

The Gospel of the Day – the Annunciation of the Lord – is a witness to this great aspect of “Giving Up”.

“How can this be?” (Lk 1:34)…
This was the question that the innocent and surprised Mary asked the majestic Angel of God.

Mary had been betrothed to Joseph.
This meant she had formally agreed to marry him but the “wedding” had not yet taken place.

Between the “betrothal” and the “wedding feast” was a period usually lasting six months to a year.

During that period the couple was considered to be married and were called husband and wife but (a) they did not live together and (b) did not consummate their marriage physically.

In this context and background,
To be chosen to be visited by the splendour and power of God’s Messenger…

To be told that she was to be conceived and bearing a child…

To be declared that she was to be Mother of God’s Son…
…were highly disturbing, shocking and even fearful prospects!

It was pretty natural for Mary to pose this probing question: “How can this be?”

In her heart, it was slowly dawning that life was going to be highly different hereafter…

If we suppose that her wedding feast is still four or five months away, like teenagers everywhere, we can imagine that all her thoughts centred on things that prospective brides think about–the guest list, the decorations, the food, the music, what she will wear and where they will house the people coming in from out-of-town, her future life with her beloved husband…

Mary had never been happier.
This was to be the most exciting time of her life.

But the plan of God intervened at this joyful, undisturbed, serene phase of her life…

Often when life moves on an even path, we face the unexpected bumps of troubles.

Often when spiritually things seem to be fine, we encounter unforeseen nights of faith crisis.

Gone were the happy dreams of a grand wedding…

Gone were the hopes for “the most beautiful wedding to her most wonderful man”…
Gone were all her girlish hopes of a quiet life in the home she would personally decorate…
Gone, also, were the visions of a houseful of children conceived in love and filled with mirth…

Life was calling Mother Mary to make the choice of “giving up” completely.

“Giving up” her dreams and desires totally, to share in the magnificent plan of God’s Will.

“Giving up” her fears and apprehensions fully, to leap into a dimly-lit world of faith.

She will have a wedding feast, but not the way she planned.

She will be married, but not before rumours spread through the countryside.
She will have a home, but over her family will rest an uneasy cloud of dark suspicion.

It will all happen, but not the way She expected.

She had to “give up” all…
… Her desires
… Her will
… Her dreams
… Her expectations

The Bible is a mighty witness to those heroes & heroines of faith who “gave up”
Abraham…
Moses…
Ruth…
David…
Elijah…
Jeremiah…
Esther…
Job…

This “giving up” by Mary, was the key element in God’s plan of human salvation.

Today, each one of is being invited and challenged to “give up” things in life…

“Give up” our will in favour of God’s Will in our lives.

“Give up” our sinful tendencies to allow purity and holiness to overshadow us.
“Give up” our selfish desires and interests to make space for the needs of others.
“Give up” our personal time of comfort and luxury to give more time to the Lord.
“Give up” our judgmental attitudes and embrace the spirit of gentleness and forgiveness.
“Give up” our wrecking feelings of brokenness and let in God’s presence and grace to heal us.

No doubt that this “giving up” is a hard task and even might seem “impossible” to us.

But the Angel Gabriel assures and comforts us, “For with God, nothing is impossible” (Lk 1:37).

Got any rivers you think are unassailable?
Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?

God specializes in things thought impossible.

He does the things others cannot do!

Mother Mary is the greatest human example of impossibilities being converted to realities through God’s Power!

In Her yes, humanity said Yes to God…

In Her “giving up”, humanity has “given up” the sinful nature.

She is our Model disciple to imitate.

She is our Mother beloved to hold fast to.
She is our Madonna Special to intercede to.

Let us imitate Mother Mary in Her dare and courage for the sake of God’s Kingdom to “give up” completely.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children…

… cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence!”

“Firmly holding high the banner – ‘Semper Fi – Forever Faithful!’ in our Christian lives and living in loyalty and allegiance to Christ, our Great Commander”

(Based on Judg 13:2-7, 24-25 and Lk 1:5-25 – Saturday of the 3rd Week in Advent, Year B)

Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton is a former Marine Corps sergeant in the US.

On Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide bomber drove a truck load of explosives into the Marine Camp at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon, killing 241 soldiers.

Nashton, a lance corporal, just 23 at that time, was among those severely injured in the attack.

Nashton had many tubes, running in and out of his body, with grave injuries all over.

