“Ready to throw of all unbecoming stuff from our hearts, and placing the Divine Mercy of the Lord, enthroned in our hearts!”

(Based on Is 35:1-10 and Lk 5:17-26 – Monday of the 2nd Week in Advent, Year B)

A young man went up from his home in the countryside to the city to join the University for a Degree.

As a resident student, he had his own room in the hostel.

After he had settled in, his Mother, a godly, devoted Christian, decided to pay him a visit.

She was delighted to see the campus and felt good with the ambience.
She was also happy that her son was taking a keen interest in his studies.

However, when she went to his room, she was greatly shocked.

The kind of pictures that he had fixed to the walls of his room in the hostel made the mother feel embarrassed!

They were portraits of semi-dressed artistes, film stars, and suggested much that was sensual, and unbecoming a young man who had been devoutly trained at home, as he had.

The mother said not a word.

Instead of expressing her displeasure, she went home.

The following day, sent across a framed picture of the Divine Mercy of Jesus, with the request that he would hang it in his room.

A few weeks later she visited again him.

This time, however all the other pictures in the room were gone…
Only the picture of the Divine Mercy was there!

When she asked him about it, he replied, ‘You see, mother, I could not have those pictures along-side this Sacred picture. They would be out of place!’

Evil cannot exist beside the Sacred!

Where there is the presence of Holiness, evil finds itself disturbed and distances itself!

But human life often finds itself engaged and engrossed with evil things…

The pull to be bad constantly lurks in human minds…
The urge to be sinful often prowls in human hearts…

The Gospel of the Day is an exposition of this evil side of life that often endangers human hearts, and pops its head up, especially when encountered by goodness and holiness.

The Gospel is the healing of the paralytic, when Jesus comes into His own town.

Seeing the paralytic being brought on the stretcher, and admiring their faith, Jesus had said, “Courage child, your sins are forgiven” (Lk 5:20)

However, some of the scribes got irked hearing these words and said, “Who is this who speaks blasphemy?” (Lk 5:21)

But Jesus, who knows the hearts of people…. who reads the thoughts of all, said:
“What are you thinking in your hearts?” (Lk 5: 22)

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read the parallel verse, in the following way:
“Why do you think evil in your hearts?” (Mt 9: 4)

Another translation of this verse would read:
“Why do you harbour evil in your hearts?”

“Harbour” is a place on the coast, where ships may moor in shelter, especially one protected from rough water by piers, jetties, and other artificial structures.

It is also to keep a thought or feeling, (typically a negative one) in one’s mind, especially secretly

The Lord exposes the evil intention of the Scribes in questioning His action of cleansing the paralytic.

For the paralytic, it was a great moment…
… of being cleansed from sin, and being restored to holiness
… of having a very personal encounter of the Saviour and receiving wholeness

It was a sacred time… a holy instant!

But where there is the presence of Holiness, evil finds itself disturbed and distances itself!

Evil cannot exist beside the Sacred!

Therefore, when the paralytic was encountering goodness and holiness, the evil side in the scribes popped its head up, and questioned and quizzed our Blessed Lord.

The same question that Jesus asked the scribes is now thrown to us:
“What are you thinking in your hearts?” or “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” or “Why do you harbour evil in your hearts?”

Am I a person who is unable to tolerate the good things happening in other people’s life?
Am I someone who gets irked and irritated when the other person prospers in happiness?

We sometimes adorn the walls of our hearts with many filthy stuff -uncharitable thoughts, indecent words and jokes, hurtful views of people or crude perspectives of situations.

The Lord feels hurt and sad by this our “harbouring of evil in our hearts”

Prophet Isaiah exhorts, encourages and reminds us: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you!” (Is 35:3-4)

Are we ready to throw of all those unbecoming stuff from our hearts, and place the Divine Mercy of the Lord, enthroned in our hearts?

Let us seek the intercession of St Ambrose, Doctor of the Church on his feast day.

His words come as a reminder to us: “Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies!”

With him, let us also pray: “Many a sin has sullied me in body and in soul, because I did not restrain my thoughts nor guard my lips: nevertheless it is to Thee, O God of Majesty and Love, that I turn in my extremity, for Thou art the Fount of Mercy; to Thee, as quickly as I may, I speed: for Thou alone canst heal me; I take refuge under Thy protection!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Just as internal revolutions and troubles can cause the ruin of a state…

… so an anxious and troubled heart no longer has the strength to resist the assaults of the enemy!”

“Experiencing the ‘comfort of the Lord’ and allowing His ‘Evangelion’ – the Good News – to find a place to be born in our hearts in this Season!”

(Based on Isa 40:1-5,9-11, 2 Pet 3:8-14 and Mk 1:1-8 – 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B)

The Disney movie “The Lion King” features a young lion named Simba.

Simba is destined to rule the world!

The movie begins with a scene where Simba’s father takes him to “Pride Rock” (the equivalent of a throne) and shows him his inheritance.

But soon afterwards, a wicked plot by the evil hyenas is set, and Simba’s father is murdered.

Simba fled from the place due to fear and uncertainity.

The hyenas seized the throne and with evil, the land becomes desolate and desperate.

