“Responding affirmatively to the call of the Lord to make a clear-cut and distinct choice for Him in life!”

(Based on Phil 4:10-19 and Lk 16:9-15 – Saturday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

Its a blazing hot noon-time…

The sun is fiercely casting its rays upon the earth…

The situation appears to be very tense and the emotions are running high.

The people of Israel have greatly offended the Lord by erecting a golden calf as their god!

Moses is right at the gate of the camp, emotionally charged and full of zeal and rage!

In a loud voice, with passion engulfing his entire self and bubbling with deep righteous anger, Moses, the man of God roars, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!” (Ex 32: 26)

“Whoever is for the Lord, come to me….”

It is a time of making a decision.

The Israelites are to make a choice:

Choose to be with God or to follow other idols.
Choose to obey His laws and commandments or to stray away from His paths.

This choice will lead them to either life or death….

A similar question is presented before us too…

“Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!”

This choice will lead us to either life or death!

Choosing the Lord will always ensure an abundance of peace and joy as St Paul tells us: “… my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.!” (Phil 4:19)

The Gospel of the Day presents this Call of the Lord to make a clear-cut and distinct choice in life: Choose between God and Mammon!

“No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other or, be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Lk 16: 13)

More than any time before, the world faces this deep-rooted problem of a “divided heart”

We say we obey God…
… but we fail to abide by His commandments and teachings in the Church!

Am I serving both…?
… God in His Church and the ways of the world…

We say we love God…but we fail to express this love in a faithful lifestyle of prayers and devotions.

Am I serving both…?
… God in devotion and the pleasures of our interests…

We say we serve God…but we fail to extend His love and compassion to our people in need.

Am I serving both…?
… God in His people and the comforts of our own self…

We say we honour God…but we fail to witness to His Gospel values and dilute them to serve our petty interests.

Am I serving both…?
… God in His values and the welfare of our own selfishness…

Let’s not be afraid to look at the naked face of reality staring at us today…

Many people today serve something besides God.

Most people serve sin instead of God.

Many people serve music instead of God.
Many people serve sports instead of God.
Many people serve money instead of God
Many people serve themselves instead of God.
Many people serve power and positions instead of God
Many people serve the cravings of their bodies instead of God.

Am I also serving something else instead of God?

In the Old Testament, one of the greatest accusations made against the people of Israel was the
“Sin of Idolatry”…
… abandoning the Living and True God and rendering worship and honour to some non-living thing as a god.

Though, as Christians, we may not be explicitly worshipping some idol or running after some gods or crazy over some tantras-mantras, it is not a bad idea to examine our conscience and check whether we really have formed some gods in our lives and thus entering into “practical” idolatry….

Maybe I am too much attached to my electronic gadgets like the phones, TV, music players, cams…and use them way beyond my “need”!?

The idol of gadgets?

Maybe I am too much obsessed with my looks, my styles, my clothing and food habits, my make-up styles…and “over-conscious” than the minimal requirements!

The Idol of the Self?

Maybe I am crazy about gaining over-popularity through an “n” number of picture displays and posts on many social networking sites…and “get totally upset” when I fail to receive the expected appreciations and “likes”!

The Idol of Attention-seeking?

Maybe I am too much occupied with my work, business and other undertakings, that I fail to give attention to my family, my community, the needs of my own spiritual self etc…and lose out on the little joys and happiness of life!

The Idol of Money and Work?

There could be many more idols in our life…

The Idol of Laziness…
The Idol of Immoral Lifestyles…
The Idol of Bad Habits…
The Idol of losing a Sense of Sin…
The Idol of Power-obsession…
The Idol of Criticizing and Judging…etc…

The Gospel of the day places a great choice before us…

Choose to be with God or to follow other idols?
Choose to obey His laws and commandments or to stray away from His paths?
We cannot serve both God and other things…

One leads to life… the other to death.

Which side are we on?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “One of the best marks of the goodness of all
Inspirations…

… and especially the extraordinary is peace and tranquillity of heart in those who receive them!”

“Being ready to be Christians with an ‘excellent spine!’”

(Based on Phil 3:17-4:1 and Lk 16:1-8 – Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

It was a Bible study class.

The group was doing a study on the Book of Prophet Daniel.

As was the custom, one of the members would start the Bible study by reading the passage of the day, to the group, aloud.

The selected passage for the day was Chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel.

An elderly person, stood up to read.

He, however had some struggle with his sight and was finding it a bit difficult to read.

When he came to verse 3… (which actually says: “… an excellent spirit was in Daniel”)…
… adjusting his thick glasses, the man read: “… an excellent spine was in Daniel!”

(The word ‘spirit’ was mistakenly read as ‘spine’!)

Well…that was bad reading…
… but nevertheless, it was wonderful theology, because Prophet Daniel was indeed a man of excellent spine – a backbone that made him strong and courageous!

Are we Christians with an “excellent spine?”

The Gospel of the Day, with a worldly example placed before us – the Parable of the Unjust Steward – is a mighty challenge to us to examine whether we as Christians, are people…
… who really are bold and courageous to stand for the Gospel principles
… who really are zealous and prudent to preserve our holiness and sanctity!

The story of the Unjust Parable is an interesting as well as an eye-opener for us, in our spiritual and Christian life

This is also a parable that could be classified under the “controversial” or “what-was-He-really-meaning” category!

The summary of the parable goes thus…

A steward has been reported to the Master for squandering the property (Lk 16:1)
Dismissal is on the cards for the steward (Lk 16:2)
Taking stock of the possibilities for the future, he decides and acts on the principle: Manipulation is the best policy for a safer future (Lk 16:3-7)
The Master commends this unjust, yet prudent and craft act of the steward! (Lk 16: 8a)

The parable could cause some strange questions to crop up…

Why is Jesus – the Honest-Man-par-excellence – presenting this strangely negative example to His followers?

Does Jesus mean that we should follow the bad ways of the world, in order to win our salvation?
“Hook or Crook” – is that the policy that Jesus says for us Christians, to live in this world?

Well…

Without going deep into the theological debates of such questions…
… we shall look into the answer that Jesus Himself proposed for saying this parable:
“For the children of the world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation, than are the children of light” (Lk 16: 8b)

The purpose of Jesus to say this parable is put forth:

Children of this world are often more shrewd to make sure a good future…
… whereas, the children of the light, tend to be extremely relaxed concerning their salvation!

