“Seeking God’s Kingdom and doing His Will so that we can ‘love more, hate less and forgive quick!’”

(Based on Jon 4:1-11 and Lk 11:1-4 – Wednesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

A teacher in a school was being felicitated at her farewell program after serving for nearly 34 years.

She was a teacher who was much loved and much respected…
… all because of her gentle, yet firm conduct with all
… all because of her kind-heartedness and amiable approach with all

As she was asked on what was the motto that helped her to be such a lovable and respected teacher, she replied:
“Well, I have just tried to follow my Master Jesus…
… Who is an epitome of altruism on the Cross.

I have also been greatly helped by the care of Mamma Mary…
… as every day I make it a point to recite the Rosary.

And all I tried to do was: ‘To love more, hate less and forgive quick!’”

That’s a nice dictum for life, isn’t it?

Love more!
Hate less!
Forgive quick!

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful transcription by the author of the ‘Gospel of Prayer’ – St Luke – on a beautiful teaching on Prayer.

St Luke narrates this incident by stating that “Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” (Lk 11:1)

This query presents the beautiful inherent thirst and desire in every human person – to seek to connect with the Divine.

And Jesus, the Master lays before His Disciples, the blueprint for every prayer – the Our Father!

In just a few words, the Lord taught His disciples that the thrust of every prayer is “to seek God’s Kingdom and do His Will in life”…
… so that one can “love more, hate less and forgive quick!”

In the light of this teaching, let’s examine our prayer life…
… Does my prayer help me to orient myself more in doing the Will of the Father in my life?
… Does my prayer help me to love God more and to reach out His love to my fellow beings?
… Does my prayer help me to reduce hatred or other vices that have taken root in my heart?
… Does my prayer help me to reflect God’s Mercy to the people, especially those who hurt me?

The “Our Father” is also a beautiful reminder that God, in His infinite mercy and goodness…
… always has the store of forgiveness, unconditionally opened for us!

But…
To receive this treasure of forgiveness, we need to first forgive others!

It means that…

If we continue to nurture hatred against other…
If we adamantly keep having repulsion against the other…
… then we are telling God to not forgive either!
… then we are telling God to withhold His unconditional mercy on me!

It is this aspect of “forgiveness” that becomes highly essential and conditional…
… in our desire to do the Will of the Father, at all times, and living a faithful Christian life.

May the teaching of Jesus on prayer, narrated by St Luke in His ‘Gospel of Prayer’
… help us “to seek God’s Kingdom and do His Will in life”
… so that we can “love more, hate less and forgive quick!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

As long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power…

… governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed. (CCC # 2308)

“Being strengthened by praying the Rosary, and ‘choosing the better part’ of giving whole attention to the Lord and to His Kingdom!”

(Based on Jon 3:1-10 and Lk 10:38-42 – Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

On a crowded international flight, a weary businessman found himself seated…
… beside a small, frail nun in a white sari trimmed with blue – Mother Teresa

As the plane rose above the clouds, he noticed her fingers quietly moving over the beads of a rosary.

After some time, Mother Teresa turned to him and said gently,

“Would you like to pray the Rosary with me?”
He was embarrassed.
He hadn’t prayed in years.
But something about her peace…
… so still, so luminous, made him nod.

There, at thirty-thousand feet, they prayed together: A humble woman of faith…
… and a man lost in distraction.

When the prayer ended, Mother Teresa smiled and pressed the rosary into his palm.

“Keep it with you,” she said. “It will help you remember that you are never alone.”

He did keep it.
And in the years that followed, that rosary passed from one hand to another…
… to the sick, the dying, the desperate
… and countless hearts found comfort through its touch.

In a cabin filled with so many people and engines and chatter, one woman found a way to bring Heaven down to earth…
… a few beads of prayer became a bridge of silence.

She was not doing much…
… she was simply being with God.
And that presence became the most powerful act of service.

Mother Teresa chose the better part…
… not the many things that pull us apart
… but the One Presence that holds us together.

Jesus, in the Gospel of the Day, invites us too: to stop, to listen, and to let our hearts rest at His feet
… through the incident of Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary and Lazarus.