It’s in this situation that Rafiki, a monkey – a wise sage of the land – seeks out Simba.

He helps Simba to overcome his fear and aids him in understanding his destiny and person.

He made him realize what was the power and the authority that he was inherent with!

Once Simba realized who he was and what he possessed, and his role in the society…
… he drove way the hyenas Pride Rock and took His place as king!

Thus peace and beauty were restored to the land.

It needed a Rafiki – the wise monkey sage- to make Simba realize his worth…
… and his duties!

That’s how it is in our Christian lives as well…

God intervenes in our life – either by Himself directly, or through some other people or situations

And makes us realize and recognize our worth and our duties.

The Gospel of the Day is an intervention by God in the life of the people of Israel – through the instrumentality of John the Baptist…
… making the people to realize and recognize their worth and duties.

On this Second Sunday of Advent, the Gospel presented before us, is the starting of the Gospel of St Mark, beginning with…
… “The beginning of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” (Mk 1:1)

The word “Gospel” is from the Greek word, “Evangelion”…
…. Which means a “Good News”

When St Mark begins by saying, “The beginning of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”, he is announcing the “good news” that Jesus, the King has come…
… to deliver His people out of every bondage
… to redeem His people and bring them back to His Kingdom.

It was a fulfilment of the words of prophet Isaiah (as we see in today’s First Reading),
“Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” (Is 40:1)

(These words of Isaiah were a “good news” to the People of Israel, who had been in captive, and now…
… were to be delivered out of their bondage
… were to be redeemed by having their Kingdom restored)

This announcing of “comfort to the people” is done through the instrumentality of John the Baptist.

He exhorts the people to receive the “comfort of the Lord” by overcoming all their bondages…
… by his words: asking the people to repent of their sin (Mk 1:4)
… by his appearance: in the resemblance of Elijah, the Prophet – to signify that He was preparing the “way of the Lord” (Mk 1:6)

Are we prepared to give heed to this call of John the Baptist?
… asking us to repent of our sins?
… asking us to prepare a “way for the Lord?”

The Lord wishes all of us to experience “His Comfort” in our lives

But this can happen…
… only if we repent of our sins
… only if we seek to prepare a “way for the Lord”

St Peter reminds us of the Merciful Patience of the Lord and the duty placed on us to repent:
“But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:8-9_

Let’s examine our lives…

What are the areas in my life, that needs the aspect of “repentance”
… with respect to some of my spiritual practices
… with respect to some of my relationships
… with respect to some of the “unhealthy” habits, to which I keep clinging

What are the areas in my life, that requires me to “prepare a way for the Lord?”
… with respect to bringing the “awareness of the Lord’s Presence” in my daily works and activites
… with respect to “repairing” some relationships that needs a conscious effort on my part

Our Christian lives constantly has God intervening in our life…
…. either by Himself directly, or through some other people or situations

To make us realize and recognize our worth and our duties.

And today, through the Gospel Reading on John the Baptist…
… the Lord is intervening in our lives!

Let’s give heed…

Let’s make the suitable changes….

May this Season of Advent, continue to help us, to experience, the “comfort of the Lord” in our lives…
… and thus may His “Evangelion” – the Good News – find a place to be “born in our hearts” in this Festive Season!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “He will unfailingly be pleased with our patience…

… and take note of our diligence and perseverance!”

“Readying to cycle our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission!”

(Based on Is 30:19-21, 23-26 and Mt 9:35-10:1,5,6-8 – Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent)

One of the exciting things in life, which many of us have gone through, is learning a bicycle.

These days, bicycles come with a special set of training wheels that are attached to the back wheels.

The two little wheels attached to the back wheel are there to help provide balance and confidence to the rider.

But many of us, would have also learnt the bicycle in the old-fashioned way…
… the parent or a friend who ran alongside the one learning, until the rider got under way.

This person, who would be accompanying, would most often say three things, while learning this art of cycling…

1. Always keep the eye on the road…
   …to keep the focus
2. Don’t lean to the left or the right side…
   … to have proper balance
3. Remember, I am always there with you…
   … to feel the confidence and trust

These three principles would help the person to learn quick this art of cycling.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus sending out the Twelve…
… to learn the Art of Mission

Like the art of cycling…the Apostles are also given some basic principles…
… the principle to keep focus
… the principle to have a proper balance
… the principle of confidence and trust

The ministry of Jesus had gained a lot of popularity.

There were crowds of people following Him…
There were multitudes of persons attracted to Him…

The Heart of the Lord is moved in empathy for these people.

The Gospel says, “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36)

The ministry of Jesus had also gained a lot of opposition.

Many of the religious leaders were greatly taken aback by the raw authoritative power of Jesus
Many of the Scribes and Pharisees were greatly offended by the blunt and open challenges by Jesus
Many of the local and family people were greatly scandalized by the boldness and courage of Jesus

But as the saying goes… “Challenges are what makes life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful!”

Though opposition and challenges were raging hard against the ministry of Jesus…
… He remained courageous and determined.