A witness would say, that ‘he looked more like a machine than a man’.

Yet, he survived!

It is said, that two days after the bombing, while lying on the hospital bed in Weisbaden, Germany…
… in deep pain and agony, Nashton scribbled two words on a note and gave to his commander, Marine Commandant Paul X. Kelley.

The two words on the note read: “Semper Fi”

“Semper Fi” is the Latin motto of the Marines.
It means: “Forever Faithful!”

The pledge of “Semper Fi”…
… strengthened the injured man, in his moments of agony and struggle!
… became the reason for the wounded person, to remain steadfast in the face of anguish!

Every Christian ought to have this pledge to the Lord – “Semper Fi : Forever Faithful” – firmly adhered to Christ and faithfully lived in love.

The Gospel of the Day is the inspiring story of two exemplary persons- Elizabeth and Zechariah – who displayed the courage “to remain faithful” even while staring at hopelessness and despair.

St Luke begins his Gospel, after a brief introduction, with the amazing story of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

It’s interesting to note the meanings of their names…

“Zechariah” meant “The Lord remembers”
“Elizabeth” meant “the oath of God”

Combined, their names would mean, “The Lord remembers His Oath!”

However, life seemingly handed them something quite opposite…

Their childlessness caused to seem that the Lord had totally forgotten!
The barrenness of Elizabeth caused to seem that the Lord had His memories lost!

How true is this situation in our own lives too?

We bank on God’s promises that “He would provide” everything…
… but when some of our expectations fall short, we feel God is just not with us!

We feel joyful to know that God’s Providence will guide us through…
… yet, when some unforeseen and sudden mishaps happen, we feel God has forgotten us!

We feel assured to realise that God will always shelter us…
… however, when we find ourselves in the thickets of problems and crises, we feel God has left us!

This is where we need to look to Zechariah and Elizabeth and be inspired by their amazing faith.

Though life did not move the way they wished…
Though many of their honest longings were not fulfilled…
Though they had to go through occasions of shame and dishonour…
Though all possibilities of hope and expectation was “lost”, humanly speaking…
… they still kept the faith!
… they still remained true to the Lord!
… they still continued to be devout to God!

The Gospel says, “they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless” (Lk 1: 6)

Yes, Zechariah and Elizabeth firmly held up the placard of “Semper Fi” – Forever Faithful – to God!
And this is what we too are called to do, in our Christian life of faith – to hold up the banner of “Semper Fi”…

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when our life ahead seems uncertain and the road ahead looks too dark

By firmly trusting Divine Providence and obeying His Will in our lives

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when undeserved sufferings crush our life and unfair behaviour is meted out to us

By strongly pursuing the paths of justice and holding firm to the values of the Gospel

Being “Forever Faithful”…
… even when sin traps us and we find it miserable to let go off our evil ways

By resolutely making efforts to do away with sinful tendencies and seeking to be holy

The “Forever Faithful” principle of Zechariah and Elizabeth was mercifully looked with favour by God…
… and thus the joyful words were addressed: “…your prayer has been heard! Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” (Lk 1: 13)

Yes, “the Lord remembered His oath” and announced that He is indeed “The God Who is Gracious” by blessing them with John (= God is Gracious)

Our God is a God Who cares much for His people…
Our God is a God Who deeply loves His Own…

This deep care and love, however, deserves our steadfast faithfulness and uncompromising fidelity.

Yes, let our Christian Lives be a life of loyalty and allegiance to Christ, our Great Commander…
… and may we, firmly hold high the banner – “Semper Fi – Forever Faithful!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The Lord would never exhort the faithful to persevere…

… if He were not ready to give them the power to do so!”

“Being inspired by St Joseph to grow in obedience to the Will of God – with promptness and joy!”

(Based on Jer 23:5-8 and Mt 1:18-24 – Friday of the 3rd Week in Advent, Year B)

A child standing in front of the Christmas Crib was looking for quite sometime at the statue of St Joseph.

The mother, tapped his shoulder and asked: “Why is it that you looking so long at St Joseph?”

The boy with an innocent smile replied:
“Mamma…St Joseph was such a great person, isn’t it!

He had the honour to be so close with the two holiest persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother!

I wish that we would talk and pray to St Joseph more..
… than just think of him, only during Christmas season!”

The boy was recounting the greatness of St Joseph…
…who often remains hidden in the backdrop, amid the great galaxy of Biblical Stars!