During his journey of ministry, Jesus came to a village and was welcomed in the house of Martha and Mary.

Martha demonstrates great hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home.

She gets busy with the tasks of serving their honoured Guest.

Mary, on the other side, displays great devotion and love, by sitting at the feet of Jesus

She gets immersed into spending time, with the revered Rabbi.

This incident invites us to appreciate the courage and devotion of Mary

The role adopted by Mary was something contrary to the fixed norms for a Jewish woman.

She sat at the feet of Jesus, just as a student would, while learning at the feet of a Rabbi.

This was, however, a role reserved for men.

Yet, Mary “chose the better part” (Lk 10: 42)

This incident also invites us to reflect on the words of Christ to Martha.

Jesus tells Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her?” (10:41-42).

The Lord extends an invitation to Martha to examine her approach…

Jesus is not against her actions of service and of providing a comfortable hospitality.

But He is concerned that Martha is too” worried and distracted”

Very often…
… our best intentions in life can get spoilt due to our tendency to over-worry or be over-anxious.
… our noblest deeds of works can be marred due to our unnecessary outbursts of irritation and distractions

The Greek word used for “distracted” is “periespato”

“Periespato” means to be pulled or dragged in different directions

As a result of this high degree of distraction….

Martha fails to maintain an important and basic dimension of hospitality – giving due attention to the guest
She also seeks to cause a humiliation for her sister, Mary, in public
… even goes on to accuse Jesus of “not caring about her”

We live in a world where we are prone to get easily “distracted” – to be pulled or dragged in different directions – like Martha.

But can we seek to overcome this crippling tendency…
… by “choosing the better part” of giving whole attention to the Lord and to His Kingdom.

Today Holy Mother the Church celebrates the Feast of our Lady of the Rosary.

This Feast of our Lady of the Rosary was instituted by Pope St. Pius V in the year 1570.

The word Rosary means a “Crown of Roses”.

Our Lady has revealed to several people that each time one says a Hail Mary…
… one is giving her a beautiful rose and that completion of each Rosary makes her a beautiful crown of roses.
The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions.

Like the exhibits in a museum, each mystery of the Rosary reveals much…

Each Mystery that we meditate upon, is a miniature theology of the mysteries of the life of Jesus and the life of Mary…
… offered with a view to feeding the mind and the heart.
The awesome story of our salvation is encapsulated in the Holy Rosary.

Let us pray the Rosary and live the mysteries of the Rosary in our everyday life.

The saying goes true… “No one can live continually in sin and continue to say the Rosary: either they will give up sin or they will give up the Rosary”

Happy Feast of our Lady of the Rosary!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. (CCC # 2308)

“Having compassionate hearts, and becoming true ‘Missionaries of Mercy!'”

(Based on Jon 1:1–2:1-2, 11 and Lk 10:25-37 – Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, who was popular in the late 19th and early 20th century was an American author and poet.

She has written a beautiful poem, which goes thus:
“It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you a bit of heartache…
… at the setting of the sun.

The tender word forgotten, the letter you did not write, the flower you might have sent, are your haunting ghosts tonight.
The stone you might have lifted, out of a brother’s way.
The little acts of kindness, so easily out of mind.
Those chances to be helpful, which everyone may find.

No, it’s not the things you do,

It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you the bit of heartache…
… at the setting of the sun!”

Our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

The Gospel of the Day is a stark reminder for us, to consider our level of love for the Lord…
… especially through the perspective of the many chances we miss in doing good and serving Him!

A scholar of the law went up to Jesus with a motive to test Him. (Lk 10: 25)

Despite being given a clarification by the Lord, the Gospel says…
… that the scholar of the law went on to ask another question, “to justify himself” (Lk 10: 29).

This attitude to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… is a tendency we ought to examine in ourselves

And if present, needs to be rooted out!

“Justifying oneself, even without any just cause,” could be pointing to the fact…
… that we are too proud to accept the view of the other, even when we know the truth
… that we are unwilling to let go of our ego, with a fear of being defeated

To this trap of the scholar of the Law, who sought to “justify oneself, even without any just cause”…
… Jesus replied with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

One of the vivid observations that we can have from this parable is the “sin of omission” from the part of the first two possible helpers – the Priest and the Levite.