And so, He chose the Twelve…
… who would be with Him and to be sent out (Mk 3:14)

The Twelve were to be His extension – of His Teachings, of His Works

And so, He not only chooses the Twelve…
… but He also sends them on a mission

A mission…
…with an authority over unclean spirits
…to proclaim the Kingdom of God
… to preach repentance and peace

In this art of mission, the Lord gives a few instructions and principles…
… and “also gave authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness” (Mt 10:1)

The Twelve were to learn…
… to keep focus on the preaching of repentance and bringing healing to people
… to have a proper balance by not getting discouraged in the face of any sort of rejection
… to have confidence and trust in the Lord Who was with them to provide what they needed

Each of us, by virtue of our following Christ, is a missionary…

Am I focussing on preaching only His Gospel and living only His life….
…or do I get distracted with other agenda and motives?

Am I having the proper balance in living the Christian life even though I face many pressures…
…or do I lose the balance and fall into the pits of lethargy, disappointments and laxity?

Am I having the confidence and the trust in the Lord and bank on Him at every turn of life…
… or do I experience perplexities of anxiety, despair and despondency?

The art of missions is exciting.

We may feel a little afraid at times…
We may sometimes even fall..

But we only need to follow some of the basic principles, coupled with His Grace…
… to be focussed on the Lord alone
… to be balanced in prayer and faithfulness
… to be trusting and being confident in His awesome power

And when we embark on this art of mission…
…Just like a caring parent, who is happy to see one’s child cycling confidently…
…our Heavenly Father will also look at us with much happiness and joy and be proud of us!

Are we ready to cycle our way, with our Heavenly Father, in this exciting art of Mission?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every day.

Either he will shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then…

… and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings

“Hearkening to the Words of the Lord, in our journey of faith: ‘Just have Faith in Me and Obey My words!’”

(Based on Isa 29:17-24 and Mt 9:27-31 – Friday of the 1st Week in Advent, Year B)

A little child, during a forest expedition, was asked by his father to get across a letter urgently to the village.

The father pointed over a trail, over which the boy had never gone.
“But Father” protested the child, “I have never been through this way.
I do not even see the path that will reach our village.
Will it be reasonable for me to travel along this path? “

“Do you see the trail” replied the father, “as far as that big tree down there?”

The boy replied, “Oh, yes, I do see that far”

“Well” continued the father, “when you get there by the tree, you will see the trail a little further ahead; and so on, until you get within sight of the houses of our village.

Just have faith in me and obey my words!”

This is the journey of our Christian life…
… where the element of faith has to take over the aspect of seeing!
… where the element of obedience has to take over the aspect of rationality!

The Gospel of the Day is a beautiful exposition into these insights, which are highly essential for our life as a Disciple of Christ and a Missionary of His Kingdom.

The Gospel passage under consideration is the healing of the two blind men in the Gospel of St Matthew (Mt 9: 27-31)

One of the strange aspects that we could notice in this incident is what happens after the healing has taken place.

St Matthew says that, after their eyes were opened, “Jesus sternly charged them, ‘See that no one knows it'” (Mt 9:30)

He forbids the two men from making his fame known to others.

The Greek word that is used here for “sternly charged” is very interesting and revealing.

St Mathew uses the word, “embrimaomai”.

“Embri-mao-mai” literally means to snort with anger/displeasure (like a horse)!

In other words, Jesus “roared with rage” when He ordered the men to not proclaim about Him.

Why did Jesus adopt such an “angry stance”?
The Jewish people were longing for a Messiah who would save them from the pagan Roman Rulers.

Their understanding of the Messiah was purely from a temporal perspective – a prince who would wage a war and destroy the Roman enemies

If it was known outside that the Messiah, the much-awaited King had arrived, many Jews would undoubtedly seek to enthrone Him.

They would make efforts to usher in a physical kingdom with a violent expulsion of the Roman rulers!

We see such a tendency on many occasions in the Gospels, but more explicitly after the multiplication of the loaves in the Gospel of St John

“Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry Him off to make Him King, He withdrew to the mountain alone” (Jn 6:15)

But, such a move would have jeopardized the Mission of the Lord!

He came not to be a king as any other king…
… rather He, the King of kings, came to reign over the hearts and lives of people!
He came not to be someone who would merely rescue from material oppression…
… rather, He came to be the Saviour who would free the world from sin and every bondage!

It is also to be seen that the two blind men addressed Jesus as “the Son of David” (Mt 9:27b)

This was the first time, in the Gospel of St Matthew, that Jesus was proclaimed by someone as “Son of David”

“Son of David” clearly pointed that Jesus was the Messiah.

The two blind men were confessing that Jesus is the Messiah!

Therefore, if the two men, excited and overjoyed as they were, with their miraculous healing, had gone around proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah…
… there was a grave danger, that the people would be instigated to a rebellion against the Romans

(Such an explanation is also supported by the fact that while healing or performing wonders among the Gentiles, Jesus did not forbid them.

The Gentiles, unlike the Jews, did not have any Messianic expectation as such.
For eg: After healing the Gerasene demoniac, Jesus tells him, “Go home to your family and announce to them, all that the Lord in His pity has done for you” – Mk 5:19)

There is also another point of consideration…

Jesus was the Perfect Physician.
He knew that the blind, when healed, cannot be exposed to the light, all on a sudden.