People of this worldly kingdom are willing to go to any extend to secure themselves…
… whereas those who supposedly wish to belong to God’s Kingdom, leisure themselves in lethargy!

This is a technique of “comparative imperative” that is proposed by Jesus…
… by emphasizing on the opposite, a challenge is put forth!
… by highlighting a negative dimension, the positive aspect is enforced!

Such “comparative imperatives” can easily be observed in our lives…

We would make every effort to be in time to catch a bus/train/flight, so as not to miss it…
… but don’t mind, being late for our prayers or spiritual activities, including the Holy Mass!

We would ensure every day we have our food and get a good rest, so that our bodies don’t get weak…
… but give no regard to feed and give rest to our souls, by spending time with the Lord in personal prayer and growing in relationship with Him!

We would feel a dreadful sense of disgust if we do not have our daily bath (shower) and cleanse our bodies…
… but have sometimes no awareness to realise our souls are dirty and we need to cleanse them through a daily examination of conscience, and regularly through the Sacramental Confession.

We don’t mind wagging our tongues to say a bad word or a dirty joke or nasty words of criticism and condemnation..
… but think often, when we need to say something positive or appreciate someone or to say an occasional prayer to recall the presence of the Lord!

This “comparative imperative” proposed by the Lord in this parable makes us to reflect deeper:

Am I more enthusiastic about the affairs of this world, which gives only transient joy…
… at the cost of avoiding my spiritual life, which alone can ensure me eternal happiness?

Am I only concerned more about my materialistic concerns and my temporal duties…
… and end up neglecting the solemn duties of our Christian life and being more spiritually rooted?

Our Blessed Lord is extremely serious…
… that we take our Christian lives and faith, on a more serious note!

Salvation is at stake… Eternal Life is at question!

The Lord is perhaps addressing us, and telling:
“For those who are working…
… you would try to make any sincere efforts to make sure you get a better salary, isn’t it?

For those who are studying…
… you would try to put in extra hard work to ensure you get the extra marks, isn’t it?

For those who are at home…
… you would spare no efforts, to ensure peace and harmony and a happy time, isn’t it?

For those in institutes or companies or in-charge of some establishment…
… you would take the extra mile to be the best and co-ordinate to the maximum, to give better performances, isn’t it?

Then why…
… Why sometimes, lethargy only for spiritual life?
… Why sometimes, indifference, only with respect to a life of faith?”

Let the words of St Paul be a reminder to us: “But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Phil 3:20)

On this First Friday of the month, let us renew our consecration and commitment to the Sacred Heart of our Blessed Lord…
… and basking in His Love, let us seek to live our Christian Faith with greater enthusiasm and gusto!

Are we ready to be Christians with an “excellent spine”?

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – People can pass thirty nights in dancing and no one complains about it…
… but if they watch through a single Christmas night, they cough and claim their stomach is upset the next morning!

Does anyone fail to see that the world is an unjust judge – gracious and well-disposed to its own children…

… but harsh and rigorous towards the children of God?”

“Experiencing the saving power and presence of the Lord, by realizing our state of being lost, and allowing the Lord, to find us!”

(Based on Phil 3:3-8 and Lk 15:1-10 – Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

Bursting of crackers is, in places and on many occasions, considered to signal an ambience of happiness and celebration.
[NB: this reflection is not to discuss the pros and cons of bursting of crackers! :-)]

Crackers signify a mood of celebration and joy.

They are symbolic of a spirit of festivity and merriment.

The bursting and the sound of crackers surely spark off a message that some celebration is on & there is a mood of rejoicing and good cheer.

Today, we are in for some bursting of crackers….

But, guess where?

Not anywhere on the earth…
… But in Heaven!

Yes, we have crackers being burst in heaven!

Why?

Because, there is much to celebrate and be glad!

The reason?
“There is much rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine who need no repentance” (Lk 15: 7)

The Gospel of the Day is an invitation to rejoice and celebrate the joy of discovering God’s love and a call to live a life in repentance.

Chapter 15 of St Luke is an amazing revelation of God’s tremendous love, mercy and longing for each one of us.

We have the Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son.

In all the three parables, lost ones are found
In all the three parables, there is great celebration at the end.
In all the three parables, an emphasis is laid on hope for the lost.

This chapter is a contradiction of many Human thought-patterns and an affirmation of many Divine thought-patterns…

There is a contradiction of the Human thought-pattern of thinking of things in terms of monetary rate and financial gain.

There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of acknowledging the deeper value and worth of objects and people!

There is a contradiction of the Human thought-pattern of giving up on things that are lost and not being bothered about it.

There is an affirmation of the Divine thought-pattern of desperately going after the lost and being in painful agony until found!

We are invited to shed the selfish Human thought-pattern and embrace the selfless Divine thought-pattern.

For our Gospel reflection, today, we shall consider the first two parables: The Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin.

A shepherd had a hundred sheep.

During the count as he gathers the sheep at day’s end, the shepherd notices that one is missing.

The sheep needs to be found; otherwise, it may be permanently lost or attacked by hungry predators.
The Shepherd takes the risk of leaving the rest behind, and goes out in search of the lost one.

The second parable parallels the first.

Here a silver coin has been lost.

It’s probably a drachma, which equals a denarius–a day’s wage for the average worker.
The coin needs to be found; else a day’s wage would be lost and would to the already existing financial burden.

The woman takes the hard trouble and effort, to sweep the house, in search of the lost coin.

In both the cases: The search yields successful results…
… the lost sheep and the lost coin is found.

In both the cases: The success leads to a great celebration…
… the shepherd and the woman rejoice and party

In both the cases: The cost of the celebration far exceeds the actual price of the thing lost!

Why such a sentimentality?

Why so much of economic waste?

The only logic behind it is: The Experience of Joy.

The Shepherd feels tremendously happy in getting back his lost sheep.
The woman feels tremendously happy in getting back her lost coin.
And this spurs them to forget all economics, and mathematics and tally and calculations…

Joy surpasses them all.

Joy overcomes them all.

Joy overtakes them all!

Jesus compares this same joy in heaven at the repentance of a sinner!