The man who was attacked, and lay in pain and anguish along the road from “Jerusalem to Jericho”…
… was in need of immediate attention
… was in need of aid and assistance

But the parable says that both – the Priest and Levite – responsible and supposedly God-serving people – refused to extend help.

There could be several reasons proposed as to why they did not stop by, to help the one in need.

Maybe…
… they risked ritual and social impurity – since they were at the Temple of the Lord and touching the man had a risk of defilement.
… they were short of time – wanting to make sure they would reach in time for their Temple duties
… they were afraid of the robbers – since this 17 mile stretch from Jerusalem to Jericho was robber-infested
… they were indifferent to the cause of the needy – only being concerned with cultic service of the Lord and not translating them into acts of mercy
… they had a past experience of having faced danger – and were unwilling to put themselves into risk once again
… they were unable to set their priorities in order – unable to distinguish and discern that, not just Temple service, but even helping a needy person forms part of a true spirituality

The reasons….
… could be varied
… could be speculated
… could be argued upon

But one thing is certain: They failed to help a person in need…
… and thus had a missed a chances in doing good and serving Him!

This “missing the chance in doing good” constitutes the “sin of omission”

Yes, our daily life gives us ample opportunities to do good…
… and more than equal, are the number of opportunities that are often lost, in doing good.

Am in languishing with many “sins of omission”….?

Young persons who stray away from the honest and right paths of life – knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or purposely…
… demand our attention to pray for them and to find creative ways of bringing them back to the right path

Broken families which face crisis – either due to spousal misunderstandings or children’s worries or financial constraints or any other problems…
… cry out to us, to intervene in their lives by interceding for them and to become channels of peace, reconciliation and harmony.

Lethargic Christians and persons with lapsed faith – either due to ignorance or indifference or deception…
… plead to us, to bring their cause before the Throne of God’s Mercy and to be cheerful instruments who “fan their faith into flames”

In all such causes and similar cases, we are challenged to be the “Good Samaritan”…
… being humble enough to get down to our knees
… being daring and courageous to face humiliations in extending help
… being compassionate and caring to do follow-ups on our acts of mercy

It is only thus that we can firmly follow the commandments to inherit eternal life (Lk 10:25):
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength and with all your mind…
… and your neighbour as yourself!” (Lk 10: 27)

May our daily examination of the conscience, always remind us of the fact, that…
“It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone, which gives you a bit of heartache…
… at the setting of the sun!”

And thus spur us, to have compassionate hearts and be a true “Missionary of Mercy!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life.
Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to action…

… so that the divine Goodness may free us from the ancient bondage of war. (CCC # 2307)

“Being willing to have our ‘faces to the coal’ in accomplishing the mission of the Kingdom of God!”

(Based on Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4, 2 Tim 1:6-8, 13-14 and Lk 17:5-10 – 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C)

It was the time of World War II.

There was an urgency for England to increase its coal production.

The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill exhorted the labour leaders to extend their support towards this requirement.

At the end of his exhortation, he asked them to visualize (picture in their mind)…
… a victory parade that would be held at the end of the war.

He said that, first in the parade would come…

The sailors…who had managed the tensions at sea, with great courage.
Next would come the soldiers… who had proven their mettle by their bravery.
Then would come the pilots… who had displayed immense aerial skills.
All of these would be welcomed and acknowledged with great cheer and applause.

Last of all, would come along, the long line of…
… sweat-soaked and soot-smeared men in their miner’s caps.

Seeing them, someone from the crowd would ask:
“Hey! Where were all of you, during the tense days of our struggle?”

And from the hoarse ten thousands of throats would come the answer:
“We were deep in the earth, with our faces to the coal!”

The sailors, the soldiers and the pilots had glamour and glory attached to their work…
… but the miners, working deep in the coal mines, were always hidden and away from the limelight.

But very often, it is the work of such people who have their “faces to the coal”…
… which become the foundation and support in accomplishments of mission!