The exposure to the Light has to be gradual.

Jesus, the doctor-par-excellance and the Light of the World (Jn 9:5) knew, that there was great danger, if these spiritually blind would try to immediately go and spread about their experience with the Light

The Light would only end up harming them and also those to whom they preached!

And therefore, “Jesus sternly charged them, ‘See that no one knows it'” (Mt 9:30)

What do these things entail for us?

A very important principle as Missionary of Christ and His Kingdom is implied here:

“Go only when we are sent to and to whom we are sent to”

This is one of the important basics of any publicly ministry of the Kingdom!

We need to know and realize…

The Mission belongs not to me… the Mission belongs to the Lord
The works and ministry are not my initiatives… they are solely entrusted to me by the Lord

It is His Work… It is His Ministry… it is His Mission!

We are to be His active instruments… We are to be His lively tools… We are to be His dynamic channels!

This realization is highly essential for an effective and faithful Missionary life.

Such a realization, therefore, directly implies the necessity of Faith and Obedience!

Yes, our life as a missionary ought to be one..
… where the element of faith has to take over the aspect of seeing!
… where the element of obedience has to take over the aspect of rationality!

May our Blessed Lord touch and open our eyes, to “see the trail” that is on ahead of us, in our journey of faith…
… and may hearken to His Words, “Just have Faith in Me and Obey My words!”

On this First Friday of the last month of 2020, let us renew our consecration, obedience and love in the Sacred Heart of our Blessed Lord.

Let us also seek the intercession of St John Damascene – the Saint of the Day

He is a Doctor of the Church known especially for his defence of Sacred Arts, especially icons.
He is the champion of that article in the Creed which says, “I believe in the Communion of Saints.”
He is also known for his poetry and his devotion to Blessed Mother Mary

May his words inspire us:

“In former times, God, who is without form or body, could never be depicted. But now when God is seen in the flesh conversing with men, I make an image of the God whom I see. I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake.”
“Because of the Incarnation, I salute all remaining matter with reverence! The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God”
“Our Lady is rest for those who work, consolation for those who weep, medicine for the sick, harbour for those assailed by tempests, pardon for sinners, sweet relief for the sad and succour for those who implore!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When God sends inspirations into a
person’s heart…

… one of the first that is given is obedience!”

“Glorifying God – with deep faith and trust – wherever we live, work and move about!”

(Based on Isa 25:6-10 and Mt 15:29-37 – Solemnity of St Francis Xavier: Patron of Missions)

A young man – new in town – was visiting a nearby church.

As he looked at the various art works, paintings and statues…
… his eyes chanced upon a stained-glass window.

The glass had a phrase written on it: “Glory to God in the Highest.”

However, the man also noticed…
… the part of the glass window that had the letter “E” in the word HIGHEST was broken and so missing.

Thus the phrase read instead: “Glory to God in the High st!”

When he saw that phrase, something greatly stuck him…
… High St was the name of the place where he was living – High Street!

And he nurtured this feeling within him:
“This is a clear message from the Lord to me, as I come to this new town

I need to Give Glory to God in the HIGH ST…
… the place where I am living – HIGH STREET – is where the Name of God needs to be glorified!”

The man realized that the way to Glorify God would be to Glorify Him in the place where he was…
… Glorify God – with Deep Faith and Trust – wherever we live, work and move about!

On this Solemnity of St Francis Xavier – the Patron Saint of Missions, the Gospel of the Day – the sending of the disciples on a missionary journey
… is an invitation by Jesus to Glorify His Name as a missionary of the Kingdom of God.

After having summoned and authorized the disciples, Jesus sends them ahead of Him, to the places of mission.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the same passage beings with the statement, “Preach, as you go…” (Mt 10:7)

Some other translations would read as “As you go, make a proclamation…”

This is such wonderfully practical, and yet at the same time, a phrase that is often overlooked: “Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

Preaching or Proclamation in our times, is often picturised with a limited understanding.

Preaching or proclamation is often understood as that which takes place…
… only from the pulpit or during a service in Church
… only in the form of speaking and explaining the Word of God

But the words of the Lord are worth noting:
“Preach, as you go….” / “As you go… make a proclamation”

Preach, as you go about doing your daily duties and activities

As you go about your responsibilities and works, make a proclamation

Preach as you go around meeting different people by sharing His love and joy to all

As you go about engaging in numerous actions, make a proclamation by sharing His presence

The act of preaching and proclamation of the Kingdom of God is to be reflected in our every action and movement…
… Whatever we do, may it become an act of proclaiming God’s abundant blessings!
… Whatever work we take up, may it become a moment of preaching God’s amazing providence!

The Saint of the Day – St Francis Xavier – displayed such an immensity of Faith and Zeal for the Lord and the Kingdom

His mission endeavour and evangelical efforts would make him to be known as the “Patron Saint of Missions!”

Let his life of Faith and Zeal be an inspiration for all of us “to set the world on fire”…
… the fire of Faith, the fire of Love and the Fire of Hope!