Am I similar to a Lost Sheep?

Lost in the thickets of materialistic living…?
Lost in the valleys of doubts and rejections and failures…?
Lost in the bushes of excessive pride, prestige and power….?
Lost in the wilderness of hopelessness and meaninglessness in life… ?

Am I similar to a Lost Coin?

Lost in the shadows of addictions and bad habits…?
Lost in the dust of corruption and malicious situations…?
Lost in the darkness of bad luck and unfair treatment by life…?
Lost in the corners of abuses and misunderstandings and false judgments…?

The Lord doesn’t abandon us.

The Lord comes in search of us.

We ought to hear His voice and respond.
We ought to allow ourselves to be found.

We ought to let Him take us on His shoulders.
We ought to permit Him to take us in His hands.

God comes looking for us.

We are the ones that God spends hours and hours, walking miles and probing all areas, in search.
We are the ones that God spends hours and hours on hands and knees, sweeping and searching for.

And when God finds us…
… He calls together all the saints in heaven, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my beloved sheep, my precious coin that was once lost…!”

Let us embrace the Lord Who comes in search of us, and make Him the greatest treasure of our lives, so that we can also echo with St Paul, who said, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ!” (Phil 3:7-8)

Are we – You & I – ready to give heaven a reason to celebrate, by repenting of our sins & living a life, in accord with God’s Holy Will?

Yes, the crackers in heaven are waiting to be burst…

Let us experience the saving power and presence of the Lord, by realizing our state of being lost…
… and allowing the Lord, to find us!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections!”

“Prioritizing Jesus in all the dimensions of our life!”

(Based on Phil 2:12-18 and Lk 14:25-33 – Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time)

One of the fast grown trends in many restaurants is the Buffet System.

A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves.

Buffet restaurants typically offer all-you-can-eat food for a set price.

Buffets make it possible to choose the item one likes, in the quantity one likes and to serve in the style or combination that one likes.

In our modern society, such a Buffet System, is however, extended beyond the taste buds..

The trend, today, is also to have a Buffet Style for our Souls…

Spirituality and religion is also, today, under the great influence of being enclosed in a buffet system!

Very often religious aspects, spirituality, the Church and our Christian Faith are treated like a big buffet.

We take as much of what we like and want, but leave behind what we do not like.
We skip off what’s too hard to swallow, what we disagree with, or what does not fit our personal opinions and beliefs.

The Gospel of the Day, however, warns against opting such a “Pick-n-Choose” Buffet System in our Spiritual Life.

The Passage begins with the verse, “Great crowds were travelling with Jesus and He turned and addressed them…” (Lk 15:25)

Crowds gather where there is something new and exciting happening…

The crowds looked at Jesus as a great wonder-worker.

Jesus was the new buffet for them…
Jesus had a great variety in His menu…

He offered healing for those in sicknesses and in distress…

He offered exorcisms for those in bondage and captivity…
He offered teaching to those lost in life and inspired a renewed zest for life…

He had…
… bread for the hungry
… healing for the saddened
… freedom for the oppressed
… new vision for the wayward
… hope for the crushed ones
… and new energy for the lifeless!

Some followed Jesus for His mighty healing works…

Some for His power as a prophet and preacher…
Some for His bread-multiplying abilities and nature-arresting potentials…
Some for His power to arouse curiosity and generate excitement…

He had what they wanted.

And they gathered around, surrounded, and pressed on him.

But the Lord was clear in His intents…

He chose neither popularity nor quick fame nor cashed in on reputation and recognition…

He would not let the crowds to adopt a Buffet Spirituality in following Him.

He would make sure that the crowds realized that such a spirituality would not win His approval.

And so, He clearly proclaims, “If anyone comes to me, without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14: 26-27)

Jesus wants a clear priority from the part of His followers.

He demands a radical choice for Him.

This choice would mean a love and a priority for Jesus, which goes beyond one’s blood kindred, one’s emotional relations, one’s attachments to various entities and even one’s own very self!

We need to have a hard look into ourselves…

We sacrifice many years to study and gain education…

We sacrifice many sleeps and many weekends to have a successful career…
We sacrifice desserts and tempting food to have a healthy and wholesome lifestyle…
We sacrifice much time, money and energy to gain many skills and improve talents…

These are all are great and important aspects of our life.

But what costs are willing to pay, to follow Jesus wholly?

What sacrifices are we willing to make, as the disciples of Jesus?

Very often, we are content with a Buffet Style of Spirituality…

We serve ourselves…
… a little bit of the Gospel values and teachings…
… a handful of prayers and devout practices…
… a tiny measure of occasional petitions and time with God in our needs…
… a few morsels of forwarding some Bible verses and messages…

And we feel that our Life as a Christian is “pretty tasty” with this Buffet Serving.

The Lord, is perhaps telling us…”It is not enough!”

Unless you take a few more steps in self-renunciation…
… you can’t be My disciple.

Unless you seek to give the first priority to Me in all aspects…
…. you can’t be my disciple.

Unless you involve yourself more deeply into spiritual matters…
… you can’t be My disciple.

Let the words of St Paul inspire us: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish…
… in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world!” (Phil 2:14-15)

The Buffet Meal is more cheap…
… but a Buffet Spirituality will certainly deprive us in becoming His authentic disciples.

Let us cease the “pick-n-choose” method in our spirituality.

Let’s instead…
… prioritize Jesus in all the dimensions of our life.

Let us give heed to the words of St Charles Borromeo, the Saint of the Day: “If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out…!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When we become aware of the assault of some particular vice…

… let us practice as much as possible its contrary virtue and engage all the other virtues in this effort!”

“Using all the opportunities given by the Lord to grow in holiness and grace!”

(Based on Phil 2:5-11 and Lk 14:15-24)

Portraits, pictures or statues of people, in general, depict and reveal their character and personality.

Usually, if people are asked to have…
… a photograph taken
… or a picture drawn
… or a statue created

They would prefer posing with some expensive artefacts/costly goods.

What if there is a person in history who preferred instead to pose with a broom!

And has most of his images/statues holding a broom…
… along with also a cat and dog around him!

So much is his association with the “broom” that he is called as the “Saint of the broom!”

This person is St Martin de Porres.