The Gospel of the day is a beautiful glimpse to understand the person of St Joseph.

Let’s learn a few of his important virtues.

1. St Joseph was ever attentive and obedient to the voice of God

One of the standout qualities that we observe in St Joseph is his prompt obedience to the voice of God

He listened to the Angel, in moments of dilemma, and obediently took Mary as his wife (Mt 1:20-24)

He listened to the Angel, in moments of danger, and obediently took the Mother and Child to Egypt (Mt 1:13-15)
He listened to the Angel, in moments of doubt, and obediently settled the Holy Family in Nazareth (Mt 1: 20, 22b)

St Joseph was able to let go of his personal choices and his desired comforts and give top priority to do what God wanted him to do.

Holiness consists in doing what God wants – when and where He wants

2. St Joseph teaches us the love for Jesus and Mary

Ever since he recognised the plan of God in his life, St Joseph displayed a tremendous commitment and love to Jesus and Mary
He had many occasions of choices to let go of them…
… to leave Mary when she was found with Child, even before the marriage
… to leave his pregnant Wife when they found no place in the inn
… to abandon the Child and Mother when a life-danger against them was sensed

But, nothing could deter St Joseph from leaving or abandoning them.

He knew that in God’s plan, They belonged to him, and he would safeguard Them – treasuring Them close to his heart.

Our faith has blessed us with love for Jesus and Mother Mary.

Can we also imitate St Joseph, in holding Them close to our hearts?

3. Humility is a virtue radiated by St Joseph
   St Joseph had to face many moments of humiliation, disappointment and uncertainty.

But in his humility, he remained true to God in all those moments

Life sometimes drags us into situations of sadness and even shame.

Many times we let go of God’s Hands, saying that “He is not fair” or “He doesn’t understand me”!

St Joseph teaches us that there is much value in humbling oneself, before the mighty power of the Almighty

4. St Joseph was content to be the “silent worker” in the awesome work of Salvation

St Joseph, was honoured to be sharing the most intimate physical presence with the two holiest persons of this world – Jesus, the Son of God and Mary, the Immaculate Mother.
And yet, he contented himself to be the “silent hard-worker”.

He is a mighty challenge to our world, where seeking for honour, position, fame and reputation become cheap motives, in doing works of charity or even, sadly to say, in ministries of the Church.

5. St Joseph is the model of chastity

Mary is the New Ark of Covenant, bearing Divinity in Her.

St Jerome, says that St Joseph, the son of David, shared his royal ancestor’s fear of coming into overly close contact with the Tabernacle of the Lord: “Who am I,” asked King David, “that the Ark of the Lord should come to me?” (2 Sam. 6:9)

Chastity is the virtue that moderates the desire for sexual pleasure according to the principles of faith and right reason.

In married people, chastity moderates the desire in conformity with their state of life
In unmarried people who wish to marry, the desire is moderated by abstention or unless they get married
In those who resolve not to marry, the desire is sacrificed entirely.

St Joseph is often depicted with a White Lily in his hand, to depict purity and holiness

6. St Joseph was prefigured in Joseph of the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, we read Joseph, the son of Jacob, had stored up, in Egypt, grain to provide bread for the preservation of the People of Israel (Gen 42)
In the New Testament, St Joseph, safeguarded, in Egypt, the Bread of Life, for the salvation of the People of God. (Mt 1: 14)

7. St Joseph is a model leader

True to being a Father, St Joseph displayed many leadership qualities, which needs to be imitated by us, in our practical life
Defender of the community/team members: St Joseph preserved Mother Mary from idle talks of gossip and malicious speculation
Protection of those in care: St Joseph did not give up in the face of hostile situations, when it was time for the Birth of the Child
Needful and prompt action: St Joseph acted quickly and promptly, in response to situations of danger and of need

This Year has been declared by Holy Father Pope Francis as the Year of St Joseph.

St Joseph invites us to grow in obedience to the Will of God – with promptness and joy

Let us pray that we will be able to nurture a deeper and tender affection for Jesus and Mother Mary and be close to Them, to lead a pure and holy life.

May the greatness of St Joseph inspire us

And may we talk and pray to St Joseph more..
… than just think of him, only during Christmas season!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Glorious St Joseph, spouse of Mary, grant us thy paternal protection, we beseech thee by the Heart of Jesus Christ!

O thou, whose power extends to all our necessities and can render possible for us the most impossible things, open thy fatherly eyes to the needs of thy children!”