May we realize that that the way to Glorify God would be to Glorify Him in the place where we are and in the situation we are in…
… Glorify God – with Deep Faith and Trust – wherever we live, work and move about!

Happy Feast of St Francis Xavier!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “No matter where we are, we must aspire to a perfect life!”

“Enjoying with the Lord and making our lives a beautiful one – to share, to care – and to also dare to know the Lord more and help each other more!”

(Based on Isa 25:6-10 and Mt 15:29-37 – Wednesday of the 1st Week in Advent, Year B)

Picnics are a time of great fun and enjoyment.

They enrich relationships, nurture relaxation and foster a spirit of joy and peace.

Most of us have been part of picnics…
… either from schools/parishes / as a family / as a community / as a group of friends.

A picnic becomes an occasion to share… to care…
… and to also dare to know each other more.

The Gospel of the Day is a lovely occasion of a Picnic…
… A picnic with Jesus.

A picnic basically has some essential elements…

1. A nice location
2. Joyful interactions
3. Good food
4. A sense of satisfaction and contentment

Our picnic with Jesus in today’s Gospel passage has all these elements.

Come…let’s join Jesus…
… in this wonderful time of a picnic.

1. A nice location:
   The mood of a picnic is very often regulated by the choice of the place we make.

It should be something exciting, something scenic and something to involve ourselves in.

The location that Jesus chooses for this picnic is a Mountain (Mt 15:29)

A mountain is certainly an exciting place…
… a scenic location and moves our hearts to get involved in its beauty.

The mountain was one of the favourite places of the Lord.

This high altitude place was where Jesus could strengthen His attitude towards His mission.
He would spend hours of the night in communion with His Father on the mountains.

And so, He invites us to join with Him on the mountains…
… To relax in His love and to experience the coolness of His presence.
… To raise our thoughts to higher levels and overcome the worldly concerns.

2. Joyful interactions:
   Great crowds came to Him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute and many others. They placed them at His feet and He cured them (Mt 15:30)

The picnic with Jesus, on the mountain, becomes an occasion of cure and restoration.
On the mountain, Jesus becomes a fountain of healing and the source of joy.

3. Good food
   Food is one of the best parts of a picnic.

And the Lord lavishes abundant food to all those who were there with Him on the mountain.

Then, He took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples, who in turn, gave them to the crowds (Mt 15:36)

It seemed to be a situation of starvation and hunger.

But the Lord converts this grim situation into an occasion of contentment and blessing.
His compassionate love overflows into a lavish multiplication of the loaves and the fish!

4. A sense of satisfaction and contentment:
   Every picnic ideally should end on a note of great fulfilment and bliss.

The picnic with Jesus on the mountain, where He healed a lot of people, spoke His Life-giving words and blessed them with abundant food, becomes moments of happiness.
“They all ate and were satisfied…” (Lk 15:37)

It had been a lovely time for the people in this picnic with the Lord.

They had the picnic…
… in a nice scenic location of the mountain
… with many joyful interactions with Jesus, who healed and cured many.
… with good food, in lavishness, provided by the Lord Himself.
… with a great sense of satisfaction and deep fulfilment.

As Prophet Isaiah foretold: “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples, a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.

And he will destroy on this mountain, the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth!” (Is 25:6-8)
… the Lord invites us to join with Him in a picnic with Him…
To go to the mountain of prayer and intimacy
To have joyful interactions with Him and receive His spiritual, emotional and physical healings.
To be blessed with the good food of His Holy Eucharist and His nourishing Word.
To have a great satisfaction in being filled with immense peace and serenity.

Let us enjoy the picnic with the Lord & make our lives a beautiful one…
… to share… to care

And to also dare to know the Lord more and to help each other more.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Oppose vigorously any tendency to sadness. You must persevere.

By means of sorrow the enemy tries to make us weary of good works.
But if he sees that we don’t give them up…
… and that being done in spite of his opposition they have become very meritorious

… he will stop troubling us!”

“Singing with joy, even when the clouds of hardships pour down it’s rains!”

(Based on Isa 11:1-10 and Lk 10:21-24 – Tuesday of the 1st Week in Advent, Year B)

A lady, who was known to be a devout Christian, was undergoing a long time of suffering.

As she was visited by some of her friends who came to console here, she was heard to be commenting:
“I have a beautiful robin that sings outside my window.

This bird strengthens me.”

Then with a bigger smile, she continued:
“I like him, because he sings in the rain!
When the storm has silenced almost, all other birds…
… the robin sings on!
And that’s how my life is!”

The lady – who herself was suffering and going through the storms of life – found great inspiration in the Robin…
… the one which sings, even in any storm or rain!

That’s the life of a Christian!

Anyone can sing, when its sunshine…
… but when the clouds of hardships pour out the rain, can we sing?

The Gospel of the Day, presents Jesus Who is rejoicing in the Spirit…
… “In the same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, ‘I thank you Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth..’” (Lk 10: 21)

Jesus always displayed a great sense of joy and enthusiasm

He was a picture of calmness and serenity.

This was owing to His intimate relationship with His Father – His Abba!