Born in Lima, Peru, in the 16th century, this saint – being of a mixed race and cast lower as belonging to an inferior social caste – was able to raise his life with the Great Virtue of Humility!

So much was his zeal to dedicate his life for the Lord, that he would willingly accept to be a “donado” – a volunteer who performed menial tasks in the monastery – in return for the privilege of wearing the religious habit in the community.

He devoted his life to penance, charity and humility…
… spending nights in prayer and penitential practices
… dedicated days in nursing for the sick and caring for the poor – regardless of their colour, race, or status
… and reflecting extraordinary gifts: ecstasies that lifted him into the air, light filling the room where he prayed, bi-location, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, and a remarkable rapport with animals!

This Saint – St Martin de Porres – whose feast we celebrate today, beautifully teaches us by his life example that “every opportunity in life provided by the Lord – small or big, great or insignificant – are to be accorded highest importance…
… and making excuses to avoid those opportunities can lead to disaster and calamity!”

We are strongly warned that “excuses are the nails that are used to build the house of failure!”

The Gospel of the Day brings our attention to this grave and urgent issue that we need to tackle: The Issue of making Excuses for Escapism…
… and asking us to reflect: “Are we becoming a Generation of Excuse-givers?”

We have the Parable of the Great Wedding Feast in today’s Gospel.
“A man once gave a great feast and invited many guests” (Lk 14:16)

Here was a big and great feast being organized and invitations were sent out to many guests.

This was no simple feast.
This was no ordinary event.

It’s similar to someone today, being invited to a lavish and a grand party by the President of the Nation or some highly dignified person.

It was kind of a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity.

The people waited with eagerness to get such a chance.

In those days, it was the custom to send two invitations.

The first invitation was to tell everyone that the event was being planned.

Those were the days when time was a lavish commodity. Clocks were scarce and time management techniques were still unheard of.

The actual day and the actual time of the event were left open.

It would depend a lot on the preparation time for the killing of animals, their cleaning and cooking…
… getting all the vegetables and everything needed to get the meal ready.

And so there was a need for a second invitation…
The second invitation was to tell everyone that everything was ready and about to begin.

This second reminder was for to those who had been given the first invitation and had indicated that they would attend.

But the Gospel says, that when the second invitation was sent to the pre-invited guests, they began to make excuses!

Making excuses is nothing new!

It has existed right from the first days…

Adam and Eve made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of disobedience.
Cain made excuses before God in trying to hide the sin of killing his brother Abel.
Moses gave excuses before God in trying to escape from the task being entrusted to him.
Jeremiah gave excuses before God that he was only a small boy to take up the responsibility

Those who were able to overcome the excuses, found true meaning and joy.

But those who got stuck with their excuses, lost out on discovering greatness!

The guests who had been invited for the grand feast, gave silly excuses….
One said, “I have purchased a field and must go and examine it”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone enter into land dealings without having seen it in prior?

And even if one has not, was it so urgent, so as to miss the grand feast?

Another said, “I have purchased five oxen and am on my way to evaluate them”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Does anyone purchase land animals, without having examined them?

And even if one has not, was it so immediate a need, so as to skip the great feast?

Another said, “I have just married a woman, and I cannot come”

Silly excuse, isn’t it?

Couldn’t the husband take along his wife to the feast, to have a joyful time together?

Or was this couple so much exclusive, that they failed to have any social contacts, so as to avoid the fine feast?

Here was an invitation so grand.

Here was a generosity so lavish.

Here was a preparation so extensive.

But unfortunately, it was responded with excuses which were baseless, childish, illogical and quite ridiculous!

We might sometimes laugh at those excuses made by the people.

But perhaps, we are also no different…
… or if not, worse.

We are in a trend of being a Generation of Excuse-givers….

We make excuses of physical tiredness, to avoid saying our personal prayers, our family prayers and being faithful to our spiritual activities.

We make excuses of saying that “it’s impossible to live an honest life” and give into many corrupt malpractices, which go against the Gospel values.

We make excuses of being too busy to find time to participate in the Holy Eucharist with greater devotion and preparedness.

We make excuses to reach out to the needy ones in their necessities by citing our own hardships to get out of our comfort areas.

We have a strong exhortation from the Lord today, to get rid of our “Excuse-giving Tendency”.

It’s easy to escape from responsibilities by giving excuses.

But by doing so, we end up missing out on many graces from God…
… causing much pain to God who expects much from us…
… and also disturb the plan and purpose of God for our lives.

We have a duty to overcome this tendency of making Excuses for Escapism.

The Lord gives us many opportunities to grow in holiness and grace.

Let us not make silly and baseless excuses and throw them away.

Through the example of the Saint of the Day – St Martin de Porres – who chose to use every opportunity in life, let us also be inspired, and not miss out…
… opportunities for selfless service and altruistic assistance!
… opportunities to practise humility and lowering oneself in self-effacement!
… opportunities for of being ready to accept our weaknesses and depend totally on the Lord and His Power!

Let the exhorting words of the St Paul be deeply ingrained in us: “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 2:5)

May the life and example of St Martin de Porres be an inspiration to all of us…
… and may his words, spur us on

“Compassion is preferable to cleanliness: with a little bit of soap I can clean my bed…
… but think of the flood of tears I would require to clean from my soul the stain that harshness against this unfortunate would leave!”
“Everything – even sweeping, scraping vegetables, weeding a garden and waiting on the sick, could be a prayer – if it were offered to God!”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “There are no galley-slaves in the royal vessel of Divine Love…

… every man works his oar voluntarily!”

“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in Peace, Amen!”

(Based on All Soul’s Day)

A story is told of a King who had a lovely flower garden.

His gardener, who tended it, took great pains to make the garden an exotic paradise.

One morning the gardener went into the garden to visit his favourite flowers.

To his dismay he discovered that one of his choicest flowers had been cut from its stem.

Soon he saw that the most beautiful flower from each plot of the garden were missing.

Filled with anxiety and anger, he hurried to his fellow workers and demanded: “Who stole my priceless treasures?”

One of his helpers replied, “The King came into his garden this morning, picked those flowers himself, and took them into his house.

I guess he wanted to give the flowers the rightful place of beauty in his palace.”