As Christians, are we willing to be the people who have our “faces to the coal”…
… in accomplishing the mission of the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel of the day, is this invitation to have our “faces to the coal”…
… by becoming “servants” in the service of the Kingdom!

Servanthood is an important dimension in being a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Lord narrates the Parable of the Unprofitable Servant.

In this parable, Jesus tells about a servant who works all day long out in the field, or out taking care of the flock.
And after he works all day long, he comes into the house…

Is he expected to sit down and rest and eat his own meal? No

Rather, he is required to serve his master by providing him the meal first.

And after doing all that work – all day long – there’s no word of thanks, no gratitude.

Jesus closes out this parable by saying that the servant was unprofitable because he only did what he was told to do.

Is it something practical?
Is it something easy?

The Gospel of the Day seems to be demanding much from a servant…
A servant…
… who works whole day long ploughing in the field or tending the sheep…
… who delays his needs and instead prepares and serves meals for his master…
… who after all his works, doesn’t expect words of gratitude…

The Parable is surely a tough one!

But, the One who preached this Parable is not a mere preacher, but is the One Who practised!

Jesus, the one who preached this Parable, practised perfectly, this life of being a servant.

He is the Servant, Who works in the field ploughing…
… sowing the seed of the Word of God, ploughing the Gospel in the hearts of people and toiling in the hot sun of oppositions and mockery

He is the Servant, Who tends the sheep in the field…
…providing pasture for His people, protecting them from the wolves of the evil and going after any of the sheep which are lost in the wilderness

He is the Servant, who prepares a meal and serves at table…
…nourishing those at table with His own body, strengthening them with His own blood and constantly reinforcing in the journey of life

How are we to be such a servant of the Lord?

By having a mind of being a servant of God

The world of a servant centres not around himself, but around the Master.

Whatever pleases the Master, the servant does.

If we truly acknowledge God as our Master, then we too…
… will do the works which please Him
… will think and seek to do His Will
… will speak the words which are worthy of His grace

If we truly accept God as our Master, then we too…
… will give ourselves to Him totally at all times
… will place His priorities over ours
… will avoid anything that blocks my complete service of Him

The call is to be a servant…
… who is dedicated and selfless.

Jesus is our model and example in being a Servant.

It’s a demand placed on us.

In working for the Kingdom of God, there are different roles which have glamour and glory attached to their work…
… but we always need to be willing to be like the ‘miners’ – working deep in the mines – hidden and away from the limelight.

It is the work of such people who have their “faces to the coal”…
… which become the foundation and support in accomplishments of mission!

As Christians, let us be willing to have our “faces to the coal”…
… in accomplishing the mission of the Kingdom of God.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples…
… and the assiduous practice of fraternity.
Peace is “the tranquillity of order.”

Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity. (CCC # 2304)

“Seeking the Intercession of St Francis of Assisi, in being an instrument of joy and peace!”

(Based on Bar 4:5-12, 27-29 and Lk 10:17-24 – Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1)

One winter evening, St. Francis of Assisi with brother Leo were walking across the streets …
… and the bitter cold made them suffer keenly.

St. Francis called to brother Leo, and he said:
“Brother Leo, even if we, in every country, give a great example of holiness and integrity and good edification, nevertheless…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.“

And when he had walked on a bit, St. Francis called him again, saying:
“Brother Leo, even if we give sight to the blind, heal the paralyzed, drive out devils, give hearing to the deaf, make the lame walk, and restore speech to the dumb, and bring back to life a dead man…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.“

And going on a bit, St. Francis cried out again in a strong voice:
“Brother Leo, if we knew all languages and all sciences and Scripture, if also to prophesy and to reveal the secrets of the consciences of others…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

And as they walked on, St. Francis called again forcefully: “
“Brother Leo, even if we could speak with the voice of an angel, and knew all about the treasures in the earth, and knew the qualities of birds and fishes, animals, humans, roots, trees, rocks, and waters…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

And going on a bit farther, St. Francis called again strongly:
“Brother Leo, even if we could preach so well that should convert all infidels to the faith of Christ…
… note carefully that perfect joy is not in that.”

Now when he had been talking this way for a distance, Brother Leo in great amazement asked him: “Father, I beg you in God’s Name to tell me where perfect joy is!”