He, of course, had His Own struggles…
… Rejection by His own people at Nazareth (Lk 4: 28-29)
… Very often facing the criticism of the people (Lk 5:30)
… Constantly being put under the scanner with questions (Lk 5:33)
… Facing the wrath of many religious leaders (Lk 6: 7, 11)

But none of these “storms” or “rains” prevented the Lord from singing the praises of His Father…
… and rejoicing in the Spirit

And He invites His disciples to also understand the great privilege they have received to experience the Love of the Father:
“Blessed are the eyes which see what you see…” (Lk 10: 23)

As followers of Jesus, we are also given the privilege to always be “people, who rejoice in the Spirit”…
… “people who can sing, even when it’s raining or in the midst of a storm!”

Are we often spending our days in sadness and complaint?

Or can we also become conscious of the many blessings, God showers on us… and thus rejoice!

Are we constantly looking for the negatives in our relationships?

Or can we also seek to treasure people, just for who they are, and begin to love them more!

Are we feeling that life is a burden and thus fail to have peace of mind and lightness of heart?

Or can we also begin to understand that as a Christian, we have the privilege to understand how God mightily works in our life, and is constantly showering His Love and Mercy on us!

Let us learn to imitate, Jesus, our Master, Who constantly “rejoiced in the Spirit”
… and thus make our Christian Life, a beautiful witness of God’s Love and Compassion.

Let’s listen to the words of St Mother Teresa of Kolkatta:
“Joy is a net of love by which we catch souls!”

Yes…

Anyone can sing, when its sunshine…
… but can we still sing when the clouds of hardships pours down it’s rains?

As we begin this last month of the Year 2020, let us make a conscious choice to rise above our depressive and anxiety-filled situations…
… and to make this Season of Advent a truly Joyful one!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not become upset when difficulty comes your way.

Laugh in its face and know that you are in the hands of God!”

“Like St Andrew, may we too, become people who “Introduce many to Christ!”

(Based on the Feast of St Andrew, the Apostle – Monday of the 1st Week in Advent, Year B)

“I command you for the last time…make your sacrifice to our gods” yelled Aegeas, the pagan judge.

“Certainly no!” was the reply back, “I sacrifice daily to The Almighty God, the one and true God.

Not the flesh of oxen and the blood of goats do I offer, but the unspotted Lamb upon the altar.
All the faithful partake of His flesh, yet the Lamb remains unharmed and living!”

Exceedingly angered by that adamant refusal, the judge commanded the rebel to be thrown into prison.

The supporters of the rebel, who stood outside the judging quarters, raised an uproar to free him.

But the one who was punished, personally calmed the mob, and earnestly pleaded with them to desist…
… as he was hastening towards an ardently desired crown of martyrdom.

When he was led to the place of martyrdom, on beholding the cross from far, he cried out:
“O Good Cross… so long desired and now set up for my longing soul, I confidently, with rejoicing come to you!

Exultingly receive me, a disciple of Him who hung on you.”
Within a few moments, he was tied to the cross – an X-shaped Cross!
For two days, he hung there, alive…
…. unceasingly proclaiming the Teachings of Christ, until he passed on to Him, whose likeness in death, he so ardently desired!

This brave martyr of Christ was St Andrew, the Apostle of Jesus, whose feast we celebrate today.

A few years back, this valiant martyr, St Andrew, had received the call of the Lord, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt 4: 19)

The name “Andrew” in Greek means “manly” or “a person of valour”.

St Andrew was from Bethsaida, in Galilee.

He was a fisherman, by trade and a former disciple of John the Baptist.

St Andrew is said to have been martyred at Patras in southern Greece on a cross which was in the shape of an “X”.

This type of cross has long been known as “St Andrew’s cross.”
St Andrew’s Cross, is depicted, on the national flag of Scotland.

One of the wonderful things that we learn from St Andrew is his wonderful quality of being a “Introducer to Christ”, as seen in the various instances of the Gospel

1. It was St Andrew who “introduced to Christ”, his brother Peter (Jn 1: 40-42)

“We have found the Messiah” (Jn 1:41) were the words with which he introduced Jesus to his brother

2. It was St Andrew who “introduced to Christ”, the little boy with the five loaves and two fish, which would be later, multiplied for five thousand men! (Jn 6: 5-13)

“There is a little boy, who has five barley loaves and two fish?” (Jn 6:9) were the words with which he introduced Jesus to the little boy

3. It was St Andrew who “introduced to Christ” the Greeks who had come up to worship at the feast, at the request of Philip (Jn 12: 20-23)

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (Jn 12: 23) were the words with which Jesus reacted when he was introduced to the Greeks.

Thus, we see that St Andrew became an instrument and an active medium of “Introducing to Christ”
many people.

As a Christian, this ought to be one great quality and duty that we ought to follow – “Introducing to Christ” many people, like St Andrew.

We are on the last day of the month of November, and as we enter into December…
… this can be one of the beautiful practical resolutions, that we can, do, all the 25 days of this Advent Season, in preparation for the Birth of Christ, into our hearts and life

“Introducing to Christ”

How can I take up this task of “Introducing to Christ”?

Many around us long to hear a word of encouragement in their brokenness, receive a word of consolation in their struggles and encounter a smile of hope in their helplessness

Can I “Introduce them to Christ” – to His love, to His message of hope, to His treasury of providence?