The gardener, though sad, then realized that he had no reason to be concerned…
… because it was perfectly right for his master to pick some of his own prized blossoms.

Though he missed his lovely flowers…
… he also realized, he was only a caretaker

The flowers, in the true sense, belonged to the King, and to him alone!

Our lives are such…
In the garden of the world, as gardeners, we feel sad when we lose our loved ones – the prized blossoms of our life.

But when we realize, that it is the King Himself – God – Who has picked these blossoms…
… “to give the flowers the rightful place of beauty in His Palace.”

We are consoled and get a better realization that there is no reason to be concerned.
The flowers in the garden of our lives – our loved ones – in the true sense, belong to the King, and to Him alone!

Today is the All Souls Day – when we commemorate and pray for all the Faithful Departed…
… those flowers, who have gone away from the garden of our lives; yet whom we believe, are safe in the Mercy of God!

In the Apostles Creed, we recite, “I believe….in the Communion of Saints”.

The term “communion of saints” has two closely-linked meanings: communion in holy things and communion among holy persons.

The Communion of Saints is the three states of the Church: The Church Militant (the pilgrim Church on earth), The Church Suffering (the faithful departed), the Church Triumphant (the saints in glory)
“… at the present time, some of His disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as He is'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #954)

On this day, we (the Church Militant), in union with the prayers of the saints in glory (the Church Triumphant)…
… reach out our prayers, intercessions and love in a very special manner for our suffering brothers and sisters (the Church Suffering).

What makes us to pray for the dead… the faithful departed?

It is necessarily in the co-relationship that all human beings share with each other.

We do pray for the people who are in need, when they live on this earth.
We do seek intercessions on their behalf to God, when they are with us.

But when a person dies, his/her existence ceases only in our sight.

They still continue to live in God’s sight.

The dead are not dead for God.

This is what Jesus says in Luke 20:38, “…he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him, all are alive”

Therefore, it is logical and reasonable that we pray for the faithful departed.
“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Therefore, it is a duty on our part that we pray for the purification of these Faithful Departed.

This Commemoration of the All Souls Day, is also a reminder of our own Death and the death of our close ones.

True, that as frail humans, we may have a natural fear and even a sort of phobia of death.
… but our Christian Love, Faith and Hope must gain the upper-hand in us.

Death is frightening for the faithless…
… but for the faithful, it is the doorway to the Fountain of Faith!

Death is horrifying for the loveless…
… but for those who love, it is the passage to the Fullness of Love!

Death is devastating for the hopeless…
… but for those who hope, it is the entry to the Spring of Hope!

Death is a reality.

No amount of reflection or sermons can substitute the pain of this reality.

Sometimes, in such situations, silence is the only answer that we can provide.

But this silence ought to be a silence of hope, a silence of trust and a silence of faith.
When we love God deeper, the fear of death decreases.
When we have a stronger faith in God, the pain of death reduces.
When we have an unshakeable hope in God, the anguish of death subsides

Let us also keep in mind, that this day of the “All Souls Day” as well as the Month of November is a time to gain Indulgences, that the Church offers.

This year, with the situation of the pandemic, the Church has issued an Apostolic Penitentiary decree giving special guidelines.
(1) A plenary indulgence for the faithful departed in purgatory can be gained, each day between for the whole month of November, by visiting a cemetery, and praying for the departed – even if the prayer is only mental.
(2) A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on All Souls’ Day (or on any day in the month of November) devoutly visits a church and recites an Our Father and the Creed.
(3) A partial indulgence – applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory – can be obtained when the prayer:
“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
…is recited

[For those who are sick, the elderly or those who are unable to visit a cemetery or church for any other serious reason – such as coronavirus restrictions – it is possible to obtain any of these plenary indulgences by doing the following.

Spiritually uniting themselves with the faithful and doing one of the following before an image of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary:
a. Praying devout pious prayers for the deceased (e.g. Rosary, Office of the Dead, Divine Mercy Chaplet, etc.)
b. Reading and reflecting on the Gospel passages prescribed for Masses of the Dead
c. Performing a work of mercy by offering to God the sorrow and hardships of their own lives]

(Let’s also keep in mind the conditions to be fulfilled for the reception of the Plenary Indulgence:
a. Do the act of the Indulgence (prayer/act) while in a state of grace
b. Receive Sacramental confession within 20 days
c. Receive Holy Communion
d. Pray for the Pope’s intentions (Our Father and Hail Mary, and/or other appropriate prayer)
e. Have no attachment to sin (even venial) – the person needs to make ‘an act of the will’ to love God and despise sin.

Death is hard.

But, the Lord has conquered this death!

Let us look on to Him, on the Cross, and find greater meaning and hope in life.

In the Lord…
… the faithful departed are “faithful returned!”

In the Lord…
… our loved ones do not leave home, “they go Home!”

May our Blessed Mother Mary who bore the pain of the death of Her Beloved Child be our refuge and strength.

May the prayers and example of the Church Triumphant be our inspiration and courage.

Yes, let us pray:
“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in Peace…
… Amen.”

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Let is 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!”

“Responding to the call of the Lord – along with the galaxy of Saints who beckon and encourage each one of us – to tread the path of holiness!”

(Based on the Solemnity of All Saints)

The second half of the 20th century, saw a number of Christians facing suffering and persecution in Eastern Europe…
… under the influence of the Communist regime.

There was a heroic Bishop, who continued to work in this dreadful atmosphere…
… and continued to preach the Gospel.

He attributed his strength to be bold and zealous for the Lord…
… thanks to a beautiful vocation call he received, through the medium of his grandmother.

This Bishop had been orphaned at a young age and lived with his grandmother.

They stayed in the house of his uncle, who was the parish priest of a particular church.

Soon after the communists had taken power, they captured this parish priest and had him arrested..
… leaving the grandmother and the little son (the Bishop) alone.

After a week of captivating the parish priest, the offenders came to the church as well as the residence, to ransack any religious article, documents or images that could be found.

Finally, when they finished looting everything, as they left…
… the grandmother and the boy, stood at the entrance of the house.

One of the soldiers, with contempt and mockery asked the old lady, “Well, do you have any more religious articles or cross that we can take with us?”

The grandmother, with boldness and courage, looked into the face of the soldier and said:
“Well, I do have one.
But you cannot take that away from me!”