And St. Francis replied:
“When we, soaked by the rain and frozen by the cold, all soiled with mud and suffering from hunger, and we ring at the gate of our House…
… and the brother from inside comes and says angrily: ‘Who are you?’

And we say: ‘We are two of your brothers.’

And he contradicts us, saying: ‘You are not telling the truth. Rather you are two rascals who go around deceiving people and stealing what they give to the poor. Go away’

And he makes us stand outside in the snow and rain, cold and hungry, until night falls
… then if we endure all those insults and cruel rebuffs patiently, without being troubled and without complaining
… and if we reflect humility and charity
… Oh, Brother Leo,
… note carefully that perfect joy is there!

‘And if we continue to knock, and the brother comes out in anger, and drives us away with curses and hard blows like bothersome scoundrels, saying; ‘Get away from here, you dirty thieves-go to the hospital! Who do you think you are?

And if we bear it patiently and take the insults with joy and love in our hearts…
… Oh, Brother Leo, note carefully that perfect joy is there!”

And if later, we still cry loudly begging them to open for us and he grows still more angry and says: ‘I’ll give them what they deserve.’

And he comes out and beats us so much that he covers our bodies with wounds–if we endure all those evils and insults and blows with joy and patience, and bear the sufferings patiently for love of Christ…
… Oh, Brother Leo, note carefully that perfect joy is there!

‘And now hear the conclusion, Brother Leo.

Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to His friends…
… is that of conquering oneself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ.
‘I will not glory save in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.’”

Indeed…
… Perfect joy is only in the Cross!

This incident of St Francis of Assisi, might sound too ideal for us…
And the approach and attitude of the Great Saint might seem too utopian for us…

Still, it is possible to grow in our understanding of True Joy and Peace in God alone..
… and making the Cross as the True Source of our Solace and Consolation!

The Gospel of the Day, on this Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, invites us to reflect on the theme of “Joy in the Lord”…
… with two instances of rejoicing:

The Disciples rejoicing after their successful mission experience
Jesus rejoicing in the Holy Spirit and thanking His Father for His Infinite Wisdom

One of the essential hallmarks of a Christian is a ‘Life of Joy’.

This was the experience of the Disciples, when they returned back from the mission.

They realized that it was the Power of the Lord that enabled them to taste success and relish triumph.

So they rejoiced greatly, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your Name” (Lk 10: 17)

Do we also rejoice, by seeing the hand of the Lord in the success and achievements of our lives….?
… knowing that whatever we achieve, is ultimately not just due to our hard-work and efforts; rather, was the result of our co-operation to the grace of God!
… recognizing that all our talents and opportunities are gifted by God to exhibit His Glory and Honour!

We are called to rejoice in the Spirit.

St Luke would testify this in the words: “At that very moment, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…'” (Lk 10: 21)

This then is what we too are expected to imitate from the Lord: Rejoicing in the Spirit.

St Paul would beautifully explicate this, when he says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4: 4)

As it’s often said in Latin, “Gaudeo. Gaudete?”

“I rejoice. Do you rejoice?”

Our life is to be an inspiring exhibition of the Joy in the Lord and Rejoicing in the Spirit.

Do we radiate joy…
… in our encounter with one another, and spread the cheer of life?
… even in the midst of hardships, knowing that we have a God who is deeply caring for us?
… thanking the Lord for His blessing, above all, for the gift of Himself in the Word and the Sacraments?

There is, without doubt, many reasons for us to be grumpy, to complain and to feel resentment in life.

But can we allow the Power of the Lord to enamour us, and realise that beyond all these, we have a reason to celebrate and to rejoice…
… knowing that ‘God is with us’, to ensure success in our journey of life, with our wholehearted co-operation
… knowing that the Lord is the greatest reason to be happy and the treasure of life Who deserves every glory

Let us today seek the Intercession of St Francis of Assisi, in being an instrument of joy and peace

“Make me Lord, a channel of your peace…!”

Happy Feast Day!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fifth Commandment – Respect for human life

Respect for and development of human life require peace.
Peace is not merely the absence of war…

… and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. (CCC # 2304)