Many around us have immersed themselves into the murky waters of sin, immorality, injustice and insensitivity to people and nature

Can I “Introduce them to Christ” – to His ocean of mercy, to His fountain of justice and to His abundance of warmth?

Many around us have separated themselves and live in isolation – from people in relationships, from the Church and Her teachings, from the responsibilities and duties of their works and the society.

Can I “Introduce them to Christ” – to His dimension of wholeness in relations, to His Life-giving Sacraments and to His instruction of being faithful?

St Andrew heard the call of the Lord – “to follow Him”

He was touched by His love and was filled with a passion for His Master
He was zealous to bring many more to the Love of Jesus
He was even willing, to lay down his life, in imitation of his Master, for love of Him

We too, have heard the call of the Lord – “to follow Him”

Are we touched by His love and was filled with a passion for His Master?
Are we zealous to bring many more to the Love of Jesus?
Are we also, willing, to lay down our life, in imitation of our Master, for love of Him?

May St Andrew intercede for us and inspire us, by his tremendous love for the Master…
… And may we too, like him, become people who “Introduce many to Christ!”

Happy Feast of St Andrew, the zealous Apostle who “Introduced many to Christ!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let us walk joyously, dear souls, among the difficulties of this passing life.

These pains will have an end when our life ends…

… after which there will be only joy, only contentment, only eternal consolation!”

“Being enthusiastic and responsible while (our heavenly) Home calls!”

(Based on Isa 63:16-17,64:1, 3-8, 1 Cor 1:3-9 and Mk 13:33-37 – 1st Sunday of Advent, Year B)

Legends are common and are essential to culture.

A legend usually includes an element of truth, involves heroic characters or based on historical facts, but with ‘mythical qualities.’

One such famous legend is that of King Nero. In AD 64, a great fire consumed the city of Rome.

For six days and seven nights, the Romans watched helplessly as their city burned.

This historical fact is accompanied by a legend that says while the city of Rome was burning…
… its Emperor Nero was very casually busy, playing the fiddle!

It’s from this legend that we get the English phrase “To play the fiddle while Rome burns.”

It means to “do nothing or something trivial while knowing that something disastrous is
happening.”

The Gospel of the Day is a strong warning to examine whether we too, as in the legend of Nero, are engaging ourselves “in playing the fiddle, while Rome burns.”

We are on the first day of the Season of Advent. In the Church, there are six different liturgical
seasons.

1. The Season of Advent is a time to become aware of God’s deep faithfulness and preparing our
   hearts to receive Him more deeply into our lives.
2. The Season of Christmas invites us to experience, thank and cherish the intervention of God in our lives and to grow deeper in the understanding of the ‘Emmanuel God’ – the God Who is with us!
3. The Season of Lent invites us to focus on the reality of sin and make repentance.
4. The Season of Holy Triduum invites to focus and experience the passion, death and Resurrection of our Blessed Lord.
5. The Season of Easter invites us to focus on the mighty power of God through His Resurrection and the New life that He promises.
6. The Season of the Ordinary Times invites us to focus on the daily life and teachings of Jesus and draw practical conclusions for our life.

Advent is a time to wake up from the slumber of sin to a life of grace and blessing.

Advent is a time to shake off the dust of sluggishness and become more fervent.

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”…
… which is a translation of the Greek word parousia

The central theme of the reading of the Day is Jesus’ warning to each one of us to be alert, watchful and prepared because Christ’s Second Coming can occur at any time. We are invited to examine ourselves in asking…

Am I casually wasting away my life, without giving enough attention to my spiritual life?
Am I spending my time enjoying in vain, without paying attention to the higher things of
life?
Am I dozing off in lethargy and laziness and failing to carry out my Christian responsibilities?

The Gospel gives a call to be awake and alert in life with an illustration of a master entrusting great responsibility to his servants (Cf. Mk 13:34-36)

Wandering land-owners and wayfaring masters were a common thing in the time of Jesus.

Large land-property owners often lived elsewhere, leaving their servants in charge of caring for and carrying on the business, as if the owners were still present.

This kind of a situation was a test for the servants who were made in-charge.

The absence of the master was a test of the faithfulness of the servant.

The real test of the honesty of students happens when the teacher is absent in the exam hall.

The real test of the conduct of children happens when the parents are away from the house.
The real test of the character of employees happens when the boss is not observing or monitoring them.

The real test of the faithfulness and commitment of the servant happens when the master or the land-owner is away, and is not in a position to keep an eye on them…

Would they be faithful daily, or would they wait until they heard the master was about to return and then quickly get things in order?
Would they engage in malpractices and fraudulent activities or would they conduct themselves in truthfulness and sincerity?

The time of the return of the Master was unknown.

The moment of the coming back of the owner was unspecified.

And this called for alertness and watchfulness at all times. Our whole life too, ought to be drenched in preparation and vigilance.

Often, we tend to allow laxity and sloppiness to dominate our lives. We tend to become people “who play the fiddle, while Rome burns…”

Though we sense the fire of sins and transgressions burning in our lives, we play the fiddle of making many excuses and postpone the need to repent.