Saying so, she made the Sign of the Cross!

The soldiers were taken aback…
… but left, without saying a word.

The powerful witness by the grandmother, sparked the fire of Divine Vocation in the heart of that young boy…
… who went on to become a heroic Bishop – himself giving witness to the Lord, in the midst of persecutions!

Such are saintly lives, isn’t it?

They inspire…
They motivate…
They spur us on…
… to live Christian lives with boldness and courage!

Today, Holy Mother the Church is geared up to celebrate Her Saints – on this Solemnity of the All-Saints!

It’s a day of immense celebration of these Superheroes of God!

The Church invites us today to lift our gaze to heaven…
… and thank and praise God for the innumerable people who not only persevered in their faith while they lived on earth…
… but actually lived their lives in such a way that they built up Christ’s Kingdom in the world.

The saints are not superheroes in the worldly sense…

What sets them apart…
… is not their miraculous power
… is not their popularity and fame.

Rather, what makes them saints, is their faith and their discipleship and their service to others.

The word…SAINT…sometimes strikes an odd chord in our minds…
Saints are often considered to be people…
… beyond our reach and too holy for our lives
… for whom the path to sanctity was made easy and cozy.
… who are given a special boon from God to live a holy life.

But the truth perhaps, is quite contrary…
Saints are people…
… who are truly very close to us and lived in simple and ordinary life situations like us.
… who had to struggle through many hardships and trials in the path to holiness.
… who co-operated with the grace of God and remained faithful to their commitment and call

Every Christian is called to a life of Holiness and to be a Saint…

How is this possible in our lives…?

The Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus, in today’s Gospel shows us the path… (Mt 5: 1-10)

Being a saint…
… by depending on God in all dimensions of our life and seeking His Kingdom above all
… by mourning over our sins and seeking to live a life in repentance.
… by living a life of firm gentleness and trusting patience in the midst of injustice and pain
… by becoming agents of justice and seekers of establishing truth
… by offering mercy to the needy and even to those who we feel, don’t deserve
… by preserving purity in our thoughts, words and deeds
… by striving for establishing peace and harmony even in conflicting situations
… by accepting suffering and becoming stronger in our struggle to establish God’s Kingdom

This Feast day is a chance for us to sneak into the personal diary of the saints…
… and to “steal” some tips for us to admire and imitate them…
The Saints’ Favourite Food: The Holy Eucharist
The Saints’ Favourite Dress: The Armour of Faith
The Saints’ Favourite Pastime: Doing anything with immense Love of God
The Saints’ Favourite Symbol: The Holy Cross
The Saints’ Favourite Moments: Every time they discovered more the depth of God’s Love
The Church has a marvellous number of saints who are canonized.

On this special day, we also take our time, to raise our hearts in gratitude, for the many other holy men and women, who sparkle with sanctity, but have not been officially declared so.

A few may be known to us, in our family or friends circle…

Most of them, will remain unknown and unfamiliar and unheard.
But in the Lord’s presence, they dazzle and shine, in holiness and purity.
This galaxy of Saints beckon and encourage each one of us today to tread this path of holiness.

As St Augustine says:
“Do you aspire to do great things?

Begin with the little ones”
… Doing our simple works with much love of God.
… Living our Christian life with much faithfulness
… Seeing the deep presence of God in all areas of our life.

Let us live a life…
… of self-sacrifice, renunciation and trust in God
… seeking to do God’s will at all times
… laced with the tender Love of God in all our activities.

Today, all the saints in heaven, with a loud chorus invite each one of us:
“Come, dear Child… Be a Saint!
Do not be afraid! We are with you!”

What is our response?

Happy Feast to all the Saints in Heaven… the Church Triumphant!

Happy Feast to all the faithful departed, being purged to be saints… the Church Suffering!
Happy Feast to all of us, striving to be saints, here on earth… the Church Militant!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “If we walk steadily and faithfully…

… God will lift us up to greater things!”

“Being inspired by our Blessed Mother to single-mindedly live for God and reach out in service to His people, without seeking for any appreciation or applauds!”

(Based on Phil 1:18-26 and Lk 14:1,7-11 – Saturday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time)

Sir Isaac Newton is considered to be one of the greatest scientists of all time.

It was Newton who had discovered the Laws of Gravity which caused great advancements in the field of astronomical studies.

But there was another person, who had greatly helped Newton to climb this ladder of success…
… and of fame and popularity.

But he mostly remains unknown!

His name is Edmund Halley.

It was Halley who corrected some of the mathematical errors committed by Newton.
It was Halley who prepared geometrical figures to support his discoveries.
It was Halley who edited and supervised the publication of his great work, “Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy”
It was also Halley who financed its printing even though Newton was wealthier and easily could have afforded the printing costs

These acts are considered to be among the most selfless ones in the history of science.

But, Halley hardly received any prominence or recognition.

He is, of course, known for the discovering a comet named the “Halley’s Comet”
… which appears briefly once every 76 years!

And even that recognition was accorded only after his death!

Halley is stated to have said that he didn’t care who received credit for discoveries…

His single mission in life was to advance the cause of science…
… and he did it!

To do an act of goodness and charity, without…

Wanting appreciation…
Seeking recognition…
Desiring applauds…
… though, a mighty challenge, is at the same time, a Christian demand!

The Gospel of the Day is a call from Jesus to examine our attitude towards others…
… and grow in this tremendous dimension of the Virtue of Humility!

We are in the 14th Chapter of St Luke.

Jesus has been invited for a dinner to the house of a leading Pharisee on a Sabbath Day.

He has just cured a person with dropsy…
… a disease wherein water gets retained in the body

He also tried to cure persons with hypocrisy…
… a disease wherein duplicity gets retained in the mind!

And now He seeks to cure the attitude of the people who have a false understanding of giving.

Jesus says:
“When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbours. For surely they will invite you in return and you will be repaid” (Lk 14:12)

Much of our giving is based purely on the (hidden) aspect of receiving back…

Much of our sharing is based purely on an (unconscious) agenda of getting back…

We share our time with friends…
… often expecting that they too will accompany us in our times of hardships and difficulties!

We work hard for our families…
… often expecting that they too will be with us in our moments of struggle & not leave us lonely!

We render service to many people who are in need…
… often expecting that they too will render us assistance in our difficulties!

We pray to God & make a lot of sacrifices…
… often expecting that He’ll meet all our expectations, in the way & time, we want!

We love many saints…
… often expecting that they’ll make faster intercession on our behalf and get our works done quickly.

We have, perhaps, become very business oriented:

I give, and expect returns…
I share, and expect a bonus…

But the Lord, in today’s Gospel comes down heavily on such an attitude.

“When you give, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…because they cannot repay you” (Lk 14:13)

We are exhorted to give to those…
… who may never be able to repay back.

We are challenged to help those…
… who may never have a chance to return back the favour.

The Lord who said these words, shows us an example in the highest manner possible….

In the Holy Eucharist!

The Holy Eucharist is the best example and model…of such kind of a giving..

A giving without expecting back!
A sharing without seeking back!

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the poor…
… we who are poor in our morals and purity
… we who are poor in our commitment and dedication

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Crippled…
… crippled with our many sins and faults
… crippled with the guilt of many past failures

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Lame…
… lame in our longing and thirst for the Divine
… lame in our acts of self-giving and self-sacrifice

The Eucharist is a banquet for us, the Blind…
… blind to the cries of those around us
…blind to see our habits which needs repentance & improvement

Jesus, who gives Himself entirely in the Holy Eucharist today challenges us to do the same:
“I give myself to you as food and nourishment…
… even though many people fail to thank me!

Can you also give yourselves to nourish the lives of others…
… even if they fail to acknowledge?”

“I give myself to you in joy, happiness and peace…
… even though many despise and mock me!

Can you also become a source of joy to others…
… even if they back-bite and spread calumny?”

“I give myself to you as a healing for sin and guilt…
… even though many hate and desecrate me!
Can you also become a healing touch to the other…
… even if it means dying slowly to yourself slowly die in the process?”

Yes, as Christians, we have to grow in humility…

Our single mission in life ought to be, the advancement of the Kingdom of God…
… and we ought to pray and work for this virtue!

St Paul gloriously tells to join in his chorus: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!” (Phil 1:21)

The onus is on us…

May we seek the grace and make the efforts…
… to do acts of goodness and charity, without…

Wanting appreciation…
Seeking recognition…
Desiring applauds…
… which, though, a mighty challenge, is at the same time, a Christian demand!

On this last day of the month of October – the month of the Rosary – let us thank the Lord for the gift of our Blessed Mother…

And praying the Rosary – which is a journey through the Life of Jesus, holding the Hands of our Mamma…
… let us be inspired by our Blessed Mother to single-mindedly live for God and reach out in service to His people, without seeking for any appreciation or applauds!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “When we discover that our lute is out of tune
we must neither break the strings…

… nor throw the instrument aside!”

“Receiving the touch of the Lord, in order to be safe, from being drowned in the troubled waters of life!”

(Based on Phil 1: 1-11 and Lk 14:1-6 – Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time)

For our reflection today, we shall make a verse by verse analysis of the Gospel Passage…

The passage under consideration is the Healing of the man with dropsy on the Sabbath Day.
Let us carefully reflect on this amazingly dramatic incident…

The passage begins with the statement, “On a Sabbath, Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees…” (Lk 14:1a)

Here was an invitation of a high and elite nature…

A leading Pharisee of the Jewish society had called Jesus to his home.

He was joined by many other scholars of the Law and the Pharisees.

Maybe it was a show of one’s status and pride and dignity as a great Pharisee…

Maybe it was another chance for the critics of Jesus to find something to crib about him…

“…and the people there were observing Him carefully…” (Lk 14:1b)

To be invited for a dinner was something nice and pleasant…

But to be invited to become an object of observation and scanning was bad enough.

“The people were observing Him carefully” suggested a suspicious action…

It was as if, some thieves were waiting eagerly to strike on their target…
It was as if, some fierce lions, were stealthily preparing to pounce upon their prey…

And then comes the bait “In front of him, there was a man suffering from dropsy” (Lk 14:2)

What’s dropsy?

Dropsy was a condition in which there was an unnatural collection of serous (pale yellow and transparent) fluid in any cavity of the body.

Dropsy was water retention in the body.

Dropsy itself was not a disease, but a symptom of a disease.

It could be a number of things – complications of the liver or kidney or the heart or all three!

In the Jewish understanding, someone who had this condition of dropsy, was seen as a great sinner, even related to being a sexual sinner.

This sickness was a pointer to the man’s condition of being highly unclean!

But to bring back our attention to the Gospel…
Was this not a setting of a dinner?
Was not Jesus called for a meal…
… and that too, a dinner with the elite and leading religious people…
…and that too, on a Sabbath day?!

Then what was a man with dropsy, a serious condition of uncleanness, doing there?

The plot of the drama seems to be thickening…

The setup seems to be getting clear…

The Pharisees have invited Jesus for a meal, yes…but probably with a hidden and a mean agenda:
Drop a man with dropsy in front of Jesus… and observe what he does!

They knew Jesus had the power to heal… but they also knew that it would lead to violation of the Sabbath!

They knew Jesus would feel compassion on the man…but they also knew that it would give them a chance to go up in arms!

They wanted Jesus to violate the Sabbath to give proof that He was not from God!

The Rabbinical rule was that one could only be doctored if one was going to die immediately on the Sabbath.

But if death is not imminent, wait till the Sabbath is over.

But Jesus had time & again proved, that he had no regard for that lack of compassion or for the folly of that legalism.

In Lk 6:6-11, Jesus healed a withered man, on the Sabbath…
In Lk 13: 10-17, Jesus healed a woman, crippled for eighteen years, on the Sabbath…

So, He asks the guests gathered around, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” (Lk 14:3)

Jesus knew their answer.
Jesus knew their perspective of things.
Yet He wanted them to tell.

“… but they kept silent” (Lk 14:4a)…

They knew the answer too.
They knew it was unlawful.
Still they did not tell Him.

Sheer hypocrisy!
Absolute malicious trapping!
Horrifying trick of deception!