Though we sense the fire of indifference and unconcern burning in our relationships, we play the fiddle of not taking the lead to improve our contacts and slip into more hatred.
Though we sense the fire of abuses and corruption burning in our society, we play the fiddle of passing the responsibility onto others and promote those evils by our apathy and lack of concern.

This Season of Advent is a wonderful time to renew our commitment and consecration to the Lord.

St Paul invites us to understand the remarkable faithfulness and the call of the Lord to each one of us: “He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!” (1 Cor 1:8-9)

Yes, the Lord wishes to come into our hearts…

God will fulfil His promise of coming into us when we do our part of being watchful and prepared…
Prophet Isaiah reminds the assurance of the Lord: “You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways…” (Is 64:5)

As St. Thomas Aquinas: “Without God, I can’t. Without me, He won’t.” Let us become…
… more watchful, more prayerful.

Let us stop “playing the fiddle while Rome burns.”

Instead let us “be enthusiastic and responsible while (our heavenly) Home calls!”

Wish you a Blessed Season of Advent!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “The Gospels constantly remind us of the Last Judgment…

… in order to instil in us reverential fear which is the beginning of wisdom!”

“Renewing our initial fervour and zeal and being a ‘spirited’ and ‘passionate’ people!”

(Based on Rev 22:1-7 and Lk 21:34-36 – Saturday of the Last Week in Ordinary Time)

All of us have had the experience of utilizing certain things or products which work quite fine for some time….but as time passes, becomes less effective or less efficient.

A ceiling fan/ table fan, after few months or years, tends to be less forceful…
A fast-processing computer after few months of years, tends to slow down…
Colourful clothes after a few washes or usage, tends to lose their initial glean and shine…

A similar aspect could be visible in our spiritual lives as well!

The Gospel of the Day is a reminder to examine this aspect in our lives and to make amends, in order to revitalise and revive our lives.

The Gospel begins with the verse “But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation…” (Lk 21:34)

‘Dissipation” is strong word which could have several parallel understandings…

With respect to morality:

Dissipation refers to an overindulgence in sensual pleasures.

With respect to behaviour:

Dissipation refers to a conduct that shows one is interested only in pleasure, money, etc.

With respect to economics:

Dissipation refers to an act of using all or a lot of money, time, etc., in a foolish way.

With respect to physics:

Dissipation refers to a physical process by which energy becomes not only unavailable but irrecoverable in any form.

Dissipation is a tendency…
… to squander away enthusiasm because of allowing monotony to creep into life.
… to lose vitality as a result of being indulged in continuous immoral behaviours
… to leak-out the energy and vigour in oneself, in small amounts and thus become lifeless
… to become disinterested and dispirited due to constant exposure to luxury and comforts

Dissipation is a terrible malady that has badly affected many people in the Bible…

The people during Noah’s time were “dissipated” with eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, although God had sent out a warning of their destruction through Noah.

The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah were “dissipated” with extremely immoral and corrupt practices, even though the people were given a forewarning of their possible.

The people of Israel were “dissipated” with frustration and dissatisfaction while travelling in the desert and failed to understand the providential hand of God.

The disciples of Jesus were “dissipated” with sadness, shattering of hopes and brokenness after the death of Jesus and failed to believe and trust in His great promises.

We have a call to examine our lives and check whether we too have fallen into a state of “dissipation”…

Maybe my prayer life is “dissipated”…
… due to various distractions, excuses of lack of time, complaints of being tired or just simply a lack of interest…

Maybe my personal intimacy with God is “dissipated”…
… since I don’t experience any joyful or experiential feelings or because some of my expectations of God are not met…

Maybe my relationships with people is “dissipated”…
… due to some friction or misunderstanding or an indifference that has sneaked in without any particular reason.

Maybe my family life/community life is “dissipated”…
… because I feel disinterested or not so enthusiastic in going beyond some of my personal comforts or I feel lonely in not feeling accepted or loved.

Dissipation can be a tendency that can steal into our lives very stealthily and can drain away much of our energy, eagerness and passion.

In the book of Revelations, the Lord has this complaint:
“..I have this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent and do the works you did at first” (Rev 2:4-5)

Let us seek to renew our initial fervour and zeal.

Let us challenge ourselves to revive our zest and interest.

The Lord deserves not “dissipated” people…
… but “spirited” and “passionate” people!

Today we are concluding this Liturgical Year…
… and stepping into the New Liturgical Year – with ‘Year B’ Readings on Sundays and ‘Cycle 2’ for the Weekdays

This Liturgical Year has taken us through various phases in our life of faith – especially, with the pandemic…
… But the Liturgical Readings were also constantly reminding us that, that “God is with us!”

Let us thank the Lord for this Liturgical Year – for all His Blessings, Graces, Protection…
… and as we start a New Year in our Life – Liturgically – let us surrender ourselves totally to the Providence of our Loving Lord, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother
… as we continually give heed to the words of our Lord, “And behold, I am coming soon!” (Rev 22:7)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Those who can preserve gentleness amid pains, and peace amid the worry and multitude of affairs…

… is almost perfect!”