And then Jesus does something astonishing…
“… he took the man, and after he had healed him, dismissed him” (Lk 14:4b)

The Greek word used for “took” is a very very strong verb….”Epilombano”
“Epilombano” literally means to lay hold of or to seize upon anything with the hands

It is the same word used in…
… Lk 23:26, when the soldiers seized Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross
… Acts 16:19 to say that Paul and Silas were seized and dragged by their persecutors..)

The cruel silence of the crowd provokes Jesus, to strongly seize the afflicted man!

He doesn’t work the miracle in hiding or quietly or from a distance!

Rather, with much force, He just grabs the man, seizes him, crushes him in His arms…
… as if to squeeze the fluid out and give him a new heart, a new liver, and a new self and creates in the man a whole new set of internal organs.

And finally Jesus justifies His action with another thundering question, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath?” (Lk 14:6)

A beautiful picture indeed…

Jesus asks them, “None of you would have allowed your son or ox to drown in the waters, isn’t it?

Then why don’t you see, that I have also saved from drowning… this man with dropsy, drowning in his own fluid!?

Another total silence by the onlookers!

Am I also silent now?

There is much to learn from this dramatic incident, isn’t it?

May this dramatic Gospel incident, become…
… a wonderful inspiration, for us… who need the touch of the Lord, from being drowned in the troubled waters of life!
… a hard warning, for us… who malign other’s lives by seeking to find ways and means to trap them in the works of goodness!
… a tremendous booster, for us… who often get bogged down by troubles of life & instead to be bold to the hard & gritty challenges of life!

Let the prayer of St Paul become a reality in our lives: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent…
… and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God!” (Phil 1: 9-11)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “Comets appear to be larger than stars and more
fanfare is generally made of them. Yet, they are not comparable to stars either in size or in quality and only seem more spectacular because they are closer.

So, too, most people generally esteem the virtues which are, so to speak, closer, more tangible & more material!”

“Finding rest, shelter and protection under the wings of the Lord, our Mother Hen!”

(Based on Eph 6:10-20 and Lk 13:31-35 – Thursday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time)

As children, we have often heard short stories…

One of the famous stories we have heard is about the Fox and the Hen.

The Fox tries his level best to kill the hen and it almost succeeds, until, the hen, by its cleverness, escapes through the clutches of the fox!

The fox is described with dominative and oppressive characters.

The hen is described with a defenceless and subjugated character.

Yet, the hen with its cleverness and adeptness manages to escape through its grasp.

The Gospel of the day presents such similar images of the Hen and the Fox to deliver a powerful message for our spiritual lives.

The passage begins with some Pharisees giving a warning to Jesus to leave that place since Herod wanted to kill Him.

Firstly, we encounter an unusual image of the Pharisees…

Usually, they are a group who present a very opposing and critical attitude.

The thought of a Pharisee, usually, brings an image of people who are knowledgeable, yet judgemental and disapproving in their behaviour.

But here is a welcome distinction…

These Pharisees display a concern towards Jesus and warn Him of the dangers posed by King Herod.

Why did these Pharisees do so?
…In malice, to further trap Jesus?
…In jealousy, to keep Jesus away from the crowds?
…In concern, to help in His mission?

We can’t say for sure.

We can’t ascertain what really their motive behind warning Jesus was.

But it does allows us space to think that all people cannot be judged as wrong all the time!

At least an inkling of goodness exists in all, even in the midst of thick evil!

The answer of the Lord to the warning is a strong one…”Go and tell that fox…!” (Lk 13:32)

The image of the fox appears….King Herod.

Why does Jesus call King Herod as a fox?

The fox was an unclean animal for a Jew.

More than the slyness of the animal, Jesus was perhaps referring more to its uncleanness.

Herod always had issues with respect to being a clean and credible Jew…
After the death of his father, King Herod the Great (the one who had killed the many innocent male children at the birth of Jesus), this Herod Antipas had been put in power by Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, in 4 BC.

History tells that in 17 AD, to honour his Roman rulers, he build a grand new capital city named Tiberius, after the current emperor, only to discover that it was built on top of an old Jewish cemetery.

No pious Jew ever entered it, and was occupied exclusively by the pagans.

Herod also had his moral issues…

He divorced his first wife, in order to marry Herodias, the wife of his brother, Philip.
John the Baptist had been a persistent critic of Herod for this dubious marriage.

Herod had John killed because he had promised his daughter anything she wanted if she danced for him, and John’s head on a platter is what she wanted.

True, that King Herod Antipas was a powerful man and a person of great influence.
… But Jesus, the King of Kings and the God of all, fears him not and calls him “a fox!”

When one is filled with the mighty Spirit of God, no earthly forces can cause fright or scare!
When one fully trusts in the strength of God, no worldly might can cause anxiety or dread!
When one is committed to one’s convictions and missions, no power can deter away from it!

This leads Jesus to give another image…
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how many times, I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings…“

The image of a mother Hen appears…Jesus Christ

It is one of the most overtly feminine references to God in all of scripture.

Jesus will be the mother hen who stands between the chicks and those who mean to harm.
She has no pointed fangs or rippling muscles.

But all she has, is her willingness to shield her babies with her own body.

If the fox wants them, he will have to kill her first.

This is the image that Jesus for Himself… a Hen.

It lays bare God’s vulnerability.

Here is the contrast…
King Herod, presented as a Fox…powerful, rude, forceful

Jesus, presented as a mother Hen…protective, sacrificial, shielding

This mother Hen, Jesus, invites each of us, His chicks, to find shelter under His wings.
Am I willing to take shelter under the wings of Jesus, the mother Hen?

St Paul exhorts us to remain firm and strong in the Lord and to put on the armour of the Lord:
“… be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil!” (Eph 6:10-11)

The Gospel has a sad note: When the mother hen tried to gather her chicks underneath her wings, “they were unwilling” (Lk 13:34b)

The chicks are unwilling to remain under the shade of the hen’s wings…

Maybe they wanted more freedom…
Maybe they just wanted to have their own way of living life…
Maybe they did not find the mother hen too exciting, whereas the active fox attracted them…

We too are sometimes so…

We fail to come under the shade of God’s wings…
We become unwilling.

The story of the fox and the hen continues…

Do I get attracted more to the energetic and tempting fox…

Or do I find rest, shelter and protection under the wings of the mother hen?

The choice is before us…

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “”We must not fear fear!”